AGP Executive Report

Coastal Conditions: Pacific tides remain unusually high through Saturday, raising flood risks in exposed coastal areas; check local tide times before heading to the beach. Travel Safety: After thieves emptied a rental car near Caldera, travelers are urged to confirm the doors actually lock and keep bags and passports out of sight. More Flights: Southwest is adding nonstop service to Costa Rica among 11 new international routes, while British Airways now flies from Heathrow to San José up to five times weekly year-round. Nature & Wildlife: A quetzal was recorded for the first time at La Marta Wildlife Refuge in Cartago, adding a new birding draw. Meanwhile, researchers warn that beachfront lights are disrupting sea turtle nesting, and Rincón de la Vieja’s recent lull in eruptions may not mean the volcano is settling down. New Stay: Hilton’s September openings include the 97-room Montara Hotel in Heredia, part of its Tapestry Collection.

Nosara Surf Break: A recent visitor’s lesson at Playa Guiones captures the appeal of Costa Rica’s Pacific surf scene, where beginner-friendly instruction sits alongside world-class waves, yoga and wellness retreats. New Flights: British Airways has begun year-round London Heathrow–San José service, with five weekly flights through March and three a week from April to September. Southwest is also adding nonstop routes to Liberia and San José among 11 new international services from U.S. cities. Nature & Conservation: A resplendent quetzal was recorded for the first time at La Marta Wildlife Refuge in Cartago, broadening the birding options beyond the country’s better-known viewing areas. In Montezuma, artists and environmental advocates are drawing attention to documented land damage near the popular waterfall. Visitor Safety: Rincón de la Vieja’s eruptions have eased, but scientists say the lull could precede renewed activity, so visitors should check local guidance before heading to the area. A U.S. tourist was also reported injured after falling about 10 meters at a Costa Rican waterfall. New Stay: Hilton’s September openings include the 97-room Montara Hotel in Heredia, part of its Tapestry Collection.

More U.S. Flights: Southwest is adding 11 nonstop international routes from Las Vegas, Nashville, Austin and Columbus, including service to Costa Rica’s Liberia and San José airports. Year-round Las Vegas–Puerto Vallarta flights begin Nov. 1. London Link: British Airways has shifted its Costa Rica service to Heathrow and now flies to San José five times a week, with the route operating year-round for the first time and easier connections through its main hub. Volcano Watch: Rincón de la Vieja has grown quieter since mid-September, but scientists say it is unclear whether the decline signals a pause or precedes larger eruptions. Birding News: A resplendent quetzal was recorded for the first time at La Marta Wildlife Refuge in Cartago, highlighting a new birding draw beyond the country’s best-known quetzal sites. Montezuma Conservation: Costa Rican and international musicians have released a protest song after authorities documented land and vegetation damage near Montezuma Waterfall, a popular Nicoya Peninsula attraction.

Entry Requirements: U.S. travelers heading to Costa Rica should check current immigration rules before departure. Governments differ on whether visitors need confirmed onward travel or must show they can leave within their permitted stay. Montezuma Protection: Seventeen musicians have released “Catarata sin Tractor” to protest land clearing and construction near the popular Montezuma waterfall. A SINAC report documented changes affecting about 6,564 square meters of land. New Flights: Southwest plans to launch nonstop service from Nashville to Liberia in February 2027, adding another U.S. connection to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Coastal Wildlife: Artificial lights can draw sea turtle hatchlings away from the ocean and may deter nesting adults. A marine biologist has raised concerns about coastal development near Tamarindo and Santa Teresa.

Costa Rica Deals: Central Holidays is offering qualifying fall travelers a guided experience worth up to $399 per person on trips that include Costa Rica. New Air Link: Southwest plans nonstop Nashville–Liberia flights from February 2027, adding a direct route to Guanacaste. Wildlife & Beaches: Artificial lights from hotels and homes can disorient sea turtle hatchlings and deter nesting females; conservationists warn that coastal development is putting nesting beaches at risk. Visitor Safety: Costa Rica’s OIJ is investigating the death of a Canadian woman at a San José cosmetic clinic after a follow-up visit; the cause is not yet clear. Separately, a U.S. mother says embassy staff helped her son leave a Pérez Zeledón community under investigation for alleged fraud; no charges have been filed. Road Access: Bidding is open for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, with construction expected to begin in mid-2027.

New Air Links: Southwest plans nonstop service from Nashville to Liberia beginning in February 2027, adding a direct option for travelers heading to Guanacaste. Coastal Conservation: Artificial lights from hotels, homes and roads can mislead sea turtle hatchlings and deter nesting females. Researchers say coastal development may be contributing to fewer nests at beaches including Tamarindo and Santa Teresa. Tourism Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened bidding for the long-delayed San José–San Ramón highway expansion, with construction expected to start in the second half of 2027. The 55.6-kilometer project is intended to improve capacity and safety on a major route. Remote Nature Travel: Barra del Colorado’s Silver King Lodge is drawing attention to a car-free corner of the Caribbean coast, where river travel, rainforest and tarpon fishing shape the visitor experience.

Air Access: Southwest plans 11 new international routes through June 2027, including Austin–San José in March, Austin–Liberia in June and Nashville–Liberia in February. Short-Term Rentals: Airbnb has barred hosts from requiring guests to wash and put away dishes at checkout, responding to complaints about excessive chores. Travel Safety: Costa Rican authorities are investigating the death of a Canadian woman at a San José cosmetic surgery clinic after a procedure earlier this month; the cause and any connection to the procedure remain unknown. Nature Travel: Barra del Colorado’s Silver King Lodge is drawing anglers to a remote tarpon destination reachable only by boat or small plane, amid rainforest and wetlands. Road Access: Costa Rica has opened bidding for the San José–San Ramón highway project, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2027. Wildlife Protection: Costa Rica-based conservation groups helped spur a proposed U.S. bill to restrict wild sloth imports after 58 sloths died at a Florida attraction.

Infrastructure: Costa Rica opened bids for a $770 million expansion of the San José–San Ramón highway. The 55.6-kilometer project is expected to begin in the second half of 2027. Visitor Safety: Authorities are investigating the death of a 57-year-old Canadian woman at a San José cosmetic surgery clinic. She had returned for a follow-up after a procedure earlier this month; the cause of death and any link to the procedure remain unclear. Remote Escapes: Newly owned Silver King Lodge is drawing attention to Barra del Colorado, a car-free destination reached by boat or small plane, known for tarpon fishing and surrounding rainforest. Sustainable Stays: Beyond Green has added new members in Costa Rica, expanding its collection of sustainability-focused hotels. Wildlife: Research off Costa Rica found young oceanic manta rays tend to stay near shore, while adults travel much farther, including to waters off Guatemala.

Medical Travel: OIJ is investigating the death of a 57-year-old Canadian woman at a San José cosmetic surgery clinic after a follow-up visit. Authorities have not established whether her death was connected to a procedure earlier this month. Road Access: Costa Rica has opened bids for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, with construction expected to begin in mid-2027. Sustainable Stays: El Silencio Lodge & Spa has joined the Beyond Green portfolio, bringing its Costa Rican membership to three properties. Off-the-Map Escape: Barra del Colorado’s Silver King Lodge is promoting remote tarpon fishing in a wildlife refuge reachable only by boat or small plane. Weather Watch: Heavy rain and saturated soils have put the country on alert, while forecasters expect hotter-than-usual conditions in December. Local Tourism: Businesses in Cahuita are struggling after major drug raids, a blow to tourism in the Caribbean community.

Visitor Safety: Costa Rican authorities are investigating the death of a 57-year-old Canadian woman at a San José cosmetic surgery clinic. She had undergone a procedure earlier this month; an autopsy is expected to help determine what happened. Air Access: Southwest plans to add Austin–San José flights in March 2027 and Austin–Liberia service in June, expanding direct access to the country. Road Links: International bidding is open for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, a major corridor used by visitors heading west and northwest. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2027. Sustainable Stays: El Silencio Lodge & Spa has joined the Beyond Green portfolio, adding another Costa Rican property recognized for environmental stewardship and community ties. Remote Adventure: Newly spotlighted Silver King Lodge offers access to tarpon fishing in Barra del Colorado, a rainforest refuge where boats are the main way to get around.

Medical Tourism: OIJ is investigating after a 57-year-old Canadian woman died at a San José cosmetic surgery clinic during a follow-up visit. Her death has not been linked to the procedure she underwent earlier this month. Road Access: Costa Rica has opened international bidding for the $770 million expansion of the San José–San Ramón highway. Work on the 55.6-kilometer corridor is expected to begin in the second half of 2027, improving a key route for visitors heading northwest. Air Connections: Southwest plans new Austin flights to San José starting in March 2027 and Liberia in June, adding options for travelers bound for the capital and Guanacaste. Sustainable Stays: El Silencio Lodge & Spa has joined the Beyond Green portfolio, which now includes three Costa Rican properties. Nature Travel: Barra del Colorado’s Silver King Lodge offers a remote tarpon-fishing escape accessible only by boat or small plane, amid a wildlife refuge with no roads or cars.

Air Links: Southwest plans new Austin flights to San José in March 2027 and Liberia in June, expanding access to Costa Rica from Texas. Wildlife Conservation: Costa Rican researchers found young giant manta rays stay in coastal waters while adults migrate hundreds of kilometres, information that could help protect the endangered species. Sloth Protection: Costa Rica-based conservation groups helped spur a bipartisan U.S. bill to restrict imports of wild sloths after 58 died at a Florida attraction. Roads: Costa Rica has opened bidding for a $770 million expansion of the San José–San Ramón highway, a major route for visitors heading toward Guanacaste; construction plans cover about 56 kilometres. Sustainable Stays: El Silencio Lodge & Spa has joined the Beyond Green portfolio, which now includes three hotels in Costa Rica. Remote Escape: At Barra del Colorado, Silver King Lodge offers tarpon fishing in a wildlife refuge reachable only by boat or small plane, with no roads or cars in the village.

Air Links: Southwest plans 11 new international routes, including Austin–San José starting in March 2027 and Austin–Liberia in June, adding options for travelers heading to Costa Rica. Sustainable Stays: El Silencio Lodge & Spa has joined Beyond Green’s global portfolio, giving Costa Rica three member hotels focused on environmental stewardship and community ties. Wildlife: Research off Costa Rica found juvenile giant manta rays stay in shallow coastal waters, while adults travel as far as Guatemala — a finding that underscores the value of protecting their marine habitat. Roads: Costa Rica has opened bidding for a $770 million expansion of the San José–San Ramón highway, a major route for travelers heading toward Guanacaste and the northwest. Travel Outlook: Tourism fell for a second month as U.S. arrivals declined. Saturated soils also put the country under a rain alert through Wednesday, so visitors should check conditions and allow extra travel time.

Dental Tourism: A new platform is listing all-inclusive dental packages in Costa Rica, bundling treatment with hotel stays and ground transfers to make overseas care easier to plan and price. Tourism Oversight: A Guanacaste mayor is under investigation over a beachfront hotel permit, putting coastal development and local approvals in focus. Air Access: Air Canada’s winter network includes Vancouver–Liberia service, offering Canadian travelers another route to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Visitor Trends: Costa Rica’s tourism arrivals fell for a second consecutive month as U.S. arrivals declined. Wildlife Protection: Costa Rican sloth conservation groups helped shape a bipartisan U.S. bill to curb live sloth imports after 58 animals died at a planned Florida attraction.

New Air Links: Air Canada is adding Vancouver–Liberia service to its winter network, while Southwest plans Austin–San José flights in March 2027 and new Liberia routes from Austin and Nashville. Wildlife Protection: Costa Rican conservation groups helped shape a bipartisan U.S. bill to curb live sloth imports, following the deaths of 58 animals brought to Florida for a planned tourist attraction. Weather Alert: Saturated soils have put Costa Rica under a rain alert through Wednesday, so travelers should check local conditions before heading out. Tourism Watch: Costa Rica’s tourism arrivals fell for a second month as U.S. visits declined. What’s On: The National Theater marks its 129th anniversary with free tours and concerts.

New Air Links: Southwest plans to launch Austin–San José nonstop flights in March 2027, with Austin–Liberia service in June and Nashville–Liberia flights in February—adding more U.S. connections to Costa Rica. Rain and Road Risks: A green alert covers all seven provinces, with saturated soils raising the risk of flooding and landslides. Heavy showers are expected through Wednesday, with storms possible into Thursday; travelers should check local conditions before setting out. Tourism Watch: Costa Rica’s tourism arrivals fell for a second month, with U.S. arrivals also down. In Cahuita, tourism businesses are struggling after major drug raids, adding pressure on a local visitor economy.