AGP Executive Report

Wellness Travel Spotlight: Travel and Tour World just ranked Costa Rica among the Americas’ fastest-growing wellness hubs for 2026, pointing to demand for nature-focused, flexible, and more sustainable getaways as travelers rethink long-haul costs. Cheaper Summer Fares: Dollar Flight Club says the best bets for savings are short-haul routes to Central America and the Caribbean, with San José fares averaging as low as about $276 and Punta Cana around $279. Local Transport Costs: Costa Rica’s regulator Aresep approved a fuel-linked fare rise—bus prices up about 5.43% nationwide and taxi increases up to roughly 2.82%—so expect higher rides in the coming days. Nature & Culture Pull: A new feature highlights Indigenous Bribri cacao life in the Talamanca Mountains, while another story spotlights mangrove-bee honey tourism in Puntarenas. Cannes Momentum: Costa Rican cinema made waves again at Cannes, with Best Actress shared for Valentina Maurel’s Siempre soy tu animal materno.

Transport Costs: Costa Rica’s regulator Aresep approved a 5.43% bus fare jump nationwide and taxi increases of 1.39%–2.82%, citing higher international fuel prices. The changes vary by route, with many fares rising by small amounts but some longer trips climbing by much more. Environment & Development: Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber kept a moratorium on tree-felling permits in the Gulf of Papagayo tied to hotel development, extending a legal freeze in one of Guanacaste’s key resort zones. Science Funding Warning: OVSICORI says earthquake and volcano monitoring could weaken if permanent funding isn’t restored, with stations at risk of failing as budgets run down. Local Tourism & Nature: In Puntarenas, families behind ApiMangle are turning mangrove-adjacent bee honey into a rural tourism draw, while Reserva Conchal launched a bee genetics pilot to strengthen pollinators in Guanacaste.

Earthquake/Volcano Monitoring Funding Warning: OVSICORI says Costa Rica’s seismic and volcanic monitoring is weakening since 2023 as permanent funding dried up, risking stations failing one by one and leaving the country with “no eyes or ears” in the field. Airport Upgrade for Travelers: San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport has opened a new 3,800 m² arrivals area, adding space for baggage checks, MAG/CUSTOMS processes, car rentals, and a meeting plaza—part of a US$62M modernization. Bee Conservation Pilot: Reserva Conchal launched a Guanacaste bee genetics pilot to strengthen pollinators using applied science, queen-bee work, and closer monitoring. World Cup Travel Tie-In: England’s pre-World Cup camp in Florida is adding young players, including Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, with a friendly vs Costa Rica in Orlando—good news for fans planning a match-day trip. Sports & Culture Buzz: Cannes Un Certain Regard crowned Austria’s Everytime and Nepal’s Elephants in the Fog, keeping Costa Rica-linked film coverage in the spotlight.

Airport Upgrade: San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport opened a bigger, more efficient arrivals area (3,800 m²) with added baggage inspection space, MAG and Customs areas, and better passenger flow—part of a US$62M modernization push. Conservation & Nature Tourism: Reserva Conchal launched a bee genetics pilot in Guanacaste to strengthen pollinators using applied science, queen-bee work, and closer monitoring. Travel Culture: Costa Rica hosts WGI Latin America 2026 this weekend at Heredia’s Palacio de los Deportes, bringing elite color guard, percussion, and winds groups from across the region. Local Governance & Safety: President Fernández escalated tensions with top judicial officials, calling the attorney general a “national disgrace,” as the country’s political spotlight stays on the courts. What’s missing: No major new Costa Rica flight-route announcements in the latest hours beyond the airport upgrade.

Travel & Culture: Costa Rica’s Cahuita National Park spotlights a community-run conservation model, where locals like guide Yazmin Varela Mora say the park “belongs to us” and benefits the people who manage it. Air Connectivity: JetBlue is ending its daily Orlando–San José nonstop on July 8, shrinking one popular Florida option after Spirit already pulled out of Costa Rica. Events in Costa Rica: WGI Latin America 2026 kicks off May 23-24 at the Palacio de los Deportes in Heredia, bringing 15 elite color guard, percussion, and winds groups from across the region. K-Pop in San José: UCR hosts the free 2026 K-POP World Festival national final on May 30, with categories for solo singing, solo dance, and group dance. What’s missing: No major Costa Rica-only breaking travel policy news in the latest batch—most headlines are culture and connectivity.

Flight Changes for Costa Rica Travelers: JetBlue is ending its daily nonstop Orlando (MCO)–San José (SJO) route on July 8, citing higher fuel costs and a shift toward Fort Lauderdale—leaving fewer direct options after Spirit already pulled out of Costa Rica earlier this month. New International Links: Chicago Rockford International Airport is adding tropical routes for 2027, including Liberia Guanacaste, Costa Rica (launching Feb. 5, 2027). Costa Rica Money Watch: The Central Bank of Costa Rica says it hit a new record for exchange-rate stabilization, buying $774M since Feb. 19 to support the colón. Tourism & Culture: The Banco Central released the final ₡25 collectible coin in its provincial landmarks series, honoring San José’s Teatro Nacional.

Medical Travel Expansion: Medical Tourism Packages (MTP) says it’s adding dedicated coordination routes from Caribbean hubs into JCI-accredited hospital networks in Panama, Colombia, Mexico, and Costa Rica, aiming to cut the big out-of-pocket gap U.S. patients face. Costa Rica in the Spotlight: Canadian actor Khobe Clarke (Yellowjackets, Cruel Summer) entered Costa Rica on May 15, sparking local buzz over whether it’s work or a break. New Routes & Seats: Lufthansa will boost Frankfurt–San José from 3 to 5 weekly flights in the 2026–27 winter season, and Breeze Airways launches Tampa–San José nonstop on Oct. 3 (first nonstop in 25+ years). Money Watch: Costa Rica’s central bank hit a new record for stabilizing the exchange rate, with the colón pressing to historic lows. Weather: Expect afternoon downpours and thunderstorms, especially Pacific and mountain areas—plan beach time early.

Air Connectivity: Lufthansa will add capacity on the Costa Rica–Frankfurt route, boosting flights from 3 to 5 weekly from Oct 25, 2026 to Mar 27, 2027, using a 787-9 with its Allegris cabin. New Routes: Breeze Airways launches Tampa–San José nonstop on Oct 3 (Wednesdays & Saturdays) and adds Tampa–Punta Cana from July 2. Currency Watch: Costa Rica’s central bank hit a new record for exchange-rate stabilization, buying $774M since Feb 19 to support the colón as it keeps strengthening. Tourism & Culture: The Banco Central releases the final ₡25 collectible coin in its “Sitios Emblemáticos” series, honoring Teatro Nacional in San José. Weather: Expect afternoon thunderstorms across much of the country—plan beach time early. Sustainability: A new ETH Zurich study links Costa Rica’s forest restoration under PES to wildlife “soundscapes” that increasingly resemble protected areas.

Regenerative Luxury in Monteverde: Hotel Belmar is opening Artista—10 car-free regenerative luxury villas—in Costa Rica’s cloud forest on June 1, aiming to cut energy use by up to 70% with low-impact materials. Currency Watch: Costa Rica’s central bank set a new record for buying dollars to stabilize the exchange rate as the colón hits historic lows. More Europe Access: Lufthansa will add flights Frankfurt–San José, rising to five weekly services in the 2026–27 winter season, using a 787-9 with its Allegris cabin. Tourism Momentum: The country’s high season is extending—Q1 international arrivals jumped 12.9%—while 2025 still closed strong on record tourism revenue. Travel Disruption: A Southwest flight from San José to Houston made an emergency landing in Liberia after a reported bird strike; no injuries reported. On the Ground: Today’s forecast calls for afternoon thunderstorms, especially on the Pacific and Central Valley.

New Flights, New Access: Breeze Airways is adding nonstop Tampa→Punta Cana (starting July 2) and launching its first-ever Tampa→San José service (Oct. 3), with fares from $129 one-way—another boost for Costa Rica’s long-haul appeal. Europe Capacity Boost: Lufthansa will raise Costa Rica–Frankfurt service to five weekly flights this winter (Oct. 25, 2026–Mar. 27, 2027) and upgrade to the 787-9 with its Allegris cabin. Tourism Momentum: After modest 2025 growth, Costa Rica’s high season is breaking records again—Q1 2026 hit 959,738 air arrivals (+12.9% vs. Q1 2025), and the country welcomed over one million international visitors in the first quarter. Nature Wins: A new ETH Zurich study finds restored forests under Costa Rica’s Payment for Ecosystem Services are sounding more like protected parks than cattle pastures. Weather Watch: Expect afternoon thunderstorms today, especially Pacific and mountain areas—plan beach time early.

Bolivia Unrest: Protests and road blockades have put Bolivia’s capital La Paz “under siege,” cutting off markets and even emergency hospital oxygen, as unions, peasants and miners press for President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation. Costa Rica Weather: IMN warns of trade-wind humidity and afternoon thunderstorms nationwide, with the hottest conditions in Nicoya; beachgoers should plan early or late. Renewables + AI Pressure: Costa Rica’s near-total renewable electricity is now being pitched to AI data centers, but the big question is whether the grid—and local water—can handle new demand. Lake Arenal Tourism Push: Municipalities and tourism groups back a bill to create a new protected-wilderness category for Lake Arenal, aiming to legalize currently irregular shoreline tourism via concessions. Tourism Safety/Access: Barceló apologized after an Occidental Papagayo case where a guide dog was reportedly refused, sparking a public accessibility debate. Travel Disruption: A Southwest flight from San José to Houston made an emergency landing in Liberia after a reported bird strike. Tourism Momentum: Costa Rica welcomed 1.03M international visitors in Q1, up 11.3% year-on-year.

AI + Clean Power Pressure: Costa Rica’s 98.6% renewable electricity record is now being pitched to AI data centers—but it also raises a new question: can the grid (and local water) handle the coming surge in demand? ICE says the system is set to add 600 MW by 2030, while the country’s data-center footprint is still small (about 20 MW across four facilities). Airport Disruption: A Southwest flight from San José to Houston made an emergency landing in Liberia after a reported bird strike shortly after takeoff; the plane was inspected and no injuries were reported. Tourism Momentum: Costa Rica welcomed 1,033,777 international visitors in Q1, up 11.3% year-on-year. Culture on the Map: Director Valentina Maurel’s “Forever Your Maternal Animal” is in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, keeping Costa Rican cinema in the spotlight. Next Big Event: The Extreme American Rodeo hits La Sabana in San José on June 7.

Tourism & Flights: Ottawa’s airport is getting more international lift, with Air Transat launching its first nonstop Ottawa–London Gatwick service and Porter adding routes that include Costa Rica—more direct options for travelers chasing easier connections. Digital Buzz: TikTok has overtaken Instagram as Costa Rica’s second most used app (58% vs 47%), a clear signal for how hotels and tour operators should market. Travel Infrastructure: The new Caño Negro bridge is cutting the La Fortuna–Monteverde drive to about 1h50 via Route 936, putting El Castillo back on the main tourist route. Accessibility & Reputation: Barceló apologized after an Occidental Papagayo hotel refused entry to a guide dog, sparking a public accessibility test. Migration Watch: Costa Rica received a fourth U.S. deportation flight under the migration deal, bringing the total to 95 since April 11. Money Note: The U.S. dollar hit another historic low vs the colón, keeping costs tighter for dollar spenders.

Accessibility & Tourism Backlash: Barceló apologized after a Guanacaste hotel allegedly refused entry to a certified guide dog, sparking a public test of disability access in Costa Rica’s hospitality scene. New Route Boost: The Caño Negro bridge opened April 24, cutting the La Fortuna–Monteverde drive to about 1h50 via Route 936—making El Castillo a more natural stop for travelers. Migration Update: Costa Rica received its fourth U.S. deportation flight under the migration deal, bringing 12 foreign nationals through Juan Santamaría after screening. Travel Demand Still Rising: Tourism momentum remains strong, with Costa Rica surpassing one million international visitors in the first quarter. Wildlife & Community Events: A North American Bird Fair is set for June 4–7 in Sarapiquí, and birding apps are continuing to pull more visitors toward Latin America’s hotspots.

Nature Tourism Spotlight: Costa Rica is gearing up for the Costa Rica Birdwatching Fair 2026, running June 4–7 in Sarapiquí (Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Heredia), with field activities, talks, photography, and conservation-focused programming aimed at both specialists and families. Tourism Momentum: The country opened 2026 strong, topping 1 million international visitors in the first quarter (1,033,777), up 11.3% year-on-year, even as a stronger colón and weaker dollar keep pressure on budgets. Aviation Boost: Juan Santamaría International Airport earned Skytrax’s “Best Regional Airport in Central America and the Caribbean” title in the 2026 World Airport Awards. Travel Watchlist: Southwest launched its first-ever Alaska flights, including seasonal service to Anchorage, and the airline also lists new nonstop links that include San José (SJO). Local Culture: The Extreme American Rodeo 2026 hits La Sabana in San José on June 7, bringing bull riding and cowboy culture to the Central Valley.

Tourism Momentum: Costa Rica kicked off 2026 strong, welcoming 1,033,777 foreign visitors in Q1—up 11.3% year-on-year and even above the 2019 first-quarter level. Currency Pressure: The boost is landing alongside a tougher backdrop for travelers as the U.S. dollar hit a new historic low vs. the colón (Monex around ¢453.94), squeezing buying power for dollar earners. New Access for Visitors: Southwest is expanding nonstop travel—its network now includes seasonal flights to Anchorage and new links that also reach San José (SJO), supporting more U.S. demand. Volcano Watch: Locally, the latest global activity report notes Kilauea easing to Yellow while Taal climbed to Alert Level 2—a reminder to keep an eye on regional advisories when planning. Tourism Zones Update: A new land-use bill could reshape where tourism can grow, with potential impacts for future hotel and tour development.