Costa Rica Air Arrivals Top 2 Million Through August 2026

Costa Rica Tops 2 Million Air Arrivals Through August 2026 as Guanacaste Drives 71% of Growth

Updated September 18, 2026

Costa Rica surpassed two million international tourist arrivals by air during the first eight months of 2026. Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) data show 2,025,032 air arrivals from January through August, 5.8% more than the same period in 2025. The milestone extends the growth documented in our July air-arrivals report, although August itself declined year over year.

Quick Answer

Costa Rica received 2,025,032 international tourists by air from January through August 2026. Guanacaste Airport (LIR) reached 744,915 arrivals and supplied about 71% of the country’s net year-over-year increase in air arrivals. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), commonly called San José Airport, remained the larger gateway, while August arrivals nationally fell 5.9%.

Key Facts

Costa Rica recorded 2,025,032 international air arrivals through August 2026, up 5.8%.
Total international arrivals through all entry routes reached 2,191,432, up 5.3%.
SJO received 1,279,455 tourists by air, about 2.6% more than a year earlier.
Guanacaste Airport received 744,915 tourists, up about 11.9%.
National air arrivals increased by 111,274; LIR added 79,318 of them, or about 71.3%.
August alone recorded 171,602 air arrivals, down 5.9% from August 2025.
Canada reached 222,003 air arrivals through August, up 24.8%.

Costa Rica Air Arrivals August 2026: Latest Data

Air travel continued to dominate international tourism arrivals. Of the 2,191,432 international tourists recorded through all entry routes from January through August, more than 92% arrived by air.

The cumulative result was positive, but monthly momentum weakened. August brought 171,602 air arrivals, compared with 182,342 in August 2025, a year-over-year decline of 5.9%.

The United States remained the largest individual air market with 1,209,160 arrivals through August, up 2.7% cumulatively. Canada rose 24.8% to 222,003, while Europe reached 319,552 air arrivals, up 8.8%. In August alone, U.S. arrivals fell 13.9%, while Canada grew 19.4% and Europe increased 2.7%.

Why Guanacaste Drove 71% of the Growth

Guanacaste Airport (LIR), officially Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, received 744,915 international tourists from January through August 2026, compared with 665,597 during the same period in 2025. That is an increase of 79,318 arrivals, or about 11.9%.

SJO increased from 1,247,597 to 1,279,455 arrivals, adding 31,858. National air arrivals increased by 111,274.

This is an analytical inference based on the ICT airport totals: LIR generated approximately 71.3% of Costa Rica’s net increase in international air arrivals through August. The calculation describes the source of net growth; it does not mean that 71% of all tourists arriving by air entered through Guanacaste.

What the Trend Means for Travelers

The cumulative numbers show continued growth, but August’s decline is a reminder that national year-to-date totals do not mean every month, source market or destination is expanding at the same rate.

For travelers, airport choice remains practical rather than statistical. Guanacaste Airport is well positioned for many North Pacific itineraries, while SJO remains the larger gateway and can be practical for the Central Valley and trips continuing toward other regions.

Visitors can compare Guanacaste Airport transportation routes and San José Airport transportation routes before selecting flights. The Costa Rica Travel Planning Guide 2026 also helps visitors coordinate airports, hotels and multi-destination travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tourists arrived in Costa Rica by air through August 2026?

Costa Rica recorded 2,025,032 international tourist arrivals by air from January through August 2026. That was 111,274 more than the 1,913,758 recorded during the same eight months of 2025, representing 5.8% growth.

What does it mean that Guanacaste drove 71% of the growth?

Guanacaste Airport added 79,318 arrivals year over year, while Costa Rica’s total air arrivals increased by 111,274. Dividing those figures shows that LIR generated about 71.3% of the national net increase. This is a calculation from ICT data, not LIR’s share of all arrivals.

Did Costa Rica tourism grow in August 2026?

Not during August alone. Costa Rica received 171,602 tourists by air in August 2026, down 5.9% from August 2025. The January-August total still remained 5.8% higher year over year because gains earlier in 2026 outweighed the August decline.

Which airport received more international tourists in 2026?

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) remained the larger gateway, with 1,279,455 tourist arrivals through August. Guanacaste Airport (LIR) received 744,915, but LIR grew faster year over year and accounted for most of the national net increase.

Should travelers fly into SJO or LIR?

The better airport depends on the itinerary. LIR is generally convenient for many Guanacaste and North Pacific destinations, while SJO can be more practical for the Central Valley and many itineraries continuing toward other regions. Travelers should compare their first hotel, final hotel and ground transportation before choosing flights.

Conclusion

Costa Rica’s 2,025,032 air arrivals through August confirm year-to-date tourism growth in 2026, but the latest figures also show a softer monthly picture. Guanacaste Airport generated about 71% of the national net increase, while August arrivals declined 5.9%.

Travelers planning upcoming trips can review private transportation options in Costa Rica to coordinate airport pickup and onward travel around their confirmed flights and accommodations.