Costa Rica’s National Tourism Fair kicks off this weekend in San José

To help local tourism businesses, the Costa Rican Tourism Board is holding a fair this weekend at San José’s Antigua Aduana with 90 companies offering special discounts and promotions on local travel.

The National Tourism Fair is the ICT’s feature event for its “Vamos a Turistear” campaign, and includes promotional efforts by hotels, tour operators, car rental agencies, restaurants and rural tourism groups.

Exhibitors will display products and services from eight travel segments: wellness and relaxation, urban, mountains, beach, adventure, romance, family and rural tourism.

ICT Marketing Director Alejandro Castro said that in addition to offering affordable travel options within Costa Rica, participating companies will feature special promotions and rates and value-added vacation plans. These offers are available only to Costa Ricans who present their cédulas, or IDs, and residents with DIMEX cards, according to the ICT. Most promotions are valid through the end of the current green season, about the third week in December.

Businesses also will highlight regional culture with musical, theater and dance performances. Others will be selling food, souvenirs, art and traditional Tico products.

Fair hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, and attendees can participate in raffles to win trips and other prizes.

Castro said that last year’s fair attracted over 6,000 visitors. This year, organizers expect up to 10,000 people.

Watch one of the spots of the “Vamos a Turistear” campaign: