Costa Rica has been voted the most desirable country in the world by readers of British travel magazine Wanderlust, taking gold in the worldwide category of the publication’s Reader Travel Awards. The result was announced at a ceremony in London yesterday and confirmed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
The awards, now in their 25th edition, are decided by reader votes, and this year’s edition drew about 250,000 ballots. The win moves Costa Rica up from second place in the 2025 rankings, when it finished behind Japan, and returns it to the top spot it also claimed in 2022. In 2021, the country placed third.
ICT Executive President Marcos Vargas Borges received the award in London and described it as a strategic opportunity for the country’s tourism sector. He is leading a delegation of 45 Costa Rican tourism businesses at World Travel Market, one of the industry’s largest trade fairs, held in the British capital this week.
Other winners in this year’s awards included Spain, named the most desirable country in Europe, and Tokyo, chosen as the most desirable city. California took the top region award, Belize was named the leading emerging destination, and Tasmania and Corsica were recognized among the islands.
The recognition comes as Costa Rica’s visitor numbers continue to grow. ICT figures show 2,310,320 international visitors arrived from January through September 2026, an increase of 4.8% over the same period last year. The United States remains by far the largest source market, with 1,288,001 visitors, followed by Canada with 239,065. Together, the two countries account for 66% of all arrivals.
Europe is a key target for the London trip. The ICT reported earlier this year that air arrivals from Europe rose more than 8% from January to August, even as Lufthansa plans to drop its Costa Rica route in 2027 while its sister airline adds flights. The Wanderlust vote caps a week of international attention for the country. National Geographic named Costa Rica Central America’s ultimate nature escape in a new guide, and Forbes recently highlighted a Pacific coast resort as a way to beat the crowds during the shoulder season.
With the December-to-April high season weeks away, the ranking offers a snapshot of how travelers abroad see Costa Rica, and a reminder of how much its natural reputation continues to carry its tourism economy.
