Volaris Airlines just rolled out three new direct routes from San José, Costa Rica, to Miami and Orlando, Florida, and Tulum, Mexico. These flights, kicking off in July, aim to make travel cheaper and easier, using one of Latin America’s newest fleets.

New Routes, Low Fares

The flights start July 1 with daily service to Orlando, July 2 with four weekly flights to Tulum (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays), and July 4 with four weekly flights to Miami (Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays). Volaris is offering one-way tickets to Miami and Tulum from $79 plus taxes, and Orlando from $89 plus taxes. These fares make it a steal for travelers eyeing these popular spots.

Volaris is the only ultra-low-cost airline flying direct from San José to Miami and Orlando, going up against bigger players like American Airlines and Avianca for Miami, and JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit for Orlando. The Tulum route is a first, connecting Costa Rica directly to this popular Mexican destination.

“This expansion shows Costa Ricans and Central Americans love our low-cost model, and it pushes us to keep growing,” said Ronny Rodríguez, Volaris’s Director of Corporate Development and Sustainability. He added that the routes celebrate Volaris Costa Rica’s ninth year as a national carrier, tapping into demand for Miami, Orlando, and Tulum.

Tourism and Economic Boost

Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister, William Rodríguez, sees these routes as a game plan to draw more visitors. “These new flights hit at the right time to ramp up Costa Rica’s global connections. Linking to Florida and the Mexican Caribbean opens doors for more tourists, stronger local economies, and a competitive edge in the region,” he said.

In 2024, Costa Rica welcomed 1.6 million U.S. tourists, and Mexico ranks as its third-biggest market. The Tulum route, the only direct link between the two spots, should boost tourism both ways, especially since Mexico is a growing favorite for Costa Ricans. The routes also join Volaris’s existing flights to Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancun, Guatemala, and Los Angeles, with Guadalajara jumping from two to four weekly flights in July due to high demand.

The new routes are set to spark tourism, trade, and investment between Costa Rica, Florida, and southeastern Mexico. Volaris carried 2.4 million passengers from San José since 2015 which shows the excitement for the low fares and tourism potential. A 70% discount offered in February for early bookings added to the buzz.

Volaris’s move strengthens San José’s role as a regional hub, making it easier for travelers to reach our beaches, national parks, and cultural activities.

A $925 million tourism development in Guanacaste is pushing forward after Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court dismissed an appeal challenging its environmental approval. The Bahía Papagayo project, set to bring hotels and jobs to Playa Panamá, has sparked debate over balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

Court Rejects Appeal

Activist Gad Amit Kaufman, representing the Asociación Confraternidad Guanacasteca, filed the appeal to halt the project, arguing that the National Environmental Technical Secretariat (Setena) failed to properly consult the public. Kaufman cited a developer’s survey showing 88% of locals were unaware of the project, claiming it broke environmental rules.

On May 31, 2025, the Constitutional Court (Sala IV) rejected the appeal under resolution 2025-016284. The justices found that Setena followed the law by publishing the Environmental Impact Assessment in a national newspaper, with no public objections or requests for a hearing. They ruled that questioning the consultation’s quality is for regular courts, not constitutional ones.

A Bahía Papagayo spokesperson said, “This ruling confirms our commitment to a tourism model that’s responsible and boosts Guanacaste. We’ve followed all legal and environmental rules from the start.”

Led by ENJOY HOTELS & RESORTS S.A., the project covers 117 hectares and includes hotels, homes, and recreational areas. Developers pitch it as a low-impact tourism hub aligned with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute’s Master Plan and Setena’s guidelines, promising 1,200 direct jobs and better local infrastructure.

Environmental Risks vs. Economic Gains

Environmentalists warn the project threatens mature forests, wetlands, and a mangrove swamp, home to monkeys, raccoons, and coatis. “It risks cutting off wildlife corridors and destabilizing the coast,” Kaufman said. The Papagayo region also faces natural ocean acidification from seasonal upwelling, which could worsen reef damage if ecosystems are disrupted.

The ruling reflects Costa Rica’s challenge to balance growth with its eco-friendly reputation. A 2023 Samara project was scrapped after community pushback exposed weak approvals, and Kaufman’s appeal aimed for a similar outcome, but the court held firm.Locals are split—some welcome the jobs, others fear environmental damage and rising costs.

Developers emphasize transparency and coordination with authorities, arguing the project will strengthen Guanacaste’s tourism draw. But critics say the environmental cost could outweigh the benefits, especially if mangroves or forests are harmed. Kaufman may challenge the consultation process in ordinary courts, keeping the fight alive. Stay Tuned!

Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister, William Rodríguez, is pushing back against claims that the country’s tourism sector is in trouble. Speaking to the Legislative Assembly’s Tourism Commission, Rodríguez said, “We’re dealing with a challenge, not a crisis.” But business owners and industry leaders aren’t buying it, warning that declining visitor numbers and rising costs are hitting the sector hard.

Numbers Tell a Tough Story

Recent data paints a grim picture. Costa Rica saw a 4.7% drop in air arrivals in May 2025 compared to May 2024, part of a broader trend with a 2.5% decline in visitors from January to May. The country has been losing ground for seven straight months, from September 2024 to March 2025. A brief uptick in April, likely tied to Easter Week, didn’t hold.

The tourism sector, which accounts for 8.2% of Costa Rica’s GDP, is now bracing for a potential 15–20% drop in arrivals by the end of 2025, according to the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR). Coastal towns like Quepos and Nosara have already reported a 20% loss in tourism-related jobs.

CANATUR’s pointed to the strong colón-to-dollar exchange rate as a major issue. “The exchange rate is killing our competitiveness. Prices are up, and companies are struggling to cover maintenance or invest in new offerings,” the chamber said. Compared to regional rivals like Panama, which saw a 12% jump in U.S. tourists in early 2025, Costa Rica is starting to look pricey.

Safety Concerns Weigh Heavy

Safety is another sore spot. A U.S. Embassy travel advisory from December 2024 flagged crime near San José’s airport, and a widely shared robbery near Tamarindo in April 2025 didn’t help. A 2025 survey by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) found 15% of potential visitors hesitant due to safety worries. In Limón, tour operators reported a 10% drop in bookings tied to crime reports. “We need real action, not just talk,” said Carla Méndez, a tour guide in Tamarindo.

Rodríguez insists safety concerns are overblown, claiming 93% of tourists feel secure during their visits. He pointed to beefed-up police patrols in tourist hotspots and a $10 million global marketing campaign to promote Costa Rica’s safety and eco-friendly appeal. Still, the perception of rising crime—2024 saw 880 homicides, with 225 more in 2025 so far—hasn’t done the country any favors.

Government vs. Reality

Rodríguez has leaned on external excuses, like airline fleet shortages cutting available seats to Costa Rica by 10% in early 2025. He also argued that a decline would only be a crisis if it hit 20%. But independent legislators aren’t having it. “We were growing at 2–3% a year. This 2.5% drop isn’t just a loss—it’s missing out on expected growth, so the real hit is closer to 5%,” they said. “Leadership means admitting there’s a problem and acting fast.”

The private sector is frustrated with the government’s shifting explanations. Over the past nine months, officials have blamed everything from global economic trends to airline issues, while tourism operators say the government isn’t doing enough to address core problems like safety and costs. On Tuesday, industry leaders met with Rodríguez to align public and private strategies, but many left skeptical. “We’re losing ground to cheaper, safer destinations,” said one operator.

Can Costa Rica Bounce Back?

Despite the gloom, Rodríguez remains optimistic, citing a 7% increase in air arrivals from January to May (1.2 million total) and growing online searches for Costa Rica trips. He’s banking on our country’s reputation for hospitality and natural beauty to keep drawing visitors, especially from the U.S. and Canada, which drive much of the market. But with U.S. visitors down 6.4% and Canadian arrivals off by 5.3% in May, that bet looks risky.