Costa Rica Doubles Down on Adventure Tourism Push..

Seeking to capitalize on the meteoric rise of adventure travel, Costa Rica is aggressively promoting itself as a prime destination for thrill-seekers looking beyond typical beach vacations. The Costa Rica Tourism Board recently launched a major campaign spotlighting the country’s lesser known heart-pumping excursions — from volcano hikes to whitewater rafting — across diverse landscapes. Officials are leveraging strong post-pandemic demand for outdoor active trips to further position Costa Rica as an ideal locale for spelunking, canyoning and kayaking, trumpeting hidden gem areas like Tambor and Montezuma. The bold strategic bet banks on sustainable enthusiasm for hardcore vacations to solidify Costa Rica as a must-visit destination..

Costa Rica Airport Runway Will Get A $36M Facelift..

Costa Rica’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia will close its sole runway nightly from March through September for $36 million in critical renovations, repairs, and drainage upgrades aimed at enabling continued growth in traffic and larger aircraft over the next decade. Funding was secured via the National Emergency Commission following Tropical Storm damage as the airport has seen surging demand but faced complaints of a deteriorating runway. Despite controversy over the contract awarding, officials stated the short-term closures are necessary to maintain safe operating conditions and reliability as Liberia serves as a major gateway for tourists. Upon completion, the reinvigorated runway will allow Costa Rica’s second busiest airport to serve larger carriers and planes for years while meeting the highest safety standards..

Soaring Prices in Costa Rica Put San José Apartments Out of Reach..

According to a study by the Center for Financial and Real Estate Business Studies, purchasing an apartment in Costa Rica’s capital San José proves more expensive compared to other major Latin American cities. Examining sales prices for typical 30-100 square meter units, CENFI found a median value of around $2,012 per square meter, meaning an 80 square meter apartment costs approximately $154,000 on average. This positions San José above the likes of Panama City, Bogotá, and Quito in terms of price per square meter, attributable to land scarcity in the capital, strict building standards, and enduring investor appetite. With the average apartment commanding a $1,450 monthly income to purchase, urban living remains out of reach for many aspiring city dwellers.