Costa Rica infrastructure and tourism development

Costa Rica is undertaking various infrastructure and development initiatives to support its tourism and competitiveness. Initial efforts focused on aviation, with approximately US$30 million allocated to modernize Tobías Bolaños Palma International Airport and US$6.6 million for Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. These upgrades aim to increase international flight capacity and expand cargo capabilities. Simultaneously, the government utilized culinary diplomacy via international media to promote national gastronomy.

Subsequent developments highlighted growth in the Limón province, where the National Competitiveness Index rose from 49.6 in 2024 to 52.6 in 2025, driven by improvements in construction, internet connectivity, and transport. In the Caribbean region, the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica opened a new fire station in Tortuguero to enhance emergency services for residents and tourists, following rigorous environmental impact assessments.

Recent developments show a continued diversification of the tourism and industrial sectors. Eco-tour operator Bahía Aventuras has introduced new promotional tours to Corcovado National Park from Punta Uvita, offering packages that include bilingual guides and maritime transit. In the industrial sector, the Alajuela-based company Proquinal has obtained the ‘Marca País esencial COSTA RICA’ license for its production of coated textiles and medical biosecurity surfaces.

Furthermore, the hospitality industry is increasingly adopting ‘smart hotel’ technologies. Experts note that integrating WiFi 6 and Internet of Things (IoT) systems is becoming essential to accommodate remote workers and can potentially reduce hotel electricity costs by up to 30% through automated energy management.