In this travel update, we take a close look at some of Costa Rica’s new experiences, festivals, hotel openings and events that will make it even more appealing to travellers in 2024.
Latest News
The UK is Costa Rica’s third-largest source market in Europe
The latest figures from the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) show that 41,257 visitors from the UK travelled to Costa Rica between January and May 2024. This figure makes the UK Costa Rica’s third largest source market in Europe after Germany (45,483) and France (45,328). In total, Costa Rica welcomed 1,426,537 worldwide visitors between January and May 2024 – including 2,451 visitors from Ireland.
Braulio Carrillo National Park celebrates its 46th Anniversary
Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most cherished national reserves, will celebrate its 46th anniversary this year, marking another year of its dedication to conservation and biodiversity. Spanning over 100,000 acres and reaching an altitude of 3,000 metres, the park is home to over 340 species of birds, jaguars, howler monkeys and pumas.
Nature lovers can commemorate the anniversary of the creation of the national park with a night hike on Saturday, June 15. Hikers will walk through the park and see sites, including the Barva volcano lagoon, one of the largest volcanoes in Central America. It will be a unique opportunity to experience the park in a new light, watching as the sun sets over the beauty of the landscape.
New Hotels
New villas at Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo (opened May 2024)
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, on Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast, has just unveiled 25 new one-, two-, and three-bedroom residential villas.
Designed by Costa Rican architect Ronald Zürcher, the one—and two-bedroom villas feature indoor/outdoor living and a large private plunge pool on their terraces. The two—and three-bedroom penthouses have covered rooftop terraces, an open-air living room, a plunge pool, and a daybed offering panoramic views of Culebra Bay.
The resort has also launched a new restaurant, Ostra, headed by Michelin-trained Bruno Alves, and a new beach club, Casa de Playa, with an elevated pool and beach experience.
Silvestre Nosara (opened February 2024)
Found in the heart of the iconic surf town of Nosara, Silvestre Hotels and Residences launched Silvestre Nosara in February 2024. The new residential-style hotel features nine residences, including a four-bedroom rooftop penthouse. Each of the luxury accommodations includes indoor-outdoor living spaces, cold plunges, and saunas.
The shared spaces include a rooftop pool, bar and lounge and a studio space. Guests into sports can also benefit from the over 330 days per year of rideable wave conditions of Playa Guiones, where the hotel is located.
Our Habitas Santa Teresa (Opening this year)
The sustainable hotel brand Our Habitas is making its Costa Rican debut this year with the opening of its first property in the boho surf town of Santa Teresa, on the southernmost tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Nestled among the palm trees and greenery, the new hotel will feature 45 low-impact earth-inspired rooms and ten luxury tents, all built with ethically sourced organic materials.
It will also have a restaurant called Suawe—meaning “exquisite” in the Costa Rican indigenous language Bribi—paying homage to the region’s flavours. The property will also offer guests excursions to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, wellness activities combining science and spirituality, and more.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Opening this year)
Nekajui, meaning “garden” in the Chorotega indigenous language, will be the latest addition to Ritz Carlton Reserve properties, launching later this year. Located in the Papagayo Peninsula (on Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast), the new hotel will feature 107 rooms, including three glamping tents and 30 luxury suites. It will also feature a cable car leading guests to the beach club, a hidden speakeasy, a coffee and cacao bar, and a hydrotherapy area.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will also have three restaurants serving a variety of national and international cuisines.
Upcoming Events and Festivals
Costa Rican Independence Day (September 15 2024)
Celebrated on September 15 each year, Costa Rican Independence Day is a day filled with vibrant festivities—including parades, traditional music, and folk dances—to commemorate the country’s independence from Spain in 1821.
Schools and communities across the country participate in reenactments and patriotic displays, highlighting Costa Rica’s rich cultural heritage and unity. The celebrations culminate in the “Desfile de Faroles,” a lantern parade symbolising the freedom and light that independence brought to the country.
Whales & Dolphin Festival, Uvita (September 2024)
Costa Rica’s Whales & Dolphin Festival (“Festival de Ballenas y Delfines”) celebrates the annual arrival of humpback whales and dolphins to the country’s Pacific coastcountry’s Pacific coast. The Festival will take place on the idyllic coast of Bahia Ballena, in the town of Uvita, in September—the ideal month for whale watching in Costa Rica.
At this time of year, as well as humpback whales and several species of dolphins, visitors can also see pilot whales, sharks and plenty of turtles. More than just a celebration, the festival offers guests a chance to deepen their appreciation for marine wildlife and its conservation with guided marine tours and educational workshops. There is also a chance to support local talent with cultural performances, artisan markets, and culinary showcases, which are all part of the enriching event.
Limón Carnival (October 2024)
Every October, the sound of calypso and reggae floods the streets of the Caribbean port city of Limón. It’s an annual carnival, celebrated since 1949, and pays tribute to Christopher Columbus, who landed in Uvita (an island opposite Puerto Limón) in 1502 during his exploration of the new world. It also honours all of the immigrants who later came to Costa Rica from all over the world.
During the week-long carnival, the coastal town plays host to a variety of lively parades, colourful fireworks, and music performances for visitors of all ages. Limón Carnival also celebrates the country’s diversity, leading up to the national holiday ‘Dia de las Culturas’ on October 12. Stalls will line the streets selling Limonese delicacies, like rice and beans, fried plantains, and patties—an event visitors should not miss.
International Arts Festival, Guanacaste (8-17 November 2024)
The International Arts Festival (FIA) is the country’s most significant cultural celebration, bringing together the best national and international artists.
In 2024, the festival will extend its activities outside the country’s capital city, San José, by having its main venue in Guanacaste, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage.
During the event, over a hundred artistic groups from Costa Rica and around the world will present their performances at a wide variety of locations. The Festival will take place in Santa Cruz (Guanacaste) from 8 to November 17 and will then travel through the country via caravan to arrive in San José from 4 to December 8. Guests are invited to enjoy the wide array of artistic performances, workshops, literature, visual arts and activities for all ages.
Fiesta de la Luz (14 December 2024)
Bright lights flood the streets of San Jose every December as the Festival de la Luz (Festival of Lights) arrives in Costa Rica’s capital city. Originating in 1996, the Festival has since become a dazzling spectacle featuring light displays and parades, attracting visitors from around the world.
As night descends on the city, the skyline is illuminated by the mesmerising glow of elaborate light displays, with many of the floats using their splendour to highlight cultural heritage, social commentary and environmental preservation.
Visitors can enjoy the festivities while tasting the country’s cuisine including casado (a hearty plate with meat, rice and plantains), gallo pinto (rice and beans) and fresh ceviche.
For more information on things to do and see in Costa Rica, visit www.visitcostarica.com.