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Costa Rica Tourism Board
INSTITUTIONAL SITE

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) invites you to explore this dynamic platform, in which you can learn in detail about the area of activity of Costa Rica's leading tourism institution, with up-to-date information for all of your inquiries.

While you browse the sections of this site, which has been designed for you, you will discover the reach of the Board: tourist figures, the departments and divisions that make its work possible, sustainability certifications and the services the Board provides. Information such as the requirements for the tourism declaration and the participation in international trade fairs are just some of the material of interest that you will find among this website's content.

It is a privilege for us to serve you and to work together to strengthen the tourism industry, which drives development, foreign exchange and employment in Costa Rica, and is an engine of growth in its economy. As ICT employees, we are all proud to set ourselves to this difficult task every day, in partnership with the private sector.

Estadisticas

Statistics

Tourism Statistics

Every tourism indicator for Costa Rica in one place.

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Sostenibilidad

Sustainability

Tourism Sustainability

Our mission to protect the environment has made us stand out.

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Tramites

Procedures

and Citizen Information

Quick access list to every kind of ICT procedure and consultation.

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Esencial Costa Rica

Regional Offices

Where can you find us?

Our locations and what you can do in regional offices

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To assist you better with your questions or comments regarding the services provided by the Costa Rican Tourism Board, we would respectfully ask that you send the following information to the e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


In accordance with the provisions of Article no. 53 of Executive Order no. 37045 – MP-MEIC “Regulation to Law no. 8220: Protection of Citizens against Excessive Requirements and Administrative Procedures”, every individual or corporation may file a report against the relevant agency or institution regarding the services provided or the behavior of staff while performing their duties, when users deem that it has directly or indirectly affected the services provided and is in violation of the provisions of this Law and its Regulation.

You may send your information by e-mail to the following e-mail address:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reception of Complaints (Comptroller of Services)

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Our responsibilities also include assisting with and processing all complaints, reports, discrepancies and recommendations that you, as a user of our services, deem to be appropriate and necessary to bring to our attention. To this end, we have made tickets available that you will find on this website, which you can use to provide us with the information we need to process it accordingly.

We would like to use this space to list the rights and responsibilities that you have as a user.

Rights of users:

  • To be assisted in a respectful, friendly and effective manner by ICT staff who are appropriately identified with an ID card that accredits them as staff members.
  • To request information about the progress of the procedure or service requested.
  • To exercise the right to file a petition with the ICT’s Office of the Comptroller to file your complaints or reports regarding the quality of services or the treatment received, and for your confidentiality to be respected.

Responsibilities of users:

  • To engage respectfully with ICT staff.
  • To fulfill the requirements needed for your procedure in an accurate and timely manner.
  • To report any inappropriate action or poor service received from ICT employees to the Office of the Comptroller.

At the Office of the Comptroller, it is our pleasure to serve you. You can send your opinions to us by e-mail at the following address:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Only available on Spanish

Dear User,
In the interest of informing you regarding the procedures and requirements for services that ICT is legally bound to provide to citizens and legal entities engaged in tourism activities in our country, we are making this space available to you, which contains the following information:

Procedures and requirements established by laws, regulations and executive orders for the development of tourism activities in Costa Rica, which can also be found using the following on the website of the National Catalogue of Procedures of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade at www.tramites.go.cr.

Here, you will find information regarding procedures and requirements related to:

  1. Lineamientos para recepción y atención de denuncias por corrupción planteadas ante el ICT

  2. Declaratoria Turística

  3. Contrato Turístico

  4. Programa Bandera Azul Ecológica

  5. Inscripción a la Certificación para la Sostenibilidad Turística

  6. Marinas y Atracaderos Turísticos

  7. Polo Turístico Golfo Papagayo

  8. Departamento de Ingresos

  9. Licenciamiento de la Marca País para la Promoción Turística de Costa Rica

  10. Inscripción a la Certificación para la Sostenibilidad Turística

  11. Certificación de retención del 2% del impuesto sobre la Renta

  12. Requisitos para transportistas de turismo

  13. Zona Marítimo Terrestre.

  14. Lineamientos para recepción y atención de denuncias por corrupción planteadas ante el ICT

  15. Contraloría de Servicios

  16. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  17. Plan de Mejora Regulatoria del Instituto Costarricense de Turismo

  18. Avance en la Ejecución del Plan de Mejora Regulatoria del ICT

  19. document Plan de Mejora Regulatoria del ICT 2016 (59 KB)

  20. Plan de Mejora Regulatoria del ICT 2017
  21. Informe de Ley 9398 - Ley para perfeccionar la rendición de cuentas

También estamos incluyendo información sobre la Contraloría de Servicios del Instituto y una boleta para que usted pueda completarla, brindándonos cualquier inquietud que tenga por la información o servicio recibido, de lo cual le estaremos muy agradecidos, pues con ello nos permitirá ofrecer un mejor servicio.

ATENDERLO BIEN, ES NUESTRO COMPROMISO

Tourism in Costa Rica

Viistantes por MOtivo de Viaje Placer

75% travel for vacation purposes.

75% of the people visiting Costa Rica travel for vacation, pleasure, and leisure; while only 13% do so for professional and business purposes.

Más de 2 Millones de visitas anuales

More than 2 million visits per year.

Costa Rica has a constant visit growth year after year; and, it remains as the main destination of the Region.

Satuisfacción del Turísta

68% enjoy the sun and beaches of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica offers idyllic beaches in both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, becoming a favorite destination for this activity

Notes section

  • Costa Rica wins Best Sustainable Stand at the Fitur Tourism Fair in Spain
  • Juan Santamaría International Airport launches laboratory service for rapid COVID-19 testing
  • Entry limits to national parks reduced to 50%, with the exception of Volcán Poás national park
  • Safe and responsible Tourism in Protected Wildlife Areas
  • Costa Rica Convention Center acclaimed as one of the world’s best venues at the 2021 Eventex Awards

  • Costa Rica wins Best Sustainable Stand at the Fitur Tourism Fair in Spain

    • The award criteria included reusing materials and following public health protocols to combat COVID-19.
    • The fair began on May 19 and finished on Sunday.

    Friday, May 21, 2021. Madrid, Spain. Costa Rica received the Best Sustainable Stand award at the global tourism trade fair FITUR this Friday, which recognized the reuse of materials, the use of sustainable elements, energy savings, hiring local personnel and closely following public health protocols to combat COVID-19.

    Read more

  • Juan Santamaría International Airport launches laboratory service for rapid COVID-19 testing

    • Passengers will receive results in approximately one hour, allowing them to fulfil entrance requirements in certain countries that require the test.
    • Laboratorios Echandi will be in charge of operating the service.

    Beginning on May 14, the Juan Santamaría International Airport, under the administration of AERIS Costa Rica, will offer a rapid testing laboratory to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.

    Read more

  • Entry limits to national parks reduced to 50%, with the exception of Volcán Poás national park

    Measure announced by public health authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19.

    • Public health measures at visitor centers will remain in force.
    • Measures will apply from May 13-31, inclusive.

    Read more

  • Safe and responsible Tourism in Protected Wildlife Areas

    SINAC and ICT ask visitors to follow a series of recommendations for a safe visit.

    • Engaging in responsible and safe tourism in PWAs requires consistent action on the part of everyone involved.
    • SINAC and ICT have launched campaigns to promote respect for wildlife and visitor safety.
    • Use official websites to learn about the PWA that you will be visiting.
    • If travelling with a tour operator or guide, make sure that they have ICT certifications and/or the necessary operating permits.

    Read more

  • Costa Rica Convention Center acclaimed as one of the world’s best venues at the 2021 Eventex Awards

    • Convention Center received three major awards: gold in the “People’s Choice” category and bronze in the “Convention Center” and “Versatile Venue” categories.

    May 13, 2021. The Costa Rica Convention Center (CRCC) continues to stand out for its quality services, operations and infrastructure. It most recently received three accolades in the 11th Eventex Awards, a global awards ceremony for events and experiential marketing from around the world.

    Read more