AGP Executive Report

India–Costa Rica Ties: India’s new resident mission in San José began operating October 10, with both countries looking to deepen trade and investment, particularly in pharmaceuticals and IT. Vehicle Costs: Mandatory insurance premiums for 2027 Marchamo will rise an average 4.03%; private-car rates climb 5.43% and bus rates 12.4%. Tourism Links: Air Canada is offering Aeroplan bonus points on eligible Costa Rica trips through October 26, while Breeze’s new Tampa–San José nonstop service now flies twice weekly. Coffee Pressure: Costa Rican coffee producers say the strong colón is forcing job cuts. Climate Funding: More than US$30 million earmarked to help Costa Rica address climate change remains untapped by officials.

Air Links: Breeze Airways has started twice-weekly nonstop flights between Tampa and San José, restoring direct service between the cities after more than 25 years. The route adds a new U.S. connection for travelers and businesses. Trade: Costa Rican buyers joined more than 60 international buyers at Bogotá’s industrial fair, where meetings with Colombian exporters generated over $11 million in expected business. Tourism Investment: JW Marriott has opened an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, while a Wyndham hotel is planned for Grecia. Climate Funding: More than $30 million intended to help Costa Rican producers prepare for climate change remains unused in government reserves. Coffee and Jobs: Costa Rican coffee producers warn that the strong colón is forcing job cuts. OECD figures also put the share of Costa Rican 15-to-24-year-olds not working or in education or training at 18.14%.

Air Links: Breeze Airways is adding San José to its international network, creating a nonstop route where it will be the sole operator. Tourism Investment: JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa has opened in Guanacaste, adding a luxury all-inclusive option to the country’s Pacific coast. Climate Funding: More than US$30 million in regional bank funding to help Costa Rican producers prepare for climate change remains unused, despite the need to strengthen resilience. Jobs and Skills: Costa Rica had an 18.14% rate of young people ages 15–24 not in work, education or training in 2025, the second-highest share among the countries cited. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation spanning Costa Rica and eight other countries led to 233 arrests and linked Amazon forest destruction to 161 companies.

Climate Finance: More than US$30.6 million in Central American Bank for Economic Integration funding to help Costa Rican producers adapt to climate change remains untapped by the government. Tourism Investment: JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, on Guanacaste’s Pacific coast, adding a major luxury property to the country’s growing resort market. Business Travel: Wyndham plans a 168-room hotel in Grecia by 2028, part of a mixed-use project targeting visitors and corporate travelers near the Central Valley’s industrial parks and free-trade zones. Coffee and Jobs: Costa Rican coffee producers warn that the strong colón is squeezing the industry and forcing job cuts, raising pressure on an important export sector.

Tourism Investment: JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, on the Pacific coast in Guanacaste. Wyndham also plans a 168-room hotel in Grecia by 2028, targeting tourists and business travelers near the western Central Valley’s industrial parks and free-trade zones. Development and Water: A new 3.5-hectare artificial beach near Liberia Airport draws water from concessioned wells. Its opening comes as Guanacaste braces for a severe El Niño dry season, putting the project’s water use in focus. Currency Outlook: Economists warn that higher oil and import costs, elevated U.S. interest rates and export and investment trends could strengthen the dollar against the colón. Costa Rica’s oil bill rose nearly 50% in the first nine months of the year. Regional Connectivity: Transnica has restarted daily bus service between San José and Managua while a court ruling temporarily allows it to operate during a permit dispute.

Hotel Investment: Wyndham plans a 168-room hotel in Grecia by 2028, targeting both tourists and business travelers near Alajuela’s industrial parks and free-trade zones. Regional Transport: Transnica has restarted daily buses between San José and Managua under a temporary ruling, restoring a key route while its permit dispute continues. Currency Watch: Economists warn that higher oil costs, U.S. interest rates and other factors could lift the dollar against the colón, raising import costs and putting pressure on local businesses. Coffee Sector: Producers say the strong colón is squeezing exporters and forcing job cuts. Tourism: Marriott’s first JW-branded all-inclusive resort has opened in Guanacaste, adding to Costa Rica’s push to attract high-end visitors.

Regional Disruption: Panama declared an emergency after powerful quakes damaged homes, roads and public facilities. The Panama Canal kept operating, and flights resumed after a temporary suspension. Costa Rica felt the shaking, and seismologists warn aftershocks may continue for weeks. Cross-Border Transport: Transnica has restarted daily buses between San José and Managua under a temporary court ruling while its permit dispute is resolved. Tourism Investment: JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste, adding a major luxury property to Costa Rica’s tourism market. Currency Outlook: Economists warn that higher oil costs, strong U.S. interest rates and other pressures could lift the dollar against the colón; Costa Rica’s oil bill rose nearly 50% in the first nine months of the year. Coffee Jobs: Costa Rican coffee producers say the strong colón is squeezing the sector and forcing job cuts.

Regional Disruption: A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Panama damaged buildings and halted flights, but the Panama Canal continued operating normally; tremors were felt in San José. Transport: Landslides closed Costa Rica’s Route 32, disrupting a key link between San José and Limón. Tourism: JW Marriott opened its first all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, adding to the country’s expanding luxury-travel offering. Coffee Exports: Producers warn that the strong colón is squeezing export earnings and forcing job cuts. Education Outlook: The OECD projects Costa Rica’s population of children aged 5 to 14 will shrink 28% by 2033, raising long-term planning challenges for schools and public spending.

Regional Trade: A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Panama damaged buildings and disrupted power and flights, but Panama Canal operations continued normally. Tremors reached San José. Transport: Landslides shut Route 32, Costa Rica’s main link to Limón and a key freight corridor; authorities advised trucks and other traffic to use alternate routes. Coffee: Producers warn that the strong colón is squeezing exporters and forcing job cuts. Tourism: JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, adding a major new property to the country’s high-end travel market. Exports: Costa Rican banana businesses are using trade shows in Madrid and Orlando to strengthen ties with international buyers and seek new markets.

Tourism Investment: JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, a 415-room property on the northern Pacific coast with more than 9,000 square feet of event space. Agriculture and Jobs: Coffee producers say a strong colón is forcing job cuts, while pineapple exporters face a volatile market: oversupply in May–July gave way to shortages in August and September amid weather swings and higher logistics costs. Fishing Industry: The U.S. flagged gaps in Costa Rica’s monitoring of longline fishing vessels, starting consultations but imposing no sanctions. Consumer Costs: Red taxis booked through Uber can cost up to 2.5 times more than UberX on the same route because taxi fares follow the official meter rate. Retirement Residency: Costa Rica’s Pensionado visa ranked fourth globally in a 2026 retirement residency index.

Tourism Investment: JW Marriott Costa Elena has opened on the northern Pacific coast as the brand’s first all-inclusive resort worldwide, adding a major luxury property with 15 dining venues and a wellness center. Retirement Market: Costa Rica’s Pensionado visa ranked fourth in a global index of 46 programs, with a minimum lifetime pension requirement of $1,000 a month. Agriculture: Pineapple exporters are moving from a May–July glut into a gradual supply recovery after shortages in August and September, while shifting rainfall, logistics costs and currency pressures complicate the outlook. Employment: Coffee producers warn that the strong colón is forcing job cuts, as broader reports point to mounting losses amid major companies’ operational cuts. Costs: Approved fuel increases will raise diesel by ₡97 per liter, super gasoline by ₡38 and regular by ₡12.

Tourism Investment: JW Marriott Costa Elena has opened in Guanacaste as the brand’s first all-inclusive resort. The 415-room property adds a major luxury offering on the northern Pacific coast. Small Business: Mastercard’s regional survey found 97% of SMEs accept digital payments, but 51% say fraud and cyberattacks are a major barrier to expanding their use. Coffee Pressure: Costa Rican producers say the strong colón is squeezing export earnings and prompting job cuts and more farm mechanization. Trade Policy: The National Liberation Party, which holds 17 seats in the 57-member Assembly, says it will oppose joining the CPTPP, citing risks to agriculture and concerns about competition from larger producers. Transport: Costa Rica’s Paquera ferry terminal upgrade, connecting the Nicoya Peninsula with the rest of the country, was recognized by the IDB for adapting its plans to avoid cost overruns and maintain service.

Trade: Costa Rica’s National Liberation Party says its 17 lawmakers will oppose joining the 12-member CPTPP trade pact. Membership could open new markets, but the party warns that local coffee, dairy, rice and other producers could face tougher competition. Tourism: JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste, a 415-room property with 17 pools, adding a major luxury brand to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. British Airways is also making its San José route year-round as it expands Latin American capacity. Infrastructure: A Costa Rican ferry-terminal project at Paquera, connecting the Nicoya Peninsula with the rest of the country, was named an IDB Group “Superhero of Development” for improving transport while avoiding cost overruns. Environmental enforcement: An Interpol operation across nine countries led to 233 arrests and uncovered 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Costa Rican authorities seized 4.6 tonnes of cyanide, while more than 1,000 animals were recovered across the region.

Luxury Hospitality: JW Marriott opened its first-ever all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, the JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa in Guanacaste, with 415 rooms, 17 pools, 15 dining venues, and a new Griffin Club plus Mindfulness-focused offerings. Security & Crime Policy: Costa Rica plans to inaugurate CACCO, a Center for High Containment Against Organized Crime beside La Reforma prison, aiming to hold 5,100 inmates as the government pushes a tougher stance on organized crime. Business & Legal: Three Costa Rican former hotel workers in Atlanta sued Omni Hotels in federal court over alleged wage-law violations and retaliation tied to complaints about pay and housing. Trade & Logistics Risk: A Deloitte Econosignal report warns El Niño could raise costs across Central America in 2027, including potential disruptions to Panama Canal operations and shipping schedules. Regional Cooperation: The U.S. and nine other Americas countries issued a joint statement condemning Iran-linked “terrorist activities,” including calls for closer coordination against alleged proxy threats. Energy/Weather Watch: The El Niño outlook also flags uneven country impacts depending on hydroelectric dependence and agricultural exposure. Startups & Execution: ULACIT’s entrepreneurship chief Allan Matarrita says ideas are “worthless” without execution, urging founders to test, fail fast, and build around real purpose. Aviation Connectivity: British Airways will add a daily London–Buenos Aires nonstop from March 28, 2027, continuing to Santiago, boosting Latin America-Europe travel links.

Luxury Hospitality: JW Marriott opened its first-ever all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica—JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa in Guanacaste—bringing 415 rooms, 17 pools, 15 dining venues, and a new Griffin Club plus Mindfulness House. Tourism & Connectivity: British Airways will add a daily non-stop London–Buenos Aires service from March 28, 2027, continuing to Santiago, while also shifting capacity that frees seats for the Brazilian market. Jobs & Economy: Costa Rica job losses are mounting, with at least 6,000 roles cut over three years as multinationals restructure or exit, including banana and tech-sector layoffs tied to exchange-rate pressure and operational changes. Security & Infrastructure: Costa Rica plans to inaugurate the CACCO megaprison on Oct. 14, aiming to contain organized crime with 5,100 high-containment inmates—raising the business question of whether enforcement capacity can translate into convictions. International Trade & Risk: A U.S.-led joint statement including Costa Rica condemns Iran-linked “terrorist activities” across the Western Hemisphere, signaling tighter cross-border coordination. Food & Agriculture: A new report warns banana supply in the U.S. faces rising weather, disease, and cost pressures, with El Niño adding uncertainty for growers across the region.

Costa Rica Jobs: Costa Rica’s job market is still under pressure, with at least 6,000 positions lost over the past three years as major firms shut plants or cut operations, including Standard Fruit and Qorvo. Tourism Demand Shift: Canadians are increasingly choosing Costa Rica over the U.S.; ICT data shows 232,949 Canadian arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, up 24.1%, as airlines add routes and frequencies. Emergency Services Costs: The Costa Rican Red Cross is considering ending overnight shifts at 20 branches to close a growing funding gap, with potential impacts on nighttime ambulance coverage. Agri Risk: Heavy rains in the Caribbean are damaging cacao plantations, with some producers reporting 50%–60% flower losses that could hit harvests months from now. Business & Tech: Peptides Costa Rica launched a mobile app to streamline research-product ordering and account management within the country, aiming to cut friction and avoid customs delays. Sustainability: A new push for wildlife corridors on Costa Rican farms is helping reconnect habitats by encouraging forest regrowth and native tree planting.