Cruising for Colones: Cruise Tourism Economics in Costa Rica

Abstract

This study provides an overview of cruise tourism economics in Costa Rica. We focus on cruise passenger demographics, preferences and purchase behaviour, and crew purchase behaviour juxtaposed against information from the broader Costa Rican tourism sector. Costa Rica's cruise tourists are motivated by similar features as are other tourists and tend to visit at the same time as the broader tourism industry peaks. They are older and less wealthy, and spend less time and money than the average tourist, raising some concerns as to whether cruise tourism in Costa Rica should be encouraged.