AGP Executive Report

Panama Rail Planning: Panama has authorized more than $14.1 million in studies and consulting for the Panamá–David–Frontera railway, including $11.1 million for pre-feasibility and feasibility work to the Costa Rican border and a $2.2 million contract to AECOM to update the master plan and demand analysis. Costa Rica Tourism Shift: Costa Rica is doubling down on higher-spending travelers with longer, experience-led trips, highlighted by an ICT European campaign positioning “Pura Vida” as a transformative reset rather than a mass beach stop. Airport Convenience: San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport launched “SJO Fast Track” on July 1 to speed international departures and arrivals through priority access before immigration and customs. Small-Loan Cost Pressure: A Costa Rica bill could raise the microcredit ceiling, potentially letting lenders charge higher interest on smaller loans by reclassifying some consumer credit. Remittances Watch: Central America remittances rose in early 2026, with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador up despite a new U.S. remittance transfer tax. Regulated Gambling: Costa Rica-based Spades Limitada (jacksclub.io) was among operators warned by Australia’s ACMA for unlicensed online gambling. Hospitality Investment: Hilton and Reuben Brothers signed a deal to convert Miami’s W South Beach into Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach for a winter 2027 relaunch.

Costa Rica Trade & Investment Summit: Costa Rica’s flagship business event is set to draw 400+ international buyers and investors, linking them with local exports, investment opportunities, and specialized suppliers. AI Governance & Digital Economy: Saudi Communications Minister Abdullah Alswaha met Costa Rica’s Paula Bogantes Zamora in Geneva to push AI, digital infrastructure, inclusion, and capacity-building partnerships. Public Safety: Costa Rica’s OIJ reports a preliminary 57% drop in “collateral victims” from homicides in the first half of 2026, though officials warn the figure could change as investigations continue. Human Trafficking Crackdown: Europol-backed “Operation GLOBAL CHAIN” across 59 countries led to 1,024 arrests and identification of 2,070 potential victims, with a focus on underage exploitation. Dengue Watch: Costa Rica’s Health Ministry says dengue cases are rising again since late April; authorities highlight the need for effective repellents and prevention as the rainy season continues. Travel & Tourism: Holland America announced its 2027-28 Caribbean season with 47 departures and longer itineraries, including upgrades at RelaxAway Half Moon Cay.

Trade & Investment: Costa Rica’s Trade & Investment Summit is set to draw 400+ international buyers and investors to connect directly with local exporters, investment opportunities, and specialized suppliers. Aviation & Tourism: British Airways plans new long-haul route changes that include adding London Heathrow–San José (SJO) service and shifting Tampa flights to Heathrow, boosting UK–Costa Rica connectivity. Public Safety: Costa Rica reported a 57% drop in “collateral victims” from homicides in the first half of 2026, though authorities stress the figures are still preliminary. Human Rights & Security: A UCR/UNA report says criminal gangs are recruiting minors through schools and colleges in parts of Puntarenas, Corredores, and Garabito for commercial sexual exploitation. Health: With dengue rising again since late April, Costa Rica highlights CDC-backed plant-based repellent options (oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD) as cases climb. Business Tech: Lollypop Design Studio launched Lollypop SPOT, an AI discoverability platform aimed at helping B2B firms become visible on AI search tools.

Humanitarian Relief: Costa Rica is mobilizing tangible aid for Venezuela after the earthquake death toll nears 3,000, with donations being sorted and shipped via the CNE and the Fire Department. Business & Connectivity: ICE (kölbi) launched an international eSIM option, letting travelers buy online, scan a QR code, and keep their Costa Rican SIM while getting data access in nearly 200 countries. Travel & Airports: SJO Fast Track is now available at Juan Santamaría International Airport, offering paid priority lanes (₡?/$100 per use) before immigration and customs to reduce peak-time lines. Trade & Innovation: Costa Rica’s agriculture cooperation is highlighted through IICA’s push for tech-enabled innovation hubs modeled after Costa Rica’s digital ag centers. Global Labor Context: OECD data shows Costa Rica among the longest-working countries, a reminder of the competitiveness pressures facing regional employers. Diplomacy & Investment: Costa Rica’s foreign minister described India as a “silent giant” in tech and innovation, pointing to AI and pharma as key partnership areas.

Costa Rica Infrastructure Push: President Laura Fernández named former President Rodrigo Chaves to coordinate the next execution phase of the nearly $900M Limón Marina and Cruise Terminal, after the new law lets Japdeva form strategic alliances and seek partners to move the project from approval to delivery. Digital Connectivity for Travelers: ICE (kölbi) launched an international eSIM service in partnership with Airalo, giving Costa Rican travelers a fully digital way to get data in nearly 200 countries without swapping SIM cards. Airport Convenience Upgrade: SJO Fast Track is now available at Juan Santamaría International Airport, offering paid priority access at key checkpoints for a single trip use. Regional Trade & Integration: Việt Nam, as CPTPP chair, advanced expansion talks and reviewed Costa Rica’s accession process alongside Uruguay’s, aiming to strengthen supply-chain resilience. Security & Cross-Border Enforcement: The Costa Rican Coast Guard helped intercept a cocaine shipment off Osa Peninsula as part of a U.S.-led maritime operation. Labor Market Context: OECD data highlighted that Costa Rica is among the countries with the longest annual working hours, underscoring ongoing pressure to improve work-life balance.

Airport & Travel: AERIS launched SJO Fast Track at Juan Santamaría International Airport, offering paid priority lanes for international arrivals and departures starting July 1 ($100 per person, one-time use, digital QR access). Infrastructure & Tourism Development: President Laura Fernández assigned former President Rodrigo Chaves to coordinate the next execution phase of Costa Rica’s Limón Marina and Cruise Terminal, after the new law expanded Japdeva’s ability to seek partners for the nearly $900m project. Public Safety & Justice: Costa Rica’s CACCO mega-prison for organized crime won’t be fully ready by late July as promised; the government now expects staged delivery, with full completion around September. Business & Policy: A new report on Costa Rica’s elder care market highlights how private long-stay residences can cost ₡500,000–₡1.6m per month, straining pensions and pushing families to cover large monthly gaps. Regional Tech & Security: Israeli AI cybersecurity firm Dream says it’s expanding into Latin America, targeting government clients in a region where cyber defenses are reportedly weak and political shifts may boost spending. Trade & Labor Context: OECD data shows South Korea still has among the longest working hours in the bloc, with Costa Rica listed among the higher-hours countries—useful context for regional labor competitiveness debates.

Costa Rica Infrastructure: President Laura Fernández signed the new law enabling Japdeva to form strategic alliances to advance the Limón Marina and Cruise Terminal, with former President Rodrigo Chaves set to coordinate the execution push for the nearly $900 million project. Public Safety & Justice: Costa Rica’s CACCO mega-prison for organized crime will miss the original end-of-July deadline, with delivery shifting to staged completion and a full handover projected around September. Aging & Health Costs: Research highlights the steep gap families face in Costa Rica’s elder care market, where private long-stay residences can run from ₡500,000 to ₡1.6 million per month—often beyond pension coverage. Trade & Compliance: U.S. Section 301 forced-labor tariff proposals include a two-tier duty structure, with public comments due July 6 and hearings set for July 7 in Washington. Business & Tech: Radisson Hotel Group launched AI-powered real-time price matching to automatically match lower third-party rates on its direct booking site. Regional Cybersecurity: Israeli AI cybersecurity firm Dream plans Latin America expansion, targeting government demand for stronger cyber defenses amid rising attacks.

Limón Marina Push: President Laura Fernández signed the law that lets Japdeva form long-term strategic alliances (up to 50 years) to build the Limón cruise terminal and marina, with former President Rodrigo Chaves set to coordinate the next execution phase—turning political approval into technical work. Prison Timeline Slip: Costa Rica’s new CACCO high-security prison for organized crime will arrive in stages, with the first sections due late July and full delivery now expected around September, after earlier promises of a late-July finish. Forced-Labor Tariffs Watch: The U.S. is moving toward Section 301 forced-labor tariffs with public comments due July 6 and hearings July 7—relevant for Costa Rican exporters tracking compliance risk. Aging-Care Costs: Research highlights how private elder care in Costa Rica can run from about ₡500,000 to ₡1.6 million per month, squeezing families as pension coverage lags. Trade & Security Angle: Israeli AI cybersecurity firm Dream plans Latin America expansion, targeting governments where defenses are reportedly weak—Costa Rica is named among recent political shifts. CPTPP Update: Vietnam, as 2026 CPTPP chair, advanced expansion talks and reviewed Costa Rica’s accession process.

U.S. Forced-Labor Tariffs: Importers face new Section 301 forced-labor tariff proposals, with public comments due July 6 and hearings set for July 7 in Washington—potentially raising duties for covered goods and creating new compliance and exemption questions. Costa Rica Mega-Prison Delays: The CACCO high-security prison for organized crime suspects will miss the original late-July handover, shifting to staged delivery with full completion projected around September. Limón Port Boost: President Laura Fernández signed reforms clearing the way for a cruise terminal and marina at Puerto Limón, giving Japdeva legal footing to form long-term public-private alliances to accelerate tourism and commerce. PriceSmart Archaeology Check: Construction at a PriceSmart site in Santo Domingo de Heredia was temporarily flagged after possible archaeological material was found, prompting a request to pause earth movement pending specialist review. Elder Care Costs: New research highlights how private long-stay elder care in Costa Rica can run from ₡500,000 to ₡1.6 million per month, squeezing families as pension coverage gaps widen. Avocado Trade Watch: Avocado shipments into Russia remain steady despite earlier quality disruptions, with suppliers adjusting varieties to keep export volumes stable. Smart Enters Costa Rica: EV brand smart reported H1 sales growth and expanded into Costa Rica (and Argentina), signaling continued Latin America rollout. Venezuela Quake Response: International teams including Costa Rica helped rescue a security guard after eight days under rubble as criticism of the government’s disaster response continues.

Costa Rica Infrastructure & Tourism: President Laura Fernández signed a law clearing the way for a long-delayed cruise terminal and marina project in Puerto Limón, updating Japdeva’s statute to let the port authority form public-private alliances for tourism, commerce and services—terms can run up to 50 years, with added oversight after lawmakers rewrote earlier drafts. Costa Rica Business & Compliance: Costa Rica’s National Museum asked environmental authorities to pause a PriceSmart construction site in Santo Domingo de Heredia after archaeological material was found during earth movement, arguing specialists must inspect before work continues. Regional Markets & Debt: Bloomberg reports investors are trimming exposure to Central America and Caribbean government bonds after a strong rally, with strategists shifting from broad bets toward a smaller set of “undervalued” countries—Costa Rica is mentioned among those where positions were reduced. Venezuela Earthquake Response (Costa Rica-linked): After twin quakes, rescuers pulled security guard Hernán Gil alive from rubble in La Guaira on day eight, with teams including Costa Rica’s Red Cross among those working for days; the official death toll nears 2,300 as displaced families face mounting humanitarian needs.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Search-and-rescue teams pulled a 43-year-old Venezuelan security guard, Hernán Gil, alive from rubble eight days after twin quakes devastated La Guaira, with Costa Rica among the international crews; officials say the official death toll is nearing 2,300 as attention shifts to shelter and food needs. Costa Rica in Global Finance: Bloomberg reports investors are trimming exposure to Central American and Caribbean government bonds after a sharp rally, with Costa Rica cited among countries where some funds have taken profits as valuations look “fully priced” in parts of the market. Tourism & Business Travel: Intrepid Travel expanded its Premium trips with new Costa Rica offerings, betting on demand for smoother, higher-end travel planning. Trade & Investment Links: Guatemala is prioritizing accession to the Korea–Central America FTA, aiming to boost exports and attract Korean investment—Costa Rica remains part of the existing pact. Local Economy & Services: Costa Rica’s SUTEL is modernizing prepaid mobile registration using Tecnotree technology, aiming to strengthen digital security and trust in mobile prepaid sign-ups.

Public Transport Update: Costa Rica is adjusting train, bus, taxi, and toll fares starting July 1 as the ¢5, ¢10 and ¢25 coins leave circulation; ARESEP says fares will be rounded to the nearest ¢10 and taximeters reprogrammed. Digital Payments & Regulation: The same update notes continued work on SINPE-TP for electronic payments, while the coin change affects how riders pay day to day. Tourism & Business Expansion: Casago officially launches Casago Belize as a locally led franchise, signaling continued growth in the vacation rental management market across the region. Trade & Investment Links: Guatemala is pushing to complete accession to the Korea-Central America FTA, aiming to expand exports and attract Korean investment—Costa Rica is already part of the pact. Sustainability in Retail: Starbucks says it’s reassessing corporate priorities under its turnaround plan, with sustainability and coffee sourcing in focus, including in Costa Rica’s coffee belt. Local Economy & Jobs: Costa Rica’s Blue Zone story highlights Nicoya’s longevity—while also pointing to the poverty many elders still face, supported by community efforts rather than global wellness brands.

Public Transport Update: Costa Rica starts July 1 with adjusted bus, taxi, train, and toll fares after the ¢5, ¢10, and ¢25 coins are withdrawn; ARESEP rounds fares to the nearest ¢10 and reprograms taximeters. Coffee & Climate Risk: Starbucks is reassessing its climate goals as part of its “Back to Starbucks” turnaround, with Costa Rica among key coffee-sourcing countries facing climate vulnerability. Tourism & Real Estate: A guide released June 30 urges homeowners to boost curb appeal and listing value with low-cost upgrades and AI-assisted virtual staging. Local Conservation Science: A Costa Rica study is identifying a genetically distinct red spiny lobster population that’s been fished for decades without specific harvest controls. Business Expansion: Casago launches Casago Belize as a locally led franchise after acquiring Vacasa Belize, signaling continued growth in the vacation rental management market. Healthcare Research: A new study links flu season patterns across the Americas to air humidity, with implications for how outbreaks may shift in Costa Rica and other tropical areas.

Forest Restoration: Costa Rica’s reforestation turnaround is highlighted as the country reversed decades of deforestation after losing nearly half its tree cover by the late 1980s, using protection, incentives and large-scale planting. Pineapple Market Watch: Delayed natural flowering has created a glut of Costa Rican pineapples, pushing prices down and forcing cautious shipping decisions by exporters and importers. Food Safety & Trade: Costa Rica seized 1,600 kilos of chicken lacking sanitary certification, underscoring ongoing enforcement risks for suppliers and importers. Digital Services: SUTEL is modernizing Costa Rica’s prepaid mobile registration using the Tecnotree platform to strengthen digital security and trust. AI Supply Chains: The U.S. expanded Pax Silica, adding Costa Rica as a signatory to a coalition focused on secure AI and critical supply chains. STEM Pipeline: Universidad Fidélitas brings MIT’s Patrones Hermosos camp to Costa Rica (July 6–10), offering a free STEM program for 17–18-year-old women. Energy & Mobility: A new push argues EV adoption in Costa Rica is driven by economics and energy sovereignty, not just climate goals. Wildlife & Fisheries: A Costa Rica study identifies a genetically distinct red spiny lobster population hidden in small-scale catches for decades, raising the stakes for better tracking and conservation. Public Health Alert: Costa Rica’s bird-flu risk is echoed regionally as authorities monitor highly pathogenic avian influenza threats across neighboring countries. Corporate Restructuring: BAT’s AI-led job cuts include roles in Costa Rica, signaling continued tech-driven cost pressure in global consumer industries.

Public Transport Costs: Costa Rica’s regulator (ARESEP) is rounding regulated bus, taxi, train and toll fares to the nearest ₡10 starting July 1, after the ₡5 coin is retired—cash and electronic payments will be treated differently, with some fares rising and others falling. Food Safety & Enforcement: The Fuerza Pública seized 1,600 kilos of chicken in Coto Brus for lacking sanitary certification and tax/documentation, in the wake of a recent salmonella-linked outbreak investigation. Mobility Pressure: A Cosevi/INS presentation says Greater Metropolitan Area traffic congestion is back near pre-pandemic levels, with peak-hour speeds dropping to single digits in some cantons. Trade & Growth: CPTPP ministers advanced accession and implementation steps, noting progress on Costa Rica’s CPTPP entry negotiations and pushing work on Uruguay’s accession. STEM Pipeline: Universidad Fidélitas will host MIT/Tec de Monterrey’s Patrones Hermosos camp (July 6–10) for free STEM training for Costa Rican high school seniors. Global Business Watch: British American Tobacco announced AI-led restructuring cutting about 9,000 roles globally, with some services already shifted from Costa Rica to partners like Accenture. Agribusiness Outlook: A new study highlights a genetically distinct red spiny lobster population in Costa Rica’s North Pacific that has been fished for decades without a dedicated conservation plan.

Public Transport & Cost of Living: Costa Rica’s regulator Aresep will round hundreds of bus, taxi, train and toll fares to the nearest ₡10 starting July 1, after the Banco Central removes the ₡5 coin from circulation—about 48% of bus fares stay the same, while the rest shift up or down depending on the cash/electronic fare rules. Road Congestion: Cosevi data says severe traffic jams in the Greater Metropolitan Area can hit up to 90% of roads at peak hours, with average speeds dropping to around 12 km/h in the morning and 9 km/h in the afternoon, driven in part by rapid motorcycle growth. Food Safety & Enforcement: Fuerza Pública seized 1,600 kilos of chicken in Coto Brus for lacking sanitary certification and documentation, amid a recent Salmonella-linked outbreak investigation in Ciudad Colón de Mora. Agri-Business Spotlight: Costa Rica’s pineapple sector says it supports 150,000+ jobs and about 6% of national exports, with 30,000 direct and 120,000 indirect roles, anchored by innovation and sustainability efforts. STEM Pipeline: Universidad Fidélitas will host MIT/Tec de Monterrey’s Patrones Hermosos camp (July 6–10) for free, targeting 17–18-year-old women interested in STEM. Trade Talks: CPTPP ministers advanced expansion work and noted progress on Costa Rica’s accession, with negotiations also moving for Uruguay. Global Business Watch: British American Tobacco announced large job cuts tied to an AI-driven restructuring, including Costa Rica-linked service transfers to Accenture.