As the Canadian winter settles in and we all start dreaming of a warm escape, His Excellency Germán Serrano Garcia, Ambassador of Costa Rica to Canada, delivered just the news we needed. Welcoming Canadian travel industry leaders to an Essential Costa Rica presentation at the Château Laurier, he announced something worth cheering about: brand-new direct Porter Airlines flights from Ottawa to Costa Rica. Sunshine, anyone?
Ambassador Serrano Garcia called the flights “a milestone for our country as we continue to expand travel options for Canadians.” Beyond sunshine, he highlighted Costa Rica’s wealth of adventure — from Pacific and Caribbean beaches to wildlife, volcanoes, sportfishing, white-water rafting, yoga, and national parks — but emphasized that it is the people of Costa Rica who truly make the country extraordinary.
Beginning December 17, 2025, Ottawa travellers will be able to fly directly to Liberia, making it easier than ever to experience a destination blessed by Mother Nature — and by its warm, welcoming people. The Ottawa service will be seasonal to start, but with Canada already Costa Rica’s second-largest tourism market (and aspirations to reach number one), the hope is that it will soon become a year-round route, similar to Air Canada and Air Transat flights currently operating from Montreal and Toronto.
Costa Rica is unlike any other winter escape. If you haven’t been yet, here’s what awaits: rainforests, beautiful beaches, spectacular waterfalls, and mineral-rich thermal hot springs. The country is a global mecca for wildlife and biodiversity. From sloths and monkeys to macaws and more, visitors will encounter wildlife during their stay. Costa Rica is home to approximately 95,000 registered species — more than six percent of known species in the world.
For travellers passionate about sustainability, Gustavo Inciarte of Essential Costa Rica, the nation’s tourism bureau, humorously noted that Costa Rica invented sustainability. He added that what Canadians label as “organic,” Costa Ricans simply call food — it has always been that way.
With the highest percentage of biodiversity per square metre in the world, Costa Rica offers an incredible array of native, naturalized, and exotic ingredients, including cassava, guava, mangoes, papayas, cacao, and other locally grown fruits and vegetables considered exotic elsewhere.
The country’s gastronomy scene has seen a significant transformation in recent years, with chefs drawing inspiration from ancestral traditions, Costa Rica’s culinary heritage, and its unparalleled biodiversity.
Ambassador Serrano Garcia encouraged everyone to visit his country — home to 5.2 million Costa Ricans — and to get to know its people, affectionately known as Ticos. Their Pura Vida lifestyle shines through in their smiles, warmth, and welcoming spirit, all intrinsic to Costa Rican culture.
Canadians can soak up Costa Rica’s pura vida spirit for up to 180 days without a visa — and even the country’s immigration rules radiate that same warm welcome. Forget the stress of rushing to renew your passport before you leave; in Costa Rica, it can expire the day after you return, and you’ll still be waved in with a smile. Ambassador Serrano Garcia noted just how rare this is in today’s world, adding proudly, “We welcome everyone with open arms to enjoy our country.”
For more information on travel to Costa Rica, visit the newly revamped website that includes AI features to virtually transport you to Costa Rica at visitcostarica.com.
Header image: Gustavo Inciarte of Essential Costa Rica with His Excellency Germán Serrano Garcia, Ambassador of Costa Rica to Canada.
Photos: Courtesy Essential Costa Rica
