Q COSTA RICA — Costa Rica has taken the top global spot in the 2026–2027 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, winning Gold in the “Most Desirable Country (Worldwide)” category.
The British travel magazine announced the result in London, where its readers’ votes determine the winners.
The award marks a step up from the previous edition: Costa Rica placed second in 2025. That year, more than 200,000 readers took part in Wanderlust’s annual vote.
The announcement coincided with London’s World Travel Market, where Costa Rica was represented by tourism officials and 45 businesses from the country.
Marcos V. Borges, executive president of the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)—Costa Rican Tourism Board, celebrated the result and pointed to cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as the country’s sustainable tourism model and visitor experiences.
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Analysis: A strong signal, not a measure of arrivals
The award is notable because it reflects the preferences of Wanderlust readers rather than a tally of actual tourist visits. It signals that Costa Rica has strengthened its appeal among this publication’s travel-minded audience, moving from runner-up to first place in a year.
That recognition may help the country’s tourism promotion, especially as its delegation meets industry representatives at the World Travel Market. But the award alone cannot show whether more travelers will book trips, how tourism revenue may change, or whether the benefits will reach local communities. Those outcomes depend on what happens after the publicity—how Costa Rica turns interest into visits while sustaining the model that helped make it attractive.
For now, the result gives Costa Rica a clear international talking point: its tourism offer is resonating with travelers who value both experiences and sustainability. The next test is whether that attention can translate into lasting, broadly shared gains.