The Swell Show

Edition 18 · Sunday, November 1, 2026

Sunday filled up at the last minute.

Tomorrow, Sunday, half of places have guests, about 1,900 people. Yesterday, for the same Sunday, about 50 fewer places were booked. And next week starts out even, with no day that empties out.

Morning, line-up.

Tide alerts

  • Emptying

    Sunday drops. Tomorrow, Sunday, half of places have guests; today, Saturday, almost 6 in 10. From Sunday on, shop and staff for a normal week.

  • Heads up

    Gas goes up as soon as it's published. Regular goes to ₡808 per liter, ₡89 more than today, the day after it's published in La Gaceta. If you run a work vehicle or transfers, fill up today. Source

  • Heads up

    Drought red alert still on. Cóbano and Paquera remain on red alert for El Niño, declared on October 22. Check for leaks and go easy on water, even if it rains this week.

Today’s story

Sunday holds up

Today, Saturday the 31st: almost 6 in 10 places have guests, about 2,200 people, the busiest day since we started measuring. Almost 4 in 10 hotels have no room left tonight.

Tomorrow, Sunday the 1st: it drops to half the area, but it filled up at the last minute. About 50 more places were booked in one day, and about 20 more hotels are full than two days ago.

Next week looks even: from Sunday to Saturday, between 46% and 51% of the area booked. For your business: usual shopping and staffing, no days to cut back.

What to do today

Lodging
Sunday keeps getting last-minute bookings: don't slash it today. For the week, offer two- or three-night stays; no day drops off.
Restaurants
Run Sunday like a normal season day, not a slow one. The week looks even: usual shopping and staffing.
Shops and services
Sunday brings 1.7 m waves and little rain: keep lessons and boards on display. Wednesday the 4th brings heavy rain: have an indoor plan.

The numbers

27%of hotels are full for Sunday. Two days ago, for the same Sunday, it was 15%: about 20 more hotels with no room.
US$100is the typical nightly price of what's still open for Monday. Yesterday, for the same Monday, it was US$120: what's left is being offered cheaper.
46–51%of the area booked each day from Sunday to Saturday. An even week: shop and staff like a normal week.

By price

Places over US$350 are the fullest

For Sunday, 6 in 10 places over US$350 already have guests. Places from US$61 to 150 have guests in less than half.

Budgetup to US$60
49%
Mid-rangeUS$61 to 150
45%
UpscaleUS$151 to 350
55%
Luxuryover US$350
60%

Share of places booked for tomorrow at each nightly rate. Every place in the area, classified one by one.

What the tide brings in

  1. In Costa Rica

    Regular will cost more than premium

    With the increase approved by ARESEP, regular goes to ₡808 per liter (₡89 more), premium to ₡806 and diesel to ₡808. Prices take effect the day after the resolution is published in La Gaceta.

    Source: The Tico Times

  2. Around the world

    A new airline on the Frankfurt nonstop

    From December 14, 2027, Discover Airlines replaces Lufthansa on the Frankfurt–San José route, with six flights a week. The direct link to Germany stays.

    Source: The Tico Times

See you in the water.

How we measure · Occupancy = 1 − places free for 3 nights ÷ total inventory. It’s a ceiling: some places block dates without being booked. Sources: the main booking platforms, Open-Meteo and the Central Bank of Costa Rica. Measured October 31 at 6:00.