Gentrification in Costa Rica: Impact on Local Identity and Economy
- March 4, 2025
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- Posted by: Andrés David Vargas Quesada
Gentrification in Costa Rica has become increasingly visible in key tourist destinations like Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, and Puerto Viejo. The massive influx of foreign investors has transformed not only the local economy but also the cultural identity of these regions. Housing prices and land values have risen significantly, displacing local communities replaced by new residents and tourists seeking an exclusive lifestyle.
The rise of tourism and its effects
Costa Rica’s natural beauty, political stability, and “Pura Vida” philosophy have made it a global destination. However, this popularity has led to commercial exploitation, with little genuine respect for the communities that have been the true guardians of its identity. Gentrification in Costa Rica has been driven by large multinational brands that use symbols like the Arenal Volcano or “Pura Vida” to sell products without providing tangible benefits to local communities.
Cultural appropriation and marketing
A clear example of the disconnect between Costa Rica’s commercial image and its cultural reality is the use of the toucan by brands like Zara instead of the yigüirro, the country’s national bird. While this kind of cultural marketing is commercially successful, it raises serious concerns about cultural appropriation. Large companies profit from the country’s symbolic capital but rarely contribute to the well-being of the people who live in these cultures.
Social exclusion and the struggle for preservation
Gentrification has led to a tourism model that does not reflect Costa Rica’s social and economic reality. While the arrival of tourists and investors has transformed some destinations, local communities continue to struggle with inequality, unemployment, and lack of access to basic services. Instead of improvements in infrastructure, social exclusion is often observed, with Costa Rican populations sidelined.
