Costa Rica — Flow monitoring of people on the move across the Americas in locations of high transit and presence of migrants in Costa Rica — September 2024

Cantons: Alajuela, Cartago, Corredores, Desamparados, Escazú, Heredia, Los Chiles, San Carlos, San José, Santa Ana, and Tibás.

Costa Rica, like other Central American countries, continues to be a key migratory corridor for the flow of people on the move across the Americas. This flow mainly consists of individuals from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, as well as other countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. According to estimates by IOM Costa Rica, approximately 25,964 people entered the country in September 2024, with an average of 865 people per day. This represents a significant 57% increase compared to August 2024. Although the total number of people transiting through Costa Rica has increased, the data reflect a notable difference in the conditions of those stranded in public sites versus those in shelters. In September 2024, migrants stranded in public spaces increased by 28% (from 870 in August to 1,115 in September), while people in shelters experienced a 37% increase (from 260 in August to 357 in September). Shelters still have the capacity to accommodate more people, but many migrants prefer to continue their journey northward and remain in public spaces. This shift highlights the complex dynamics of migration.