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

Cantons: Alajuela, Alajuelita, Cartago, Corredores, Desamparados, Escazu, Heredia, Los Chiles, Upala, La Cruz, Liberia, San José, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo and Tibas.​

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 26,247 people entered the country in October 2024, with an average of 847 people per day. This represents a 1% increase compared to September 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 October 2024, migrants stranded in public spaces decreased by 26% (from 1,115 in September to 886 in October), while people in monitored shelters experienced a 83% increase (from 357 in September to 654 in October). Shelters still have the capacity to accommodate more people, but many migrants prefer to continue their journey northward and remain in public spaces.