Key requirements for adventure tourism: a comparative study of Ecuador and Costa Rica

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the factors influencing the requirements for adventure tourism among Costa Rican and Ecuadorian tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative approach was used with an empirical and descriptive cross-sectional methodology. Surveys were administered to tourists, yielding 326 valid questionnaires in Costa Rica and 318 in Ecuador. The variables studied included sociodemographic characteristics, factors affecting adventure tourism, and key requirements for this activity. For data analysis, non-parametric tests such as Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon were employed due to the ordinal nature of the variables and the presence of skewed distributions. The results revealed significant differences in tourists’ perceptions between Ecuador’s coastal destinations and Costa Rica’s natural destinations. Among the main conclusions, it is highlighted that the geographical context significantly impacts the perception of adventure tourism. Tourists in Ecuador perceived better fulfillment of key requirements, greater biosecurity, learning opportunities, social influence, and relaxation than tourists in Costa Rica. These findings offer a deeper understanding of current trends and provide practical recommendations for improving adventure tourism in both countries.