Chinese visitors to Costa Rica surge

The number of Chinese visitors to Costa Rica has grown 260 percent since China established diplomatic relationship with the Central American country in 2007.

"Last year, we received over 8,000 Chinese visitors. More and more Chinese students are also choosing to study Spanish in our country," said Jose David Murillo, counsellor of the Costa Rican embassy in China.

"Chinese people noticed Costa Rica as a black horse during the World Cup this year, we also saw ourselves as a 'black horse' in attracting Chinese visitors," Murillo told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Currently, Chinese citizens who hold a multiple-entry visa to the United States or Canada can access a visa waiver policy offered by Costa Rica.