Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) —U.S. billionaire, founder of and main architect behind software giant Microsoft, Bill Gates, was recently in Costa Rica with his family on vacation. Gates — who arrived in a private jet in Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport — stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Gulf of Papagayo, where he owns stock. Information about Gates’ trip was reported by local Spanish-language daily La Nacion in its April 11 issue.
Gates, 53, has a personal fortune estimated at $56 billion. And even though he no longer plays as big of a role in Microsoft as in the past, Gates continues to be a very influential figure not only in the field of technology but also in the world of philanthropy. Together with his wife Melinda, Gates created a foundation that donates funds to several charity and development projects.
Gates had announced his interest in visiting Costa Rica since last year. During a meeting with President Oscar Arias at the International Forum of Leaders of the Americas March 19, 2007, in Cartagena, Colombia, Gates said that “it’s amazing to me that a small nation such as Costa Rica is increasing its investment in education. Certainly, I’m a believer that part of that investment can be used in the application of technologies in educational processes.” Gates added, “I must go to Costa Rica” to check out first hand its advances in education and information technology that make the country an international example.
Back then, Gates applauded efforts by Costa Rica and claimed that integrating technology is a positive thing because “it would transform teaching and learning processes for children.” When asked about the Costa Rican economy, he said that “definitely, when there’s a critical mass, good universities and great employers such as HP and Intel that build capacity [as is the case in Costa Rica], demand will grow and opportunities will also increase.”
Even though this visit by Gates was strictly for vacation purposes, it’s expected that he will return in the future to learn more about educational information projects carried out by institutions such as the Omar Dengo Foundation (FOD). Arias had presented a letter to Gates asking Microsoft for support in financing and strengthening the National Educational Information Program (PRONIE), launched in 1988, during his first term as President (1986-90).
Arias reiterated his invitation to Gates to come to Costa Rica during the recent launching of his “Peace with Nature” initiative, which promotes the gathering of international leaders to support measures leading to sustainable development and the protection of the country’s natural treasures.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Duty-free stores to open soon in Liberia airport
Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — As part of ongoing expansion works at Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport, the Mixed Social Welfare Institute (IMAS) has informed that construction of the airport’s duty-free store will begin no later than April, as the blueprints have already been approved by the Municipality of Liberia and the only thing needed is a slight design variation.
Currently, only the Juan Santamaria International Airport, in the outskirts of San Jose, has a duty-free shopping area, managed by IMAS.
The space where the shop will be located is 127 square meters in area, and investment in the establishment is nearly $275,000. According to preliminary renditions provided by IMAS, the store will feature ecologically inspired designs from the Guanacaste region, including volcanoes, forests and reptiles.
Products to be sold include spirits, perfumes, watches and beauty items. The store is expected to open next July.
Duty-free sales up
Sales at the IMAS-run duty-free stores at Juan Santamaria in the past five years reveal a sustained increase. However, almost seven years after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., the negative impact of these events on tourist traffic are still noticeable. In 2002 and 2003, a decrease in consumption was observed, due to the slowdown in the flight industry and airline crises. According to IMAS’ data, 2004 showed a significant recovery, with sales going from 2.9 billion colones (almost $6 million) to 5 billion colones ($10 million).
Regarding the duty-free store in Liberia, IMAS estimates it might reach 2 billion colones ($4 million) in sales, serving some 400,000 travelers.
Such recovery in consumption has been confirmed by the positive variation seen between 2004 and 2005, with sales going up by 1.6 billion colones (over $3 million). Despite the fact that sales also increased in 2006 (by 5 percent), a slowdown was observed in the rate of consumption seen in previous years.
More restrictive policies regarding the transport by passengers of liquids in planes have affected consumption habits both in Costa Rica and throughout the world. In the face of this situation, some measures have been taken to reset the degree of growth and avoid sharp falls of duty-free sales.
Such actions include the possibility of allowing passengers to buy items containing liquids (alcohol and perfumes, among others) with the condition that such products are given to the passenger as he enters the airplane under strict security measures.
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — As part of ongoing expansion works at Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport, the Mixed Social Welfare Institute (IMAS) has informed that construction of the airport’s duty-free store will begin no later than April, as the blueprints have already been approved by the Municipality of Liberia and the only thing needed is a slight design variation.
Currently, only the Juan Santamaria International Airport, in the outskirts of San Jose, has a duty-free shopping area, managed by IMAS.
The space where the shop will be located is 127 square meters in area, and investment in the establishment is nearly $275,000. According to preliminary renditions provided by IMAS, the store will feature ecologically inspired designs from the Guanacaste region, including volcanoes, forests and reptiles.
Products to be sold include spirits, perfumes, watches and beauty items. The store is expected to open next July.
Duty-free sales up
Sales at the IMAS-run duty-free stores at Juan Santamaria in the past five years reveal a sustained increase. However, almost seven years after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., the negative impact of these events on tourist traffic are still noticeable. In 2002 and 2003, a decrease in consumption was observed, due to the slowdown in the flight industry and airline crises. According to IMAS’ data, 2004 showed a significant recovery, with sales going from 2.9 billion colones (almost $6 million) to 5 billion colones ($10 million).
Regarding the duty-free store in Liberia, IMAS estimates it might reach 2 billion colones ($4 million) in sales, serving some 400,000 travelers.
Such recovery in consumption has been confirmed by the positive variation seen between 2004 and 2005, with sales going up by 1.6 billion colones (over $3 million). Despite the fact that sales also increased in 2006 (by 5 percent), a slowdown was observed in the rate of consumption seen in previous years.
More restrictive policies regarding the transport by passengers of liquids in planes have affected consumption habits both in Costa Rica and throughout the world. In the face of this situation, some measures have been taken to reset the degree of growth and avoid sharp falls of duty-free sales.
Such actions include the possibility of allowing passengers to buy items containing liquids (alcohol and perfumes, among others) with the condition that such products are given to the passenger as he enters the airplane under strict security measures.
Decree signed to organize land use in Guanacaste
Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — The Executive Branch signed a decree seeking to regulate construction in Guanacaste’s costal areas. The measure was taken not only to establish guidelines for projects in the region, but also to mitigate environmental impacts such as the ones highlighted by recent cases of wastewater contamination from hotels and businesses.
Just last April 7, the Ministry of Health ordered Ecodesarrollo Papagayo (the company in charge of the Peninsula Papagayo project) to halt effluence of residual waters onto the beach from the Four Seasons Hotel, although such wastewater didn’t present any pollution levels.
The new environmental and construction regulations were okayed by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, together with the ministers of the Presidency, Rodrigo Arias; Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides; Housing, Fernando Zumbado; Competitiveness, Jorge Woodbridge; and the Environment, Roberto Dobles. The decree they signed was drafted in consultation with the Chamber of Construction, the Federated Engineers and Architects Association (CFIA), and the Real Estate Development Council (CODI).
“It’s everybody’s responsibility — the government’s, the municipalities’, the private sector’s — to respect the landscape and the natural resources that surround us. Social corporate responsibility is more a vision and a sincere commitment than an obligation per se. It has to do with the capacity of companies to look beyond their own walls and profits, because today, more than ever, a company’s success depends on the success of the society in which it works; and this is particularly true of the tourism industry,” President Arias said.
The decree seeks to establish guidelines that would allow for priority solutions to the region’s problems, as well as increase production, tourism, educational and environmental capabilities through sustainable development — reinforcing regional institutional infrastructure and ensuring compliance with existing environmental laws.
This piece of legislation also takes into consideration population policies and soil needs in each canton, incorporating the tourism variable as an activity integrated into the rest of the local economy, which would require the development of management tools for implementation, financing and oversight of urban planning.
“Through this first step in the road of urban organization, what we are attempting to do is to create a series of measures for protecting human development, the landscape, soil and flora, as well as cultural heritage, all of which would allow Costa Rica to have a sustainable development in the social, economic and environmental. Such development requires a joint effort between the government and the public sector,” Woodbridge said.
According to Benavides, the executive decree will be applied in the absence of a regulatory plan or specific development plans in Guanacaste cantons. Regulated areas include private properties legally registered that are within the Land Maritime Zone (ZMT, a regulated portion of land adjacent to the beach).
“This legislation is very important because it allows us to make sure that constructions located within the Land Maritime Zone, and which are properly registered in the National Registry, will not affect the natural landscape of the region and the rich resources surrounding said properties, as they will be complying with requirements set forth by our sustainable development policies. Buildings in special protection areas will continue to be regulated by current legislation,” Benavides said.
The decree establishes specific parameters for coverage, height and density of real estate developments by coming up with four zoning areas: the public zone (first 50 meters of beach); the restricted zone (up to 150 meters from the ocean); the intermediate zone (800 meters beyond the restricted zone); and the internal zone (up to 3 kilometers past the intermediate zone).
This means that, for example, in private properties located within the restricted zone, buildings won’t be allowed to exceed 16 meters in height (approximately three stories); while in the intermediate zone the maximum height will be 24 meters, or roughly five stories; and in the internal zone, buildings can be up to 36 meters high, or approximately eight stories.
Meanwhile, Zumbado spoke about the importance of signing this decree by pointing out that “it is essential to set clear rules for the development of regions with high tourism potential in the country, trying not to create conditions that would exclude families native to the area, for whom it’s necessary to generate sustainable ways of earning a living, including housing that meets their needs.”
The government is intending this decree to last for the next four years and even until Guanacaste municipalities approve their own regulatory plan, or the Chorotega Region Urban Plan that will be drafted by the National Housing and Urban Development Institute (INVU).
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — The Executive Branch signed a decree seeking to regulate construction in Guanacaste’s costal areas. The measure was taken not only to establish guidelines for projects in the region, but also to mitigate environmental impacts such as the ones highlighted by recent cases of wastewater contamination from hotels and businesses.
Just last April 7, the Ministry of Health ordered Ecodesarrollo Papagayo (the company in charge of the Peninsula Papagayo project) to halt effluence of residual waters onto the beach from the Four Seasons Hotel, although such wastewater didn’t present any pollution levels.
The new environmental and construction regulations were okayed by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, together with the ministers of the Presidency, Rodrigo Arias; Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides; Housing, Fernando Zumbado; Competitiveness, Jorge Woodbridge; and the Environment, Roberto Dobles. The decree they signed was drafted in consultation with the Chamber of Construction, the Federated Engineers and Architects Association (CFIA), and the Real Estate Development Council (CODI).
“It’s everybody’s responsibility — the government’s, the municipalities’, the private sector’s — to respect the landscape and the natural resources that surround us. Social corporate responsibility is more a vision and a sincere commitment than an obligation per se. It has to do with the capacity of companies to look beyond their own walls and profits, because today, more than ever, a company’s success depends on the success of the society in which it works; and this is particularly true of the tourism industry,” President Arias said.
The decree seeks to establish guidelines that would allow for priority solutions to the region’s problems, as well as increase production, tourism, educational and environmental capabilities through sustainable development — reinforcing regional institutional infrastructure and ensuring compliance with existing environmental laws.
This piece of legislation also takes into consideration population policies and soil needs in each canton, incorporating the tourism variable as an activity integrated into the rest of the local economy, which would require the development of management tools for implementation, financing and oversight of urban planning.
“Through this first step in the road of urban organization, what we are attempting to do is to create a series of measures for protecting human development, the landscape, soil and flora, as well as cultural heritage, all of which would allow Costa Rica to have a sustainable development in the social, economic and environmental. Such development requires a joint effort between the government and the public sector,” Woodbridge said.
According to Benavides, the executive decree will be applied in the absence of a regulatory plan or specific development plans in Guanacaste cantons. Regulated areas include private properties legally registered that are within the Land Maritime Zone (ZMT, a regulated portion of land adjacent to the beach).
“This legislation is very important because it allows us to make sure that constructions located within the Land Maritime Zone, and which are properly registered in the National Registry, will not affect the natural landscape of the region and the rich resources surrounding said properties, as they will be complying with requirements set forth by our sustainable development policies. Buildings in special protection areas will continue to be regulated by current legislation,” Benavides said.
The decree establishes specific parameters for coverage, height and density of real estate developments by coming up with four zoning areas: the public zone (first 50 meters of beach); the restricted zone (up to 150 meters from the ocean); the intermediate zone (800 meters beyond the restricted zone); and the internal zone (up to 3 kilometers past the intermediate zone).
This means that, for example, in private properties located within the restricted zone, buildings won’t be allowed to exceed 16 meters in height (approximately three stories); while in the intermediate zone the maximum height will be 24 meters, or roughly five stories; and in the internal zone, buildings can be up to 36 meters high, or approximately eight stories.
Meanwhile, Zumbado spoke about the importance of signing this decree by pointing out that “it is essential to set clear rules for the development of regions with high tourism potential in the country, trying not to create conditions that would exclude families native to the area, for whom it’s necessary to generate sustainable ways of earning a living, including housing that meets their needs.”
The government is intending this decree to last for the next four years and even until Guanacaste municipalities approve their own regulatory plan, or the Chorotega Region Urban Plan that will be drafted by the National Housing and Urban Development Institute (INVU).
Tourism up 14 percent in first quarter
Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — Data regarding the influx of tourists in Costa Rica during the first quarter of 2008 was recently released by the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR), which indicated there was an increase of 14 percent in passenger arrivals compared with the same period last year.
Between January and March of this year, some 532,000 people arrived in the country, 65,000 more than during the first three months of 2007.
These numbers are based on records kept by immigration officials at Costa Rica’s two international airports, Juan Santamaria in San Jose and Daniel Oduber in Liberia. The average increase at these airports was 13 percent.
One factor to consider when analyzing this increase is that this year, Easter Week fell in March instead of April (thus joining the first quarter of the year), and this is one of the busiest tourist seasons in Costa Rica, especially on coastal areas such as Guanacaste, which attracted the most vacationers during that week.
CANATUR President Gonzalo Vargas said it’s evident that Costa Rica continues to be a top tourist destination for foreigners, attracted both by traditional products such as natural beauty and new attractions such as marinas and golf courses
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — Data regarding the influx of tourists in Costa Rica during the first quarter of 2008 was recently released by the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR), which indicated there was an increase of 14 percent in passenger arrivals compared with the same period last year.
Between January and March of this year, some 532,000 people arrived in the country, 65,000 more than during the first three months of 2007.
These numbers are based on records kept by immigration officials at Costa Rica’s two international airports, Juan Santamaria in San Jose and Daniel Oduber in Liberia. The average increase at these airports was 13 percent.
One factor to consider when analyzing this increase is that this year, Easter Week fell in March instead of April (thus joining the first quarter of the year), and this is one of the busiest tourist seasons in Costa Rica, especially on coastal areas such as Guanacaste, which attracted the most vacationers during that week.
CANATUR President Gonzalo Vargas said it’s evident that Costa Rica continues to be a top tourist destination for foreigners, attracted both by traditional products such as natural beauty and new attractions such as marinas and golf courses
24 Guanacaste beaches earn Ecological Blue Flag
Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — The Ecological Blue Flag Program, which rewards environmental improvement efforts, presented its 2007 recognitions last March 25 in Puntarenas.
This time, a total of 24 Guanacaste beaches received the coveted award, including Panama, Hermosa, Buena, Coco Norte, Zapotal, Guacamaya, Langosta, Avellanas, Ostional, Junquillal, Guiones, Carrillo and Camaronal. Meanwhile, at the national level, 33 communities (for a total of 59 beaches) earned this recognition, along with 206 schools and 10 protected areas.
According to Education Vice Minister Silvia Viquez, the Blue Flag is a program of formation and learning, and that the mere fact that communities, schools or beaches join the program and follow its guidelines is a great gain for the country — as this initiative creates awareness among students, educators and community members about the importance of implementing sustainable practices that are friendly to the environment.
“We congratulate not only the educational centers, beaches and communities that earned this recognition, but also those who participated in the program, as they have joined in the struggle to improve the country’s sanitary conditions, becoming promoters of the protection of water resources and the environment in general,” Viquez said.
The Ecological Blue Flag Program’s goal is to establish an incentive to promote the establishment of local committees in coastal regions, communities, educational centers, protected areas and other tourism and environmental niches throughout the country — which would work toward the development of their local spaces in accordance with environmental protection practices and improvements in sanitary conditions and public health.
This inter-institutional program is managed by a national commission, originally made up of representatives from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE), the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR), the Ministry of Health and the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AYA). Later on, in 2004, the Ministry of Education joined the program as a category for schools was created. Furthermore, in 2006, the Costa Rican Private Natural Reserves Network joined the coordinating commission.
Also, the National Power and Light Company (CNFL) has since joined the program as observer and collaborator. The Ecological Blue Flag national commission’s functions include coordinating the work of the program’s technical team, establishing annual work plans, and evaluating and selecting annual awardees in each category.
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — The Ecological Blue Flag Program, which rewards environmental improvement efforts, presented its 2007 recognitions last March 25 in Puntarenas.
This time, a total of 24 Guanacaste beaches received the coveted award, including Panama, Hermosa, Buena, Coco Norte, Zapotal, Guacamaya, Langosta, Avellanas, Ostional, Junquillal, Guiones, Carrillo and Camaronal. Meanwhile, at the national level, 33 communities (for a total of 59 beaches) earned this recognition, along with 206 schools and 10 protected areas.
According to Education Vice Minister Silvia Viquez, the Blue Flag is a program of formation and learning, and that the mere fact that communities, schools or beaches join the program and follow its guidelines is a great gain for the country — as this initiative creates awareness among students, educators and community members about the importance of implementing sustainable practices that are friendly to the environment.
“We congratulate not only the educational centers, beaches and communities that earned this recognition, but also those who participated in the program, as they have joined in the struggle to improve the country’s sanitary conditions, becoming promoters of the protection of water resources and the environment in general,” Viquez said.
The Ecological Blue Flag Program’s goal is to establish an incentive to promote the establishment of local committees in coastal regions, communities, educational centers, protected areas and other tourism and environmental niches throughout the country — which would work toward the development of their local spaces in accordance with environmental protection practices and improvements in sanitary conditions and public health.
This inter-institutional program is managed by a national commission, originally made up of representatives from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE), the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR), the Ministry of Health and the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AYA). Later on, in 2004, the Ministry of Education joined the program as a category for schools was created. Furthermore, in 2006, the Costa Rican Private Natural Reserves Network joined the coordinating commission.
Also, the National Power and Light Company (CNFL) has since joined the program as observer and collaborator. The Ecological Blue Flag national commission’s functions include coordinating the work of the program’s technical team, establishing annual work plans, and evaluating and selecting annual awardees in each category.
Country to have better data about foreign visitors
Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) – With the goal of obtaining more useful information about the tourists who visit Costa Rica, the Immigration Service has updated its system to record the number of visitors who come here by air.
Some 400,000 tourists arrived last year through Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport alone, and the number is expected to significantly increase this year. That’s why it’s important to have updated statistics so that all parties involved in the tourism industry can anticipate what the demand for services will be in the entire Guanacaste province. The new data system is expected to be working by the end of the first quarter of this year.
Even though there’s already a system in place to record the number of tourists who choose Costa Rica for their vacations, such data is collected manually through a form that airlines have their passengers fill out.
The new system, on the contrary, will provide information in real time, that is, airlines will send data directly to the Immigration Service at the time passengers board the plane at their city of departure.
Currently, information about the number of visitors coming here and their city of origin takes between three and five months to arrive, depending on the season. From now on, such data will be known right away.
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) – With the goal of obtaining more useful information about the tourists who visit Costa Rica, the Immigration Service has updated its system to record the number of visitors who come here by air.
Some 400,000 tourists arrived last year through Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport alone, and the number is expected to significantly increase this year. That’s why it’s important to have updated statistics so that all parties involved in the tourism industry can anticipate what the demand for services will be in the entire Guanacaste province. The new data system is expected to be working by the end of the first quarter of this year.
Even though there’s already a system in place to record the number of tourists who choose Costa Rica for their vacations, such data is collected manually through a form that airlines have their passengers fill out.
The new system, on the contrary, will provide information in real time, that is, airlines will send data directly to the Immigration Service at the time passengers board the plane at their city of departure.
Currently, information about the number of visitors coming here and their city of origin takes between three and five months to arrive, depending on the season. From now on, such data will be known right away.
Guanacaste was favorite Easter destination
Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) – Costa Ricans experienced this Holy Week in many different ways. The main cities remained empty for the most part; many opted for staying at home with their families; while others decided to leave the urban centers to visit relatives and friends in the provinces as well as to enjoy beaches, mountains and other tourist destinations. It is estimated that more than 1 million people traveled to spend Easter away from home.
In a country such as Costa Rica, where the majority of the population professes the Catholic faith, Holy Week still represents an opportunity to make a pause in the busy road of life and spend time with loved ones, have a spiritual renewal or participate in the traditions of this season — including religious activities such as processions and other church events and, of course, the enjoyment of favorite Easter eats such as seafood, tuna sardines, heart of palm, encurtidos (pickled vegetables), and homemade desserts including rice pudding, ring-shaped cheese bread, and preserves of coconut or chiverre (a type of pumpkin).
Still others took advantage of the Holy Week break to go on vacation, as a last chance to enjoy the country’s beaches before the rainy season settles in, especially this year, when forecasts have predicted an early arrival of the wet stuff as a result of the La Niña weather phenomenon.
Just like in years past, Guanacaste’s beaches were a top destination. Area hotels and cabins had a high occupancy during this time, and restaurants equally took advantage of the large influx of visitors.
Officials with the Traffic Police General Office estimated that at least one million Costa Ricans traveled during the Holy Week, or Easter season.
The National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) polled its members to find out which destinations are most popular among Easter vacationers.
By early March, according to data collected from 44 CANATUR members in different parts of the country, Guanacaste and Puntarenas were atop the list of favorite destinations.
According to Gonzalo Vargas, CANATUR President, the survey is important to learn about the behavior of national tourists as far as their preferred travel regions and destinations.
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) – Costa Ricans experienced this Holy Week in many different ways. The main cities remained empty for the most part; many opted for staying at home with their families; while others decided to leave the urban centers to visit relatives and friends in the provinces as well as to enjoy beaches, mountains and other tourist destinations. It is estimated that more than 1 million people traveled to spend Easter away from home.
In a country such as Costa Rica, where the majority of the population professes the Catholic faith, Holy Week still represents an opportunity to make a pause in the busy road of life and spend time with loved ones, have a spiritual renewal or participate in the traditions of this season — including religious activities such as processions and other church events and, of course, the enjoyment of favorite Easter eats such as seafood, tuna sardines, heart of palm, encurtidos (pickled vegetables), and homemade desserts including rice pudding, ring-shaped cheese bread, and preserves of coconut or chiverre (a type of pumpkin).
Still others took advantage of the Holy Week break to go on vacation, as a last chance to enjoy the country’s beaches before the rainy season settles in, especially this year, when forecasts have predicted an early arrival of the wet stuff as a result of the La Niña weather phenomenon.
Just like in years past, Guanacaste’s beaches were a top destination. Area hotels and cabins had a high occupancy during this time, and restaurants equally took advantage of the large influx of visitors.
Officials with the Traffic Police General Office estimated that at least one million Costa Ricans traveled during the Holy Week, or Easter season.
The National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) polled its members to find out which destinations are most popular among Easter vacationers.
By early March, according to data collected from 44 CANATUR members in different parts of the country, Guanacaste and Puntarenas were atop the list of favorite destinations.
According to Gonzalo Vargas, CANATUR President, the survey is important to learn about the behavior of national tourists as far as their preferred travel regions and destinations.
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