New & Positive Costa Rican Government - Sept 27, 2010

In February this year, Costa Ricans voted in Laura Chinchilla and in May she officially became the first female President of Costa Rica. Laura was one of Oscar Arias Sanchez's two Vice-Presidents and his administration's Minister of Justice. Since coming to power she has continued to steer her ‘socially democratic’ PLN party towards improving the infrastructure of the country realizing how important tourism (eco-tourism especially) is to the advancement of this tiny Latin American country.

Tourist arrivals from the United States is still the most important market for Costa Rica, showing a 10% increase for this year, for a total of 468.172 visitors, 43.218 more than the first six months in 2009. But increases have been noted also from Canada, Europe & China.

Laura continues to work hard to attract more foreign tourists and seems to be doing well with the completion of the CostaNera Highway. This brand new highway means that guests, visitors and potential investors can get to the PuraVidaEcolodge project in around 2.5 hours from San Jose’s International Airport. (A couple of years ago this journey took 5 hours!) There is of course still the option to fly internally from San Jose to either Quepos or Palmar Sur, both within an easy 30 minutes from the development.

Jet Blue & Spirit Air, (two US based ‘low cost airlines’) have also increased the number of daily flights going in and out of San Jose and the number of direct flights from Canada & Europe as also increased.

The Chinchilla government has also committed to extend the landing strip/airport at Palmar Sur to accommodate larger planes and private charters. Again another very positive step to ‘open up’ the South Pacific Zone of Costa Rica.

The huge plans to construct and open the International airport in Sierpe in the south still continue. All of these improvements in infrastructure are allowing more people to "discover" the once hidden gem of Costa Rica.

The new government have also opened up the once ‘state run’ telecommunications industry. With increased competition, prices are envisaged to go down and complete 3G-cell coverage will be in place for the majority of the country by the end of the year. ICE continues to install more 3G towers in the southern zone including one in San Buenaventura (just round the corner from PuraVidaEcolodge).