The Government of Costa Rica presented its plan “Route of Reactivation of San Lucas Island”, with the objective of generating a tourism destination that potentiates the cultural, historic and natural advantages that this site offers.
San Lucas Island is located off the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica, 5.4 miles from Puntarenas, and has an area of less than 500 hectares. This island is famous in Costa Rica because it used to be a prison, at first just for thieves and other petty crime offenders but later for more dangerous criminals.
Claudia Dobles, First Lady of Costa Rica, commented that the route of reactivation will make the Island a reference of good sustainability practices, an example to other tourism destinations in the influence area, (Islands of the Nicoya Gulf, the Papagayo Peninsula and Puntarenas).
“This is an investment directed to the well-being of the community of Puntarenas and the Nicoya Gulf, by generating employments and promoting development. We also plan to be a referent of best construction practices and sustainable management, with works of low impact to the environment and in accordance to their surrounding”, commented Dobles who is an architect.
Currently, the architectural heritage found on this island is at risk due to its deterioration and lack of proper maintenance. In addition to this, the limited personnel in the island increases the risks and vulnerability, not just of the architectural heritage, but also the forests, and the maritime area of the island. The lack of electricity and water also poses a challenge for infrastructure.
In order to increase the visitation to the Island in a short term, the Government will include more park rangers and police officers and will therefore work on the station for their comfort. The trail leading to Playa Cocos will be reestablished, and innovative solutions will be put in place to bring electricity to the Island.
The Route of Reactivation of San Lucas Island is divided in four stages, the first one includes all the preliminary studies and paperwork necessary to begin the construction work that is scheduled to start on the first semester of 2021, the second stage will define the investment and time line to carry out the jobs, the third stage includes the blueprints, permits, etc. and finally the construction will begin.
San Lucas Island is located off the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica, 5.4 miles from Puntarenas, and has an area of less than 500 hectares. This island is famous in Costa Rica because it used to be a prison, at first just for thieves and other petty crime offenders but later for more dangerous criminals.
Claudia Dobles, First Lady of Costa Rica, commented that the route of reactivation will make the Island a reference of good sustainability practices, an example to other tourism destinations in the influence area, (Islands of the Nicoya Gulf, the Papagayo Peninsula and Puntarenas).
“This is an investment directed to the well-being of the community of Puntarenas and the Nicoya Gulf, by generating employments and promoting development. We also plan to be a referent of best construction practices and sustainable management, with works of low impact to the environment and in accordance to their surrounding”, commented Dobles who is an architect.
Currently, the architectural heritage found on this island is at risk due to its deterioration and lack of proper maintenance. In addition to this, the limited personnel in the island increases the risks and vulnerability, not just of the architectural heritage, but also the forests, and the maritime area of the island. The lack of electricity and water also poses a challenge for infrastructure.
In order to increase the visitation to the Island in a short term, the Government will include more park rangers and police officers and will therefore work on the station for their comfort. The trail leading to Playa Cocos will be reestablished, and innovative solutions will be put in place to bring electricity to the Island.
The Route of Reactivation of San Lucas Island is divided in four stages, the first one includes all the preliminary studies and paperwork necessary to begin the construction work that is scheduled to start on the first semester of 2021, the second stage will define the investment and time line to carry out the jobs, the third stage includes the blueprints, permits, etc. and finally the construction will begin.
