OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

According to one of Costa Rica’s most respected economist, Fernando Naranjo, Costa Rica will not go through a financial crisis this year, nor next year.  Naranjo, who has served as Secretary of State and Minister of the Treasury Department in two different administrations, has publicly stated that despite the international financial crisis, Costa Ricans will not go into crisis.

Although Naranjo does acknowledge that the financial crisis will certainly have its impact on Costa Rica, the country is prepared to confront it.  Naranjo has suggested to follow Keynesian’s economic view in which a country or state should invest during difficult times in order to gain control and expand its economy.

A local newspaper interviewed Naranjo and asked if he wasn’t being way too optimistic in stating that there will be no crisis in Costa Rica to which he responded that the country’s difficult times in the early 80’s was a crisis and that these are better times.

In the early 80’s, the national product had fallen, inflation was at a 60% and the country didn’t have the capacity to pay off its external debt.  The current situation is much different today since the problem is due to external factors and not internal.

Naranjo suggested that in order to confront the future situation, the country should begin by investing specially in infrastructure and by financing social programs.  According to Naranjo, new road systems are extremely important as they can help alleviate difficult times by helping improve the country’s competitiveness in the long haul.

In addition, Naranjo mentioned that Congress should accelerate international loan applications in order to stimulate spending.  Naranjo also highlighted Costa Rica’s privileged position as a top tourist destination.  He agreed on what the Costa Rican Bureau of Tourism is doing in strongly investing in international marketing to increase the country’s international exposure as a tourist destination.

The former Secretary of State’s also suggested to speed up the remodeling and expansion of the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose as well as the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia.  Special emphasis should be placed on tourism as this sector is a strong source in income and employment.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: Costa Rican Bureau of Tourism, Daniel Oduber International Airport, Juan Santamaria International Airport, No Crisis for Costa Rica

After finally receiving concession for the Juan Santamaria International Airport, the Houston Airport System Development Corporation has gone back to continue with its proposal to also manage the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste.

The Daniel Oduber International Airport located in Costa Rica’s province of Guanacaste, has experienced an overwhelming increase in passengers traveling to Costa Rica.  More and more tourists are flying into Guanacaste instead of San Jose due to the airport’s proximity to all major beaches and resorts as well as National Parks.

The Daniel Oduber International Airport has shown an impressive increase in passengers over the last 5 years reporting a 610% increment.  Should HAS become the airport’s administrating entity, it will take on the task of building a new terminal of an approximate 160,000 square feet.

Although HAS is the only firm that has presented its proposal in managing the airport in Liberia, it has exceeded the Costa Rican government’s minimum request for those who wished to participate in the concessionary race.  The Costa Rican government requested that the new terminal be completed within 6 to 8 months while HAS stated it would do it in 6 months.  In addition, the government required a minimum investment of $19 million while HAS proposed to invest $27 million.

Despite the extra $8 million HAS will invest, the firm stated that passenger airport charges would no be increased.  The time frame for the concession has been set for 20 years although it may be extended to 25 years.

The future building for the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia will distribute its 160,000 square feet among two levels and will have 8 gateways and 4 boarding bridges as well as ample counter space, commerce areas, administration offices, common areas and all necessary facilities.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: Daniel Oduber International Airport, uan Santamaria International Airport

Six domestic airports as well as the Daniel Oduber International Airport will undergo repairs and renovations in order to boost internal flight options for locals and tourists.

The Costa Rican Civil Aviation Technical Counsel (CTAC) has just authorized a budget of $20 million to be used in runway repair as well as put up perimeter fences.  The airports in Nosara (Nicoya, Guanacaste), Puerto Jimenez (Golfito), Pasrismina and Tortuguero (both in Limon), will soon have new concrete runways.

In addition, these airports were lacking perimeter fences which allowed pedestrians and stray animals to wander on the runway.  In order to reduce any potential danger to both the aircrafts and people or animals on the runway, the budget will allow for fences to be placed at these before mentioned airports.

San Jose’s busiest domestic airport in Pavas, the Tobias Bolaños, will undergo runway repair as a new coat of asphalt is being laid down.

The airport in Limon will also have new landing lights installed as well as new landing zone access points.

According to Costa Rica’s Minister of Transportation, Viviana Martin, all works at these airports will be finished by November.

In addition to airport repairs, 6 new firefighter units will arrive around October to be distributed to several airports.

written by fernando \\ tags: Costa Rica Domestic Airports, Costa Rican Civil Aviation Technical Counsel, Daniel Oduber International Airport