While some visitors have shrugged off the inconveniency of travel about the country, to others angry at the destroyed vacation.

One couple who arrived yesterday afternoon with the idea of renting a car and driving to the Nicoya Peninsula, to see the countryside, had to stay put in a hotel for the night, while they made arrangements to fly to their Samara.

"We were told that it's beautiful this time of year", was replaced, "oh well, let's just get there".

Others, saw themselves stranded outside of San José, having to find a way of getting back to the airport to make their flight home.

Those who could afford the time and added expense chose to extend their vacations, while others left frustrated from their vacation in "paradise".

Operations at the Juan Santamaria airport were slower than normal. At noon time, the usual large groups of people waiting for friends and loved ones to arrive was down to a few. And though there were no flight cancellations on the board, the scene at the airport was calm, almost like no one was coming to Costa Rica.

Others, who took the time to send an email, wrote:

"What's happening in CR? My (Costa Rican) wife is talking to her family and
again I don't understand what the ****  is going on. It seems like the
panic button has been activated. There is some strike going on and no
fuel or food is getting through, is that true?"

Several people we talked to downtown San José on Thursday didn't quite understand what the protest march was all about and the chanting. Some were concerned by the banners denouncing Americans.

Asked if they had been affected in any way by the strikes, the protests, the road blocks, the majority answered no. However, they showed concern if they had been travelling about the country.