Drinking in public will now carry a stiff fine
October 17th, 2012 – So much for a beer on the beach. Drinking anywhere in public is now prohibited, and violators will now face a 180,000 colon fine, or about $360. The fine is established in the new “Law for Regulation and Commercialization of Beverages with Alcoholic Content,” and municipalities around the country will begin collecting the fines.
The law states that consuming alcohol in any public place with the exception of a carnival, civic festivities, or other events specifically sanctioned by a municipality is now prohibited.
The law also establishes fines ranging from 360,000 to 5,000,000 (about $10,000) for parents who provide their minor children with alcohol.
According to Jonathan Espinoza, coordinator of the Program for Political Influence in the National Union of Local Governments, the new Legislation is not only intended to have better control and regulation of alcoholic beverages, but also serves to increase the municipalities’ revenues.
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