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Communities in Limón concerned over province’s bad image

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June 24th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) Representatives of communities in southern Limón, including Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, traveled to San José to demand that the government and the population in general stop tarnishing the image of the province, which they said has caused a significant decline in tourism.

 

The group said it wanted to remind the country that while there are problems with crime and drug trafficking in the region, there are also “good people” in Limón.

 

“We traveled nearly four hours motivated by this problem of insecurity in the region, but we want to make it clear that there are good, honest, and qualified people in Limón.  We have beauty to share, many things that only these communities have.  All we ask is for a chance,” said Johnny Leon, President of the Association for the Development of Puerto Viejo.

 

The group said it cannot permit the negative image of the region to continue.

 

The group also is calling on authorities to establish projects that could be the source of employment, investment and development.  They also said there is an insufficient police presence in the area.

 

The community groups plan a meeting with the Costa Rica Tourism Institute (ICT) to talk about promoting tourism in the area.

 

 

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  • Colin Brownlee

    I think there is something much deeper here. For one thing, ask your self why almost every tiny community in Costa Rica has an airport and Sixoala, Cahuita, BriBri, Hone Creek, and Puerto Viejo does not. One airport could service all these communities by being located in Hone Creek.

    I have been in tourism business for a while here and it is very obvious the focus is the in interior and Pacific Coast. I was thinking about it… And having the South Caribbean open up could present the government with a lot of problems it is not prepared to deal with.

    We feel we get about 6% of the tourism in this area. If another 6 % was to change plans from other areas to come to the South Caribbean, the infrastructure would be really sufficient to handle it. The investments that would have to be made are substantial with a questionable return rate. Especially if you are not generating new tourism and just moving people around.

    Having experienced some of the tactics used by hotel and transport companies especially in San Jose that out right lie to people about current conditions in the Caribbean, it is also very clear that much of the tourist business community that holds the 94% is not about to share any of that with The Caribbean.

    I have a feeling that all this will change if infrastructure projects go ahead in Limon. All those people living and working there will want to go to the beach. And I might be biased… But we got the best around,

    • Ursa

      I agree with you in everything you said. I live down here and think these beaches are the nicest but infrastructure. the roads just freaking suck and the water issue as well is driving tourist away. My host cousin is a police officer in PV and they don’t do anything, it’s just really tranquillo down here

      • Colin Brownlee

        Well, I am not sure how long you have been down here, but the roads are the best they have ever been. Yes, the water in certain areas continues to be a problem. This same thing happened in Pacific areas that built too fast with no infrastructure.

  • georgechapogas

    in small communities everyone knows who the thieves are and where they are. if you are so concerned get yourselves together with baseball bats and break their knees. when the news gets out there will be fewer thieves and more tourists. ask for help from the government and they will take your money and things will get worse so they can ask for more money.

  • jimbo97

    I stayed in PV for a few weeks last year. I loved it so much that I
    went back this past January. I was seriously considering a move to
    Puerto Viejo and wanted to get a feel for it again. What a difference a
    year makes. I was totally turned off on this trip. Garbage everywhere
    – rotting piles of garbage along he road. Between that smell and the
    smell of raw sewage in town it was just about too much to take. I went
    to check out the site where the government tore down the hotels, and all
    I heard was talk of was how they may come back and continue the
    demolition of established businesses that violated the 50 meter rule as
    well as structures on concession land. The “Tex Mex” drug joint on the way out of town went from a minor annoyance
    last year to a big bother this trip. You couldn’t walk near the place
    without some local sizing you up and trying to sell you reefer. I guess
    the local drug dealing kingpin was in town while I was there. There
    was a blacked out 2 door Mercedes with Florida plates racing up and down
    the road to Manzanillo and always parked next to the Tex Mex joint.
    It gave me a really creepy feeling seeing that car. Don’t get me wrong
    – I love(d) PV, and enjoyed it’s unique character and mix of people. The beaches are some of the most beautiful around.
    The government better make it’s mind up quickly as to the fate of the
    homes and businesses in the area. Until then, I (along with many others I’m sure) won’t be making an investment in the area.

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