The roadblocks left many tourists, who while vacationing at beaches like Tamarindo, Quepos and nearby Jacó Beach, found themselves stranded.

"There was no way to get to the airport", one tourist told us by telephone. They decided to extend their vacation.

Others, close to the airport, found themselves walking the final mile (kilometer actually) with luggage in tow as their only means of transportation.

Some were fortunate to get an escort in a police patrol car to make their flight home.

Customers who had rented cars were making arrangements with the rental companies to leave the cars at the hotel they were staying.

Customers of Cellular Telephone Rentals had to make similar arrangements, to leave their rented cell phones at the hotel or with friends.

Many tourists felt scared seeing the events of the police action during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Television reports showed police in action, breaking the windows of trucks blocking the road, using tear gas and arresting the drivers. All under the cloud of darkness.

Television images showed police dressed in riot gear, using force to unblock the roads in various points.

What tourists did not know nor could understand as all the reports were in Spanish, police did not carry any firearms. The special - Unidad Intervencion Policial (UIP) is not permitted to carry any type of firearm during their actions, to avoid any type of armed conflict.

Airport operations were normal during the day Tuesday and Wednesday as most made it to their flights.

One tourist we talked to by telephone said that the police were very understanding and helpful in getting them through the blockades.

Of course, it is difficult to know what image of Costa Rica these people really bring home. Tourism is a major factor in the Costa Rican economy.