MINAE and SINAC suspend the collection of an entrance fee imposed on the Tamarindo estuary sector.

On January 4th, the collection of entrance fees to the Tamarindo estuary sector officially began, a region that belongs to the Las Baulas Marine National Park.

The fee imposed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) has caused great discomfort and indignation among the residents of the area, who consider the place an important tourist destination for this sector of Guanacaste.

“ It’s incomprehensible how these kinds of decisions are made. While other parts of the world are offering incentives to reactivate this sector of the economy, here we have the luxury of making services more expensive. We’re going in the opposite direction,” said Hernán Imhoff, president of the Tamarindo Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (CCTT).

Initially, the amounts were $13.5 for foreign tourists and ¢1,808 for nationals, which according to the neighbors are quite high if the goal is really to boost tourism in the area.

Because of this measure and being aware of the situation that Costa Rican tourism is going through, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), sought the best solution with the leaders of the Tamarindo community.

The final decision taken is considered appropriate by both parties and the entrance fee is suspended in order to support the recovery of the area in the best possible way.

“A meeting was held with community leaders, tourism sector representatives, and others, in which it was agreed to temporarily suspend the entrance fee to the aforementioned sector of the National Park, given the current situation caused by the pandemic, which is impacting the low number of visitors to the area, in addition to the vehicle restriction, which prevents the transfer of tourists to the protected wilderness area on weekends , ” reported Nelson Marin, director of the Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT).

The suspension of entrance fees could cover a period of time from six months to a year, during which time the social space will be used to start a joint work with the community and SINAC-MINAE, in the implementation of infrastructure improvements, signage, access ramps, among other things, in the Estero Tamarindo sector.

However, once this entire procedure is completed, the continuation of the fee will be determined. At this time, a reduction in the entrance fee for that area could be implemented, decreasing from $12 to $6 for non-resident tourists and from ¢1,600 for residents. This reduction is based on technical criteria and legal consultations, which would allow for it to be implemented within the agreed timeframe.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) expressed optimism about the results achieved with civil society, where the aim is to ensure that biodiversity elements are used sustainably, thus providing opportunities and possibilities for all in a fair manner.

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero