What’s New in Costa Rica?
The Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal
The Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal, is undergoing extensive renovations which are expected to be completed by the end of December 2019. Located on the Gold Coast of Guanacaste, one of the hottest tourist spots in Costa Rica, the luxurious and stylish updates will provide guests with added amenities while refreshing spaces with local design features.
Costa Rica’s Liberia Airport to Operate 24/7 by end of 2019
The spacious and comfortable Daniel Oduber Airport (LIR), opened in 2012, has undergone a $10.3 million expansion that included a new loading center, baggage carousel, boarding gates, additional counters, and administrative offices. It receives many charter and regular flights from the US, Canada, Germany, Holland, England, Panama and Colombia, as well as extensive options for international connections. By the end of 2019, the Liberia Airport will extend its hours of operation from 4 – 12 a.m. to 24/7. The decision to add four hours responds to increased traffic at this terminal and will benefit the region by creating more jobs and by the possibility of attracting new airlines because of increased flights.
Flamingo: A World Class Sport Fishing Marina is Coming
Costa Rica is quickly becoming one of the most important destinations for sport fishing in the world, due to the variety of marine species found in Costa Rican waters. The Flamingo Marina, with an estimated $35 million investment, will include wet and dry boat slips, commercial retail spaces, a hotel and governmental offices. The construction project is expected to take 2 years and is projected to generate many direct and indirect jobs both on-site and in the surrounding communities. In addition, the Flamingo Marina will be a hub for a wide array of water activities, such as catamaran, sailing, and sunset tours, as well as scuba diving.
American Airlines Adds Flights to Costa Rica
On December 18, 2019, AA will offer a second daily flight from DFW to San Jose (SJO) and another to Liberia (LIR), both on 737-800 aircraft. American Airliens flies to Costa Rica from Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, Phoenix and Miami.
Did You Know?
Condé Nast Names Costa Rica the “Most Beautiful Country in the World”
In September 2019, Condé Nast readers selected Costa Rica as the most beautiful country in the world. Here is some of what Condé Nast had to say. “It’s easy to sink into the pura vida (pure life) when you’re surrounded by misty waterfalls, deserted beaches, and protected jungles. In fact, more than a quarter of Costa Rica enjoys some form of environmental protection. Cocos Island National Park, the only island in the eastern Pacific with a rainforest, is a world-class diving destination replete with hammerhead sharks, giant manta rays, sea turtles, and dolphins. La Amistad National Park is another uniquely diverse site, with cloud forests, glacial valleys, and a rare tropical alpine grassland (say that five times fast). It’s also home to Cerro Chirripó, the highest mountain in Costa Rica.”
Costa Rica Abolished its Army 71 Years Ago
On December 1, 1948, then president, José Figueres Ferrer, eliminated the country’s armed forces in the aftermath of the consequences of World War II. A decision that, at the time, took many by surprise, but has elevated the country worldwide, and is part of its current success. A military barracks, located in downtown San José, became the National Museum of Costa Rica 71 years ago, after the army was officially abolished there. This act is historically embodied on the 10 thousand colones currency.
Living a Culture of Peace
Costa Rica has invested its savings in defense spending to improve education, health and a lasting social security network – actions that have elevated Costa Rica’s standing among the countries of the region. Costa Ricans take pride in having no standing army and in investing in human development. As President Carlos Alvarado says about living in a country without an army: “you live a culture of peace.”