Ministry of Tourism announces security measures for tourists

Published Friday, August 2, 2019

Security for tourists has been a controversial issue for authorities, travelers, and citizens.
/ A.M. Costa Rica wire services photo.

Ministry of Tourism announces
security measures for tourists

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Costa Rican Tourism Institute announced a series of measures that have been developed to increase security for tourists.

"Increasing security for tourists in Costa Rica, a world-famous destination, requires co-ordination with many organizations," said María Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism.

According to the ministry, the most recent improvements to increase tourist safety are:

- Investment of about $262,455 for the hiring of 20 lifeguards.

- Installation of warning signs on 100 beaches classified as high risk.

- Training of 3,500 people who work in tourism services, on security measures and attention to tourists.

- Investment of approximately $962,335 for the construction of two police posts. One was built in Tamarindo Beach* in Guanacaste and other in Cóbano*, in Puntarenas.

- A video displaying information about safety measures in the waiting areas of all international airports.

- Creation of the MIOCIMAR application, for monitoring, rip currents and sea conditions near beaches to warn tourists about swimming or sailing in risky areas.

- Creation of an online chat tool on the Institute's website, VisitCostaRica.com, to answer tourist's inquiries.

Security for tourists has been a controversial issue for authorities, travelers, and citizens. The cases that were recently reported in the news around the world were:

In October 2018, four U.S. citizens, Ernesto Sierra, Jorge Caso, and Sergio Lorenzo died in a rafting accident in Quepos* in the province of Puntarenas. The tour guide identified as Kevin Thompson also died in the accident.

In August 2018, Arantxa Gutiérrez López, a Spanish citizen, was murdered near the hotel where she was staying in Tortuguero* in the province of Limón. The suspect, a Nicaraguan man, surnamed Díaz-Hawkings is in pre-trial prison.

In August 2018, U.S. citizen Thomas Jeffrey Cook was murdered. His body was found in Siquirres* in the province of Limón. Police are still searching for a suspect.

In August 2018, María Trinidad Matus, a Mexican citizen was killed in Cóbano*, in the province of Puntarenas. A Costa Rican man surnamed Esquivel-Cerdas is in pre-trial prison.

In November 2018, Carla Stefaniak, a U.S. citizen, was murdered in the villas where she was staying in Escazú* in the province of San José. The man suspected of the crime is a Nicaraguan surnamed Espinoza-Martinez, who was working as a security guard at the villas. He is in pre-trial prison.

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What other protection measures should the government provide to give tourists more security? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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