Corcovado National Park reopens

Corcovado maintains 2.5% of the world's biodiversity, which is why it is visited by 35,000 people annually, according to the government.
- SINAC photos-

Published Monday, December 7, 2020

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Next Thursday, December 10, after eight months of being closed to the public, the Corcovado National Park, located on southwest Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, Pacific Coast, reopens.

As part of the reopening programs, the Corcovado Community Association, the organization in charge of providing services to tourists who visit the park, requested a loan of $16,622 from the Rural Development Institute for the rehabilitation of the site of lodging, food and souvenir shop that is installed in the park.

According to the institute, the loan will be used to condition the place following the sanitary guidelines required by the health authorities. The community association consists of 450 families that will be able to receive more income with the services they provide to tourists visiting the park.

Online tickets to visit the park can be purchased on the SINAC website, beginning Dec. 10. A tutorial on how to buy tickets can be found on the SINAC YouTube Channel.

Corcovado maintains 2.5% of the world's biodiversity, which is why it is visited by 35,000 people annually, according to the government. It is the third national park to reopen in less than one month.

On Friday, after eight years of being closed to the public due to the risks of eruptions, the Turrialba Volcano National Park, located in Cartago Province, reopened to visitors.

The opening occurs after complying with all the safety guidelines ordered by the National Emergency Commission since 2018, according to Rafael Gutiérrez, director of the National System of Conservation Areas, SINAC.

To ensure safe access to the park, an agreement was reached with the owners of the neighboring properties. This is because the main access to the volcano, via route 417, is currently under a legal process, as the owners of the land have claimed the entrance to the park as part of their property.

To date, there has not been a resolution by the court, so the alternate route #10, through the road known as Montecalas, to reach route #230, will guarantee access to the park, authorities said.

Among the main improvements that have been made in the park are: the remodeling of the entrance, the booth for the attention of visitors, the repair of restrooms for visitors, the rest and security zone installed for visitors.

Also, railings were built in the area of the panoramic viewpoint and seven protected areas, which cover the ascent path from the visitor service booth to the crater viewpoint and the path known as Chusquea.

In 2012, the Turrialba Volcano quickly increased its activity with phreatic eruptions of moderate intensity. The National Emergency Commission authorities recommended the total closure for visitors and maintaining a minimum number of park rangers within the perimeter of two kilometers around the active crater.

As of 2016, the volcanic activity decreased, allowing a period of improvements in the facilities.

The reopening will have park rangers and park employees helping visitors to maintain sanitary measures to avoid contagion of covid-19, a plan of action shared at all open national parks.

Online tickets can be purchased on the SINAC website.

On Nov. 24, the construction of 200 meters of the elevated path, was inaugurated as part of the improvements for the reopening of the Barra Honda National Park, located in Guanacaste Province. The path required a budget of $111,000, according to the Ministry of the Environment.

The new 200-meter trail will improve the visitor's experience in exploring the forest. On this route, tourists can enjoy the different ecosystems, walk to the viewpoint landscape of the North Pacific area.

In addition to the construction of the visitor trail between the sectors of Caverna Terciopelo and Mirador Nacaome, four rest zones were also built.

The park improvements were financed with funds from the Second Debt-for-Nature Swap between the U.S. and Costa Rica, which is managed by the Costa Rica Forever Association.

Barra Honda National Park was created in 1974 to protect its famous caves and waterways dated over 70 million years.

----------------------
What other tourist areas should be reopened to the public? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com