As part of the effort made at the country level to promote economic recovery, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) authorize, from August 17th, the access of visitors to 13 Wild Protected Areas (ASP), including in this first phase the Monteverde private reserve, a site of strong tourist visitation.
With the opening, the distancing protocols and hygiene measures will be applied, as well as operation at 50% of its visitation capacity, which is required by the Ministry of Health.
The following National Parks will start activities:
- Irazú Volcano National Park
- Poás Volcano National Park
- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park
- Guayabo national monument
- Braulio Carrillo National Park
- Carara National Park
- Corcovado National Park
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Cahuita National Park
- Tapantí National Park
- Los Quetzales National Park
- Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge (Monday through Friday, from 5 am to 8 am)
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, explained that the opening will be carried out in a progressive and orderly manner, abiding at all times by the guidelines and guidance of the Ministry of Health. People who wish to visit these ASPs must comply with the following provisions:
- No person with a cold or flu should visit the ASP.
- People with risk factors should avoid visiting the ASP.
- High pressure
- Diabetes
- Lung diseases
- Heart and circulatory system diseases
- Low defenses like cancer
- Old people
- Visitors must make the trip individually or in social bubbles.
- You should take all the recommended hygiene measures regarding hand washing and others.
- A minimum distance of 2 m must be maintained between people, and crowds are not allowed on the beach or in the places of access.
- You cannot stay on the beach.
- You must abide by the instructions provided by the rangers, and if you do not abide by them, you must leave the ASP.
On the other hand, for the reopening of the aforementioned National Parks, it is important to clarify that:
- They will not be available to the public: ranches, lunch areas, green areas for lunch, depopulated in the undergrowth and forest, camping areas, viewpoints or trails that imply a prolonged entry movement, visitor center, nature stores, coffee shops, exhibition halls, and construction and/or repair areas.
- Parking lots will work with space in between.
- The entrance will be made by groups and managing a distance between people of 2 meters, during the tours.
It should be noted that for the purchase of tickets cash will not be accepted, you must pay by card on the site and in the case of the Poás Volcano National Park, you will have to purchase your tickets on the site: https: //serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr/
SINAC is providing all the outstanding personnel in the ASP, implements, equipment, and supplies, thanks to the support of the CNE, in order to guarantee the integrity of people and abide by the general guidelines established by the Ministry of Health to the reopening of activities in authorized National Parks.
From the Executive Directorate of SINAC, Grettel Vega, explained that they are already working on making the necessary modifications to the budget, in order to ensure, in the future, sufficient materials and supplies for this purpose. She also indicated that training will be given to officials by the MINAE Health Service, on the protocols and sanitary measures established in the midst of pandemic care, both for work centers and for handling visitors.
Let’s remember that keeping the ASP open to the public depends on obedience to the rules of social distancing and other guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
