Comments on: $40 Million Marina Project Announced for Puerto Viejo

By: Robert Gutierrez

Robert Gutierrez — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:50:04 +0000

We too have purchases a lot in Punta Uva with the idea of building our retirement home. after seeing the destruction of the Pacific coast we decided to come to the Caribe Sur to see other options. we loved the people, the culture, but most of all we loved that its citizens have kept the zone mostly undeveloped. like previusly mention, slow down, plan for the future.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:30:10 +0000

Oh what a tragedy !! We had traveled to Costa Rica many times over 20 years, before discovering the incredible Caribbean Coast and the un-spoiled Puerto Viejo area. Our trip to the “other Costa Rica” actually came about in an attempt to escape from the sad destruction we had witnessed taking its toll on the Pacific coast. We travel quite a bit and have always been drawn to the unique cultures that still exist on this wonderful planet, so finding a “Puerto Viejo” was akin to finding an almost extinct species of butterfly. And while visiting for 3 weeks last year we became very impressed by the work of ATEC and many of the local businesses. They seemed to have a true sense of how to maintain their indigenous environment and still incorporate the desire to have visitors come to appreciate it. A sustainable economic development plan! Now we must hear this terrible news! What possible rationale can there be in wanting to bring such a well-worn model of cultural(and ecological) decline to the beautiful pristine village of Puerto Viejo ??……It couldn’t possibly be greed, could it?

By: Manuel PInto

Manuel PInto — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:51:11 +0000

Our “new” roads” last no more than 2 weeks. If our municipality cannot properly build a road, how can we trust them to build and maintain a marina?

The most important issue dominating our area right now is our local government’s absolute lack of planned vision for tomorrow. We / they MUST sit down, decide on a vision for the next 5, 10, 15 and 30 years and stick to that vision with proper zoning, management and enforcement plans. Without these put into place, we are about to embark on a chaotic development frenzy much like the one that has completely ruined Jaco.

Unfortunately, it appears most people are only thinking about the $$$ benefits of uncontrolled development without taking the time to consider it’s true consequences into the future.

If our development is defined and controlled – land values will be worth much more in the future then if we let things run the way they are right now. We still have a fading opportunity to create / maintain and solidify a solid vision for an exemplary community that is the envy of the world in responsible development. Time is very quickly running out.

Let’s all slow down and consider our future – not just tomorrow’s benefits, but those AFTER tomorrow!!!

By: Tom Rucker

Tom Rucker — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 15:14:54 +0000

My wife and I bought a small parcel of land and built a house near Manzanillo 3 years ago and have spent quite a bit of time there since then. We love the unspoiled charm of the area, but it is obvious that the infrastructure, is already overused and overwhelmed, (in particular the roads and sewage/septic system), by the recent tourist influx.

What plans, if any, are proposed to deal with this issue, and even more importantly, are there funds available to upgrade these?

I agree that a 400 slip marina would be somewhat of a “monstrosity” and completely dominate the beach and seascape on that side of town, eliminating a huge portion of the beach from public use.

Tom Rucker

By: Community presents petition asking for more info and meeting on Marina : The Talamanca News

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:41:45 +0000

[...] $40 Million Marina Project Announced for Puerto Viejo [...]

By: Jadey

Jadey — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:36:43 +0000

This marina sounds way too big. It will ruin black beach and possibly the salsa brava. It is bigger than any marina anywhere I have ever heard of besides Miami. It seems the developers are probably iexperienced in building marinas and will probably make many mistakes. There may also be an increase in crime. This seems like an very badly thought out plan and could even be a flop. A small tasteful low impact marina maybe, but a 400 slip monstrosity sounds insane!!

By: Alison

Alison — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 19:56:01 +0000

This is tragic. I am a resident of Oregon and the Bay Area of California and I visit Puerto Viejo a couple of times per year and may even move there. The reason I visit so often is because it is pristine and untouched. I enjoy riding my bike down the bumpy unpaved roads, running along the trails that line the beach. I love that I am not surrounded by American Tourists. Bringing a marina to Puerto Viejo would DESTROY all the character of this small town. If one wants an over developed tourist hot spot, they should head to Mexico or even the Pacific side of Costa Rica. I feel that more damamge will be done to this area and the culture than can even be predicted if a marina is built. I believe that creating jobs is a wonderful idea but not at the cost of so many other things such as culture, the environment,and people’s happiness, among other things. There is a reason people call this small area of Costa Rica the end of the world, they come here to get away from the daily life of where ever they are from, let’s leave it that way.

By: Wendy Strebe

Wendy Strebe — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:33:29 +0000

rumor has it that the owner of the hotel las palmas in punta uva is the lead in this. i have no idea if this is true.

By: Editor

Editor — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:47:01 +0000

I attempted to find any information on Grupo Caribeño Internacional S.A. and couldn’t find anything on them on the net. Does anyone know how to contact them or their attorney Walter Coto?

By: cliff alexander

cliff alexander — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:50:36 +0000

Can anyone tell me how to contact Grupo Caribeño Internacional S.A.?

Thanks