I agree with Manual Pinto. We must protect this area and limited any large commercial development.

Dan Twomey

In Punta Uva / entrance to Arricife – we see lots of 1000 M granted by the municipality – before this decree, in an area of swamp – previously zoned min 4500 SqM. Where will the septic runoffs go? How many trees will be left remaining? This is swamp land, it cannot drain anywhere except into the crystal clear waters hosting the coral reefs where all the tourists love to go. There has been no planning for the future except today’s dollar potential. Unless some serious regulations and zoning are put into place – this area is about to go under serious environmental attack and our tourism potential will be adversly affected.

Ask any tourist why they come to our area: The virgin beaches – the wildlife! With municipal development about to be granted – the lush virgin beaches are about to disappear – deleting the main reason Puerto Viejo and the surrounding areas are on the map today.

Unless the municipality does what they have never been able to accomplish in the past – and that is establishing (and enforcing!!) a true plan for it’s vision for the future – than consider this a disaster waiting to happen. There is unfortunately no reason to believe otherwise.

The marina: National Park to the West and Wildlife Refuge the the East. In theory, where can the boats go? Nowhere – unless of course there is complete disregard for what remains of the refuge.

Jet skis: I had a tico tourist last week tell me she visited the area for the first time. She was amazed and loved the fact that she could lie on the beach without the sound of jet skis. That could be over!

Who is behind this and why is that important?
Basically folks, the person who has dredged canals through coral reefs in front of Punta Uva and pumped raw sewage into the ocean and defied orders by the MINAE – this person (and other large land owners) are fully and directly responsible for this “behind the scenes” refuge takeover and marina plans. This is a revenge plot because MINAE attempted to enforce the laws that he broke several years ago by removing him and his business. This sets an awful example to the world for a supposedly eco tourism country!! No one should have any illusions that the folks behind this takeover and marina plans have any GOOD intentions other than to make money at the expense of everyone’s future.

If you liked Jaco – stick around – it’s coming real soon.

Lastly, a note to land owners: Many of you have expressed joy at some of this news saying “my land is now / will be worth much more”. If we are truly responsible towards our future and our children’s future, then we should consider that the potential of Puerto Viejo / Manzanillo lies in what it has today – not what the folks above plan for tomorrow. Caribe Sur is unique because of the limited development, the small hotels, the virgin beaches, the people. If we do not control this significantly – and NOW , then there will be nothing unique about our region except what has always in the past kept people away: the rain, the drugs, the crime , etc. In the long term, property values will go up higher IF we create a truly unique and balanced neighborhood of sustainable development – unlike almost anywhere else. It is not too late to decide our future…do we want a Jaco future or preserve our paradise as we know it?

The community must speak out!