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| The Juan Santa Maria International
Airport in San José was recently upgraded
and modernized to bring it up to international
standards. |
| Courtesy Alterra |
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| Nature Air, one of the country's
busiest domestic airlines, flies out of the
Pavas airport in San José to over 15
destinations throughout Costa Rica. |
| Courtesy Nature Air |
Transportation is one area where the nation of
Costa Rica appears to be lagging behind. Even within
this sector, there are differences. Juan Santa Maria
International Airport is in excellent condition
and it’s two domestic carriers offer reliable
and safe services. The bus network is not only extensive
but also a cheap way to travel – three dollars
takes a traveler almost anywhere.
Road travel, however, takes a great deal of patience.
Cars don’t last very long in Costa Rica owing
to the numerous, cavernous potholes. There is also
a danger factor to consider given the mountainous
roads. Sometimes a flooded river can quickly cancel
even the best-made travel plans. Many a time drivers,
expecting a two-hour trip, have had to do an about
face and return to San José.
Because 98% of arriving tourists reach Costa Rica
by air, this sector is the most highly developed.
An interesting investment opportunity was offered
last year, when a twenty-year concession agreement
was signed between Alterra, the administrator, and
the Costa Rican government.
According to Alberto Trejos, Costa Rica’s Minister
of External Trade, “We are not strong believers
in quick money, we rather like good money. For example
the 20 year management contract of the airport...
this is an example of mechanisms of evolving private
sector or even foreign capital into the sectors where
typically government role is dominant.”
Al Romeu, CEO of Alterra, states, “The idea was
to bring private capital for the infrastructure needs,
and improve level of service and efficiency –to
make it a 21st century airport.” Safety and security
will still remain under the control of civil aviation,
as these are considered “strategic aspects of
airport trafficking.”
For bettering domestic air trafficking, civil
aviation is also at work in several locations: resurfacing
the runways at Quepos, Palma Sur and Golfito, and
upgrading the terminal at Liberia so that it is
ready to welcome Delta charter flights in December.
Pavas Airport in San José is attracting an
increasing number of corporate and executive fliers,
and one of two domestic carriers, Nature Air, uses
this airport. This small airline has a crucial role.
Together with another domestic carrier, Sansa, thousands
of tourists are transported to over fifteen destinations
in Costa Rica.
In a country like Costa Rica, where business has a
partner called “sustainability,” air trafficking
plays an important role in preserving the nature.
President of Nature Air, Alex Khajavi says, “Air
strips, especially grass ones, are more sustainable
than roads, and since many areas in Costa Rica need
protection, it is healthier to bring travelers there
by air.”
Since Costa Rican railways were damaged by an earthquake
in the 1990s, a lot of the burden has been left to
the road system –especially noticeable when transporting
goods between two harbors: Puntarenas along the Pacific
and Limon on the Caribbean side.
The Puebla-Panama Plan is an ambitious idea to
connect all countries between Mexico and Panama.
Financing will come primarily through the IDB and
the government of Spain. Among the infrastructure
projects involved are highway upgrading, building
bridges and the paving of existing roads. This will
certainly facilitate investors and free trade agreements,
help tourists and further contribute to the Central
American identity and coherence.
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