Tourism in Costa Rica

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Poás Volcano Crater is one of the country's main tourist attractions.
Cocos Island is a prime ecotourism destination. A World Heritage Site, ranked among the top 77 nominees for the world's New 7 Wonders of Nature.[1]

Tourism in Costa Rica is one of the fastest growing economic sectors of the country[2] and by 1995 became the largest foreign exchange earner.[3][4] Since 1999, tourism earns more foreign exchange than bananas, pineapples and coffee combined.[5] The tourism boom began in 1987,[3] with the number of visitors up from 329,000 in 1988, through 1 million in 1999, to 2 million foreign visitors in 2008, allowing the country to earn $2.2-billion in that year.[6] In 2005, tourism contributed with 7.9% of the country's GDP, 22.3% of foreign exchange generated by all exports,[5] and was responsible for 13.3% of direct and indirect employment.[7]

Since the late 1980s Costa Rica became a popular nature travel destination, and its main competitive advantage is its well-established system of national parks and protected areas,[8] covering around 23.4% of the country's land area,[9] the largest in the world as a percentage of the country's territory,[10][11] and home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, in a country that has only 0.03% of the world's landmass, but that is estimated to contain 5% of the world's biodiversity.[12][13] The country also has plenty of beaches, both in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, within short travel distances, and also several volcanoes that can be visited with safety. By the early 1990s, Costa Rica became to be known as the poster child of ecotourism,[13] with tourist arrivals reaching an average annual growth rate of 14% between 1986 to 1994.[3][14]

Contents

[edit] Description and key statistics

International tourist arrivals 1988-2007[3][6][7][15][16]
Year Arrivals
(x1000)		 Year Arrivals
(x1000)		 Year Arrivals
(x1000)		 Receipts
USD million
1988 329 1995 785 2002 1,113 1,078
1989 376 1996 781 2003 1,239 1,199
1990 435 1997 811 2004 1,453 1,358
1991 504 1998 943 2005 1,679 1,570
1992 611 1999 1,032 2006 1,725 1,732
1993 684 2000 1,088 2007 1,973 1,974
1994 762 2001 1,131 2008 2,000 2,200

With a US$1.97-billion-a-year tourism industry, Costa Rica stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region, with 1.974 million foreign visitors in 2007,[16][17] thus reaching in 2007 a rate of foreign tourists per capita of 422 visitors per thousand inhabitants, one of the highest within the Caribbean Basin countries, and above other popular travel destinations such as Mexico (210), Dominican Republic (380), and Brazil (30). The number of tourists visiting Costa Rica in 2008 reached a historical 2 million landmark, and tourist-related income grew to US$ 2.2 billion.[6]

As a result of the global economic crisis, international arrivals began falling since August 2008, as the number of U.S. citizens visiting the country shrank, and this market segment represents 54% of all foreign tourists visiting Costa Rica.[18] Between December 2008 and May 2009, which includes the high season, tourists arrivals felt by 12 percent.[19]

In terms of 2009 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), Costa Rica reached the 42nd place in the world ranking, remaining as the most competitive among Latin American countries since 2008, and ranking second if the Anglophone Caribbean is included.[20][21][22] Just considering the subindex measuring human, cultural, and natural resources, Costa Rica ranks in the 31st place at a worldwide level, and 6th when considering just the natural resources criteria. The TTCI report also notes Costa Rica's main weaknesses, safety and security (72nd), limited number of cultural sites (89th), and poor condition of ground transport infrastructure (103rd).[23]

For several years now, close to two-thirds of the international tourists come from the prime market segments in the world. In 2006, 47.5% came from the U.S. and Canada, and 13.6% from the E.U.[5] Tourist revenues from first world countries contributed to achieve a relatively high expenditure per tourist of $1000 per visitor in 2007. For 2006, other visitors came mainly from the neighboring countries of Nicaragua (16.3%), Panama (4.4%), Mexico (3.3%), El Salvador (2.7%), Guatemala (2.4%), Honduras (1.9%) and Colombia (1.6%).[5] Visitors from the Caribbean Basin and South America come mainly for business or professional purposes, while a majority of Americans, Canadians and Europeans visit the country for vacations. Word of mouth from friends and family, with an average of 58%, was the leading reason for visiting Costa Rica for vacations and leisure. The main complaint is the poor condition of roads.[24]

Top 20 visitor arrivals by country of origin (2006)[5]
Ranking Country
of origin		 Visitor
arrivals
2006		  % Total
arrivals		 Ranking Country
of origin		 Visitor
arrivals
2006		  % Total
arrivals
1º
  United States 731,236 42.4
11º
  England 27,890 1.6
2º
  Nicaragua 281,086 16.3
12º
  Colombia 27,706 1.6
3º
  Canada 88,304 5.1
13º
  France 24,392 1.4
4º
  Panama 76,214 4.4
14º
  Netherlands 24,303 1.4
5º
  Mexico 56,419 3.3
15º
  Italy 19,175 1.1
6º
  Spain 50,225 2.9
16º
  Argentina 16,805 1.0
7º
  El Salvador 46,414 2.7
17º
  Venezuela 13,601 0.8
8º
  Guatemala 41,057 2.4
18º
  Switzerland 13,144 0.8
9º
  Germany 37,847 2.2
19º
  Brazil 9,730 0.6
10º
  Honduras 32,550 1.9
20º
  Israel 8,419 0.5
Visitor arrivals by region of origin in 2006 (Top 4)
1º
 North America 875,959 50.8
3º
 Europe 234,681 13.6
2º
 Central America 478,147 27.7
4º
 South America 90,906 5.3

[edit] Comparative performance in the Latin American market

The following table presents a comparison of Costa Rica's tourism industry performance with selected countries from the Caribbean Basin and South America, including Bahamas, Cuba, and several of the top ten Latin American countries according to their 2009 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), which are competitors in the nature travel market segment.

Selected
Caribbean and
Latin American
countries		 Internl.
tourist
arrivals
2007[16]
(x1000)		 Internl.
tourism
receipts
2007[16]
(million
USD)		 Receipts
per
arrival
2007
(col 2)/(col 1)
(USD)		 Arrivals
per
capita
per 1000 pop.
(estimated)
2007[16][25]		 Receipts
per
capita
2005[26]
USD		 Revenues
as %
of exports
goods and
services[7]
2003		 Tourism
revenues
as %
GDP[7]
2003		 % Direct &
indirect
employment
in tourism[7]
2005		 World
Ranking
Tourism
Compet.[21]
TTCI
2009		 Index
value
TTCI[21]
2009
 Bahamas
1,528
2,187
1,431
4,616
6,288
 74.6 34.1 68.7
n/d
 n/d
 Barbados(1) 575 967* 1,717* 1,956 2,749 58.5 29.2 55.3 30 4,77
 Brazil 5,026 4,953 985 26 18 3.2 0.5 7.0 45 4,35
 Chile 2,507 1,419 566 151 73 5.3 1.9 6.8 57 4,18
 Costa Rica 1,973 1,974 1,001 442 343 17.5 8.1 13.3 42 4,42
 Cuba 2,119 1,982 935 188 169 n/d n/d n/d n/d n/d
 Dominican Republic 3,980 4,026 1,012 408 353 36.2 18.8 19.8 67 4,03
 Jamaica 1,704 1,841 1,080 628 530 49.2 21.6 31.9 60 4,13
 Mexico 21,424 12,901 602 201 103 5.7 1.6 14.2 51 4,29
 Panama 1,103 1,185 1,074 330 211 10.6 6.3 12.9 55 4,23
  • Notes: Green shadow denotes the country with the top indicator. Yellow shadow corresponds to Costa Rica's.
  • (1) WTO data for Barbados marked with * corresponds to 2006.[16]

[edit] Ecotourism

Costa Rica's biodiversity is an asset for ecotourism. Shown a notable frog species, the Red-eyed Tree Frog.
Playa Tamarindo, lost its "Bandera Azul" status since 2004,[27] Guanacaste.
Ecotourism is key in Costa Rica's tourism industry. Shown Savegre River, Talamanca.
Arenal Volcano is a main destination in Costa Rica, San Carlos, Alajuela.
Manuel Antonio National Park is well known for its four beaches combined with sights of natural beauty, Quepos Puntarenas.

Ecotourism is extremely popular with the many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country. Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism and the country is recognized as one of the few with real ecotourism.[13] As of 2006, a total of 54% international tourists visited national parks or protected areas, visiting at least two such natural refuges, and it goes up to three for European visitors.[24]

[edit] The "Bandera Azul" Program

Implemented in 1996 and inspired in a similar program developed in Europe in 1985,[28] the "Bandera Azul Ecológica" (Ecological Blue Flag) Program is intended to promote development while curving the negative impacts of mass tourism by promoting the local community to organize against pollution and protecting the environment. The program evaluates the environmental quality of coastal areas, in terms of the quality of the beaches and sea water, access and quality of drinking water, water and waste management, security, and environmental education. Depending on the degree of compliance against the optimal criteria established, up to four stars are awarded to the Blue Flag.[29] After the first evaluation, ten beaches were awarded the distinction, that usually is highly publicized to potential visitors.[30] As of 2008, and based on the evaluation carried out in 2007, 59 beaches kept the distinction while eight beaches lost it, including some popular destinations such as Playa Tamarindo, Playa Ocotal and Playa Manzanillo. All the demoted beaches presented fecal contamination of their waters.[27][29]

[edit] Voluntary Certification Program

Developed in 1997 by the Costa Rican Board of Tourism, the public agency responsible for tourism development and regulation in the country, a voluntary Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program (known as CST) was introduced in order to turn "the concept of sustainability into something real" by "improving the way in which the natural and social resources are utilized, to motivate the active participation of the local communities, and to support the competitiveness of the business sector."[3] The program was aimed for all types of businesses in the tourism industry, but it began only with lodging providers. By 2007, a total of 108 parameters are considered for the CST evaluation.[31] As of June 2008, out of 3,000 hotels and tours operators, only 94 have a Certification for Sustainable Tourism.[32] Some tour operators in the U.S. and Europe promote several small hotels that hold this certification through their travel packages.[33]

[edit] Beaches and adventure

Most of the main attractions are nature related, a combination of ecotourism with leisure and adventure activities: sun, sea and sand (55%); flora and wildlife watching (44%); visiting volcanoes (43%); trekking (41%); bird watching (30%); canopy tours (26%);bungee jumping from bridges (11%); surfing (11%); snorkeling (10%); and rafting (7%). Cultural activities such as visiting museums, art galleries and theaters corresponds to 11%, and business travel corresponds to 17%.[24]

[edit] Main natural attractions

[edit] National Parks and Biological Reserves

Main article: National Parks of Costa Rica
See also: Wildlife of Costa Rica and List of birds of Costa Rica

[edit] Volcanoes

Main article: List of volcanoes in Costa Rica

[edit] Beaches

See List of beaches of Costa Rica

[edit] Seven Natural Wonders of Costa Rica

Elected in 2007 by Costa Ricans through an open contest organized by a leading newspaper as the 7 natural wonders of Costa Rica,[35] these natural sites are among the most popular destinations by both foreign and domestic tourists, with the exception of Cocos Island, which it is not easily accessed, because it is located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 550 km (340 mi) from the Pacific shore of Costa Rica.

Ranking 7 natural wonders of Costa Rica
1. Cocos Island (Spanish: Isla del Coco)
2. Arenal Volcano (Spanish: Volcán Arenal)
3. Chirripo Mountain (Spanish: Cerro Chirripó)
4. Light Blue River (Spanish: Río Celeste)
5. Tortuguero Canals (Spanish: Canales de Torguero)
6. Poás Volcano (Spanish: Volcán Poás)
7. Monteverde Reserve (Spanish: Reserva Monteverde)

[edit] Other activities and popular destinations

Interior of Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (El Foyer)

[edit] Environmental and social impacts

[edit] Beachfront developments

View of beachfront developments in Tamarindo beach, in the Pacific coast.

In many beach areas, but especially in the towns of Tamarindo and Jacó, a real estate boom took placed, when many foreigners from developed countries began buying beachfront properties and building holiday and vacation houses and condominiums. These developments completely changed the life style in these towns, and property prices are now so high that it became prohibitive for Costa Ricans to own beach front properties.[13] Also, the lack of planning for these developments is having a negative social impact on small communities, as in some cases they are forced to move to places with less adequate infrastructure and where not enough job opportunities exist.[36]

[edit] Hotel siting and construction

Also there have been isolated controversies regarding the site location and construction of hotels and beach resorts invading the 50 m protected maritime public zone; also a case of one hotel located within a protected area; and a few cases of resort development with severe negative impacts to existing flora and fauna, by dumping construction wastes damaging coral reefs or filling mangroves.[13] As a result of these controversies, a law was passed in 1995 to require environmental impact studies before a hotel is authorized to operate. Even with the new law, Costa Rica could not simply point the finger at foreign developers and has finally noted its own damage[37] to the environment by polluting the rivers with untreated sewage that feed into the beach towns. Towns such as Jaco where tourism and real estate development has grown ten-fold since 2004 suffered a black mark in September 2008 when the government cited Garabito, it's local governing body for high levels of bacteria on the beach. But finding the culprit is not an easy task; development, hotel waste water treament plants, damaged septic tanks all can be sources for this pollution.[38] These issues simply point out that a collective solution is needed and groups[39] are working at the local and national level to find one.

More recently, controversy took place with the construction of the Sardinal-El Coco-Ocotal aqueduct by private developers, as the community of Sardinal protested violently because they fear that scarce drinking water will be diverted for the tourism developments whose owners are financing the pipeline.[40] As of May 2008, construction works were stopped by order of the local municipality.[41] Developers and the government authorities have explained the aqueduct is public, and that it will benefit not only the tourism developments but also the surrounding communities.[42][43] Controversy still persists regarding the real capacity of the Sardinal aquifer.

[edit] Sex tourism

The rapid growth of tourism also has the consequence of the country becoming a popular destination for sex tourism.[44][45][46] Despite the government and industry efforts, child sex trade has been also a problem.[47][48] A study estimated that "up to 10% of tourists who come to Costa Rica engage in sex tourism", with as many as 10,000 sex workers involved, many of whom are immigrants.[49][50] Also it was reported that about 80% of the sex tourist are from the US.[51] This is largely due because prostitution is not illegal, but many of the activities surrounding it are indeed illegal,[52] such as pimping.[53][54]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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  2. ^ José Enrique Rojas (2004-12-29). "Turismo, principal motor de la economía durante el 2004" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2004/diciembre/29/economia0.htsherml. Retrieved on 2008-04-13. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Crist Inman (1997). "Impacts on Developing Countries of Changing Production and Consumption Patterns in Developed Countries: The Case of Ecotourism in Costa Rica" (in Inglés) (PDF). INCAE, available at International Institute for Sustainable Development website. http://www.iisd.org/susprod/ecotour.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-06-10. 
  4. ^ Mario Calderón Castillo (2005). "El Turismo como Promotor del Crecimiento Económico Costarricense" (in Spanish). Revista Parlamentaria Digital. Asamblea Legislativa de Costa Rica. http://www.asamblea.go.cr/biblio/revista/revista/vol13-no2-ago2005/el%20turismo%20como%20promotor-MarioCalderon.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
  5. ^ a b c d e Departamento de Estadísticas ICT (2006). "Anuário Estadísticas de Demanda 2006" (in Spanish) (PDF). Intituto Costarricense de Turismo. http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/backoffice/treeDoc/files/Anuario%20de%20Turismo%202006%20(VERSION%20FINAL).pdf. Retrieved on 2008-06-13. 
  6. ^ a b c Hassel Fallas (2008-12-18). "Llegada de turistas dejará $2.200 millones este año" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/diciembre/18/economia1815172.html. Retrieved on 2008-12-21. 
  7. ^ a b c d e Carmen Altés (2006). "El Turismo en América Latina y el Caribe y la experiencia del BID" (in Spanish). Inter-American Development Bank, Sustainable Development Department. http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=984876. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.  Technical Paper Series ENV-149, Washington, D.C., pp 9 and 47.|
  8. ^ Mónica Vásquez Muñoz (2002). "Tourism and Conservation in Southern Costa Rica" (PDF). York University. http://www.yorku.ca/lasnubes/reseach_paper/paper/papers/monica%20vasquez.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-06-11. 
  9. ^ Earth Trends (2003). "Biodiversity and Protected Areas - Costa Rica" (PDF). World Resources Institute. http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/bio_cou_188.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
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  11. ^ Leonardo Coutinho and Otávio Cabral (2008-05-21). "O desafio da economia verde" (in Portuguese). Revista Veja. http://planetasustentavel.abril.com.br/noticia/desenvolvimento/conteudo_280147.shtml?func=2. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.  Published on website "Planeta Sustentável"
  12. ^ Leo Hickman (2007-05-26). "Shades of green". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/may/26/saturday.costarica. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
  13. ^ a b c d e Honey, Martha (1999) (in Inglés), Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?, Island Press; 1 edition , Washington, D.C., p. 128-181, ISBN 1-55963-582-7  Chapter 5. Costa Rica: On the Beaten Path
  14. ^ Bruce Aylward et al.. (1996). "Sustainable ecotourism in Costa Rica: the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve". Biodiversity and Conservation vol 5, no. 3, 315-343. http://www.springerlink.com/content/r1646040x5032177/. 
  15. ^ "UNWTO Tourism Highlights, Edition 2007" (PDF). World Tourism Organization. 2007. http://www.unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/highlights/highlights_07_eng_hr.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-03-29. 
  16. ^ a b c d e f "UNWTO World Tourism Barometer June 2008" (PDF). World Tourism Barometer. June 2008. http://www.tourismroi.com/Content_Attachments/27670/File_633513750035785076.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-08-05. Data corresponds to 2007
  17. ^ "País cierra el año con llegada de 1,9 millones de turistas" (in Spanish). La Nación. 2007-12-19. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2007/diciembre/19/economia1358245.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-16. 
  18. ^ Hassel Fallas (2009-01-25). "Llegada de turistas cayó en los últimos seis meses" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/enero/25/economia1850794.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-07. 
  19. ^ Hassel Fallas and Rebeca Rodríguez (2009-07-04). "Caída del turismo se agravó durante la temporada alta" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/julio/05/economia2014984.html. Retrieved on 2009-07-05. 
  20. ^ Jennifer Blanke and Thea Chiesa, Editors (2008) (PDF), The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008, World Economic Forum, Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.weforum.org/pdf/CGR08/Rankings.pdf 
  21. ^ a b c Jennifer Blanke and Thea Chiesa, Editors (2009). "The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009" (PDF). World Economic Forum, Geneva, Switzerland. http://www.weforum.org/pdf/TTCR09/TTCR09_Rankings.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-03-07. 
  22. ^ Mercedes Agüero y Hassel Fallas (2009-03-04). "Costa Rica es líder en competitividad turística" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/marzo/04/economia1894078.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-07. 
  23. ^ World Economic Forum (2009). "Country/Economy Profiles: Costa Rica". The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008. http://www.weforum.org/documents/TTCR09/index.htmll. Retrieved on 2009-03-07.  Click the 2.1 menu to display the selected country profile.
  24. ^ a b c "Informe de Encuestas IV Trimestre 2006. Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaria" (in Spanish). Instituto Costarricense de Turismo. 2006. http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/modEst/estudios_estadisticas.asp?idIdioma=2. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.  2006 Annual Survey from the Costa Rican Board of Tourism (ICT)
  25. ^ United Nations. "UNData. Country profiles (1999-2005)". http://data.un.org/CountryProfile.aspx?crName=Argentina. Retrieved on 2008-08-08.  Population estimated for 2007 (search values for each country profile)
  26. ^ World Tourism Organization (2006). "Tourism Market Trends, Annex 12, 2006 Edition" (PDF). http://unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/indicators/new/ITR05_americas_US$.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.  Data corrresponds to 2005.
  27. ^ a b Ángela Ávalos (2008-03-26). "Ocho playas pierden Bandera Azul por contaminación" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/marzo/26/pais1472711.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-15. 
  28. ^ "Programa Bandera Azul Ecológica" (in Spanish). Guía Costa Rica. http://www.guiascostarica.com/bazul/. Retrieved on 2008-06-19. 
  29. ^ a b Peter Freeman (2007-03-14). "Blue Flags for green action" (PDF). The Journal. http://www.vivapuntaleona.com/pdf/news/blue_flag_journal.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-06-19. pp. 10
  30. ^ Lawrence Pratt and Naomi Olson (1997). "Sector Turístico en Costa Rica: Análisis de Sostenibilidad" (in English) (PDF). INCAE Business School Research CEN 760. http://www.incae.ac.cr/ES/clacds/nuestras-investigaciones/pdf/cen760.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-06-15. 
  31. ^ Mercedes Agüero (2007-11-07). "ICT espera 2 millones de turistas a finales del 2008" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2007/noviembre/07/economia1306648.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-15. 
  32. ^ Hassel Fallas (2008-06-10). "ICT promoverá hoteles amigables con la naturaleza" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/junio/10/economia1571732.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-15. 
  33. ^ "Certificación promueve a Costa Rica en Europa" (in Spanish). La Nación. 2008-05-18. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2007/mayo/18/ultima-sr1101943.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-15. 
  34. ^ Andrea Solano (2009-07-10). "Isla del Coco es finalista en concurso mundial" (in Spanish). La Nacion. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/julio/10/aldea2022901.html. Retrieved on 2009-07-10. 
  35. ^ Randall Corella V. (2007-08-26). "Concurso 7 maravillas naturales de Costa Rica" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/proa/2007/agosto/26/reportajes1210252.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-08. 
  36. ^ Hárold Brenes (2008-09-20). "Desarrollo de zonas costeras se da sin planificación social" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/septiembre/20/pais1707814.html. Retrieved on 2008-09-20. 
  37. ^ Staff Writer (2007-05-07). "Sala IV orders politicians to fix the sewer problem" (in English). A.M Costa Rica. http://www.amcostarica.com/050707.htm. Retrieved on 2008-12-08. 
  38. ^ Editor (2008-11-18). "Jaco in hot water about untreated sewage run-off" (in English). Surf in Jaco. http://surfinjaco.com/2008/11/jaco-in-hot-water-about-untreated-sewage-run-off/. Retrieved on 2008-12-08. 
  39. ^ "Projects" (in English). Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce. http://www.cenpac.net/eng-projects. Retrieved on 2008-12-08. 
  40. ^ Otto Vargas e Ingrid Morales (2008-05-13). "Grupo quema tubería y apedrea maquinaria en protesta por obra" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/mayo/13/sucesos1534160.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-20. 
  41. ^ Marcela Cantero (2008-05-28). "Municipio suspende obras de acueducto en Sardinal" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/mayo/28/pais1554639.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-20. 
  42. ^ Ángela Ávalos (2008-06-20). "Grupo defiende inversión en acueducto" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/junio/20/pais1586161.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-20. 
  43. ^ Álvaro Murillo (2008-05-29). "Gobierno dice que falló al explicar obras en Sardinal" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/mayo/29/pais1556005.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-20. 
  44. ^ "Unos 130 sitios de internet promueven turismo sexual Costa Rica" (in Spanish). La Nación. 2004-12-05. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2004/diciembre/05/ultima-ce1.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-16. 
  45. ^ Otto Vargas (2004-12-04). "Agencias ofrecen en el exterior damas para vacaciones eróticas en Costa Rica" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2004/diciembre/05/sucesos0.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-16. 
  46. ^ Ángela Ávalos (2008-06-2204). "Cien personas escapan de redes de tráfico de almas en Jacó" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/junio/22/pais1567973.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-22. 
  47. ^ Wright, Phillip. "Sex tourism: Lessons learned in Costa Rica". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/this_world/3818871.stm. Retrieved on 2007-12-21. 
  48. ^ Kovaleski, Serge F. (2000-01-02). "Child Sex Trade Rises In Central America". Washington Post Foreign Service (Washington Post Foreign Service). Archived from the original on 2006-12-20. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/costarica/prostitution.htm. Retrieved on 2006-12-20. 
  49. ^ Otto Vargas (2008-04-07). "Red trajo al país más de 400 dominicanas para prostitución" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/abril/07/sucesos1484459.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-07. 
  50. ^ Schifter-Sikora, Jacobo (2006), Mongers in Heaven: Sexual Tourism and HIV Risk in Costa Rica and in the United States, University Press of America, ISBN 978-0761835974 
  51. ^ Schmidt, Blake (July 27, 2007). "Businesses Say No to Sex Tourism Industry". Tico Time. 
  52. ^ Asamblea Legislativa de la República de Costa Rica. "Código Penal, Ley No. 4573 de 1970 y reformas hasta 26 de febrero de 2002" (in Spanish) (PDF). http://www.oas.org/Juridico/MLA/sp/cri/sp_cri-int-text-cpenal.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.  see SECCIÓN III: Corrupción, proxenetismo, rufianería (Articles 167 to 172).
  53. ^ ""Promoción de la prostitución: Unos 130 sitios de internet promueven el turismo sexual de Costa Rica"" (in Spanish). LaFlecha.net. 2004-12-07. http://www.laflecha.net/canales/blackhats/200412073/. Retrieved on 2007-03-17. "...prostitution is not penalized in the country, but a third-party soliciting clients for a prostitute (proxenetismo) is committing a crime" (free translation from Spanish)
  54. ^ "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Costa Rica". U.S. State Department. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61722.htm. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. "...There are no specific laws against sex tourism, which was growing" 

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Tourism in North America
Sovereign states The North American continent with country borders
Dependencies and
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1 Territories also in or commonly considered to be part of South America.
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