Guanacaste Park to Stay Open Mondays

DISTURBED by a decision earlierthis year to close part of Rincón de laVieja National Park on Mondays,tourism-related businesses near the parkin the northwestern region of Guanacastehave offered their funds and their servicesto keep the park open.Negotiations between business owners,the local tourism chamber and parkmanagers have resulted in an accord tokeep the park better maintained and openseven days a week.Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín hasagreed to donate ¢228,000 ($489) amonth to fund a new park guard for theLas Pailas sector of the park, the mostpopular area of the park and home to volcanicactivity, such as fumaroles, hotsprings and the Rincón de la Vieja volcanoitself.Las Pailas was closed on Mondaysin February because of lack of funds forpark maintenance, officials said (TT,Feb. 11). Camping there also was prohibited.Area hotels have also offered volunteersto make repairs to trails and parkinfrastructure.Once these repairs are complete andthe accord is finalized, the entire parkwill reopen seven days a week, 7 a.m. to3 p.m.Camping in the Las Pailas sector willremain prohibited.