Costa Rica’s efforts to protect the environment and develop sustainable and ecological tourist attractions, have led many businesses to come up with creative and innovative ideas. This is exactly why the first underwater museum in Central America is opening up in the central Pacific coast.
Puntarenas is the host of Costa Rica’s first underwater museum. This original and one-of a-kind plan was developed by Hotel Punta Leona, as part of the rocky reef conservation project that the hotel decided to launch two years ago.
The art work is located just 50 meters from the coast, in front of the terrace of Playa Blanca, at a depth of 2 meters at low tide and about 5 meters at high tide. Each piece weighs more than a ton and measures approximately 3 meters in length.
Fabio Brenes Morales, a resident of Orotina, designed the three statues. This artist sketches his work in wood and stone, and gets his inspiration from nature. Brenes designed a statue of Cacique Garabito: a Costa Rican indigenous leader, who fought the Spaniards during the conquest; an olive ridley sea turtle and a stingray, which are native species from the area.
This invention functions as a great experience for divers and snorkelers, or for anyone looking for a new fun adventure. It is certainly a novel diving experience, that sea lovers and diving enthusiast will enjoy.
At the same time, the sculptures create a new habitat for marine life. This consolidates Hotel Punta Leona’s efforts and actions towards protecting the environment and the conservation of plant and animal species under the sea.
This is just the first stage of the project and, so far, it has received tremendous support from the local authorities. The Mayor of Garabito, the county where Punta Leona is located, expressed his delight and mentioned how attractive it is to have great art, while protecting the environment.
Cesar Vargas, Corporate Relations Manager and director of the initiative, stated that “the museum is a very visual, regenerative and, above all, living experience, since art interacts with nature and together they will evolve over time. We want it to be an accessible project and we are sure that it will bring the public closer to the marine environment, conservation and protection of this habitat.”
Students from James Madison University in the United States, who annually visit Punta Leona to develop a particular project, were involved in the project and helped with the placement of the statues.
Undoubtfully, this is an extraordinary experience for all those who love the sea, art and snorkeling.
