Concession Granted for Papagayo Marina

THE $15 million marina planned for the Papagayo Peninsula in northwestern Guanacaste moved one step closer to becoming a reality late last month when the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) approved the marina’s concession. Marina officials can now begin soliciting necessary construction permits.

Construction is expected to take 18-20 months and the marina is expected to open at the beginning of 2008, according to project director Roberto Kopper. The concession allows for a total of 370 slips, though only 160 slips will be built in the first phase.

The planned marina will be accompanied by waterfront facilities, including Customs and Immigration offices, ship and convenience stores and a gymnasium. It also envisions a waterfront village of bistros and bars, language and art schools, pharmacies and stores (TT, April 1, 2005).

The marina will be located at the northeast end of the Gulf of Papagayo, near the black-sand Playa Manzanillo. The project is part of the 900- hectare (3.5-square-mile) Eco-Desarollo Papagayo, includes the swanky Four Seasons hotel and makes up nearly half of the Papagayo tourism project.