By Wendy Anders

The Costa Rican government announced this month plans to build a tourist reception area for travelers arriving on cruise ships at the southern Pacific port of Golfito on the Golfo Dulce, or Sweet Bay.

The building project will begin February 1 and should be completed June 15, 2017, said government officials.

The 40 million colón dockside investment (over US$73,000) will include a tourist reception area where travelers can rest, get information on local attractions, and wait for ground transportation to tours.

At present, there is no place where tourists or crew members can get information about the local area and its attractions, which include national parks and a shopping district, said the Costa Rican Pacific Ports Institute (INCOP, its acronym in Spanish). Nor is there currently an area for crew members to safely wait with their luggage when boarding or disembarking.

The estimated 4,500 passengers arriving annually at Golfito’s pier will now have access to basic services such as Internet and tourist information in a digital information center. The reception hall will also be equipment with bathrooms and an emergency shower.

“This will strengthen our image vis-a-vis our customers, especially the shipping agencies, who want the sites where their ships dock to be attractive to passengers. At the same time, it will have a positive economic impact on the town of Golfito,” said Róger Ríos, INCOP Executive President.