Works at the Poas Volcano National Park advance at good pace and  is expected to reopen for tourist visitation shortly with a new security model that involves 5 shelters: 3 new modules and the remodeling of 2 existing infrastructures as well as new protocols in the management of visitors.

The five shelters are being built at the same time, the new ones include one shelter with a capacity for 18 people, another with a capacity for 10 and a third one for 8 people; the remodeling of the hut for 20 people and the central module which has capacity for 50 people.

When the park reopens a new access logistic will be implemented with controlled access of groups of 50 people and a limited amount of time to visit the park; tickets will be available online.

“Efforts are being made by the Ministry of Environment (MINAE), the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), the Emergency Commission (CNE), the National Seismology Network (RSN), the National University’s Volcanology and Seismology Research Institute (Ovsicori), the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Electricity Institute (ICE) as well as non-governmental institutions such as the Association Costa Rica por SIempre and Fundecor to protect visitors when this protected area is reopened. Also, along with representatives of the communities we are promoting the economic reactivation of the area”, explained Pamela Castillo, Vice-Minister of MINAE.

The park will also have 4 gas measuring systems, that will allow the detection of high levels of sulfuric acid and other dangerous gases.

In the event of an emergency the personnel at the park has been trained to follow emergency protocol, directing visitors to safety location where hard hats, air filters and individual masks will be provided.

Local businesses are eager for the park to reopen for the economy to reactivate in this sector.