A project to improve the infrastructure and conditions of the different Wildlife Conservation Areas in the South Pacific is already on its way, the same is part of the program “Tejiendo Desarrollo” of the Ministry of Environment and the National System of Areas of Conservation.

Improvements include, lodging shelters, adequate bathrooms and showers, souvenir shops, bridges, among others, and will include five protected areas: Corcovado National Park, Marino Ballena National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, Golfito Wildlife Refuge and International Park La Amistad.

According to data provided by the different Areas of Conservation the number of visitors continues to grow, however, these parks do not have adequate infrastructure and/or is not in good enough conditions to satisfy the visitors’ demands.

Most of these parks are located in counties of low social development; the adequate management of the different protected wildlife areas can turn into an element of development and would help invigorate the economic situation of these communities.

Having adequate infrastructure should help attract more visitors, and improve their experience in the area motivating them to spend more time and money in their tourist experiences while benefiting the locals and promoting the conservation and protection of natural resources.

The project involves a strong investment, estimated in over US$3 million, and will be financed by JUDESUR (Regional Development Group of the South Zone) and managed by the Corcovado Foundation. It will take approximately 18 months to execute the plan, the project is currently in its first stage that involves preliminary studies, environmental viability, technical specifications, blueprints and budgeting; the second stage, expected to kick off in February 2018 is when the construction work will begin.

Marino Ballena National Park: the project includes the construction of two pedestrian bridges over the estuaries (Negro and Villegas); souvenir shops, bathrooms and showers in each of the four beaches of the park and accommodation facilities for park personnel.

Corcovado National Park: a 160 meter hanging bridge over the Claro River, close to La Sirena Station, new bathrooms and showers and improvement of the existing ones, improvement of trails.

Golfito Wildlife Refuge: an innovative visitor center in the shape of a whale that will be visible from the air; improvements in trails and small bridges.

Piedras Blancas National Park: remodeling of current infrastructure of the operation center.

La Amistad International Park: the lack of basic and adequate access and infrastructure in this park is the reason it has very low visitation. The projects will be done in three different areas, Pittier Sector will include lodging facilities, bird watching platform, trail maintenance and two pedestrian bridges; Tres Colinas Sector, where the Kamuk Mountain is located and which attracts mountain climbers and adventure seekers, in order to climb this mountain visitors must spend close to a week in the area, the idea is to build lodging facilities, security areas and give maintenance to the different trails; the last area is the Altamira Sector, the main entrance to the park, will offer a visitor center, souvenir shop, cafeteria, etc. bird watching platforms and maintenance of trails with the objective of promoting the tour to the area known as Valle del Silencio (Silence Valley) an adventure tour that requires 3 days to complete and for which accommodation options will be offered.

This ambitious project aims to bring benefit to the different surrounding communities offering them the necessary opportunities and tools to secure a source of income and a better life.