QCOSTARICA – The most affected by the sanctions imposed on the two Costa Rica bus operators by Nicaragua’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) are the passengers, the majority of which are Nicaraguans headed to their home country for the holidays.
This afternoon, many expressed anxiety after learning of the news, fearing that they won’t be able to book passage for the traditional holiday travel. The anxiety is heightened by the fact that many travellers wait to use their aguinaldo (Christmas bonus) to buy tickets. (Employers in Costa Rica have up to December 20 to pay the aguinaldo).
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On Monday, the Nicaraguan government announced sanction against Transnica and Tica Bus, whose daily trips to Nicaragua from Costa Rica is limited to two, for the next 30 days. The Nicaraguan bus operators, Central Line and Nica Express, aren’t affected.
Normally during the third week of December to the first week of January, Tica Bus and Transnica add additional buses to the meet the demands of the season. This year that will not be happening.
This is not a question of price, bus fares to and from Nicaragua are regulated.
José Adán Aguerri, president of the Consejo Superior de la Empresa Privada (Cosep), told La Prensa in Nicaragua, that “if the situation is not resolved in the next four days, the impact will be significant.”
La Prensa says that the sanction will surely affect tourism in Nicaraguga. According to the Nicaraguan Tourism Board (Intur), the country saw 50.825 tourist arrivals at land borders with Costa Rica during the 2103 holiday season.
Nicaragua’s Cámara Nicaragüense de la Micro, Pequeña y Mediana Empresa Turística (Cantur) nor the National Tourism Chamber (Canatur) are referring to the subject.
So this is not a 100% block? They may be able to resolve it still?
This will be yet another thorn in Costa Rica’s foot in the Tourism world – as it shows a non-caring about the tourists who will also be effected as well as not respecting family – since many Nica’s will not be able to travel now.
Added to how Costa Rica’s gotten to be the most expensive Central American country, plus how word has also spread about the increased crime against tourists especially – all these are contributing towards making many tourists either skipping Costa Rica all together, or mainly passing through – another negative P.R. image Costa Rica has gotten is what happens when some tourists enter Costa Rica via land that don’t have that proof they’re exiting Costa Rica within 90 days (often because the notice at the border is usually just in Spanish [not WorldWide Tourist friendly since a large percent of travelers speak at least some amount of English]). They are only given a 2 day Transit Visa. Many have shared with me that they felt it was like “You can stay the night in San Jose – but get the hell out.”
I really hope that the powers that be wake up to the damage they’re doing to the country (meaning the people and their financial situation).