Despite the current difficult social climate in the Costa Rican Caribbean as a result of the ongoing labor strike, the third cruise ship of the season, the Carnival Fantasy, arrived to this port on Saturday with a total 2,064 tourists and 872 crew members.

This ship, operated by US-British company Carnival Cruises, is the third of 110 cruise ships expected to arrive to Limon this season and which will represent an approximate 224 thousand visitors.

Tour operators and local commerce have organized to offer different services and a good attention to the visitors. Tourism represents one of the most important employment sources in this province, many families depend on it directly or indirectly.

Among the options offered to tourists are tours to the South Caribbean beaches, the Chocolate Tour in Cahuita, historic tours, among others.

The cruise ships spend just a few hours in the country, and it is estimated that each passenger spends in average close to $86.00 in the country in the few hours spent here, between restaurants, tours and souvenirs.

The province of Limon has been one of the most affected by the labor strike that began September 10, hotels report as much as 75% vacancy and commerce had been forced to close doors earlier than usual for their concerns over acts of vandalism that had been taking place; the public police force have been reinforcing their presence in the area and conducting operations to bring stability back to this beautiful province.