San Lucas Island in the Pacific holds great historic and cultural richness for Costa Rica, and it is also a beautiful place to visit; for these reasons, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC), are carrying out important efforts to strengthen the protection of the island, better the infrastructure for the park rangers and promote its development.

“We are thankful for the charisma with which park rangers protect this national treasure and its for this reason that since last Monday, September 10, we are working on the repairs to the park ranger house located in the San Lucas Island Wildlife National Refuge, infrastructure that was dismantled and destroyed by vandals some months back”, stated Grettel Vega, Director of Sinac.

The house is expected to be completely ready the beginning of October, at which point the Island will once again have full time personnel.

The short term plan is to promote this Wildlife Protected Area as tourism destination that will contribute with the development of Puntarenas; in order to do this MINAE and SINAC with the support of the Public Police Force and the Costa Rican Institute of Pacific Ports (INCOP) are working on a series of projects to guarantee the security of those visiting the island and bettering the quality of the experience for both national and international tourists.

Some of the works include the repair and remodeling of the pier area, the restoration of the historical trail to Playa Cocos, the construction of bathrooms and a center for the collection of waste. A second phase will include guided tours and souvenir sales.

San Lucas Island is a small island of under 500 hectares, a prison functioned in this island between 1873 and 1991, which makes for its historic importance.