Today in the Costa Rican daily La Republica, an article regarding a project to make of Limon, in the Costa Rican Caribbean, a “New Cancun”, caught our attention, is this the type of development that the Caribbean province should be aiming for?

In the recent years and after many decades of neglect, investors have been turning their eyes towards the Caribbean province, the project of APM terminals has triggered the interest of many that see the potential of this undeveloped area of Costa Rica.

One of the main restrictions or obstacles that investors have faced in the past has to do with the access to Limon, Route 32 has long represented a problem, and even though there are plans for the extension on this route there is still a lot of bureaucracy delaying this plan.

The Limon airport, however, recently received an important investment, and has improved its conditions considerably.

The beautiful Caribbean province is the preferred vacation destination for many tourists, specially Europeans, who prefer to enjoy nature at its best, prefer small eco-lodges, and like to stay away from huge resorts; however, it seems that this concept could change in the future.

The Commerce, Industry and Tourism Chamber of Limon, is promoting the initiative “Zona Hotelera del Caribe” (Caribbean Hotels Zone) which consists in a development of 500 hectares of lodging options.

The project would extend over route 36 which communicates the center of Limon with Cahuita, and it would include a sporting complex, water park and amphitheater in its first stage which has an estimated cost of $40 million (not including the hotels).

A second phase of the development would include a convention center, residential areas, and commercial area.

The Tourism Chamber proposes that through the purchase of stocks this project would be left in the hands of the people of Limon; with this in mind, they already held a meeting with Banco Nacional to offer financing options.

The project is, of course, very interesting, as it would create direct and indirect jobs for the people of this province, it would also generate more tourism in the area and opportunities of development and growth for Limon and its inhabitants. There are, however, several limitations right now, which include the extension of Route 32, improvements of route 36 the creation of a dock for cruise ships, and the development of a real international airport as well as a marina.

The inspiration of Cancun is in the focus of the hotels and other developments along the coast; which they claim, won’t compete with the current eco-lodges and small hotels existent right now, since the focus would be all-inclusive hotels.

“We are thinking on massive tourism: we are talking hotels of 100 to 300 rooms. But, unlike Cancun, these wouldn’t be vertical developments, but a more ‘tropical’ concept, with a maximum of three levels”, said Rubén Acón, president of the Tourism Chamber of Limon.

The center of Limon has a lot to offer and its population can certainly benefit from a project of this nature, it is possible, however, to develop this project without taking away from the “charm” Limon offers?

What are your thoughts?