The reopening of Poás Volcano National Park could be closer. The construction of the five security shelters (one of the requirements demanded by the Technical Advisory Committee for the reopening of this protected area closed in April 2017 due to volcanic activity) will begin this Monday.
The bidding process for the acquisition of a gas meter in real time will also end this week, and will initiate the last training phase for the residents of the community regarding the reopening of the park.
It is expected that in a maximum period of two months the shelters will be ready, the training will be completed, and the gas meter will be installed, which could give the green light to reopen this touristic center.
The other measures requested by the Technical Advisory Committee have already been executed, such as the reconstruction of trails, the placement of safety signs, and the training of officials of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).
This was announced by leaders of the Ministry of Environment, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, and the National Emergency Commission (CNE) with the Poás Volcano Opening Committee.
Next Thursday, an inter-institutional mission (MINAE, CNE, ICT), together with the Pro Opening Committee will visit the park to inspect the works and follow up on this reopening process.
Before its closure, the national park was the second most visited in the country, with more than 400 thousand tourists per year, only surpassed by Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos. Last year, revenues in many businesses near Poás fell by 71% due to the closure. Each month about ¢592 million are lost, according to a study by the Universidad Latina.