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A Costa Rican Perspective

By George Ellard ⋅ September 19, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Costa Rica has recently experienced an influx of foreigners within the country. This has greatly influenced the country and the locals seem to be divided on the issue of welcoming more people. With the constant flow of foreigners, the tourism industry has seen impressive gains. Many new hotels and facilities are being built thus creating a slew of new jobs. The government has recognized the importance of tourism and now makes it mandatory to learn English in the public schools.

The downside of this recent boom, as it is seen by many Costa Ricans is that the influx of foreigners is driving up the cost of living. Currently land is being sold at an increasingly rapid pace making it nearly impossible for a local to afford a reasonable property. The majority of hotel, transportation and activity providers are also foreign owned, meaning that from the local’s perspective, the money generated from tourism is not actually benefiting Costa Ricans but rather simply lining the pockets of other foreigners.

The reliance on the tourism industry creates a “damned if you do, damned if you don´t” mentality that is currently being debated through the free trade agreement with the Americas that would surely bring in even more foreign investment if approved. Many Costa Rican companies are now actively lobbying against this and playing on the people of Costa Costa Rica’s nationalist sentiments. It is becoming increasingly clear that Costa Ricans must now decide if they wish to facilitate investment and therefore create more job opportunities, or close their border with the rest of the world and try to return to the way things were.