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This year’s season started yesterday as the first cruise ship from Princess Cruises docked at the port of Puntarenas. However, tourists as well as local vendors were surprised to learn that a group of independent transporters had blocked the loading area where tourists board buses to be taken to their tour.
The disgruntled independent transporters organized the block in protest that the local Public Transportation Counsel issued a statement in which the independent workers are forbidden to transport tourists from the docks of Puntarenas and Caldera. Tourists were forced to walk about 900 feet in order to board the authorized vehicles that would take them to their tour.
The blockage was lifted before noon as the transporters and the local Transportation Director reached an agreement that would let them offer their services for the next two cruise ships scheduled to arrive on September 28 and October 2nd.
The cruise season is eagerly awaited by local commerce as each tourist spends an approximate $100 in souvenirs and food. This year’s schedule shows a total of 75 cruise ships arriving at Puntarenas and 50 at Caldera.
The President of Puntarenas’ Chamber of Tourism stated that the town of Puntarenas receives an approximate $120 million income due to the tourists who arrive via cruise ship.
