Costa Rica continues to be a favorite among cruise passengers, and the Port of Limón has reaped the benefit. A significant rise in passengers is no surprise.
Costa Rica cruise season in now officially over, and the 2015-2016 season ended better than expected. The cruise season typically last from March to October, but lasted until May, 13. The last ship to dock was the Hanseatic, a vessel of 8,378 tons. The ship was transporting 131 guest and 124 crew members.
The Port of Limon which is located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica saw a significant rise. A total of 107 ships past through port which constituted over a 60 percent increase compared to the previous season. Most of the ships came from U.S., but there where others from Europe and elsewhere. The Atlantic Port Authority (JAPDEVA) released the figures after the cruise season ended.
Officials of JAPDEVA reported that more than 182,065 tourist arrived during the 2015-2016 season. Estimates will show the comparison of between the 2014-2015 season. Making the case for the massive percentage increase. Two main factors have contributed in Costa Rica rise, the government made an effort to attract more cruise ships to its port in the last 20 years, and turning the Port of Limón into a boarding port instead of a stop over.
The boost to Limón’s economy has been significant. Over 150 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs have been created thanks to the cruise industry. The Port of Limón inclusion as boarding port added more than 20,015 tourist. A big difference than a stop-over port. Tourism Minister Mauricio Ventura plans on seeing the government making more investments in cruises. While planning on a better 2016-2017 season which starts on October 8.
