Suzan Crane reports on the imminent opening of the multi-million dollar Pela Vez Marina in Quepos, Costa Rica.
First there was talk. Lots of it. After years of false starts, the troops stormed in last year and cleared the Manuel Antonio beachfront of illegal vendors, petty thieves and general-interest hustlers, relocating them to an inconspicuous side street. The massive cleanup effort was just one step toward a more refined future for one of Costa Rica’s top tourist destinations.
While some visitors reveled in the colorful chaos of the sidewalk circus, others deemed it a blemish on the scenic beach and deterrent to the growth and long-term goals of the community – a community that has matured, since the unveiling of Manuel Antonio Park 37 years ago, from a quaint fishing village and hippie colony to one boasting opulent hotels, fine restaurants and world-class amenities.
Today, with the imminent opening of the multi-million dollar Pela Vez Marina in neighboring Quepos, the future looms even brighter. “We are moving at full speed for opening the initial 100 slips by April 2010 and welcoming boaters and anglers from around the world,” reported project founder Harold Lovelady. Costa Rica’s largest marina will celebrate its official inauguration in May, with a prestigious guest list including the President of Costa Rica. According to Lovelady, finally putting docks into the water is the result of nine years of preparation, including the dredging of 424,800 cubic yards of sand, placement of 354,000 cubic yards of rock, 4,000 concrete dolos and 3,600 tons of sheet piles.
When fully completed it will rank as the grandest in Central America and one of the most lavish full-service marinas in the world, housing 300 wet slips, a 120-unit dry storage facility, a maintenance and repair boat yard, on-site customs and immigration, luxury residences, a 5-star hotel, restaurants and shopping arcade. It will also, according to Pez Vela partner Jim Bronstien, open up thousands of miles of previously unfishable sea, attracting more anglers to fishing waters already reputed to be among the best in the world.
“We’re proud to be a part of this community and to enhance it even further by triggering many new jobs and renovation of the existing infrastructure,” Bronstien said, referring to the estimated creation of 3,000 jobs, the construction of a school and a nursing home, and maintenance of the town soccer field.
Local consensus confirms the marina’s beneficial bearing on the continued development of the area. “Since moving here from San Jose 25 years ago I’ve witnessed and participated in the area’s evolution, each step of which continues to benefit the local economy,” Costa Rica native Waldon McDonald said.
Chamber of Commerce President Richard Lemire expects Pez Vela to inject Quepos, in particular, with new life and commercial potential to where today’s shuttered storefronts will be tomorrow’s bustling shops. “Downtown Quepos is lacking in a strong economy,” Lemire said. “As the Chamber continues its cleanup campaign and other activities concerning security and rehabilitation, we look forward to the marina’s opening and the creation of more jobs and opportunities for the local community.”
This Central Pacific region of Costa Rica has come a long way since the days when Quepos was a fabled pirate outpost, humble banana exporter and off-the-beaten-track fishing pueblo, and Manuel Antonio existed as a remote ribbon of pearly sand enveloped by impenetrable jungle. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the natural beauty inherent to this area that has attracted throngs of people through the centuries from conquistadors like Ponce de Leon, to wanderlust stricken surf junkies, and now, wealthy yacht captains, hoping to catch a glimpse of the monkeys, sloths and giant iguanas that have always called Costa Rica home.