Hoteliers, especially in the Caribbean, Sarapiquí and Guanacaste, are being strongly impacted by the blockades. They are reporting an average of 90% reservation cancellations.
Cahuita looks like a ghost town, something very strange for the high season. From Thursday to Monday some hotels had 100% cancellation because the tourists could not get there as both roads that go there were blocked. This is a place that relies on half year tourism and was hoping this season would help make up for losses from the strike last September.
Some visitors who were already there were unable to leave, missing out on other spots they planned to tour or even their flights home. Those who attempted to get to San José or La Fortuna took over a day to reach their destinations, putting in question the image of Costa Rica.
The Chamber of Tourism of Sarapiquí calculated losses of approximately $49,000 a day.
Businessmen in Guanacaste are considering legal action against those in charge of the blockades.
