Here's to Cleaner Beaches…and the Will to Make it Happen

September 20, 2007
San Jose, Costa Rica  

Jacó Beach, arguably the most visited beach on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, is getting a makeover thanks to the donation of two new beach-cleaning machines.

Both were donated by a local developer, DayStar Properties, and the larger of the two, called "The Beach King II," is valued at more than $80,000. It is now being pulled behind a tractor seven hours a day, six days a week, sifting the beach sand and collecting rocks, driftwood, and garbage. A crew of municipal cleaners walks ahead of it to clear larger debris, and the smaller machine is used to get into hard-to-reach corners.

Costa Rica's Minister of Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, came to Jacó to participate in an inauguration ceremony for the two machines, and he lauded efforts in the business community and local government to improve the area.

"I feel very proud of this community. They have not overslept. What they have done is confront this issue of development," he said.

"From now on, the beaches will be clean 365 days a year. This is something we've wanted for a long time," said Juan Carlos Rodó, spokesman for the Chamber of Commerce.

Founded earlier this year, the Pacific Chamber of Commerce has helped fund road repairs, provided money for a new municipal police force, launched a committee to improve local schools, and secured garbage and recycling cans for the town, among other projects.

Your Latin America Insider,

Suzan Haskins
for International Living

P.S. We'll be just up the road from Jacó when we convene November 5-7 for our Live and Prosper in Costa Rica conference. It's your opportunity to find out…firsthand and from the experts who can help you make it happen…what it takes to make the move to Costa Rica. Learn more here…