Dear Colleagues
This is the first-time Costa Rica is directly affected by a hurricane; our country has received the indirect effects of several tropical storms and hurricanes in the past. However, it is the first time that we have a hurricane directly in our coastline.
The North of Costa Rica, particularly the area of Upala, and several areas in the North Pacific, Guanacaste, mainly in the zone of Guayabo de Bagaces, were severely affected by the torrential rains and winds of Hurricane Otto, which made landfall in Nicaragua yesterday and moved through Costa Rica as a category 1 hurricane. So far 4 casualties and numerous people are missing (Missing people does not mean that are necessarily hurt, but left their houses in the emergency without saying where were they going).
Although these areas were part of the red alert zones and the government had ordered their evacuation since Nov. 22, many neighbours refused to leave.
The Tourism Institute of Costa Rica requested tourism companies in the areas of the Caribbean and Guanacaste to suspend their operation and activities in the sectors that were affected and remain on red alert still today to warrant the security of visitors.
All National Parks and Nature Reserves remain closed as authorities have to analyse the trails and pathways safety before opening back.
Some areas are still isolated, flooded streets and damages in infrastructure are part of the damages reported. In six hours, the North area received the amount of rain it would normally get in a month and a half during the rainy season.
Schools and public institutions (except those necessary to attend the emergency) will remain closed on Thursday 24 Nov. and Friday 25 Nov.
International Airports (Juan Santamaria in San José, and Daniel Oduber in Liberia) remain open and functioning normally as of this time and are expected to remain open.
However, all domestic flights and local airports are closed until further notice.
Hurricane Otto left the country into the Pacific early today, Friday, Nov. 25 and is no longer having an effect over the country, however, the Costa Rican Meteorological Institute has alerted of weather instability and rain is still expected today in most parts of the country.
We are keeping a strict control of our operation thoroughly, and we are in communication with our passengers in the country to prevent and avoid any troublesome situation.
We will keep you informed and posted on new developments.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting us.
Your Camino Travel Team.
November 24th, 2016
Dear Colleagues,
This is the first-time Costa Rica is in danger of being directly affected by a hurricane; our country has received the indirect effects of several tropical storms and hurricanes in the past. However, it is the first time that we have a hurricane directly in our coastline.
Costa Rica has a three-level warning system (Green, Yellow, and Red), Red being the highest. The Costa Rica National Emergency Commission (Comision Nacional de Emergencias, or CNE) has declared the following areas in red alert: the Caribbean, the North area (From coast to coast), Central Mountain Range, Central and South Pacific areas.
Red Alert means a direct surveillance over the zones and authorised budget to evacuate and provide full attention to the mentioned areas.
Authorities have already evacuated over 4000 people from the most vulnerable zones.
A yellow alert is in effect for the rest of the country.
Schools and public institutions (except those necessary to attend the emergency) will remain closed on Thursday 24 and Friday 25.
Airports remain open and functioning normally as of this time and are expected to remain open. However this could change depending on the evolution of the natural phenomenon; airlines, however, could at their own discretion cancel flights to or from Costa Rica in the event of severe weather conditions.
For passengers travelling this Thursday, Nov. 24 or Friday, Nov.25 check your flight status before leaving your house; you can also check with your Camino Travel Consultant or our Operations Team.
NOTE:The above graphic is updated and by the time you read this post the situation might have changed
Hurricane Otto increased to Category 2 hurricane and will affect our country on Thursday, hit land in Nicaragua at 11:15 a.m. Thursday 24th.
Route 32 (From San Jose to the Caribbean Coast) was closed because of a landslide and already opened at the time of this article publishing.
All National Parks and reserves are closed on Thursday and Friday.
Heavy rains, severe winds, flooding, and mudslides are part of the effects expected from Hurricane Otto. Please refresh this note to see updates.
