The Port of Puntarenas and its Hinterland in Costa Rica

Abstract

The Republic Costa Rica in Central America faces both the Carribean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The Port of Puntarenas (Puerto de Puntarenas) is located at the central part of the Gulf of Nicoya (Golfo de Nicoya) in the Pacific Ocean, and is the closest to Meseta Central which is the most developed urban, industrial and agricultural area in Costa Rica.At the Port of Puntarenas a total of 633, 000 tons of cargo was handled and 426 vessels were called in 1971. The volume of import cargo amounted to 447, 000 tons or about 70% of the total cargo handled in 1971, and the volume of export cargo was less than one half of that of import cargo, indicating that the port handles excessive imports over exports.Main facilities of the Port of Puntarenas are Muelle Nacional consisting mainly of two berths for large vessels and Muelle Municipal comprising mainly small coastal ship facilities. Muelle Nacional has six railroad tracks and freight cars are used for cargo handling.The main route of cargo handled in the Port of Puntarenas is the railroad route extending to the hinterland and it is estimated that approximately 70% of the total cargo is transported through this route.Several reasons are conceivable for using the railroad as a chief means of transport in the hinterland.First, cargo handling in the Port of Puntarenas depends entirely on the railroad. For this reason, transport by truck involves comparatively higher freightage because the cargo once warehouse has to be taken out for loading.Consequently, major factories and warehouses, which are related to foreign countries, are located closer to the railroad, and many factories, more than 80% of the total in the country, are located within the reach of three hours by railroad from the Port. So, it is said that the railroad runs through the center of economy and industry of Costa Rica.The central commercial district of Puntarenas is directly linked with the Muelle Municipal, a key point of passenger marine routes to various points of the Gulf of icoya, and has such establishments as markets, banks and shopping districts. This district is the oldest urban area in Puntarenas and is developing with the port facilities.Puntarenas may be said to play a role as a commercial center of the Pacific coast region, a function as a fishing town centering on the fishing port and as the largest seaside resort town in Costa Rica.As a result of this survey and analysis, the writer thinks that a means of cargo handling, port management, and transportation from port faclilties has a considerable influence on development of the hinterland and a port city.