San Lucas Prison plays an important part in Costa Rican penitentiary history and has a great historical and cultural value: it houses the remains of the biggest criminal centre in the country.
The prison operated for over 100 years from 1873 to 1882. It was located on an area of 50 acres, and was built on an island to keep the bandits and murderers away from the people. The island is approximately 8 KM's over water from Puntarenas, the nearest centre of habitation.
San Lucas was famous for the injustices and totures that took place-- truth or not it is difficult to learn the facts. There are official reports acknowledging that boys of 14 and 15 years old were sent to the island for offences such as robbery.
Because of the awful conditions in which the inmates used to live (and die) there are a lot of stories about the horrors the convicts endured, the diseases, the hunger and the escape attempts.
The seas around the island were rumoured to be full of sharks. We have fished there for several years without any sightings of sharks. whether the sharks were attracted to the offcuts from the meat processing operation on the island or the stories were just a rumour to discourage escape attempts will probably never be fully known.
The graffiti on the walls expresses the faith, sadness, and the hopes and frustrations of the prisoners at the time.
From 1958 the prison operated as an agricultural penitentiary centre, where slaughtered and butchered cattle for the surrounding area and grew some crops. It is believed that the off cuts from the butchery operation may have attracted a large number of sharks to the island (if they did exist).
Old records show that in 1922 it was possible for families to visit the island, but that they could travel only on the second and seventeenth day of the month. Any other passenger wishing to go must pay one colon, and wait for approval to land.
The structures of the buidings that still stand is typical of the buildings of the 1930's and 40's. The main building was declared part of the Architectural Historical Heritage of Costa Rica in 2002, but neglect, even since that date has made the building dangerous to enter.
Now San Lucas is a National Wildlife Shelter, populated by congo monkeys, white tail deer, many bats, non poisonous snakes, iguanas, turkeys, skunks and anteaters.
The remains of the prison stand above the landing site as a sad and silent reminder of more brutal times.
Your tour to San Lucas starts at 7.00 am, when the bus departs from the Holiday Inn, in downtown San Jose. Please note that the bus leaves promptly, you should be ready at least 10 minutes earlier.
We travel down the highway to Puntarenas, on route you will enjoy some great views, particularly when we cross the mountains and begin the drop down to the coastal plain.
On arival in Puntarenas we board the beautiful motor yacht Paradise for the journey across the gulf of Nocoya to the island. The journey takes less than an hour during which we will serve soft drinks, coffee, and fresh fruit.
On arrival on the island you will go on a tour of the old prison buildings, and our experienced (and bi-lingual) guides will explain some of the history and point out areas of interest.
The prison is famous for its graffiti, and our guides will show you the best examples.
Parents with young children will be relieved to know that we know which cells contain the more graphic imagesa nd we can easilly avoid these when appropriate.
After the tour you will enjoy lunch: freshly prepared BBQ'd fish with rice and vegetables.
With lunch over, we take a gentle stroll along a shaded trail, through the tropical dry forest to Playa el Coco, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. You can relax, and enjoy the peace, enjoy a swim on the gently sloping beach, or the more adventurous can explore.
We carry snorkelling equipment for use by guests.
We leave the beach in the late afternoon to return to the boat.
For the return journey, we sail to the south of the island taking in the great sea viws of the island in the gulf.
Enjoy a cocktail or two as the sun gently sets behind the island.
A very special day out. Enjoy a little bit of Costa Rica's recent history, enjoy a secluded island, stroll through tropical dry forest, and enjoy a beautiful beach all in one day.
Not forgetting a great sea cruise on the beautiful Paradise. A day you will remember for years.
It includes: Land transportation, breakfast, aquatic transportation, beverages, bottle of water, entrance fee, guide tour to the old prison, lunch, the visit to “El Coco” beach (located is San Lucas) , in the afternoon coffee and cake.
It does not includes: Alcoholic beverages.
Bring sandals - swimsuit - sun block - sun glasses - insect repellent
Saturday and Sunday only!
Durations 12+/- hours $99.00 per person
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