Doubts Cast on Costa Rican Conventions Center

©image: Josh McConnell

Known as "Feria Costa Rica", the $280-million project comprises an area for fairs and trade shows, two hotels, office space and a shopping mall.

"Difficulties in getting financing for buying the lots and developing the project in Costa Rica have prompted the company to explore options in Panama", reported Nacion.com. "The developers must decide where to invest in February".

Source: Nacion.com

More on this topic

Costa Rica: $250 Million for Convention Center

July 2009

The construction of the project that includes a convention center, 2 hotels, offices and a commercial center will begin in 2010, and it will last 4 or 5 years.

In fact, the investment made by the Spanish group “Feria de Valencia” together with the Costa Rican company “Feria de Costa Rica,” was programmed to begin in 2008, but it was postponed due to the global economic crisis.

Costa Rica: New Convention Centers Announced

May 2011

Three new convention centers will open within the next three years.

With an investment of $30 million, a project promoted by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, to be built in Barreal de Heredia. is expected to completed by the first quarter of 2014.

For his part Fernando Poma, Vice President of Real Hotels & Resorts (operator of the Intercontinental Hotel chain), will announce the start of construction of a facility with a 2,700 person capacity, in Guachipelín of Escazú this July.

Costa Rica: Future of Conventions Center to be Decided

April 2010

In the next months the Government will decide who will build the government sponsored Conventions Center.

Some months ago Consortium “Feria Costa Rica” expressed its interest in the project, but the proposed financing scheme was not yet authorized in the country.

“The proposal comprised a $280 million securitization trust” reported Elfinancierocr.com.

Government Resumes Conference Center Project

August 2010

The project, which is 12 years in the making, has become a priority for the Costa Rican Ministry for Tourism.

Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, indicated than in three months the feasibility study being carried out by the Innovation Group is due to be completed.