A new marina offering significant facilities to yachts up to 61m (200ft) is due to open near Quepos on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast early in April. Known as the Marina Pez Vela, 100 berths will be available under phase one for yachts from 10.6m to 61m (35ft to 200ft). The owners claim that the marina will offer the most comprehensive facilities for over 1,600km (1,000 miles) and it will be the largest marina in Costa Rica when completed. Marina slips will range in price from $175,000.

Marina Pez Vela will from mid-2010 offer a full service boatyard whose facilities will include travel lifts of 75 tonnes and 200 tonnes capacity. The yard will be able to handle a wide range of tasks including mechanical and electrical repairs, painting and varnishing and carpentry work. Apart from the boatyard the marina, set on a 55-acre site, will also include 200 residential units, a dry stack for 120 boats and other commercial facilities. For visiting yachts there will be 24-hour security and concierge services, fresh water and electrical supply up to 200 amps, showers and rest rooms.

With high quality sports fishing along its coasts Costa Rica attracts a large number of yachts including an increasing number of superyachts drawn by the beauty of the country. Despite this, few marinas and other yachting facilities, particularly for larger yachts, are available. Costa Rica has tight environmental restrictions in place relating to all coastal development. The Pez Vela marina, which is located very near to the Manual Antonio National Park, was in fact the first project allowed under new guidelines, which encourages the careful development of marina facilities.


Superyacht Business / David Robinson, 10 March 2010