Due to the closure of La Amistad Bridge, located across the Tempisque River in Guanacaste Province and the main means of accessing the north Pacific Coast, authorities have enabled free boating service.

Free rides on both sides of the river, between the docks Moreno in Nicoya Canton and Níspero in Quebrada Honda Canton, provide a safe and efficient way to access the Guanacaste Coast, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) announced.

Boating trips are scheduled from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, Monday through Friday. The service will continue until the bridge is restored to vehicular traffic.

Each boat ride departs every 15 minutes and takes around 5 minutes to cross the Tempisque River. Passengers will save at least two hours traveling to the Guanacaste Coast via road, authorities added.

A single boat can carry 14 passengers including the crew. Passengers will only be allowed to bring one backpack or carry-on suitcase. This rule's goal is to keep the boat from carrying too much weight beyond its maximum cargo capacity or one traveler's luggage blocking seats that may be utilized by other passengers, according to the officials.

Travelers can use the usual bus route to get to the boating trip docks. Those arriving at Moreno Port in Nicoya Canton should use the bus route between Campo Rodríguez and Mansión districts. To reach Níspero Port in Quebrada Honda Canton, they should take the Colorado Abangares District Route.

The Amistad bridge was closed on Monday, April 1, for rehabilitation work, which includes restoring the supports at the bases, replacing the segments that connect the asphalt slabs and repairing the towers' top levels.

Due to the temporary closure of the bridge, travelers visiting Guanacaste Province must use other routes and transports.

However, the Tambor Ferry company discontinued trips between the beaches of Puntarenas and Paquera, after the ship collided with a section of the dock structure.

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