{"id":22288,"date":"2025-06-27T17:04:53","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T23:04:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/?p=22288"},"modified":"2025-06-27T17:06:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T23:06:12","slug":"san-lucas-is-a-prison-island-in-costa-rica-that-is-being-transformed-into-a-national-park-and-tourist-site","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/en\/san-lucas-is-a-prison-island-in-costa-rica-that-is-being-transformed-into-a-national-park-and-tourist-site\/","title":{"rendered":"San Lucas is a prison island in Costa Rica that is being transformed into a national park and tourist site"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">San Lucas<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ten miles from the city of Puntarenas, in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/en\/nicoya-before-the-annexation\/\">Golfo de Nicoya<\/a>, lies the island of San Lucas. For more than a century, it served as a prison that left a strong mark on Costa Rica&#8217;s penitentiary history. Today, that same territory is the San Lucas Island National Park, open to the public with trails, beaches, and areas for wildlife observation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">San Lucas Island: from prison to national park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Between 1873 and 1991, the island served as a penitentiary. In its early years, it was used to incarcerate political opponents under the military government of Tom\u00e1s Guardia. Later on, it became a maximum\u2011security prison reserved for individuals deemed highly dangerous. The conditions endured by the inmates were extreme, as recounted by the writer Jos\u00e9 Le\u00f3n S\u00e1nchez in his novel The Island of Lonely Men, based on his own experience as a prisoner there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most infamous areas of the prison is the punishment cell, located in an underground pit at the center of the main yard, where those caught attempting to escape were sent. The space still remains, alongside other sections such as the wings, dungeons, the commandant\u2019s office, and the dispensary. Many of the interior walls bear drawings and markings left by the inmates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" data-id=\"22270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951317-isla-san-lucas-2-1024x684.jpeg\" alt=\"San Lucas is a prison island in Costa Rica that is being transformed into a national park and tourist site\" class=\"wp-image-22270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951317-isla-san-lucas-2-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951317-isla-san-lucas-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951317-isla-san-lucas-2-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951317-isla-san-lucas-2-334x222.jpeg 334w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951317-isla-san-lucas-2.jpeg 1110w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"22282\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2021-08-Simbiosis-PNIslaSanLucas-003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2021-08-Simbiosis-PNIslaSanLucas-003-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2021-08-Simbiosis-PNIslaSanLucas-003-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2021-08-Simbiosis-PNIslaSanLucas-003-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2021-08-Simbiosis-PNIslaSanLucas-003-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2021-08-Simbiosis-PNIslaSanLucas-003-334x222.jpg 334w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2021-08-Simbiosis-PNIslaSanLucas-003-1320x880.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2021-08-Simbiosis-PNIslaSanLucas-003.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"22275\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951323-isla-san-lucas-8-1024x681.webp\" alt=\"San Lucas is a prison island in Costa Rica that is being transformed into a national park and tourist site\" class=\"wp-image-22275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951323-isla-san-lucas-8-1024x681.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951323-isla-san-lucas-8-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951323-isla-san-lucas-8-768x511.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951323-isla-san-lucas-8-334x222.webp 334w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cnne-951323-isla-san-lucas-8.webp 1160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Restoration and opening to the public<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After its closure in 1991, the island was declared a site of architectural interest in 1995 and a wildlife refuge in 2001. It wasn\u2019t until August 2020 that the site reopened to the public as part of the government\u2019s\u202f\u201cRuta de Reactivaci\u00f3n Isla San Lucas\u201d project. The plan included work to establish trails, reinforce structures, and improve access, all in compliance with health regulations due to the COVID\u201119 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Claudia Dobles, the architect and advocate of the initiative, highlighted that the island encompasses elements of historical, natural, and cultural value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Current tour and infrastructure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, the park features a network of trails that traverse its 500 hectares. Visitors can observe the remnants of the penitentiary facilities and walk through areas of tropical forest inhabited by a variety of species. At least 40 bird species and 17 reptile species have been documented, as well as mammals such as white\u2011tailed deer, iguanas, squirrels, agoutis, and pacas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the sites open to visitors are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>El Atracadero (the pier): a concrete structure providing sea access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>La Calzada de Piedra (the stone causeway): the old stone path that connects various parts of the island.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>La Capilla (the Chapel): a religious building of symbolic value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>La Comandancia (the Commandant\u2019s Office): part of the administrative core of the former penitentiary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Los Pabellones (the Pavilions): the historic incarceration sectors of the former prison.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Los Calabozos de Acceso (the Access Dungeons): confinement cells.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>El Dispensario (the Dispensary): the area designated for medical care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barrio Las Jachas (Las Jachas Neighborhood): an area showcasing the island\u2019s diverse forms of life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"22267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tour-San-Lucas-Isla-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"San Lucas is a prison island in Costa Rica that is being transformed into a national park and tourist site\" class=\"wp-image-22267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tour-San-Lucas-Isla-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tour-San-Lucas-Isla-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tour-San-Lucas-Isla-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tour-San-Lucas-Isla-334x222.jpg 334w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tour-San-Lucas-Isla-1320x880.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tour-San-Lucas-Isla.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"22273\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/isla-san-lucas-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/isla-san-lucas-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/isla-san-lucas-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/isla-san-lucas-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/isla-san-lucas-334x222.jpg 334w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/isla-san-lucas-1320x880.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/isla-san-lucas.avif 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"22279\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Visita_ParqueNacional_IslaSanLucas_18Febrero2022_rosanchezphoto_0189-1024x683-1.jpg\" alt=\"San Lucas is a prison island in Costa Rica that is being transformed into a national park and tourist site\" class=\"wp-image-22279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Visita_ParqueNacional_IslaSanLucas_18Febrero2022_rosanchezphoto_0189-1024x683-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Visita_ParqueNacional_IslaSanLucas_18Febrero2022_rosanchezphoto_0189-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Visita_ParqueNacional_IslaSanLucas_18Febrero2022_rosanchezphoto_0189-1024x683-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sensorialsunsets.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Visita_ParqueNacional_IslaSanLucas_18Febrero2022_rosanchezphoto_0189-1024x683-1-334x222.jpg 334w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The tour of San\u202fLucas combines both cultural and ecological points of interest. Although the site retains much of its original structure, the modifications made are intended to facilitate its use for educational and touristic purposes without altering its character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A story that endures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The history of Isla San\u202fLucas has been compared to that of other prison islands, such as Alcatraz in the United States. Its opening as a national park allows for the preservation of a part of the country\u2019s heritage while promoting awareness of its ecosystems and its past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>San\u202fLucas is no longer a place of isolation. Today, it\u2019s accessible to the public, with infrastructure that supports visits and a natural setting that coexists with the remnants of its history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sensorial Sunsets<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>San Lucas Ten miles from the city of Puntarenas, in the Golfo de Nicoya, lies the island of San Lucas. For more than a century, it served as a prison that left a strong mark on Costa Rica&#8217;s penitentiary history. Today, that same territory is the San Lucas Island National Park, open to the public [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":22265,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>San Lucas, prison island and tourist destination in Costa Rica<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"San Lucas, Costa Rica&#039;s former prison island, is now a national park with trails, 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