For the first time in the history of presidential elections in Costa Rica, a rural campus of the country’s most prestigious university will host a debate among presidential hopefuls. At least five presidential candidates have confirmed their presence at Guanacaste campus of the University of Costa Rica (UCR) for debates scheduled to take place on November 6^th and 20^th. These candidates are:

• Jose María Villalta of Frente Amplio (Broad Front)
• Otto Guevara of Movimiento Libertario (Libertarian)
• Luis Guillermo Solís of Acción Ciudadana (Citizen Action)
• Rodolfo Piza of Unidad Social Cristiana (Christian Social Unity)
• Carlos Avendano of Restauracion Nacional (National Restoration)

Frontrunner candidate and former Mayor of San Jose Johnny Araya of the powerful Liberacion Nacional (National Liberation) party has yet to confirm his participation in these debates. Out of the 16 political parties registered at a national level in Costa Rica, 11 will appear on the ballot for the 2014 general elections to succeed President Laura Chinchilla Miranda.

In the past, the province of Guanacaste was mostly ignored by politicians who aimed to lead Costa Rica at the Executive level. In the 21^st century, however, Guanacaste has undergone a renaissance thanks to a sharp growth in tourism and real estate development. To this end, candidates to represent Guanacaste at the legislative level are now rushing to the region to get valuable votes. On November 20^th, the Guanacaste campus of UCR will host a debate among six candidates who are specifically targeting the youth vote.

The topics of debate and questions from the public to the presidential and legislative hopefuls in Guanacaste are still being formulated, but they are widely expected to touch on matters related to the wave of unemployment and income inequality that is affecting the province. Although Guanacaste is known as Costa Rica’s Gold Coast due the luxurious tourism resorts and lavish real estate projects that have been developed in communities such as Playas del Coco in the last few years, voters complain that traditional industries such as agriculture are being displaced. As a result, inflation and unemployment are now two major issues in this province.