The ferry connecting Puntarenas with Paquera on the southern Nicoya Peninsula is out of service for an indefinite amount of time, said the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works (MOPT) this week after a ferry caused damage to the Paquera dock.

Paquera is adjacent to the beaches of Tambor, the Curu Wildlife Refuge, and other areas.

Those wishing to cross the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas have the option of docking at Naranjo beach while making repairs are made to the Paquera dock damaged yesterday.

Transportation authorities are inspecting the damage and have thus not yet been able to give an estimate date for resumption of the Paquera service. This will depend on the seriousness of the problem, according to the director of the MOPT’s Maritime Port Division, Jorge Hernández.

It appears that strong seas caused the ferry to overturn the pedestrian and vehicular docking ramp. This is a bailey bridge type structure that rises and falls according to the tide and height of the boat.

Officials said that if the gear that allows the ramp to adjust its height is damaged, the repairs will be more extensive and lengthy.

“The greatest effort is being made to complete repairs in the shortest possible time, because currently the only way to reach this part of ​​the peninsula is using the ferry from Playa Naranjo,” added Hernández.

The ferry to Naranjo departs from Puntarenas at 6:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. And departs from Naranjo at 8 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.