Obama visit: Important things to know

May 1^st, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) U.S. President, Barack Obama, will arrive in Costa Rica this Friday to meet with regional leaders during the summit of the Central American Integration System (SICA). Costa Rican authorities say that Obama’s visit will be one of the largest security operations in Costa Rican history. 

In addition to our prior coverage leading up to the event, here are some additional details that we have yet to report:

• It would be advised to avoid the General Canas Highway and downtown San Jose: Authorities say to expect road closures on the General Canas at least an hour before and a half hour after the passing of President Obama’s motorcade between the Juan Santamaria Airport and downtown.  Second Avenue and Paseo Colon will be fully closed from noon on Friday until noon on Saturday.  Additional road closures are expected as well, and may last longer than expected.  Traffic police are urging people to avoid San Jose for the weekend.

• Airspace Restrictions and flight delays: No aircraft, commercial or otherwise, will be allowed to enter Costa Rican airspace for 30 minutes before, and 30 minutes after the landing of Air Force One.  Juan Santamaria Airport will be effectively shutdown for a period of at least an hour and a half surrounding Obama’s arrival.Tobias Bolanos Airport will be completely closed beginning on Friday at noon for a period of 25 hours.  This is the airport used by several domestic air service providers such as Nature Air and SANSA.Private aircraft arriving in the country will only be allowed to land at the Limon airport for the entire duration of Obama’s visit.Airspace restrictions will apply throughout the country during Obama’s visit.

• If you dare brave the traffic problems, you are welcome to see Obama’s motorcade, though Embassy official says its better to watch on TV:  Mario Zamora, Minister of Public Security, said that people who want to see the U.S. presidential motorcade could approach Second Avenue without a problem.  You’ll have to arrive on foot, however, as vehicular traffic will be blocked.However, Eric Nelson of the U.S. Embassy advised yesterday that people watch television or follow Obama’s arrival on Twitter, and to avoid San Jose.

• Helicopters will watch Obama’s every move from the sky:  Two Fuerza Publica helicopters will keep a watchful eye on President Obama’s every move from the sky.  Should an emergency arise, three U.S. Blackhawk helicopters are on standby at the Tobias Bolanos Airport, in addition to the U.S. presidential helicopter stationed at the Juan Santamaria Airport.

• Obama prefers the west end of town:  President Obama will be staying in a hotel either in Belen or Escazu.  Whichever it is, expect heavy security in the area.

• Public employees in San Jose will have the day off:  Don’t expect to visit government offices in San Jose on Friday.  Banco Costa Rica has also announced that its branches in seven cantons of San Jose will be closed.  It would be wise to not expect to get any business done in San Jose on Friday.

• The SINPE electronic funds transfer system will be partially shutdown 

• Patients at Calderon Guardia Hospital will not be allowed to receive visitors on Friday: The hospital has been declared an emergency base should any arise during Obama’s visit.  As a result, authorities are not allowing inpatients at the hospital to receive visitors on Friday.

Authorities say that Obama will not make any public appearances during his trip.

Beginning today, Inside Costa Rica will provide special coverage of Obama’s visit to Costa Rica at http://insidecostarica.com/obamaincostarica .