Puente La Amistad de Taiwán, Hybrid cable-stayed and pillar-supported road bridge in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Puente La Amistad de Taiwán is a hybrid bridge over the Tempisque River: a cable-stayed section with two spans of 170 and 90 metres hangs from an 80-metre pylon, while the rest of the 780-metre deck rests on eight pillars. The pale grey deck carries steel cables in parallel lines and crosses brownish water with sandbars, with forested banks along the shore.

The bridge was built in 2003 as a gift from Taiwan's government to Costa Rica, constructed by the Taiwanese company MAA alongside local workers. The project aimed to strengthen economic connections between San José and Guanacaste province by creating a faster route across the river.

The bridge holds complicated meaning for local people, as it marks a period when Taiwan provided support to Costa Rica before the country's diplomatic relations shifted. Residents acknowledge this connection when discussing the structure's origins and significance.

The bridge accommodates vehicle traffic well and provides a safe crossing, especially during rainy season when alternate routes become problematic. Expect moderate to heavy traffic during peak hours as many people commute between regions, though the structure generally handles flow smoothly.

The bridge is officially a hybrid: a cable-stayed span of 170 and 90 metres held by an 80-metre pylon, plus a pillar-supported section on eight pillars. Its nickname, Puente de la Apuñalada ("Backstab Bridge"), dates from 2007, when President Óscar Arias switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.