San Lucas Island, Former prison island in Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica.
San Lucas Island is a forested landmass in the Pacific waters of Costa Rica's Gulf of Nicoya, with sandy shores and rocky cliffs along its edges. The island still shows signs of its former use as a detention facility, with structures and walls visible among the vegetation.
The island became a maximum-security prison in 1873 under President Tomás Guardia and held inmates for more than a century. Operations ended in 1991, transforming the site into a place where history can be explored.
Indigenous peoples once settled on the island, leaving behind stone tools and objects that archaeologists have uncovered over time. Walking through the overgrown areas, you can sense the long history of human activity that took place here.
Boats depart from Puntarenas to reach the island, taking roughly 40 minutes across open water. Once there, guided tours help you navigate the ruins and trails safely through the overgrown terrain.
The walls of the former prison contain handwritten messages left by inmates that tell stories of their daily experiences. These personal markings offer visitors a direct window into the lives of those who were confined here.
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