Trains are the best way to traverse some of the world’s most glorious landscapes without causing long-term environmental disruption, and excitingly, the first stage in a potential rail partnership between two of Central America’s most scenic and ecologically rich destinations is complete.
Costa Rica’s rail institute INCOFER and Panama’s National Railway Secretariat have just signed what’s called a ‘memorandum of understanding on railway development’, a deal which marks the first formal move towards a ‘rail logistics corridor’ for the wider region.
What this means is the railway project, kicked off by Panama, has agreed to make Costa Rica its first regional partner. Panama’s authorities have outlined that the line will run 475 km from Panama City to Paso Canoas at the Costa Rican border, with 14 different stations planned, including Albrook, La Chorrera, Santiago, David, Bugaba and Paso Canoas.
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The first phase of the plan will likely be the stretch between Panamá Pacífico and Divisa, but while Panama is well into its planning stages, the agreement with its neighbouring country simply outlines a framework for future cooperation for Costa Rica – it’s far from a serious construction proposal.
Oh, and rail projects in the region do have a fair amount of obstacles in their way, according to The Tico Times: funding, environmental assessments, right-of-way acquisition, cross-border coordination and political continuity, to name a few.
Excitingly, though, the aim of the project isn’t just to support tourism (though that is a core motivation) – INCOFER has said the agreement also aims to advance connectivity for trade and economic integration, and that it has the potential to completely reshape the transfer of cargo in the region.
Why visit Panama and Costa Rica?
’s travel editor Grace Beard recently travelled to Costa Rica’s glorious, verdant Osa Peninsula, the planet’s ‘most biologically intense place’, which is ‘wild, remote and worth the journey’. You can read more about it in her deep-dive feature, but that’s just one reason to visit this wildlife-packed nation.
As for Panama, the country is blessed with paradisiacal beaches, such as those in Coiba National Park, hiking paths like the famous Pipeline Trail, coffee plantations and historic towns like Portobelo.
Clearly, this potential railway line will be one for the intrepid travellers. Stay tuned for any updates on our travel news page.
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