Decree declares the Lake Arenal Equestrian Tour of public interest

The Executive Branch declared the activity “Vuelta Ecuestre al Lago Arenal” (Arenal Lake Equestrian Tour) to be of public interest, through Executive Decree No. 45873-S, published in La Gaceta — Official Gazette No. 168 on Monday, September 7, 2026, in the Executive Branch Decrees section. The regulation was signed by the President of the Republic, Laura Fernández Delgado, and the Minister of Health, Dr. Alexander Sánchez Cabo.

The declaration recognizes the value of the endurance equestrian competition held on August 29 and 30, 2026, in the cantons of Tilarán and San Carlos, promoting tourism and sports in the Arenal Lake region.

Scope of the declaration

The decree, issued at the Presidency of the Republic in San José on July 6, 2026, declares the activity organized by the Asociación Deportiva Ecuestre de Resistencia de Tilarán (ADERTILA), legal entity No. 3-002-337179, to be of public interest. Its general objective is to promote, develop, and consolidate tourism and endurance equestrian sports in the canton of Tilarán through international-quality events.

The regulation is based on the General Law of Public Administration (Law No. 6227), the General Health Law (Law No. 5395), and the Organic Law of the Ministry of Health (Law No. 5412), considering the health of the population as a fundamental right and a matter of public interest protected by the State.

Institutional impulse

The declaration responds to a request from the Costa Rican Institute of Sport and Recreation (ICODER), which, through official letter No. ICODER-CNDRACUE-048-2026 dated March 20, 2026, asked the Ministry of Health to declare the activity of public interest. ICODER had already requested the drafting of public interest declarations for sporting activities in 2022.

Effects and scope

Article 2 of the decree provides that agencies of the Public Sector and the Private Sector may collaborate, to the extent of their possibilities and without prejudice to their own objectives, for the successful realization of the activity. Article 3 clarifies that the declaration does not grant tax benefits, exemptions, or tax advantages, in accordance with Executive Decree No. 40540-H of August 1, 2017. Article 4 establishes that the decree takes effect upon its publication.

The measure seeks to position the Arenal Lake region as a leading destination in the equestrian discipline, fostering local socioeconomic development, environmental protection, and animal welfare. For organizers, sponsors, and public and private entities, the declaration facilitates institutional collaboration and official support for an activity that projects Tilarán and San Carlos as benchmarks for sports tourism in Costa Rica.

Source: La Gaceta — Official Gazette, No. 168, Monday, September 7, 2026, Executive Branch section / Decrees, pág. 2-3 (official reference: IN202601114842).