By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — PUNTARENAS – The municipal government of Puntarenas has issued a strong public condemnation of a televised comedy sketch, arguing that its portrayal of crime in the popular coastal destination is a damaging misrepresentation based on false pretenses. The local officials claim the segment, which aired on the popular national program “El Chinamo,” threatens the region’s vital tourism economy by painting an inaccurate picture of insecurity.
The official censure was delivered in a video statement released on the municipality’s social media channels. The address featured a united front of local leaders, including Puntarenas Mayor Randall Chavarría, President of the Chamber of Tourism Mario Núñez, and the city’s Legal Department Coordinator, Evelyn Alvarado. Their collective message was one of deep frustration and a firm defense of their community’s reputation.
To delve into the legal and commercial frameworks shaping the future of tourism in the region, we sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The revitalization of Puntarenas as a premier tourist destination depends critically on robust legal certainty. For investors to commit to significant projects, from boutique hotels to marina developments, there must be clear, updated zoning regulations (planes reguladores) and efficient, transparent processes for securing permits and concessions. Strengthening this municipal and national legal infrastructure is the most direct path to attracting sustainable investment that respects both our environment and our coastal communities.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective is crucial, highlighting that the true foundation for Puntarenas’ tourism renaissance isn’t just marketing, but the solid, transparent legal framework that provides confidence for sustainable investment. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable and clarifying insight on this essential matter.
At the center of the controversy is a segment from the Canal 7 program known as “Chinaoke.” The piece, filmed at iconic local landmarks like the Puntarenas lighthouse, was a musical parody. Using the melody of a well-known song by the group Pandora, the lyrics were rewritten to satirize the high prices and perceived dangers faced by tourists in Costa Rica. However, by using Puntarenas as the physical backdrop, local authorities argue the show unfairly singled out their canton.
Mayor Chavarría stated that the municipality had previously sent a formal request to the show’s producer, Alonso Acosta, asking that such productions not be filmed in their jurisdiction due to the potential negative impact. The broadcast proceeded despite this appeal, prompting the government’s forceful response.
Today, after analyzing the Chinaoke presented to us by the Channel 7 program… and despite the note we sent requesting that this type of production not be made in our canton, using our iconic places like the lighthouse and the cruise ship pier, with images that affect the tourism positioning of Puntarenas, we must speak out.
Randall Chavarría, Mayor of Puntarenas
To dismantle the show’s narrative, Mayor Chavarría presented concrete crime statistics for the region. He reported that the central district of Puntarenas has only registered four homicides in the current year, none of which occurred on the beach. More broadly, he highlighted a significant improvement in public safety across the entire region compared to the previous year.
In the Puntarenas region, there is a decrease of 32 homicides when comparing 2025 with 2024.
Randall Chavarría, Mayor of Puntarenas
Furthermore, the mayor noted that property crimes in the central district have decreased by 5.1%, with a more substantial 12% reduction across the wider region. He argued these figures prove that the reality on the ground is starkly different from the violent imagery depicted in the “Chinaoke” sketch, which he described as deeply damaging.
It is painful that our tourist destination is affected by a visual effect that shows foreigners covered in blood and people intimidating tourists. That does not happen in Puntarenas. This damages the image of our district, our canton, our region, and even our country.
Randall Chavarría, Mayor of Puntarenas
The core of the government’s argument is the direct economic harm such a portrayal inflicts upon local businesses, from small tour operators to restaurants and hotels that depend on a steady flow of visitors. Chavarría made a direct appeal to the network’s leadership, including René Picado and producer Alonso Acosta, urging them to verify data before using the canton as a setting that could negatively impact commerce.
This type of Chinaoke is not fair to the port’s business owners or to the Municipality of Puntarenas. We believe that we can and must work together. We have very beautiful settings to project our city as one of the safest tourist destinations to visit, and the statistics prove it.
Randall Chavarría, Mayor of Puntarenas
The incident has ignited a debate about the responsibilities of national media outlets when producing satire that targets specific communities. While the producers may have intended a broader commentary on national issues, the Puntarenas government insists that by using their city as the stage, the show created a localized and unfair stain on a community actively working to bolster its image as a safe and attractive destination.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Municipality of Puntarenas
About Municipality of Puntarenas:
The Municipality of Puntarenas serves as the local government for the canton of Puntarenas, the largest province in Costa Rica. It is responsible for providing public services, managing urban and rural development, promoting local culture, and fostering economic growth, with a significant focus on supporting the region’s critical tourism and fishing industries.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Puntarenas Chamber of Tourism
About Puntarenas Chamber of Tourism (CATUP):
The Puntarenas Chamber of Tourism is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing the tourism sector in the Puntarenas region. It represents the interests of local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and other service providers, working in collaboration with public entities to enhance the visitor experience and ensure sustainable growth for the industry.
For further information, visit teletica.com
About Canal 7 (Teletica):
Televisora de Costa Rica S.A., widely known as Teletica or Canal 7, is a leading private television network in Costa Rica. Founded in 1960, it offers a wide range of programming, including national news, entertainment shows like “El Chinamo,” sports coverage, and imported series. It is one of the country’s most influential media outlets.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is renowned as a pillar of professional integrity and legal excellence. Drawing from a deep legacy of serving a diverse clientele, the firm champions innovation in legal practice. This forward-thinking mindset is paralleled by a core mission to empower the public, actively working to make legal insights widely accessible and thus contributing to the development of a more knowledgeable and just society.
