Costa Rica’s Dry Law – Eliminate the Prohibition Ley Seca?

One of the things that Gringo's have always been puzzled on is Costa Rica' very old "dry law” (Ley Seca); a liberal law that prohibits sales of liquor, wine and beer at Easter and Christmas, besides elections and such sectarian holidays as Sept. 15 (Independence Day).

Bars are supposed to be closed … but as most know, it usually is the front door only!

Establishments that sold liquor would take down the bottles from shelves and/or place seals or locks on liquor cabinets and beer and wine coolers. Other places like supermarkets would just covered up the displays.

The law also forbids the selling of alcohol no less than 400 meters from the nearest churches and schools and "supposedly" bans liquor advertising, which filters down to the of professional teams like soccer.

Years ago, and on some election day, we stopped in some packed Gringo bar in Tamarindo. When candidly talking to the owner, I asked him, "Aren't you afraid of getting busted?"

He laughed back, "Busted? The fine is about $2 (USD). The last time they (police) came in I gave them, ¢2500 colones ($5 USD), and told them … this is for this time and for the next time it happens."

And as for the advertisement; Yeah, drive anywhere in Costa Rica, and there is not a street that does not have a half dozen Imperial signs on it. Humm, that portion of the law works well, doesn't it?

It appears things may be changing. Since January, 2012, the Legislative Assembly has spotlighted Ley Seca and wants to fast tract and reconstruct the existing liquor laws.

The new bill (currently before the Legislative Assembly) will eliminate the prohibition of the Ley Seca and allow liquor to be sold and consumed in bars and restaurants during holidays like Easter and September 15 – Independence Day.  It is pretty clear, the Ministry of Health cannot control the illegal sales and consumption, and definitely not the smuggling and bulk sale of liquor. It is quite common in the past to see cases of beer being loaded a day before a holiday or being sold out the back door on the day of a holiday.

"What is a dry law if the prohibition is not respected", one government official stated.

As of this date, the bill has only been approved in first vote. However, for it to become law it must be approved in second vote, then signed by President Laura Chinchilla and published in La Gaceta.

So the rumors that have been floating around that it will be lifted before the Easter Holiday, is impossible.

Obviously, the current law has been nothing but a joke; the fines [in most cases] when caught selling booze on a holiday/election day are "laughable" as the one Gringo bar owner pointed out.

But in most cases, the backs are turned on violators.

This year the “liquor police” are being asked to cut a little slack and unlike previous years, they will not be required to go door to door to all the businesses selling alcohol and placing seals on all their cabinets and coolers.

This year the police they are going to rely on the "good will" of the public to report any violators as a way to save millions of colones in their overly strained manpower.

Of course, the Costa Rica government has put the matter into the hands of other municipalities and towns, who will have to decide for themselves if they will use their own manpower to enforce the existing law and/or take the San José lead and rely on the honesty of the business owners.

“Good will and honesty” of the people – that I would like to see.

Calypso Cruises