Beaches

Expat and Tourist Drownings in Costa Rica American Drowns in the Rip Current off Jaco Beach Costa Rica

Image Courtesy of Diario Extra The Costa Rican Red Cross found the body of Nicholas Ray (27), off the Jaco Beach shore, Costa Rica. Ray was reported disappeared last Tuesday, believed to have been swept out to sea by a rip current while he was swimming with friends. His sister Nicole Ray Goldsby, had arrived from the US to help with the search, when the body was discovered. Red Cross and friend...

february restrictions costa rica Changes in Restrictions for February in Costa Rica

For the month of February, the Costa Rican Government announced some changes in the sanitary restrictions. When it comes to vehicular transit restrictions the weekend schedule will be extended for an additional hour, which means cars (restricted still by plate number) will be allowed to transit between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The weekend restriction by plate number remains in place for Februar...

Website Provides Information in English About Costa Rican Beaches

Christopher Corrales is the creator of the website: CostaRicaBeaches.vacations which provides information and valuable details on Costa Rican beaches both in English and Spanish. According to what the creator states on the website, he decided to travel throughout the country and lived for a month in the areas where the best beaches are located, this with the purpose of really offering complet...

Beaches in Costa Rica Will Reopen With Extended Hours Starting October 15

“The tourism of sun and beach is the cornerstone of our industry, Costa Rica has 1,228 kilometers of coasts and around 600 beaches, and the activities related to these are the preferred ones for national and international tourists, extending the visitation schedule allows the country to continue to reactivate employment”, informed this Thursday the minister of tourism Gustavo Segura. The visita...

Drownings, Costa Rica, Deaths American Expat Drowns After Beach Reopening in Quepos Costa Rica

Beach restrictions had been relaxed in Quepos on Saturday, when American Amiri Aarash (79) and his Costa Rican companion Betzi Jimenez (39) decided to return to the ocean together to celebrate the weekend. Neither of them made it out alive. Once again, the notorious riptides at Playa Linda, Matapalo Quepos swept another pair of swimmers to their deaths. A passerby by the last name of Quiros rep...

Costa Rica Covid19 Tourism Costa Rica Starts Reactivation of Tourism Sector Maintaining Strict Restrictions

As it was announced by the Government in the past days, Costa Rica partially reopened air borders this August 1st for international flights to and from the United Kingdom, the European Union and Canada, with this it also announced the beaches located in areas under yellow alert can now open from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in hopes that this will gradually reactivate the tourism sector which has been s...

Costa Rica Lifeguards Costa Rica Signs Law that Creates National Lifeguard Department

Costa Rica now has a law that dictates how to implement lifeguard units in national beaches and also creates the National Commission for the Prevention and Attention of Drownings, with the purpose of offering safety and protecting the live and integrity of those that vacation and enjoy the coasts. Law 9780 “Implementation of lifeguard units in national beaches” was signed this week by members ...

Beach Clean Jaco Modern Machine in Jaco Costa Rica Cleans One Kilometer of Beach in 15 Minutes

The Garabito Municipality have begun using modern equipment known as the "Barber Surf Rake" towed by a tractor that allows the cleaning of one kilometer of beach every 15 minutes, in the case of Jaco, the whole beach can be cleaned within one hour. The machine made in the United States and with a value of 40 million colones (close to $69,155.00 USD) uses a system of chains to collect garbage. ...

National Park Costa RIca New Law in Costa Rica Could Cause Problems for Beach Front Property Owners

In a previous article we wrote about a new regulation that took effect during September 2019. Basically, every type of corporation in Costa Rica is enforced to disclose who are the stockholders to Central Bank of Costa Rica. This will take place between September 2019 and January 2020, depending on the last ID number on the “cedula juridica”. If the owner of the stock on a corporation are other co...

Cahuita accesible beach costa rica Cahuita in Limon Becomes First Disability Accessible National Park in Costa Rica

Back in March, Jacó beach in Puntarenas inaugurated a 63 meter long ramp built with recycled plastic and that gives access to the beach to people with disabilities, Jacó became then the first fully accessible beach in Central America. Now, the Cahuita National Park in Limón became the first National Park to be accessible for people with disabilities thanks to the project “Cahuita Accesible”. ...

Costa Rica Drownings Costa Rican Tourism Board Takes Measures to Prevent Drownings

A mobile app to monitor waves and tides, an agreement to hire lifeguards, and a digital advertising campaign are part of the first stage of the strategy announced by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) to prevent drownings on beaches. The app "MIOCIMAR" (available in Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS) in English and Spanish contains seven-day forecasts of surf currents, wave forecasts...

Costa Rica Crocodile Watch Out for Crocodiles on Costa Rican Beaches

The National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC) has warned national and foreign tourists who are visiting the different Costa Rican beaches during this Holy Week to watch out for the presence of crocodiles. SINAC authorities explained that the presence of these reptiles in the area close to the estuaries is normal and recommend to stay alert and in the event of spotting one of these animal...

Costa Rica Dangerous Beaches Costa Rican Tourism Board Allocates $1.5 Million for Lifeguard Project

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) will include in its budget for 2020. 2021 and 2022, $500,000 USD each year, with the purpose of setting up a .lifeguard project in several of the most dangerous beaches in the country, the project is an strategic alliance with the Red Cross and the Firefighting Department. Additionally, the Board of Directors of ICT approved and agreement with the Costa Rican...

Costa Rica Ecological Blue Flag Costa Rica Has a Record Number of Beaches With the Ecological Blue Flag

For the first time since the Ecological Blue Flag (EBF) program was launched for the beaches category, a record number of 118  beaches have attained this award thanks to the organized efforts of the committees in each of the coastal communities to achieve sustainable beaches with tourism features on the Costa Rican Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The announcement was made this morning by the Cost...

Jaco Beach, Expats, relocating Why Moving to Jaco Beach Costa Rica is a Good Idea

When foreigners consider moving to Costa Rica or buying a vacation home in this paradise, they many times choose a beach community to enjoy everything that living in a warm tropical country has to offer. Costa Rica has coasts on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with miles and miles of beautiful beaches to explore, however, there are a few that have become favourites among expats, one of th...

Jaco Beach Costa Rica Accessible Jaco Beach Costa Rica is the First Beach in Central America to be Fully Accessible to People with Disabilities

As part of a strategy of accessible tourism, Jacó beach inaugurated a 63 meter long ramp (206.70 ft.) built with recycled plastic and which gives wheelchair users access to the shore, this and other improvements and facilities made of Jacó the first fully accessible beach in Central America. The inauguration took place this Friday, March 1st, in the frame of the Zero Discrimination Day, and it...

Costa RIca Watch Out for the Portuguese Man O’war in Waters of the Costa Rican Caribbean

The Center for the Investigation of Sea Science and Limnology (Cimar) informed that they have received reports on the presence of Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis) in beaches of the Costa Rican Caribbean. This animal is a marine hydrozoan, similar to a jellyfish, but it is Not a jellyfish, its long tentacles deliver a painful sting. Contact with them should be avoided, if seen floa...

Costa Rica Cleanest Beches A List of the Cleanest Beaches in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its many beautiful beaches both in the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, however, contamination is always a concern. One of the programs that have been implemented in the country to inform tourists of beaches that are safe to swim in is the Ecological Blue Flag program, which gives beaches 3 to 5 stars to certify their commitment with sustainable development and depending on ho...

Top Ten Reasons Nosara Costa Rica is an Expat Haven

Over the years Costa Rica has become one of the main expat havens in Latin America, the country possesses specific characteristics that make it attractive for foreigners who are looking for a peaceful place to live where they can enjoy the tropical weather and the benefits of living surrounded by raw nature while at the same time enjoying a comfortable life with access to modern-day amenities. ...

National Park Costa RIca Four Costa Rican Beaches Considered Among World’s Best Beaches 2018

FlightNetwork put together a list of the World’s Best Beaches for 2018 with the help of over 1200 journalists, editors, bloggers and agencies around the world who specialize in travel. Among the top 50 best beaches in the world, Manuel Antonio Beach in Quepos, Puntarenas takes position 29, while three other beaches make the Central America and Caribbean top 50 beaches, these are: Conchal in Gua...

Nantipa Hotel Santa Teresa Nantipa: New Boutique Hotel in Santa Teresa Costa Rica

Nantipa Boutique Hotel, a Tico Beach Experience, is now ready for a soft opening this December 20 in Santa Teresa beach in the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas. This new hotel is being developed with an investment of $6 million and its official inauguration is set for January 29, 2019; however, this December 20 it will be receiving its first few clients in a “soft opening” with limited ...

Costa Rica beaches rip currents Signs Are Installed at 100 Beaches in Costa Rica to Warn Tourists of Rip Currents

Did you know that water accidents are the second cause of accidental death in Costa Rica? This is why, authorities of the Costa Rica Tourism Board are working on installing new warning signs at 100 beaches, that were selected as the most visited by national and foreign tourists and that are known to have a high level of risk due the presence of rip currents. The works will continue through this...

Red Tide, Costa Rica Costa Rica Red Tide Alert

Health authorities in Costa Rica warn of red tide affecting some areas of the Pacific Coast, Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula and the Central Pacific. Red tide is caused by large concentrations of some species of algae. Red tide can be easily spotted due to the presence of red-brownish spots in coastal waters, this algal bloom also deplete oxygen in the waters and release certain toxins which w...

Costa Rica Accessible Beach Cahuita in Limon Will Become Costa Rica’s First Beach Accessible for Disabled Population

Cahuita National Park in the Costa Rican Caribbean will become the first “inclusive beach” with a ramp that will facilitate access for the disabled population through the building of walkways on the sand made of recycled plastic bottle lids. The structures made of recyclable material will make Costa Rica the first country with accessible beaches in the Central American region, but most importa...

Elimination of Single Use Plastic in Costa Rica Could Costa Rica Become the World’s First Plastic-Free Country?

This was a hot topic for discussion at the Break Free from Plastic Initiative held Tuesday in Manila, where it was revealed that Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Nestle are among the companies that contribute the most to ocean-pollution via single-use plastics. Back in August 2017, Costa Rica announced its goal of completely eradicating single-use plastic by 2021, thereby becoming the first country in the wo...

Jaco Beach Surfing Costa Rica Jaco is the Preferred Beach by Surfers in Costa Rica

The first survey carried out by the Costa Rican Surf Federation among the surfing community shows that Jacó beach in Garabito, Puntarenas continues to be the preferred beach by surfers in the country. Coming up in second place was Avellanas in Guanacaste, the third spot went to Pavones in Golfito, Puntarenas and the top ten is completed by Hermosa Beach, Puntarenas; Santa Teresa, Puntarenas; Ma...

Costa Rica Accessible Beach Donate Plastic Lid Campaign Would Make Costa Rica First Country With Wheelchair Accessible Beaches

The Association Costa Rican Network of Accessible Tourism launched the campaign “Dona Tapa” (Donate Lid) an initiative that will allow  reuse lids of plastic bottles and other plastics to be recycled to build walkways on the sand at several Costa Rican beaches that will allow wheelchair use. The retractable structures would make Costa Rica the first country with accessible beaches in the Centra...

PLaya Naranjo Costa Rica Access to Playa Naranjo Costa Rica Reopened

The Guanacaste Conservation Area announced this week that the access to Playa Naranjo in the Santa Rosa National Park has been reopened. Access to this area had been closed since November 2017 as a result of the damages suffered by Tropical Storm Nate. The actions of the Liberia Municipality, the Municipality of La Cruz and personnel of the Guanacaste Conservation Area finally allowed the roa...

Strong Waves Expected in the Costa Rican Caribbean and North Pacific Beaches This Weekend

The Center for the Investigation of Sea Science and Limnology (Cimar) warned of strong waves this weekend and through Monday in the Caribbean and North Pacific. A high-pressure system in the Atlantic will generate strong winds in the Caribbean causing waves that could reach 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) during the weekend. In the North Pacific, gusts of wind of 45 to 50 kph (28-31 mph) could cause ...

Costa Rica Crocodile Be on the Lookout For Crocodiles in Costa Rican Beaches

Usually when people visit the beach they worry about sharks or even sea snakes, crocodiles hardly every cross their minds, but the reality is that seeing crocodiles at the beaches is not uncommon, at least not in Costa Rica. Every year sightings of crocodiles swimming in the beaches are reported in Costa Rica, some of the beaches where this has happened include Tamarindo, Playas del Coco and Pa...

Access Conchal Beach Guanacaste Costa Rica Court Restricts Access by Car to Conchal Beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The Contentious Administrative Court acted upon a request presented by Reserva Conchal Beach Resort and has ordered the Municipality of Santa Cruz (Guanacaste) to take immediate measures to close the vehicle access and parking in the Maritime-Land Zone of Conchal Beach. They must transfer the unauthorized commerce ( Beach sellers)to a different location in the area. "It was determined that if this...

Costa Rica Water Accidents Coast Guard Services Rescue Tourists in Different Beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific

Six people have died so far this Holy Week in Costa Rica as a result of water accidents in the different vacation hot spots in the country, five more have been rescued and required medical attention, while the Coast Guard Service has been patrolling the beaches that have prevented many more tragedies. The last reported death was of a North American tourist in the area of Playa Hermosa de Jacó, ...

Costa RIca Best Beaches One Costa Rican Beach Ranks Among Top 25 Beaches in the World

TripAdvisor, the travel planning and booking site revealed its Travellers' Choice ranking of Top 25 beaches in the world, and this year this listing includes a beach on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, the beautiful and peaceful Punta Uva. Created in 2002, the Travellers' Choice Awards are based on the quantity and quality of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor, gathered o...

Costa Rica Beauty Marino Ballena National Park in Costa Rica Takes Action Against Climate Change

Every year thousands of tourists visit the Marino Ballena National Park, located in the South Pacific of Costa Rica and famous for the common sightings, specially certain times during the year, of whales and dolphins; however, this natural wealth is being threatened by climate change. “Climate change is already here. It is not just a change of temperature, it goes way beyond that”, said to EF...

US Man drowns Cobano Costa Rica U.S. Tourists Drowns in Montezuma, Costa Rica

A U.S. man drowned in Montezuma Beach, Cobano, Puntarenas this Friday, February 2. The man was kayaking along with his wife when their kayak was dragged in by the waves and the strong winds, the kayak turned over the couple tried to get back on but the conditions of the ocean didn’t make it possible, neither of them were using a life vest. Witnesses that were in the area called 911 and went ...

Humpback Whales Costa Rica VIDEO: Amazing Encounter of Tourists with Baby Humpback Whale in Guanacaste Costa Rica

Sirenas Diving Costa Rica, a small, diving, snorkeling and fishing tour company that operates in Guanacaste had the opportunity to capture an amazing experience in video this past January 22 about 800 meters from the coast of Playas del Coco. Bobbie Joe and her husband Jose Daniel Barrera from Sirenas Diving, were giving snorkeling lessons in the area when they had a close encounter with a baby...

Costa Rica Surf TOurnament Lisbeth Vindas and Leon Glazner Take the First Date of the Kolbi National Surf Tournament

The first date of the “Kölbi” National Surf Tournament, where the “Pro Medical Team -Energy Law Firm” was at stake, took place this past weekend (January 27 and 28) in Playa Dominical saw great wave action and intense competition. Leon Glatzner a native of Pavones, took the Male Open category, his combination of surfing and aerial game earned him 7.00 + 6.87 marks; while Lisbeth Vindas from Jac...

US Man Drowns Costa Rica US Man Drowned in Costa Rica Saving Another Man’s Life

Kelly Clarke was a former East Texas Youth Pastor who had moved with his family to Costa Rica earlier this year as missionaries, here he was close friends to the family of Costa Rican Pastor Manuel Garcia, and together their families were spending time together at the beach (apparently Playa Hermosa, Garabito, Puntarenas). According to the information published by Fox51 News, Clarke and his fam...

Playa Hermosa Puntarenas Swimming at Playa Hermosa, Restricted Due to Dangerous Ocean Conditions

Playa Hermosa in Garabito, Puntarenas, very close to Jacó, is one of the most visited beaches of this province, its beauty, great waves ideal for surfing and the fact that is just a short drive from San Jose contribute to the high visitation rates; however, this is also one of the most dangerous beaches in Costa Rica. On Christmas day the Garabito Red Cross informed of the drowning of a 44-yea...

Costa Rica Dangerous Beaches Costa Rica’s Coast Guard Service Rescued Tourists in Manuel Antonio

The Costa Rica Coast Guard Service prevented a tragedy this Saturday in Manuel Antonio, Quepos, when eight tourists were dragged by the strong current. The emergency took at close to 4:30 p.m. this Saturay, December 23 when several tourists, 5 from the United States ages 10,13, 23, 24 and 47 years old, a Turk 39 years of age and two Costa Rican of ages 22 and 25 were dragged into the deep ocean...