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 Red Cross for a little over $250,000 USD to hire at least 20 lifeguards for Manuel Antonio beach, Ballena beach and Cocles-Manzanillo. This program will be put in practice the second semester of this year, between July and December.

The announcement was made by María Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism, who mentioned: “Destining a larger amount of resources in a lifeguard program will improve the capacity of response to attend different incidents that occur at the beaches, actions that have an impact in the countrys’ international image.

The amount approved of $1.5 million for the next three years will allow to cover the most dangerous beaches in the country, which due to their conditions, represent a risk for visitors.

According to data by the Judiciary Investigative Police (OIJ), 129 people drowned last year, 54 in a river, and 51 in the ocean. Of these accidents, 46% occurred in the province of Puntarenas, 15% in Guanacaste and 15% in Limon.