The Central Pacific Coast boasts some of the most gorgeous and most expansive beaches in the country. At one point, there is seventeen miles of uninterrupted beach to jog along, surf or fish in, or lounge by in appreciation of it’s magnificent power and beauty.

January 19th was a sad day along the Central Pacific Coast where the ocean displayed it’s power. It was a typical Sunday, the beaches were packed, kids were laughing and running in and out of the water in pursuit of one another. Sundays are the busiest days along the coast. It’s when Costa Rican nationals take a break from work and their lives in the central valley, and venture down to the warm coast for some sun and fun. These same nationals, often never learned how to swim, since it’s not stressed in their culture like it is in other countries. As long as the kids don’t go too deep everything should, theoretically, be fine. Unfortunately, the ocean is not that predictable, especially the stretch between Hermosa to Palo Seco.

The Pacific claimed five lives along the seventeen miles of beach that Sunday. Young souls, ages ranging between 17-26, had a lot to look forward to in life, experiences to be had, now lay still. Three were lost at Playa Bandera, and two at Esterillos Este, just a few miles apart from one another. You see, the same stretch of gorgeous, expansive, beaches are also home to some of the fiercest beach breaks (waves), currents, and rip currents Costa Rica has to offer. There are no city or cantón (county) paid lifeguards on duty along the most deadly stretch of beach in Costa Rica.

The Parrita Municipality sends out one Red Cross ambulance to station at Playa Bejuco, a particularly heavy beach break, two times a year (Easter and Christmas). That is the extent of their involvement. Of course, utilizing their skills requires the drowning victim to make it to shore in order to be assisted by ambulance personnel, since they do not perform, or are trained in, water rescue. A coast guard boat did responded to the 9-1-1 calls from Esterillos Este, however, by the time they arrived, their mission was one of body recovery, instead of one that could offer the glimmer of hope of a rescue. An ongoing problem, that for now, is still ignored.

To the families of the five souls whose names I will never know.

To learn more fluff-free information of life in Costa Rica, read Becoming an Expat: Costa Rica

Shannon is an international resident from San Diego, currently residing in Costa Rica. Her first career of 10 years was spent serving San Diego & Kansas City as a paramedic. Shannon had visited over 27 countries by the age of 30. After a back injury shifted her path, she quickly chose Costa Rica as her first international destination. In addition to writing, Shannon owns Enete Enterprises, LLC a video and print publication company that specializes in travel guidebooks and the creation of marketing videos for tourism, hospitality, and real estate sectors. To learn more about Costa Rica, and how to become an expat see www.BecominganExpat.com.