Life’s a beach in Costa Rica; unfortunately, so is death sometimes. The number of tourists who come to enjoy Costa Rica continues to grow each year; alas, the number of those whose beach vacations turn fatal is also on the rise. Since 2009, researchers from the National University of Costa Rica (Spanish initials: UNA) have been working on a comprehensive risk assessment study to inform the public about the potential dangers they may run into at more than a hundred beaches in both Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

As of 2011, oceanographers and researchers from UNA and the International Oceanic Institute had compiled data on about 80 beaches in Costa Rica. These days, the research team has collected data from 150 beaches, which will be further analyzed and mapped for the purpose of providing a visual guide to the public, especially foreign visitors. Some of the most dangerous beaches determined so far happen to be among the most popular.

The study is exhaustive and goes beyond the stretch of sand and the surf at the beach. The factors being considered include:

• Topography
• Access points and paths
• Climate change
• Surrounding mountains
• Cliffs
• Steep hills
• Currents
• Red tide
• Wildlife
• Bacteria in the water
• Reefs
• Currents
• Surf break characteristics
• Wave breaking force
• Oceanic currents
• Harmful vegetation
• Prevailing and seasonal winds

Some of the data collection techniques and analysis methods being used are intricate. For example, measuring the mass of grains of beach sand and cross referencing the results with erosion and sedimentation observations can be used to determine the effect of climate change.

Researchers have thus far found that the stretch of coast from Jaco Beach down to Playa Dominical presents a significant danger that, as has previously been reported by The Costa Rica Star, claims the lives of many tourists: Strong and unpredictable rip currents combined with substantial wave force. This does not mean, however, that the beaches of Guanacaste or Limon do not present a similar risk; in fact, the beaches of Costa Rica’s Gold Coast in Guanacaste have claimed the lives of many foreigners who drowned in the Pacific Ocean.

Although a forecast for rip currents cannot be accurately made, undertow conditions at certain beaches where sea turtles massively arrive for nesting tend to be stronger. This makes sense insofar as sea turtles escaping predators such as jaguars and storks by crawling into the water and essentially surfing away from danger on the rip current. In this regard, we have Playa Camaronal, Playa Hermosa and Playa Naranjo in Guanacaste. The beach at the Jairo Mora Gandoca Wildlife Refuge in Limon is known for its powerful rip currents that leatherback turtles navigate as they arrive for, and depart after, nesting.

There’s also Playa Sirena in the Osa Peninsula, which is one of Costa Rica’s most pristine and wildest beaches. This shark-infested beach attracts caimans, which swim out to the surf to feed, and sometimes jaguarundis (pumas) and jaguars can be seen walking on the beach and marking their territory (watch out for the big claw marks on the trees). Tourists should not enter this beach, but many do anyway. There’s also Playa Cuajiniquil in Guanacaste, where camping could become dangerous if visitors run into the partially obstructed, low-lying high tension power lines.

Here’s a list that recaps the above-mentioned Most dangerous beaches

• From Jaco Beach to Dominical in the Central to Southern Pacific
• Playa Camaronal, Hermosa and Naranjo in Guanacaste
• The beach at Gandoca in Limon
• Playa Sirena in the Osa Peninsula
• Playa Cuajiniquil, Guanacaste