Waves up to 10 feet expected on Costa Rica’s Pacific shores

Tropical storms in the Pacific Ocean will bring high, strong waves along the Pacific beaches of Costa Rica this weekend and possibly next week.

Experts from the University of Costa Rica’s Ocean Sciences and Limnology Research Center (CIMAR) reported that the dangerous conditions will begin Friday and last through Sunday.

“These are typical waves coming from Antarctica that usually break very strong along Pacific shores. We can expect waves up to three meters (10 feet) this weekend,” said CIMAR oceanographer Omar Lizano.

The tallest waves are expected in open beaches like Jacó, Hermosa, Dominical and Pavones, in the province of Puntarenas, and in Sámara, Coco, Hermosa and Carrillo, in the northwestern province of Guanacaste.

“These waves have an extraordinary fast-breaking period of three seconds, they break strong on the beach and generate rip currents,” said Lizano, who warned swimmers to be careful during the packed mid-year vacations.