No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveOne year after the Nicoya quake, magnitude-5.9 temblor jolts Guanacaste

One year after the Nicoya quake, magnitude-5.9 temblor jolts Guanacaste

Exactly one year after the earthquake that struck the northwestern Nicoya Peninsula a temblor measuring magnitude-5.9 shook the province of Guanacaste at 6:29 a.m. Thursday, the University of Costa Rica’s National Seismological Network (RSN) said.

The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (Ovsicori) reported the quake as a magnitude-5.3.

The epicenter was located 19 kilometers southwest of Manzanillo in Santa Cruz. That is 60 km from the Nicoya earthquake epicenter.

The RSN report indicates the temblor was caused by the collision of Cocos and Caribbean plates.

At 10:30 a.m., Ovsicori registered 36 aftershocks with magnitudes of up to four degrees, however most of them have not been felt.

Neither the Red Cross or the Fire Department have received any reports of injuries or damage to structures due to the quake.

On Thursday, President Laura Chinchilla and other government officials presented a report of all the actions taken by her administration on the first anniversary of the magnitude-7.6 earthquake. It jolted most of the country starting at 8:42 a.m. and lasted some 45 seconds. A 51-year-old woman died of a heart attack following the event, although she was not included in the official quake death toll.

According to official figures, the cost of infrastructure replacement was estimated at $100 million, $20 million corresponding to repairs to the Monseñor Sanabria Hospital in the Pacific province of Puntarenas.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Alondra Ortiz Wins Gold in 200-Meter Butterfly

Costa Rican swimmer Alondra Ortiz won the women’s 200-meter butterfly at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, delivering the first swimming gold medal...

Former Herediano Executive Pleads Guilty in U.S. Gambling Case

Michael Lawrence Brannon, a U.S. businessman who previously held an ownership stake and board position in the group that managed Club Sport Herediano, has...

Costa Rica Escalates Court Fight With Criminal Complaint Against Judges

The governing party filed a criminal complaint against four Constitutional Chamber judges on Monday. Judicial unions have called a protest for Thursday, August 6.

Serena and Venus Williams Set for Cincinnati Open Doubles Return

Serena and Venus Williams will play doubles together for the first time since 2022 after the Cincinnati Open handed the sisters a wildcard into...

CONCACAF Calls for Reckoning With Infantino’s FIFA Leadership

North and Central American football's governing body CONCACAF yesterday called for a "comprehensive reckoning with" Gianni Infantino's leadership of FIFA after his aborted plan...

Costa Rica Makes Forbes 2026 List of Best Places to Retire

Costa Rica has again been named one of the world's best places for Americans to retire, appearing in the 2026 edition of the Forbes...

Costa Rica Cuts 2026 Growth Forecast as El Niño Raises Cost Risks

Costa Rica’s Central Bank has lowered its economic growth forecast for 2026 as weaker exports, slower household demand and the expected effects of El...

U.S. Citizen Found Dead in Guanacaste as OIJ Investigates

The Judicial Investigation Agency is treating the death of a 75-year-old U.S. citizen found in Cabo Velas, Santa Cruz, as an apparent homicide possibly linked to a robbery at the property.

Costa Rica Detains 56 Peruvians Working Illegally at Gold Mine

Costa Rica has detained 56 Peruvian nationals today after finding them working without authorization at a gold mine in Miramar, Puntarenas. The workers had...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel