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

Shakira Concert in Costa Rica Approved for January 2027 but Not Confirmed

Shakira could perform in Costa Rica on January 31, 2027, after the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) approved a presale plan for...

Study Finds Costa Rica’s Pesticide Use More Than 10 Times Global Average

Costa Rica uses pesticides on its farmland at a rate more than ten times the global average, according to a scientific study that raises...

Costa Rica Unveils New ₡100 Coin Celebrating Limón Calypso

Costa Rica is paying tribute to one of its most distinctive musical traditions with a new ₡100 coin celebrating Limón calypso, a genre deeply...

Costa Rica Opens Bidding for $770 Million San José–San Ramón Highway Expansion

Costa Rica has opened international bidding for a $770 million expansion of the San José–San Ramón highway. The project includes additional lanes, new bridges, upgraded interchanges and proposed tolls, with construction expected to begin in 2027.

Costa Rica Wildlife Survey Reveals 60 New Species Records in Urban Heredia

A wildlife survey in one of Costa Rica's busiest urban areas has added 60 new species records to a local inventory, showing that birds,...

More Than 2,000 Caught Entering Costa Rica Parks Illegally

Over 2,000 people were caught entering Costa Rica national parks illegally in three years. A new seal now targets tour transport.

Costa Rica Gives SINPE Móvil Businesses 12 Months to Register Payment Numbers or Face Fines

If you get paid through SINPE Móvil for a business, a rental or freelance work in Costa Rica, you will soon have to tell...

US Citizens in La Fortuna Can Renew Passports Locally This Thursday

If you are a US citizen living near Arenal, you can renew your passport this Thursday without making the trip to San José. The...

Harry Kane Wins the Ballon d’Or, England’s First Winner in 25 Years

Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London after a 73-goal season for Bayern Munich and England, becoming the first English winner since 2001.
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

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