No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsEnvironment and WildlifePolice in Costa Rica remove crocodile from river where tourists swam

Police in Costa Rica remove crocodile from river where tourists swam

Swimmers in Guanacaste had an unwelcome sunbather at the beach, the National Police reported on Wednesday. The leathery-skinned beach bum wasn’t a sunburned Gringo but a 3.5-meter-long crocodile.

Police responded to a call that the croc had appeared swimming in the Cañas River in Guanacaste near where some 50 swimmers and tourists were enjoying the riverbank.

With the assistance of some fearless locals, authorities wrangled the reptile and handed it over to the Environment Ministry. The croc was loaded onto a truck and sent to a wildlife refuge administered by the ministry.

Crocodile Removal in Costa Rica
Courtesy Fuerza Pública

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s OIJ Warns of Surge in Virtual Kidnapping Scams

Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) is warning of a steep rise in "virtual kidnapping" extortion, with complaints jumping more than sevenfold over the...

Renting a Car in Costa Rica? Super Gas Is Currently Cheaper Than Regular

Drivers filling up in Costa Rica right now will notice something that runs against intuition almost everywhere else in the world: the premium "super"...

El Salvador Added to Wanderlust 2026 Green Travel List

British travel magazine Wanderlust placed El Salvador on its Green Travel List for the first time in the 2026 edition. The publication singled out...

Paul McCartney Turned a Rainy Costa Rica Day Off Into a New Song

Costa Rica's rain has been immortalized in one of Paul McCartney's newest songs. The legendary British musician revealed that "First Star of the Night,"...

Costa Rica President Labels Opponents Communists as Government Pulls Energy Bill

President Laura Fernández lashed out at lawmakers opposing the National Electricity System Harmonization Bill, calling them a "bunch of communists" and accusing them of...

Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene Vacation Together in Costa Rica

Two of the most prominent Republican critics of President Donald Trump have turned up on a Costa Rican beach, days after political setbacks pushed...

Argentine Cerundolo Stuns World No. 1 Sinner at French Open

In one of the most stunning upsets of the tennis season, unseeded Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo defeated World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the...

Costa Rica Soccer Team Rocked by Off-Field Problems Before England Match

Costa Rica’s men’s national team is facing another setback at the start of Fernando “Bocha” Batista’s rebuild, after three players were removed from camp...

Costa Rica Extends Corporate Email Rule to End of 2026

Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly approved a measure in its first debate on Thursday that extends to December 31, 2026, the deadline for commercial companies...
🌴 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

Live prediction market odds via Kalshi. Updates every 60 seconds.
Kalshi is available to US residents 18+. The Tico Times may earn a commission from new signups.

Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel