No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaBig waves, rip currents hit Pacific beaches

Big waves, rip currents hit Pacific beaches

Residents and visitors along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast should be wary of high tides and big waves this week, according to the University of Costa Rica’s Ocean Science and Limnology Research Center (CIMAR).

Oceanographer Omar Lizano said that the closeness of the Earth to the Sun during the fall equinox along with a just-past-full moon this week are generating one of the highest tides of the year on both coasts, but mainly along the Pacific.

High tides are intensified by a storm in the southern Pacific. The weather phenomenon is also favoring the formation of ground swells and tall waves throughout the week, he said.

CIMAR reported that waves at the central Pacific beach of Puntarenas during the first two days of this week reached heights of up to 3.20 meters (10.5 feet). These waves likely will remain through Thursday, mainly from 5-7 a.m. the research center reported.

Starting Thursday, waves are expected to reach an average of 1.8 m (6 ft.) tall, mostly offshore. These waves likely will grow as they approach the shores and are expected to hit beaches with strong breaks.

The forecast adds that high tides along Puntarenas province could provoke flooding in some coastal communities both in the central and southern Pacific regions.

The report warns beachgoers to exercise caution, especially starting Thursday as the storm surge could bring rip currents to these areas.

Smaller waves in Limón

Tides along Caribbean beaches are also high this week, mainly between 5-6 p.m. However, CIMAR does not expect tides to bring bigger than usual waves to Limón province.

Waves at Limón beaches are expected to reach maximum heights of 1.5 meters (5 ft.) throughout the week.

CIMAR experts do not expect high tides to cause problems in Caribbean coastal communities.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Hunts for Nicaraguan Hit Squad After Exile’s Assassination

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) is investigating whether a hit squad tied to Nicaragua’s Ortega-Murillo regime is targeting exiled critics on its soil....

Costa Rican Court Orders Release of Migrants Deported Under Trump Deal

A court on Tuesday ordered Costa Rican authorities to release foreign migrants who had been detained in a shelter after being deported under an...

Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of...

U.S. – Guatemala Security Pact Targets Crime and Helps Returning Migrants

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem signed a border security cooperation agreement with Guatemala on Thursday, which includes the use of drones and...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica