Search continues today for a 20 year old swimmer who was swept away by strong currents Friday morning at Playa Espadilla in Manuel Antonio, with rescue crews still working the area by sea and air. The incident was reported around 6:40 a.m. yesterday, after the young man was pulled offshore by the surf in Quepos, Puntarenas.
Emergency teams remained active through the day Friday and into the overnight hours, turning the case into one of the most serious beach emergencies reported during the start of the Holy Week travel period. Search efforts have included Red Cross rescue personnel, aquatic specialists, drones, jet ski patrols, the National Coast Guard and aerial surveillance support to widen the search zone based on prevailing marine currents.
The disappearance happened at Playa Espadilla, one of the busiest beaches in the Manuel Antonio area, where changing ocean conditions and strong currents can quickly overwhelm swimmers. Another young man who entered the water at the same time managed to get out, but the missing swimmer did not resurface.
By yesterday afternoon, the operation was still active, with teams continuing to scan a broader stretch of coastline and offshore waters. A later update reported that the search had stretched until about 1:00 a.m., underscoring the scale of the effort and the difficulty rescuers faced overnight. As of this morning, no recovery had been confirmed in the reporting reviewed.
The case adds to renewed safety concerns along Costa Rica’s beaches as Holy Week draws larger crowds to the coasts. Manuel Antonio remains one of our country’s top tourism destinations, but conditions can shift fast, especially in areas affected by rip currents and rough surf. Travelers heading to the beach this weekend should pay close attention to local warnings, avoid entering the water in unsafe conditions and stay close to staffed areas when possible.
