Costa Rica's Caribbean beaches in the province of Limón are expected to see waves up to 3.1 meters (10.3 feet) starting Friday and likely continuing through the weekend, the University of Costa Rica's Center for Research in Marine Sciences and Limnology (CIMAR) reported.

Powerful waves and rip currents started hitting beaches in the Pacific province of Puntarenas on Friday and will continue throughout the weekend. Oceanographers forecast a new stronger swell likely will bring even bigger waves to Puntarenas starting next Thursday.

Waves are expected to reach up to 11 feet high along Costa Rica's southern Pacific beaches, oceanographers say.

Experts are warning beachgoers to be aware of strong wave breaks and rip tides, mostly along Costa Rica's northern Pacific beaches.

The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) on Friday reported that a high-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean is to blame for increased trade winds that are expected to continue through Monday.

Strong waves forecast for this weekend on both coasts of Costa Rica already are affecting areas in the Pacific province of Puntarenas.

Experts of the University of Costa Rica's Ocean Science and Limnology Research Center (CIMAR) warned residents and beachgoers this week about big waves that could be hitting shores on both of the country's coasts starting Friday.

Two low-pressure systems originating in the Southern Hemisphere will cause powerful waves on most of Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches starting Friday.