The Center for the Investigation of Sea Science and Limnology (Cimar) warned of strong waves this weekend and through Monday in the Caribbean and North Pacific.

A high-pressure system in the Atlantic will generate strong winds in the Caribbean causing waves that could reach 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) during the weekend.

In the North Pacific, gusts of wind of 45 to 50 kph (28-31 mph) could cause waves of between 2.5 -2.8 meters (8.3 to 9.2 feet).
Considering these conditions, the waves will be crashing hard on the beaches and therefore the warning is given to swimmers, surfers and boats to be cautious.

The rip currents that normally form in many beaches in Costa Rica could also present more danger this weekend.

In fact, the National Coast Guard Service informed of a group of tourists, three from the United States and a Costa Rican who were rescued in Playa Linda, Quepos, Puntarenas this Friday after being dragged into the ocean by a rip current, the US citizens were identified as John Gould, Jackson Gould and Dennis Chavez while the Costa Rican was identified as Nancy Picado.

Water accidents are the second cause of accidental deaths in Costa Rica, and make the country one of the most dangerous beach tourism destinations in Latin America. The fact that the beaches in Costa Rica have rip currents and the absence of lifeguards in the majority of them is what causes this alarming statistic.