~ by Nate Bright

The Guardavidas Costa Ballena Lifeguard program maintains paid, certified lifeguards on three beaches - Playa Dominical, Playa Hermosa and Playa Ventanas.

Our beautiful unspoiled beaches attract visitors from all over the world, and keeping them safe is a serious responsibility. 

This would not be possible without community support in many different ways. With monthly cash donations, hosting fundraising parties, and donation of supplies and materials, the lifeguard program continues to thrive and save lives. In fact, the Guardavidas Costa Ballena Lifeguards have already rescued more than 90 people in 2017! 

One of the surprising ways the community supports the program is with free meals for the lifeguards, who work 9-hour days, 6 days a week. In Dominical, there are businesses who have been providing free breakfast or lunch at least once a week for years, and several individuals and restaurants have recently implemented the same offering at Playa Hermosa. 

We’d like to say a HUGE THANK YOU! to the following amazing, generous and dedicated community members for participating in the Lifeguard Lunch program: 

Café de Ensueños, Tortilla Flats, Phat Noodle, Café Mono Congo, Café Delicias, Del Mar Taco Shop, Restaurante El Coco, Pizza La Casita, Roadshack Deli, Lick It, Bar Jolly Roger, Coconut Grove, as well as Beth Sylver, Brian and Carolyn Nice, Thomas Sewell, Kim Marshman. 

And did you know that the lifeguards keep the beaches safe from theft too?

Playa Dominical and Playa Hermosa have beach lockers for rent - only 500 colones or $1 - with no time limit, and 100% of the proceeds benefit the lifeguard program. So, next time you are at one of these beaches, protect your valuables and help save lives by renting a locker! Look for the big red shipping containers - they’re a little hard to miss. Because of the lifeguard program, our beaches are some of the safest in Costa Rica. Paid, certified lifeguards save lives!

INFO: If you’d like to get involved or make a donation, please contact us at lifeguardscommittee@gmail.com