~ by Nate Bright
On Saturday, October 1, 2016, another beach in the Costa Ballena region became safer!
In partnership with the ADI of Ojochal, the Guardavidas Costa Ballena Lifeguard program opened a new tower at Playa Ventanas. Playa Ventanas, located south of Uvita and just north of the village of Ojochal, is a very popular beach for locals and tourists alike.
It’s easily one of the most picturesque of our region’s beaches, with a beautiful bowline curve and majestic coconut trees, manicured entertainment zone, and boasts a secured parking area, freshwater shower and bathroom.
The big draw, however, are the sea caves that are accessible during low tide; visitors can walk all the way through the caves to the crashing waves at the end – it’s a magical experience!
But visitors are also magnetically drawn to the dangerous rocky cliffs that contain the caves, and there are frequent accidents reported of individuals getting swept off of or into these rocks, resulting in lacerations, head injuries and even drownings. If you visit this idyllic and beautiful beach, please – stay off of the rocks!
The Guardavidas Costa Ballena Lifeguard program also operates lifeguard towers at Playa Dominical and Playa Hermosa. Recently, because of very generous donations from Patron’s in Dominical and CAP on Crime (a local crime prevention organization), beach lockers and fresh water showers were installed at each of these beaches.
Visitors can rent a locker to protect their valuables, or rinse off the sand and salt water for only 500 colones or $1. All proceeds directly support the lifeguard program.
Paid, certified lifeguards save lives – and you can too by contributing to their success! All three lifeguard towers are in operation Tuesday – Sunday, 8am – 5pm, with plans underway to extend this to 7 days a week.
INFO: Please ‘like’ our Fb page to keep up to date with ways you can support this essential service.
