Walk along any coastline in Costa Rica — whether it’s the wild Pacific edge of Guanacaste or the gentle Caribbean shores near Puerto Viejo — and you’ll notice something remarkable: there are no private beaches. No fences. No “residents only” signs. No guards keeping you from the tide.

In Costa Rica, the beach is not a luxury reserved for a few.

It’s a birthright. A common ground. A public good.

What the Law Says

Costa Rica’s Maritime Zone Law (Ley sobre la Zona Marítimo Terrestre, No. 6043) was passed in 1977 and remains one of the clearest declarations of coastal equality in Latin America.

The law divides the coastal zone into two key areas:

• The Public Zone: The first 50 meters from the high tide line are untouchable — no one, not even beachfront property owners, can restrict access to this space. It is entirely public domain.
  
• The Restricted Zone: The next 150 meters inland from that line may be developed under concessions, but even here, public access to the shoreline cannot be denied.
  

In simple terms: every beach in Costa Rica is open to the public — from locals with picnic baskets to travelers with surfboards.

The Spirit Behind the Law

This legal framework isn’t just about geography. It’s about values.

Costa Rica was built on the idea that nature is for everyone. The same philosophy that led to the abolition of its army in 1949 and the protection of over 25% of its land as national parks also safeguards its coasts.

Whether you’re a fisherman pulling nets at dawn, a family celebrating a birthday under a palm tree, or a visitor chasing the sunset — the beach belongs to you just as much as it does to the resort down the road.

What This Looks Like in Practice

You might see luxury hotels with infinity pools just steps from the sand — but walk along the shore and you’ll often find locals gathering under almond trees, vendors selling cold coconuts, and children chasing waves with the same freedom as generations before them.

Access paths to the beach may vary. Some are clearly marked trails; others wind discreetly through palm groves or between buildings. But once you reach the sand, you are not trespassing. You are exercising your right.

And if you ever find someone trying to deny that right — politely but firmly, the law is on your side.

Challenges and Realities

Despite the law, conflicts occasionally arise. In certain tourist-heavy regions, private developers or security personnel may attempt to discourage beach access, whether through unclear signage or intimidation.

But community organizations, environmental groups, and citizens frequently push back — defending the coastline not just as territory, but as a living piece of Costa Rican identity.

Over the years, multiple legal victories and public protests have reaffirmed this commitment to free and open shores.

The Beach as a Bridge

In Costa Rica, the beach is more than a destination — it’s a meeting place. It’s where families gather on weekends, where first dates happen under hibiscus skies, where elders share stories while watching grandkids play in the tide.

It’s also a place of economic opportunity — for fishermen, artisans, surf instructors, coconut vendors, and tour guides. When the beach is public, its benefits ripple outward into communities and livelihoods.

A Country That Leads by Example

At a time when many parts of the world are seeing coastlines privatized, gated, or eroded by development, Costa Rica stands firm — not as a perfect system, but as a powerful model of what can happen when a nation protects not just its nature, but its people’s connection to it.

So the next time your feet touch the warm sand here, remember:

You’re not just walking on a beach.

You’re walking on a shared promise — one written into law, and lived in spirit.