Be very cautious when you go into any body of water in the country as tides and rip currents can be strong. Also, as much of the country is considered the rainforest, the weather can change dramatically on very short notice.

Swimming in the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica requires significant caution due to strong rip currents and heavy surf. While beaches like Manuel Antonio, Samara, and Hermosa are popular for swimming, many other stretches of the Pacific coast are better suited for surfing than casual wading. Costa Rica's beaches often lack lifeguards, and "rip tides" can pull even strong swimmers away from the shore very quickly. To stay safe, you should always look for posted warning signs (red flags), ask locals about water conditions, and learn how to identify a rip current—often visible as a "break" in the incoming waves where the water looks darker or calmer but is actually moving outward. If caught in a rip, the standard advice is to swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current rather than trying to swim directly against it. While the water is warm and beautiful, the raw power of the Pacific means that "safety" is dependent on individual awareness and respecting the ocean's unpredictable currents.