Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste becomes Costa Rica's first 100% accessible beach.

The idea originated by the Costa Rican Network for Accessible Tourism Association, supported by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and other private organizations, led to the creation of the "Accessible Beach" program, which aims to provide 100% accessible beaches for people with disabilities.

The program features a fully equipped trailer to facilitate the proper use of restrooms, sanitary facilities, a wheelchair transfer lift, and other necessities that people with disabilities may require. It was presented on January 23rd and is already operational.

Initially, this trailer was presented in Playa Hermosa in the community of Carrillo, Guanacaste; however, the idea is that every six months it will be changing location to provide 100% accessible beaches along the entire national coast.

The Costa Rican Network Association for Accessible Tourism has worked hard to provide a noticeable improvement on each beach, and in this first location they have provided a 52-meter-long retractable walkway and amphibious chairs, made 100% from recycled plastic bottle caps.

“For the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network, accessible beaches are a key focus. We have the “DonaTapa” project, which collects as many plastic bottle caps as possible to produce 100% recycled plastic lumber and make retractable walkways and amphibious chairs for people with disabilities to enjoy the beaches. This project includes a trailer equipped with all the necessary features so that people with disabilities can go to the beach and enjoy the sea and sand, as well as have a dignified place to bathe and meet their other needs. This is very important to us because it truly provides a safe and comfortable space for people who normally have greater difficulties enjoying the beach, allowing them to do so with peace of mind,” stated Natalia Vindas, a founding member of the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network.

The use of the trailer will be completely free for people with disabilities and their helpers who require the use of the facilities.

You can find more information on the Facebook page of the Costa Rican Accessible Tourism Network:

https://m.facebook.com/AccesibleCR/

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero