A new amphibious beach chair and an access ramp have been installed at Pelada Beach in Guanacaste Province, improving accessibility for visitors with disabilities, according to the Tourism Institute (ICT).

The 30-meter (98-foot) access pathway was built by the Accessible Tourism Network (Red Costarricense de Turismo Accesible), a nongovernmental organization (NGO), in collaboration with the Tourism Institute, the Municipality of Guanacaste and private companies.

The project was made possible through the “Donate a Plastic Lid” ("Dona una tapa") initiative, which involved collecting plastic lids for use in construction.

The project incorporated sustainable materials, using 900 kilograms of recycled plastic lids in the construction of the retractable walkway. It also provided an amphibious wheelchair designed for beach access. An amphibious beach chair is a specialized wheelchair that can move smoothly over sand and float safely in the water.

The Beach Development Association has been entrusted with managing the portable walkway, which is available for public use daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pelada is the 19th beach in Costa Rica to feature an access ramp to the water. Other accessible beaches include:

• Guanacaste Province: Junquillal, Panamá, Hermosa, Tamarindo, Grande and Sámara.

• Puntarenas Province: Herradura, Jacó, Blanca, Manuel Antonio, Bandera, Espadilla, Puntarenas and Hermosa de Osa.

• Limón Province: Piuta, Cieneguita, Manzanillo and Cahuita.

Costa Rica’s Law 7600 mandates accessibility in the tourism industry, requiring hotels, theaters, museums, national parks and other attractions to accommodate people with disabilities.

However, authorities said challenges remain, particularly in providing direct access to the water, user-friendly showers, parking spaces and accessible restrooms at many beaches.

Tourism remains one of Costa Rica’s most important economic sectors. More than 1.6 million travelers arrived in the country by air during the first half of 2026, underscoring the industry’s continued role as a major contributor to the national economy.

In 2025, Costa Rica welcomed more than 2.6 million air travelers.

  

The tourism industry also reached a significant economic milestone during the first quarter of 2026, generating more than $2 billion in tourism revenue for the first time in the country’s history.

The ICT is the government agency responsible for promoting Costa Rica as a tourism destination and supporting the country’s tourism industry.

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What can Costa Rica do to improve tourism services for people with physical disabilities? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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