Costa Rica will conduct its National Emergency Evacuation Drill on Wednesday, August 13, under the coordination of the National Emergency Commission (CNE).

The goal of the exercise is to strengthen the country’s ability to respond to natural disasters and teach the public simple, practical steps they can incorporate into daily life to stay safe during real emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, forest fires, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.

Authorities are urging public institutions, private companies, and residents to take part. Participants can register on the SimulacroCR website, which offers resources for creating an emergency preparedness plan and guidance on how to respond during different types of natural disasters.

After completing the drill, participants are encouraged to upload their family or community emergency plans through the platform. The event will be streamed live on the CNE’s social media channels.

Costa Rica is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the region, experiencing an average of 400 tremors each month, according to officials.

One of the strongest earthquakes felt in Costa Rica this year occurred in March, a magnitude 6.1 quake with an epicenter about 73 miles south of Coiba Island, Panama.

In July, the country experienced another significant tremor: a magnitude 5.2 earthquake centered in Parrita, Puntarenas province.

The strongest earthquake on record in Costa Rica was the 1991 Limón earthquake. On April 22 of that year, at 3:57 p.m., a magnitude-7.7 quake struck Valle La Estrella in Limón province. The tremor was felt from Nicaragua to Panama, killing 48 people in Costa Rica and 79 in Panama, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

CNE works in partnership with communities and emergency responders to strengthen the nation’s preparedness, response, and recovery from natural hazards.

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