In this series of posts, we answer common questions about traveling to Costa Rica. Today, we’ll talk about some ocean nuisances. Specifically, jellyfish and stingrays. We’ll answer how common they are and where/when you might run into them.
Question
“A friend just returned (2 weeks ago) from a 6 week stay at Playa Hermosa. She told me that there were lots of jellyfish in the ocean and that they were stung frequently. She also told me that her boyfriend was stung by a manta ray while walking down the beach in the water.
We will be in Samara in mid-February and are wondering if this will be an issue there and if it is safe to swim. I did a search of this website but wasn’t able to find any information on jellyfish.”
Answer
Jellyfish
It sounds like your friend had some bad luck! We have seen some jellyfish during our many years living in Costa Rica but not very frequently. They seem to come and go with different ocean currents and are only around sometimes.
When we do see jellyfish, there are usually just one or two washed up on the beach. These have been clear, saucer shaped or bluish colored with shorter tentacles.
We have never encountered anything with long, dangerous tentacles, like a Portuguese man o’ war. The picture above is from an aquarium that we visited, not something we’ve actually seen in the water.
More common are jellyfish larvae, sometimes called sea lice. These are tiny and you almost can’t see them. Occasionally when swimming, we’ll encounter these. They give you a stinging rash sensation, which lasts about 10 minutes. It can sort of feel like a mild bee sting.
Sometimes people who stay in the water for long periods of time, like surfers, get sea lice stings.
One tip is to use a long-sleeve rash guard when you swim. These are great for protecting you from the sun but also help protect you from any jellyfish or sea lice. We have some recommendations in our Packing post.
Jellyfish or Sea Lice Sting Treatment
If you do get stung by a jellyfish or sea lice in Costa Rica, it usually isn’t serious and the pain will subside over time. The Mayo Clinic recommends a treatment of hot (not scalding) water. If an intense reaction is happening, it is best to seek medical attention.
Stingrays
What your friend most likely was stung by was a stingray, not a manta ray. Stingrays are encountered much more frequently because they like to burrow in the sand in shallower water. Manta rays swim around a lot and don’t usually harm humans.
In our 15+ years visiting or living in Costa Rica, we’ve never been stung by a stingray but have friends who have. The sting can be very painful. If this happens, it’s best to go to a medical clinic to get the wound cleaned and treated.
To avoid them, we’ve been told to drag/shuffle your feet along the seafloor while you walk instead of making full steps. They will get disturbed when you do this and swim away.
In Samara, where you are traveling, our surf instructor told us to be careful at the southern end of the beach where the boats are. This area is calmer and stingrays like to hang out there.
Conclusion
We hope this has answered your questions. While not extremely common, people do sometimes encounter jellyfish or stingrays on their vacation to Costa Rica. With the right treatment, it shouldn’t be anything too serious, and you should be able to continue enjoying your trip!
Looking for more information to help you plan? Check out these pages:
Practical Travel – Find posts about packing, weather, exchanging money, and more.
Traveling to Costa Rica: The Basics – If you are just starting out with planning a trip to Costa Rica, this post will help you understand a lot more about the country.
Why to Get Travel Insurance When Visiting Costa Rica – In case of a more serious injury, we highly recommend getting coverage. Read the story of our friend who had an unexpected fall.