Costa Rica open water swim race at Samara Beach on May 17

There are many activities and adventures you can do on vacation in Costa Rica, but more and more visitors are traveling to the renowned Central American country for international sports competitions like running, swimming, cycling, mountain biking and triathlons.

Open water swimming in Costa Rica is popular, with frequent swimming competitions held in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and even some lakes.

Coming up on Saturday, May 17, 2014, there will be a 1k and 2.5k open water swimming competition at Samara Beach on Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Pacific Coast. Sponsored by the Costa Rica Run & Ride Association and the Samara Chamber of Tourism, the race headquarters will be at Hotel Villas Playa Samara.

Located roughly 50 minutes south of the famed surfing beaches of Playa Guiones and Nosara, Playa Samara is a popular beach destination for its tranquil ambiance, calm water and beautiful beach.

Starting at 12:00 p.m., the 1k swim will go from small coastal Chora Island to the beach; participants will be taken to Chora Island by boat to start. The open water 2.5k swim begins at 12:30 p.m. in front of Hotel Villas Playa Samara.

The short swim is open to men and women of all ages. The long swim has six categories from age 12 up to the Masters C level for ages 50 and up. Registration for swimmers is from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. on event day at Hotel Villas Playa Samara, or you may also register online on the Open Water Costa Rica website.

Future 2014 Costa Rica open water swimming competitions include Aug. 30 at Punta Leona (Playa Mantas) on the Central Pacific Coast, Sept. 13 at Playa Manzanillo on the Caribbean Coast, Oct. 18 at Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean Coast, and Nov. 29 at Los Juncos Lake by the Arenal Volcano.

Nosara Hotels

The place to stay at Playa Guiones by Nosara is L'acqua Viva Resort & Spa. The 4-star luxury hotel in Costa Rica is tucked between the coastal foothills and the beach, named one of the best places to go worldwide in 2014 by CNN and National Geographic.

Article by Shannon Farley