No, removing sand from Costa Rican beaches violates the 1998 Ley de Biodiversidad and Ley de Costas, with enforcement by MINAE and SINAC. Civil and criminal penalties apply, including fines up to ₡10 million ($18,000 USD) or imprisonment under Código Penal Article 402. Recent 2026 amendments to Reglamento de Protección de Playas further restrict extraction, requiring permits only for scientific or municipal projects.
Key Regulations for Taking Sand from the Beach in Costa Rica
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Prohibition under Ley de Biodiversidad (Art. 67): Sand extraction is classified as illegal resource removal, triggering MINAE’s environmental oversight. Violations are processed through administrative tribunals like the Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo.
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Coastal Zone Management (Ley de Costas, Decree 35504-MINAE): The first 200 meters from the high tide line is a zona marítimo-terrestre, where all natural materials are protected. Extraction requires a concession from SINAC, granted only for public infrastructure or research.
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2026 Reglamento de Protección de Playas Amendments: Stricter monitoring via drone surveillance and mandatory GPS tracking for permitted activities. Non-commercial removal (e.g., souvenirs) is now explicitly banned, with local municipalities empowered to impose additional fines.