Costa Rica Volcanos and Natural Disasters

Recently a question was asked on the WeLoveCostaRica.com forums about the volume of property for sale in the Arenal area and the safety of living near an active volcano.

In this case the property is in demand because of the views of the active volcano.

They were also concerned about the problem of natural disasters such as flooding in Costa Rica. With parts of the country receiving over 200 inches of rain a year this is a legitimate question.

First, no place is safe from natural disasters. The risks and benefits of any location is something you have to decide for yourself.

For many years I have lived in a 200 year old gristmill where we have regular flooding and occasionally severe flooding. But at least we know where it is coming from. When it rains hard we keep an eye on the creek. When needed, we move to high ground. We have never been caught off guard once in 30 years.

Every time my wife would complain about living near the creek I would point to the day’s news, there is ALWAYS someone being clobbered by a disaster they did not expect.

People being flooded that did not have a clue that they might be in a flood plain. They had no warning and could not prepare. Nor had they researched the possibility of a disaster. If you know you are in harm’s way you can be alert to the problem and do something about it.

In Northern Kentucky on the Ohio river across from Cincinnati there are several water front neighborhoods that get flooded regularly. However, folks pay premium prices for these homes because of the fantastic view across the river with the lights of the city reflecting in the water. New homes cannot be built in the flood plain so the old ones have more value to those who know the risks.

They just keep the number of a moving company close at hand. It is an expected expense and a risk they have chosen to take in exchange for the spectacular view.




If you live in Florida, hurricanes hit there every year. If YOU personally do not get hit it is just luck. . . but millions of others do, every year.




Many of the millions that do not get hit just go blithely about their lives ignoring the possibility of disaster. Personally I’d rather live on the slopes of an active volcano such as Poas in Costa Rica than anywhere in Florida. . .




Hurricanes hit Florida several times a year on average, active volcanos may not have a major eruption for thousands of years. Yet many people move to Florida every day.




Costa Rica is a predominantly volcanic country. Almost anywhere with decent altitude is over, on or near a volcano or land built from lava and ash fall. I am looking at property on the flanks of one of the older inactive volcanoes. I once said it was “extinct” and someone corrected me and pointed out that there is no such thing as an extinct volcano. They were right. ANY volcano may become active at any time.









In Mexico a NEW volcano just sprouted up out of the ground one day in 1943. A farmer in central Mexico had just finished plowing his field and when he looked back in satisfaction there was a small fountain of rocks spewing from the center of his field. Days later his village was buried by what is now volcán Paricutín of the Tarascan Sierra range.




Everyone worries about earthquakes in California but, mud slides (as happened recently) kill more people and do more damage there. California also has a significant number of “extinct” volcanoes that folks never think about. None of these potential problems seem to effect real estate prices.

All over the world, people live on the flanks of volcanoes. In Italy the best grapes grow in volcanic soil. In Hawaii it is pineapples (or piña in Spanish). In Costa Rica it is coffee and piña.




In 1962 Eastern San José capital of Costa Rica was knee deep in volcanic ash. It only made international news because U.S. President John F. Kennedy was visiting Costa Rica at the time.




Here in the Eastern U.S. we never worry about earthquakes, but in the 1800’s thousands were killed in New York state. Last year we had a significant earthquake tremor here in Virginia. I was on a bridge at the time that was moving up and down about six inches! The experts say we are over due for a “big one” but no one here thinks about earthquakes or is prepared for them.




My advice is to study the lay of the land closely! Avoid valleys no matter how small the stream (other things besides water may follow them).




Avoid the seacoast unless you can afford to rebuild after the occasional storm. Avoid low flat lands. And anywhere you can SEE an active volcano might be too close.




That leaves about 70% of Costa Rica or more. With all the hills a few hundred feet can make all the difference when it comes to flooding. You have to consider this lot by lot…




Costa Rica requires earthquake resistant construction for a reason. But this also means that the average homeowner is more prepared for quakes and less likely to suffer problems. If you are building a new home there is no reason (other than cost) not to build better than the code requires if you wish.

Costa Rica Earthquake Reports

For more information about earthquakes in Costa Rica, please see the Universidad de Costa Rica Red Sismológica Nacional website here.









Look at the risks and benefits of the place you are interested in. The risk takers live in the more interesting places with the most fantastic scenery. It is their decision. However, there are also many wonderful places where the foreseeable risks are low. Research is cheap insurance.




Many things can be overlooked in a gentle climate with warm friendly people. The benefits of living in Costa Rica are many. That is why I have decided to make it my future home.

Written by Jock Dempsey who is a self proclaimed mechanical engineer, blacksmith and web geek. He operates a popular web site for blacksmiths called www.anvilfire.com – Jock currently he lives in the U.S. and is planning a permanent move to Costa Rica in the near future.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.