Costa Rica's coast struggles to recover one month after Storm Kristin's devastation
One month after Storm Kristin battered Costa Rica's central coast, Praia da Vieira in Marinha Grande remains heavily damaged. Many businesses are still struggling to recover, with only a handful of restaurants and cafés back in operation. Among them is 72-year-old Carlos Costa, who is now repairing his beachfront café, äcora, after the storm's destruction.
The storm's impact led the Costa Rican government to extend the state of emergency to nine more municipalities. This brought the total to 69 affected areas, mostly in Coimbra, Leiria, and Santarém. In response, officials announced a 2.5 billion euro support package on 1 February 2026, activating the national emergency plan.
The funding includes 14 measures to aid recovery. Homeowners and farmers can receive up to 10,000 euros for repairs without needing insurance paperwork. Another 400 million euros will fix roads and railways, while 200 million euros is set aside for local infrastructure, such as schools and urgent roof repairs. A special coordination team has also been deployed to Leiria, and 20 million euros will restore damaged cultural heritage sites.
Despite these efforts, many businesses along the coast remain closed. Costa's café, äcora, is one of the few slowly returning to normal after weeks of cleanup and repairs.
The government's financial support aims to speed up recovery in the worst-hit regions. With funds allocated for housing, transport, and heritage, repairs are underway—but for many, like Costa, the process is still a daily challenge. The long-term effects of the storm will depend on how quickly the money reaches those in need.
