Tragic Crash in Costa Rica Leaves 12 Dead, Most Tourists
On the night of December 31, a small Nature Air flight went down in the rugged mountains of Punta Islita, Guanacaste province. The unfortunate crash, still under investigation, claimed 12 lives—10 of them foreign tourists who were chasing sunshine, and two local pilots.
What Happened?
According to the Security Ministry, the aircraft—witnessed for the first time in the Guatemalan highland—took a wrong turn a few kilometers off the Pacific Coast. Panic is set in as investigators sift through charred wreckage.
Fatalities
- 10 tourists from various countries (details still pending)
- 2 Costa Rican pilots (also crew members)
- A family link: Former President Laura Chinchilla mourned her cousin on Twitter.
Official Statements
- Gustavo Mata declared, “There are no people alive,” as they prepare forensic assessments to identify each victim.
- The U.S. State Department cooperates with Costa Rica to find out whether any U.S. citizens were aboard.
Nature Air has been silent so far; we’re still waiting to hear the airline’s response.
About Punta Islita
Located about 230 km west of San Jose, this paradise spot is famed for its white‑sand beaches and lush tropical scenery. Tourists flock here from North America and Europe every year, hoping for a serene escape—though this tragedy reminds us how fragile that dream can be.
Let’s keep the people of Costa Rica in our thoughts as the investigation unfolds.
