Between the Sea and Privatization ̈Perspectives of local actors regarding the negative effects of the privatization of beaches in the community of Santa Teresa from Cóbano, Puntarenas, Costa Rica ̈

In Costa Rica, beaches are considered public zones according to Article 9 of Law 6043: Maritime Terrestrial Zone Law, which states: “In the exercise of the right to public use, the general interest must always be taken into account, ensuring access to the area and free movement at all times…”. However, there have been instances where some beaches have been attempted to be privatized by individuals, families, and primarily real estate and hotel companies, thereby violating current legislation. According to Article 5 of Law 6043: Maritime Terrestrial Zone Law, it states: “Only the Legislative Assembly may grant permits or concessions in areas permanently covered by the sea, adjacent to the coast…”. In these communities, various residents have accounts and experiences related to the denial of access to beaches and, as a result, have had confrontations with individuals who claim to own these public spaces.

Families that have migrated to these territories have been the founders of coastal communities; many have been able to witness the transformation of the community. Therefore, the general objective of this work focuses on exploring and understanding the community's perceptions regarding how privatization affects various aspects of their lives and environment, seeking to provide information that could be useful for the design of inclusive coastal management policies.

Santa Teresa de Cóbano is located in the northeast of the Nicoya Peninsula, with a coastal community of approximately 745 inhabitants registered through the EBAIS. Santa Teresa is recognized for its lush beaches and the boutique tourism that drives the local economy.

The privatization of beaches in Santa Teresa de Cóbano represents a challenge that affects several aspects of local life, including the right to access, the economy, the environment, and citizen participation. The perspective of local actors centers on the need to protect collective rights, ensure respect for the natural environment, and promote equitable and inclusive development in the region.

A qualitative methodological approach is specified to guide the research. Subsequently, the type of research is determined to be exploratory and descriptive. In this way, the population of national local actors to be analyzed is identified, after which the sources of information to be used are established. Finally, the techniques and tools that will be employed for data collection are detailed, such as semi-structured interviews, community mapping, and life histories. To conclude, the categories of analysis are social and community impact, environmental impact, access to rights, and relationships with tourism and area privatization.