Costa Rica Indecent Exposure Laws: Complete Legal Guide

Public nudity is technically prohibited under Costa Rica's Penal Code Article 140 (indecent act/public morality), with enforcement varying by municipality. However, secluded Pacific coast beaches have developed a de facto naturist culture through decades of informal tolerance. Nudity is generally overlooked at established naturist spots but remains legally risky in populated or urban areas. The charge a naturist is most likely to face is brought under Penal Code Article 140 (public morality).

Costa Rica has a mixed framework on indecent exposure laws. Public nudity is technically prohibited under Costa Rica's Penal Code Article 140 (indecent act/public morality), with enforcement varying by municipality. However, secluded Pacific coast beaches have developed a de facto naturist culture through decades of informal tolerance. Nudity is generally overlooked at established naturist spots but remains legally risky in populated or urban areas.

Penalties in Costa Rica stay at the administrative end — modest fines, occasionally a court-imposed one. First-time non-sexual conduct rarely reaches a charge. Sentences escalate on intent, location, the presence of minors, and prior convictions; Penal Code Article 140 (public morality) sets the range. Non-sexual exposure in an ambiguous setting sits at the bottom of it.

Designated naturist ground in Costa Rica — Playa Blanca, Puntarenas (established unofficial nude beach) and Montezuma Beach area, Nicoya Peninsula (relaxed atmosphere, naturist-friendly) — is the principal exception, alongside private space out of public view, clinical settings, breastfeeding, and permitted protest arranged with police in advance.

The governing instruments for Costa Rica are Penal Code Article 140 (public morality), Municipal ordinances (varies by region) and No recognised naturist federation. Where no official text is linked, the national naturist federation is the better starting point than a general search. Enforcement varies within Costa Rica even where the statute does not.