The tranquil surf town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, nestled along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, was shattered this past Saturday, February 15, 2026, by a violent crime that has left both locals and the international surfing community in shock. Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old American expatriate and beloved figure in both Costa Rica and his native Santa Cruz, California, was found dead in his apartment after an apparent home invasion and robbery. The murder, marked by its brutality and the stature of its victim, has raised concerns about safety in a region long regarded as peaceful and welcoming.
According to multiple reports, including those from the San Francisco Chronicle, The Tico Times, and Surfer Magazine, Van Dyke was discovered lifeless under a bed with a sheet over his head, bearing multiple stab wounds and clear signs of asphyxiation. The attack occurred in the Cahuita area of Talamanca, Limón province, just outside the vibrant tourist hub of Puerto Viejo. Authorities from Costa Rica’s Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) confirmed that they received a report of a break-in at around 10:50 a.m. local time. When officers arrived, they found Van Dyke’s 31-year-old girlfriend, identified in some accounts as Arroyo, bound with zip ties but alive, albeit having suffered an assault during the ordeal.
Investigators believe that at least two armed intruders stormed the home while Arroyo was in the shower. The couple was forced at gunpoint into a room, restrained, and robbed. The assailants stole valuables, including a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, and fled in two vehicles. Security footage captured the suspects leaving the property, but as of Tuesday morning, no arrests have been made and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or a clear motive. However, robbery appears central to the case, according to police statements reported by The Tico Times and Fox News.
While Arroyo was not seriously injured, the violence inflicted upon Van Dyke was severe. Local authorities are treating the case as a homicide, with forensic teams working to determine the exact cause and manner of death. Van Dyke’s body was transferred to the forensic morgue for further examination, and police are reviewing CCTV footage as part of their ongoing investigation.
The impact of Van Dyke’s death has reverberated far beyond Costa Rica. Known as “The King” along the Caribbean coast for his prowess in surfing big waves, Van Dyke was a fixture in both the local and international surfing scenes. He moved to Costa Rica in the mid-1980s, drawn by the legendary Salsa Brava break, and eventually established Hotel Puerto Viejo, a modest hostel that became a staple for travelers and surfers alike. His roots ran deep in California as well, where the Van Dyke family name is synonymous with surfing history—his father, Gene Van Dyke, was a Northern California pioneer of the sport, and his mother, Betty, helped blaze a trail for women surfers in the 1950s and ’60s. The family also operates the Van Dyke Ranch near Gilroy, known for its apricots and cherries.
Friends and family remember Kurt Van Dyke as a generous, caring individual. “My brother was a very benevolent, giving person who would help just about anybody,” Peter Van Dyke told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Kurt would never hurt anybody, and he was always there when you needed him. Everyone that he met knew this about him.” The sentiment was echoed by Roger Sams, president of the Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, who said, “I am deeply saddened. We’ve had a long period of calm and tranquility. … This shocks and saddens us because the Caribbean has been so peaceful,” as reported by La Nación and cited in the San Francisco Chronicle.
The local community, accustomed to a reputation for safety and tranquility, has been rattled by the incident. Sams emphasized that violent crime against tourists is rare in the region, stating, “There have been no cases of violence reported like this against tourists. In recent months there has been no violence or assaults. This is an isolated case, he is the owner of a hotel, not a tourist, it has not to do with tourists and the people who come to visit us.” Still, the murder has cast a shadow over the area, raising questions about security and the challenges facing Costa Rica as it grapples with broader crime trends.
Indeed, Costa Rica has seen a disturbing uptick in violent crime in recent years, much of it linked to gang activity and disputes over drug trafficking routes. By December 16, 2025, the country had already recorded 833 murders, averaging about 2.4 killings per day, according to local reports cited by The California Post. While Puerto Viejo and the surrounding Caribbean coast have largely remained insulated from the worst of these trends, Van Dyke’s killing is a grim reminder that even peaceful enclaves are not immune.
Peter Van Dyke, still reeling from the loss, expressed frustration and suspicion regarding the circumstances of his brother’s death. In an interview with The California Post, he said, “There are people who like him and there are people who don’t. It was more nefarious.” He noted that his brother had several business partners in the region and had mentioned, just days before the attack, that he was “in good spirits.” Peter also voiced concerns about the pace and transparency of the investigation, remarking, “Law enforcement is not letting anything out. Costa Rica isn’t like it was 15 years ago. There’s a lot of murder, a lot of thievery.”
For now, Van Dyke’s family is working with the US Embassy in Costa Rica to handle his remains and coordinate with relatives across California. The community in Puerto Viejo, meanwhile, is grappling with the loss of a man who, for decades, embodied the spirit of adventure, hospitality, and surf culture that drew so many to the region in the first place.
As police continue their investigation—reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and tracking leads—the hope remains that justice will be served for Kurt Van Dyke. Yet, the pain of his loss lingers, a stark reminder of the fragility of the peace so many have come to cherish in Costa Rica’s Caribbean paradise.