Beach crab and strong currents

Beach crab, Playa Guiones

A small crab marched between my feet as I sat on a log watching the surfers go out on Playa Guiones.

This little guy looks harmless enough, but this is the open Pacific and the rip  currents can be dangerous -- muy peligrosas, as the sign below warns:

After reading the warning, we decided that wading, rather than swimming, would be the way to go. Shuffling our feet, of course, to avoid meeting any stingrays who might happen by. They aren't aggressive, but will definitely bite if stepped on.

The sand is fine, soft and firm against the feet, but when a wave breaks, it erodes the sand from beneath you, causing you to sway and teeter. Fun with your eyes closed. We didn't see any but surfers are advised to beware of sharks. We did see a whale though; it flipped its tail just off the shore.