Parents Go To Costa Rica for Missing Son
The parents of a missing Australian man have flown to Costa Rica to search for their son who vanished more than 40 days ago.

Brendan Kieran Dobbins, 24, was last seen on March 4 walking on a beach in the coastal tourist town of Tamarindo, where he was holidaying with friends while on a break from their exchange program in Florida.

The student's father Brian joined the search in Costa Rica early on and is now travelling back with his wife Mary.

The couple left on Saturday and will meet up with Australian consular officials who are also on their way to Costa Rica to step up the search effort.

A spokesman from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the two officials were based in Mexico City but would travel to Costa Rica to offer consular support to the Dobbins family.

Meanwhile, an Australian Federal police officer based in Colombia will arrive shortly to help the parents in their search, the spokesman said.

He said Foreign Minister Alexander Downer had written to his counterpart in Costa Rica seeking that appropriate attention to the search continue.

Mrs Dobbins told the ABC's 7.30 Report last week that within two days of her son's disappearance she had decided she needed to walk on the beach where he was last seen.

"...I have to do it, and I know I have to do it soon," she said.

"Because then, I think it's just mother's instinct, that I just might find a clue. And then that will be probably enough for me. If I have to make closure, I shall make it."

Brendan was completing an RMIT construction management course.

His Australian friends Imogen Wells, Trent Battye, Peter Nienaber and Derryn Pagan initially remained in Tamarindo searching for their mate but have since returned home to Melbourne.

RMIT University spokeswoman Denise Hurley said the students had been offered counselling, as had members of staff.

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