The propagation of tides in the vicinity of the critical latitude, defined here as the latitude where the tidal frequency ω equals the Coriolis parameterf, is investigated using a barotropic, depth-averaged, divergent and frictionless analytical model using the standard β-plane approximationf= ω + βy. Standard techniques of ray theory are used to deduce the energy propagation path, which temporarily crosses the critical latitude in a parabolic path when — β/k<0, wherekis the eastward component of wavenumber. An expression for eccentricity and sense of rotation of the velocity vector in the horizontal current ellipse shows a complicated dependence on the wavenumberkand on the dimensionless parameter γ =gHβ2/(2ω)4, whereHis the ocean depth andgis the gravitational acceleration.