Costa Rica Paid $701 Million More for Fuel This Year as Diesel Soared
Costa Rica fuel imports cost $2,267 million through September, $701 million more than 2025, as the average barrel rose 37% and diesel led.
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Costa Rica Asks You to Cut Water Use as the El Niño Dry Season Begins
Costa Rica water utility AyA asks you to save water as the El Niño dry season starts. No rationing yet. Here is what to do at home.
Spot an Injured Animal on Route 27? Don’t Touch It. Here’s Who to Call
See an injured animal on Route 27? Don't touch it. Here's who to call, what to tell them, and why 299 animals have been rescued since 2015.
Costa Rica’s Marchamo Amnesty Is Off for 2027, So Pay by Dec. 31
The 2027 marchamo amnesty failed, so older unpaid years still carry interest and fines. A new bill targets 2028. Here is what to pay now.
Guanacaste Town Hall Took 29 Million Colones in Cash Its Bank Refused
A Guanacaste town hall kept 29.3 million colones in cash after Banco Nacional refused to deposit it. Audit documents detail what staff and the mayor said.
Driving South This Week? Térraba Bridge Closures Run Through November 14
The Térraba River bridge on the Interamericana Sur closes fully tonight, with partial closures through Saturday. Here is the schedule.
Costa Rica’s Dry Season Starts This Week in Guanacaste and the Central Valley
Costa Rica's dry season starts this week in Guanacaste and the Central Valley. See when rain ends in your region and what El Niño means.
Diesel Up 17% as Costa Rica Prices Rise for a Second Straight Month
Costa Rica consumer prices rose 0.39% in October as diesel jumped 17% and bus and taxi fares climbed. Annual inflation hit 0.55%, a second month above 0.
Alcaraz Wins First Paris Masters Title Ahead of ATP Finals
Carlos Alcaraz beats Ben Shelton to win his first Paris Masters title, claiming his fifth trophy of 2026 before the ATP Finals in Turin.
Bird Watching Helps Older Adults Stay Sharp, and in Costa Rica It Costs Almost Nothing
A study of 1,684 nursing home residents found bird watching supports memory and mobility. Here is how to set it up at home in Costa Rica for almost nothing.
How Living in Costa Rica Changed the Way I See the World
An American expat reflects on decades of living in Costa Rica, the mistakes he made, and how embracing Tico culture changed his perspective on life.
Costa Rica Heads to Ecuador and Argentina Without Keylor Navas
Keylor Navas needs a knee procedure and will miss Costa Rica's Nov. 13 Ecuador and Nov. 17 Argentina friendlies. Here is Bryan Ruiz's full 23-man squad.
Two Bull Sharks Found Dead in a Guanacaste Estuary They Had Never Been Known to Enter
Two bull sharks, rays and fish found dead in a sand-blocked estuary at Playa Langosta near Tamarindo. Costa Rica's environment ministry is investigating.
French Woman Found Shot Dead Inside Her Guanacaste Home
A 64-year-old French woman was found with a gunshot wound to the head inside her Cabo Velas home. The OIJ is treating it as a possible homicide.
Costa Rica’s First Female Extradition Suspect Faces Legal Battle Over Transfer to United States
An appeal has paused the extradition of La Güera, the first Costa Rican woman ordered sent to the US, in a new test of the 2025 reform on retroactivity.
Costa Rica Prosecutors Investigate Pico Blanco Plane Crash That Killed Five
Costa Rica prosecutors are probing possible negligent homicide in the Pico Blanco plane crash that killed five. The operator lacked low-visibility approval.
Prison Cases at Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court Jump 124% Amid Crackdown
Costa Rica prison conditions cases at the Constitutional Court rose 124% in five years, as food limits and overcrowding test the state's duty to inmates.
Fire Chief Says Fernández Gave No Order on Ambulance Deal, but a Memo Cites Her
Costa Rica's fire chief says Fernández gave no order on a no-bid $13.88 million ambulance deal, but an internal memo cites her instruction.
Red Tide Spreads in Costa Rica’s Gulf of Nicoya and Cooking Won’t Make Shellfish Safe
Costa Rica widened its red tide ban on oysters, mussels and pianguas in the Gulf of Nicoya. The toxins can't be seen, smelled or cooked away.
Costa Rica’s Grynspan Wins 12 of 15 Votes in Eighth UN Secretary-General Poll
Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan won 12 encourage votes and three discourage votes in the eighth UN secretary-general straw poll, widening her lead.
Five Costa Rica Regions on Yellow Alert as Saturday Rain Hits Soaked Ground
Five Costa Rica regions are on yellow alert as Saturday rain falls on soils up to 95% saturated. Where the risk is highest and what to do this weekend.
Costa Rica Removes Don Pepe Figueres Monument After Protest Vandalism
Costa Rica pulled the Don Pepe Figueres statue from Plaza de la Democracia after protest vandalism, weeks before Army Abolition Day. The PLN is furious.
A Proposed 15% Tax Would Reach Costa Rica Residents’ Foreign Dividends and Interest
A bill before Costa Rica's Assembly would tax residents' foreign interest, dividends, rent and capital gains at 15%, with no minimum threshold.
Local Elections Drove Costa Rica’s CPTPP Reversal, Sources Say
Four sources say 2028 local elections helped push Costa Rica to drop its CPTPP bid. The government has not responded.
Your $1,000 Now Buys 46,810 Fewer Colones Than in January
The dollar's Monex average fell to 450.26 colones, 9.4% below January. Here's what that means for $1,000 converted in Costa Rica.
5,000 Shareholders, No Dividends and a Court Order for Hospital CIMA’s Top Executive
A Costa Rica court ordered Hospital CIMA's representative to testify and hand over 2025 financials as minority shareholders press for answers.
Pope Leo XIV Departs for First Latin America Journey to Uruguay Argentina and Peru
Pope Leo XIV begins his first Latin America visit on November 6 2026 with stops in Uruguay Argentina and Peru including meetings with presidents and public Masses.
Costa Rica’s First Direct Flight From Poland Lands in Guanacaste
Costa Rica's first direct flight from Poland landed in Guanacaste on Nov. 5, launching weekly LOT charters from Katowice through Dec. 17.
Every Big Mac Sold in Costa Rica on Nov. 13 Goes to Charity
On Nov. 13, every Big Mac sold at McDonald's in Costa Rica funds sick children's families and a youth jobs program. The goal is 75,000.
Costa Rica’s Tropical Depression Risk Fades but the Downpours Don’t
The Pacific low's odds of turning tropical fell to 40%, but Costa Rica still faces weekend downpours on soils up to 90% saturated. Here's what to expect.
Costa Rica Voted World’s Most Desirable Country by 250,000 Travelers
Wanderlust readers voted Costa Rica the world's most desirable country, up from second place in 2025, as visitor arrivals rise 4.8% this year.
Peru’s Ignacio Buse Stuns Medvedev in Landmark Paris Masters Victory
Ignacio Buse shocks Daniil Medvedev at the 2026 Paris Masters, delivering a landmark victory for Peru as Latin American players make headlines.
Costa Rica Unemployment Climbs to 6.5% With 20,000 More Out of Work
Costa Rica's unemployment rate rose to 6.5% in the third quarter, with 154,736 people out of work, 20,276 more than a year earlier, INEC says.
National Geographic Names Costa Rica Central America’s Ultimate Nature Escape
National Geographic's new guide names Costa Rica Central America's ultimate nature escape, from Arenal to the Caribbean, as US tourist arrivals slip.
Pacific Low Has a 60% Chance of Turning Tropical as Costa Rica Braces for Rain
A Pacific low has a 60% chance of becoming a tropical depression, and Costa Rica's soils are already saturated. Here's what to expect this weekend.
Kilos of Marijuana Seized Off Costa Rica’s Border With Panama
Two Ecuadorians detained after Costa Rica's Coast Guard, working with the DEA, stopped a boat carrying 2,648 packages of marijuana off Punta Burica.
Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Portugal Retirement at 41
Cristiano Ronaldo announces his retirement from Portugal duty at 41 after 23 years, 234 appearances and 146 goals for his national team.
Call Center Cuts Costa Rica Job Pledge Over Asian Competition
A Costa Rica call center cut its free zone job pledge from 111 to 45, citing India and the Philippines. At least 38 firms have lowered targets since 2023.
El Niño Leaves Gulf of Nicoya Fishermen With Catches Too Small to Pay for Fuel
Fishermen in Costa Rica's Gulf of Nicoya say El Niño's warm water has driven off shrimp, snapper and corvina, leaving catches too small to cover fuel.
Corcovado’s Sirena Station Is Back to 366 Visitors a Day. Who Decided?
The Corcovado visitor limit at Sirena is back to 366 a day, more than triple its historic cap, after a sewage crisis and an unmet court order.
El Refugio Costa Ballena: Making a Difference for Animals and the Community
Support El Refugio Costa Ballena's efforts to help pets in need with affordable services and community outreach.
Weak Dollar Cuts Costa Rica Medical Tourism Revenue by Up to 15%
A weaker dollar has cut Costa Rica medical tourism revenue by 10% to 15% even as patient numbers hold steady, the Costa Rican Chamber of Health says.
Rare Sighting of Tapir Family in Costa Rica Highlights Importance of Forest Conservation
A rare sighting of three endangered tapirs in Costa Rica's San Carlos region highlights the importance of protecting forests and wildlife corridors.
Guards Find Sharpened Spoons as Costa Rica’s Megaprison Tops 600 Inmates
Costa Rica's CACCO megaprison passed 600 inmates in its first week. Guards found sharpened spoons, and the Justice Ministry says it will seize utensils.
Honduran Migrant Caravan Heads to US Amid Midterm Elections
Dozens of Honduran migrants head toward the U.S., hoping midterm elections will weaken Trump’s power as his administration tightens immigration restrictions.
Four Days of Rough Surf Ahead for Costa Rica’s Pacific Beaches
Costa Rica is under a green alert. Waves up to 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) hit the North and Central Pacific Wednesday and Thursday, then the South Pacific.
Democrats Win Congress but Costa Rica’s US Tariff Stays
Democrats won both houses of Congress, yet Costa Rica's 12.5% US tariff stays in place. What lawmakers can do, and where real relief would come from.
Djokovic Rallies in Paris to Keep ATP Finals Hopes Alive
Novak Djokovic, 39, came from a set down to beat Valentin Vacherot at the Paris Masters, becoming the event's oldest match winner and staying in the Turin race.
What JetBlue’s Multi-Billion Dollar Debt Means for Costa Rica Flights
JetBlue creditors hired restructuring advisers as bonds fell to 42 cents. What a sale or Chapter 11 could mean for San José and Liberia flights.
Your 2027 Marchamo Is Lower if You Drive a Private Car
The 2027 marchamo is 4.3% lower for the average private car. How to challenge your car's fiscal value, and what each charge costs if you pay after Dec. 31.
Forbes Picks Costa Rica’s Rancho Pacifico to Beat the Crowds
Forbes names Rancho Pacifico, a 20-guest rainforest resort above Uvita, among its top shoulder-season trips. Wildlife, waterfall and when to go.
Costa Rica Researchers Study Pollution Exposure in Ostional Sea Turtles
Costa Rica researchers are studying pollution exposure in Ostional sea turtles, including antibiotic-resistance genes. Results have not been released.
Costa Rica Plans Highway Cameras and Radar Every 1.5 Kilometers on San Ramón Route
Tender documents for the San José–San Ramón highway call for cameras and radar every 1.5 km, night vision, crash alerts and barrier-free tolls. Tickets unconfirmed.
El Niño Is Already Cutting Costa Rica’s Coffee Harvest by Up to 15%
Coffee growers expect a 10-15% smaller harvest as El Niño hits rice, bananas, melons and cattle, and the Central Bank sees farm output shrinking in 2027.
Your 2027 Marchamo Is Due and the New Sticker Can Only Go On Once
Pay your 2027 marchamo by Dec. 31. What the new 10-year digital sticker costs, how to apply it once and the optional add-on to watch for.
Costa Rica Now Has Its Own Wine Grape After a 50-Year Quest
Costa Rica has its first registered tropical wine grape. Peppevidor, a cross with a native wild vine, needs no cold season and resists Pierce's disease.
Prosecutors Find No Costa Rican Victims in Epstein Files Investigation
Costa Rican prosecutors ask a court to dismiss their Epstein files probe after finding no local victims or suspects.
Gota a Gota Extortion Cases Keep Climbing in Costa Rica, OIJ Data Show
Extortion complaints tied to gota a gota loans in Costa Rica hit a record 935 in 2025, and 2026 is close behind.
Nearly Two Thousand Chinese Businesses Established in Nicaragua Since Free Trade Agreement Took Effect
Nearly 2,000 Chinese businesses have opened in Nicaragua since the free trade agreement took effect in 2024, according to a Chinese business association, even as official FDI from China reached 29.3 million dollars in 2025.
Costa Rica Uses Smartphones to Create 3D Maps of Pacific Coral Reefs
Costa Rican conservationists are using smartphones to create 3D maps of Pacific coral reefs, tracking reef health, restoration and El Niño impacts.
Alejandro Tabilo Falls to Rafael Jódar Again in Paris Masters Opener
Chile's Alejandro Tabilo loses 6-2, 6-3 to Rafael Jódar at the Paris Masters, suffering his fourth straight defeat against the Spaniard.
Costa Rica Reopens Cambronero Highway After Nearly Two-Months
Costa Rica reopened Route 1 through Cambronero on November 1 after nearly two months of closure, but permanent repairs are still planned for 2027.
US Midterm Vote Won’t Necessarily Lift Costa Rica’s 12.5% Tariff
Analysts say Tuesday's US midterms could shift the politics around Costa Rica's 12.5% tariff, but a new Congress won't automatically lift it.
Costa Rica’s Pesticide Problem and the Beauty of Backyard Gardening
Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, yet pesticide use raises concerns. One resident contrasts industrial farming with his thriving backyard garden.
Costa Rica Dollar Supply Hits Record 20 Years After Colón Devaluations Ended
The dollar sits near ₡452 as Costa Rica marks 20 years since ending planned colón devaluations. Here's what is driving record dollar supply.
Woman Accused of Forging Deeds to Take an American’s Property Deported to Costa Rica
Two Costa Ricans wanted since 2016 were deported from the US, including a woman suspected of using forged deeds to take an American's property.
Wha Happen? 13 Patois Phrases for Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast
Heading to Puerto Viejo or Cahuita? Learn 13 Mekatelyu phrases, from wha happen to mek wi go, before you go.
Fixing an Invoice in Costa Rica Can Now Reopen a Tax Return You Already Filed
New Costa Rica e-invoice rules start Nov. 1. Correcting an invoice can now mean amending an old tax return and paying interest.
Costa Rica Court Asked to Halt Shark Fishing Near Cocos Island
A Costa Rican attorney is seeking a court order to halt shark fishing near Cocos Island, citing missing regulations in a protected marine area.
Missing Caribbean Fishermen Found Alive in Colombia, Family Says
Three fishermen from Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, missing since Oct. 19 on a boat with engine trouble, were found alive in Colombia, a relative says.
Costa Rica Plans Blue Zone Seal and Wellness Tourism Push for Nicoya
Costa Rica plans an official Blue Zone seal and three Nicoya wellness tourism products by 2028, plus new care for centenarians.
Chaves Calls TEC Rector a Terrorist as 417 Limón Students Face Campus Closure
Rodrigo Chaves called TEC rector María Estrada a terrorist after she warned a ₡491 million cut would close the Limón campus and its 417 students.
Two of Every Three Dairy Imports in Costa Rica Now Come From the US
Costa Rica imported $66.4 million in US dairy through August, nearly four times the 2020 level, as approved US plants jumped from 43 to 259.
American Pilot Overturns Mother’s Costa Rica Will Over Missing Interpreters
A will signed in Spanish without two interpreters left an Ohio pilot out of his mother's Costa Rica estate. The Supreme Court upheld its annulment.
Scarlet Macaws Start Nesting in Costa Rica, and You Can Watch Live
Scarlet macaws are pairing off on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Watch 11 live nest cams, with first chicks due by January.
Expect Gusts Up to 85 km/h and Rain in Costa Rica This Weekend
Gusts could reach 85 km/h in Costa Rica's mountains and northern Guanacaste today, with rain in the Caribbean and storms in the South Pacific.
Grynspan Holds Lead as New Emirati Candidate Disappoints in Race to Lead UN
Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan leads the seventh informal vote for UN secretary-general with 11 votes of support, ahead of new UAE candidate Lana Nusseibeh.
Costa Rica’s Creepiest Ghost Stories and Mysterious Legends
Costa Rica's scariest ghost stories and legends, from El Cadejos and haunted hospitals to the mysterious groom who vanished on his wedding night.
Suspect in Playas del Coco Killing of American Will Be Held for One Year
A woman suspected of killing American Marc Fleming in Playas del Coco will spend a year in pretrial detention as the investigation continues.
Costa Rica Hotel Wins Two World Travel Awards, Putting Tárcoles in the Spotlight
Santa Lucía Jungle Hacienda in Tárcoles wins two 2026 World Travel Awards, bringing international recognition to Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast.
For First Time, Costa Rica Votes Against UN Call to End US Embargo on Cuba
Costa Rica voted against the annual UN resolution calling for an end to the US embargo on Cuba for the first time since 1992, after decades of support.
Four Detained in Costa Rica Over Sedative-Spiked Rides From Bars
Four men detained in Costa Rica are suspected of offering rides to people leaving San José bars, drugging them with clonazepam and draining their cards.
Costa Rica Celebrates National Masquerade Day With Traditional Parades and Music
Costa Rica is celebrating one of its most colorful traditions this weekend as giant masks, lively marching bands and characters from local folklore take over streets and public spaces across Costa Rica. National Traditional Masquerade Day, observed every October 31, brings communities together for a celebration that…
Lufthansa to Drop Costa Rica Route in 2027 as Sister Airline Adds More Flights
Lufthansa will hand its Costa Rica route to Discover Airlines in December 2027, increasing weekly flights to six, including two services via Belize.
High Tides Flood Homes in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas
High tides flooded homes in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, on October 29, with elevated tides forecast to continue along the Pacific coast through Saturday.
Costa Rica Gas Prices Jump Sharply as Regular Fuel Becomes More Expensive Than Premium
Costa Rica approves a 12.38% increase in regular gasoline prices to ₡808 per liter, making regular fuel more expensive than premium gasoline.
Heading Out for Halloween in Costa Rica? Expect More Police on Patrol
Costa Rica police will patrol cemeteries, churches, bars and costume parties this Halloween weekend. Here's what to expect if you're heading out Oct. 31.
Costa Rica’s Cambronero Bridge to Reopen
Costa Rica’s Cambronero bridge on Route 1 will reopen November 3 after repairs, restoring traffic between San Ramón and Esparza.
Tamarindo Celebrates Halloween Weekend With Costume Surfing, Parades and Beach Parties
Tamarindo Halloween Fest 2026 brings costume surfing, parades, family activities, live music and beach parties to Guanacaste on October 30–31
Costa Rica’s Native Stingless Bees at Center of Supreme Court Fight
Costa Rica's Supreme Court reviews regulations restricting native stingless-bee farming, raising concerns about biodiversity and traditional honey producers.
Costa Rica’s President Invites Pope Leo XIV to Visit in 2027
Costa Rica's president formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit in 2027, which would be the first papal visit since 1983.
46 US Veterans Tried Ayahuasca in Costa Rica, Where Rules Remain Murky
46 US veterans drank ayahuasca at a Guanacaste retreat to ease PTSD. The stories are moving, but the data is thin and Costa Rica's rules remain unsettled.
All Three VIP Lounges at Juan Santamaría Airport Close Sunday
, Nov. 1, and the Mastercard lounge has no reopening date.
Elena Rybakina Clinches Year-End World No. 1 Ranking After Tokyo Victory
Elena Rybakina secures the 2026 WTA year-end World No. 1 ranking after beating Yulia Putintseva in Tokyo, capping a season with two Grand Slam titles.
Costa Rica’s Nosara Free Nature Trails Through Forests and Wetlands
18 kilometers of free nature trails in Nosara, Costa Rica, with nine routes through tropical forests, wetlands and wildlife habitats.
Sarapiquí Bus Crash Toll Rises to Three as Bus Lacked Excursion Permit
A third woman has died after the Sarapiquí bus rollover. Regulators say the bus was only permitted to carry students, not the excursion group aboard.
Costa Rica Pension Overhaul Could Require 30 Years of Work Instead of 25
Costa Rica opened talks on 20 pension reforms that could require 30 years of contributions instead of 25 and cut payouts. Here is what could change.
Flying to the US Soon? Every Passenger Must Sign a New Form From Nov. 3
In Costa Rica, on Nov. 3, airlines must refuse boarding to anyone flying to or through the US who has not signed a new Ebola declaration.
El Salvador’s Marcelo Arévalo Qualifies for ATP Finals Despite Vienna Upset
El Salvador's Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić qualify for the 2026 ATP Finals despite a first-round doubles defeat in Vienna.
Costa Rica Drops Bid to Join Pacific Trade Pact and Fires Its Trade Minister
Costa Rica drops its bid to join the CPTPP and fires its trade minister, citing secrecy over the deal and risks to ranchers and dairy farmers.