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Costa Rica Year in Review: Our most popular stories of 2019

It has been an entertaining and newsworthy 2019 for Costa Rica.

For the last 12 months (and since 1956), The Tico Times has worked hard to bring you the biggest stories from Costa Rica and the region. We’re looking forward to serving you again in 2020.

Before we look ahead to next year, though, let’s look back at our most-read stories from 2019.

News

2019 marked a year of political and social unrest in Costa Rica and, more significantly, in several Latin American countries. Here are some of our most notable pieces of 2019:

Travel

Costa Rica continues to see increased international tourism. In 2019, several airlines added new flights to Costa Rica, the country was named a top travel destination, and more.

Sports

It wasn’t a banner year for the Costa Rica men’s national soccer team. But milestones for women’s club soccer and other noteworthy individual performances won’t soon be forgotten.

Entertainment

It doesn’t get much bigger than this: “The Simpsons” visited Costa Rica, and Pope Francis said Costa Rica makes the world’s best coffee.

Satire

Call us La Cebolla (The Onion), because by far our most popular stories of the year were satirical. Maybe we should pursue this full-time?

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Costa Rica’s Capital Brings Its Forgotten Tram History Back Into View

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Going to Iron Maiden at Estadio Nacional? What to Know Before Thursday

Gates open at 4 p.m. Thursday. Here's which entrance to use, what you can't bring in, and what tickets still cost.

Costa Rica Opens Probe Into Political Ties of Man Wanted by US DEA

Costa Rica's attorney general will investigate whether a naturalized Costa Rican detained for extradition to the United States had political ties or helped finance...

Costa Rica Among Only Two Latin American Countries Where Most Say Nation Is on Right Track

Costa Rica is one of only two Latin American countries where a majority believes the nation is heading in the right direction, according to the 2026 Latinobarómetro.

Costa Rica Braces for Afternoon Storms as Tropical Wave No. 48 Arrives

Tropical Wave No. 48 is expected to cross Costa Rica today bringing a greater chance of afternoon downpours and thunderstorms as already wet areas...

Dollar Holds as Central Bank Warns US Rates Could Push It Higher

The dollar has eased from its early-October high, but Central Bank President Róger Madrigal warns a widening US rate gap could lift it again.

Southwest Adds Austin and Nashville Flights to Costa Rica

Southwest Airlines is expanding its service to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province with new and extended nonstop flights from Austin and Nashville for the summer...

Costa Rica Foreign Investment Jumps 23% as Tourism Investment Falls 27%

Free zones drove a 23.4% rise in Costa Rica's foreign direct investment in the first half of 2026, while tourism investment fell 27%.

Costa Rica’s Pensionado Visa Ranks Fourth in Global Retirement Index

Costa Rica's Pensionado visa ranks fourth of 46 retirement programs worldwide on its $1,000 income rule and tax treatment. Paperwork is the weak spot.
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