No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaWatch: Snake stops traffic in Costa Rica

Watch: Snake stops traffic in Costa Rica

Why did the snake cross the road?*

Drivers on the Florencio del Castillo highway between Cartago and San José, Costa Rica, presumably had more than a few questions when a boa caused a brief traffic jam on Thursday afternoon:

Diego Valverde, a witness to the incident, told Teletica that it appeared as if the snake had just eaten due to the bulge in its midsection.

“Several people who passed by the place stopped the cars and motorcycles in which they were traveling to help and make sure she wasn’t run over,” he said.

“Luckily, after several minutes, she reached the shoulder where she was more protected.”

Traffic was stopped for about 15 minutes, Teletica reported.

Costa Rica is home to about 140 snake species, of which only 23 are considered venomous, according to the Clodomiro Picado Institute of the University of Costa Rica. Boa constrictors typically aren’t aggressive toward humans and are non-venomous, though their bites can be painful.

* To get to the other ssssssside. 

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s President Praises Diablo Capture and Defends Cutting the Courts That Made It

President Laura Fernández Delgado has spent the days since Costa Rica's most significant arrest in a decade making two arguments at once. She has...

Costa Rica Warns Tourists That Wildlife Souvenirs Can Lead to Criminal Charges

A shell picked up on a beach walk, a piece of coral, a seed pod, a carved trinket bought from a roadside stand —...

Novak Djokovic Returns to Cincinnati With US Open History at Stake

Novak Djokovic will return to the Cincinnati Open in August, choosing one final hard-court tournament before resuming his pursuit of a record 25th Grand...

Costa Rica Ferry to Nicoya Peninsula Loses Two Daily Sailings

If you cross between Puntarenas and the southern Nicoya Peninsula in the next few weeks, expect fewer sailings, fuller boats and longer waits at...

Latin American Players to Watch at the 2026 Cincinnati Open

Latin America will send one of its deepest groups of men’s players in recent years to the 2026 Cincinnati Open, led by established Argentine...

Costa Rica Moves to Widen Extradition of Its Own Citizens

President Laura Fernández asked lawmakers on Monday to widen the narrow list of crimes for which Costa Rica may hand its own citizens over...

Trump’s Granddaughter Puts Guanacaste Beach Town in Front of 1.5 Million Viewers

A travel vlog posted last week by Kai Trump, the eldest granddaughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, has put a small stretch of Guanacaste...

Rincón de la Vieja volcano raised to caution level after 38 eruptions

If you have a Rincón de la Vieja hike or a hot springs day trip on your calendar, the volcano's official activity level went...

Diablo Spends First Night at La Reforma, All Visits Suspended

Alejandro Arias Monge, the man Costa Rican authorities had described as the most wanted fugitive, spent his first night in custody inside the maximum...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel