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COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

Salvadoran Referee Earns Major World Cup Semifinal Assignment

Steven Hodel -
Salvadoran referee Iván Barton has received the biggest assignment of his career after FIFA selected him to officiate Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal between Spain and France. The match will...

Costa Rica Lawmaker Targets Music Licensing Fees

The Tico Times -
A political fight over music licensing fees has reached Costa Rica’s municipal governments, raising questions about how restaurants, bars, hotels and other businesses must prove they are authorized to...

Costa Rica Papagayo Dispute Freezes $700 Million in Investment

Guest Author -
A court fight over the planned removal of 748 trees at Playa Panamá has grown into a broader dispute over tourism investment, jobs and the protection of state-owned forestland...

El Salvador’s Bukele Wins Primary for Third Presidential Term

Steven Hodel -
President Nayib Bukele received the official nomination of his Nuevas Ideas party for the 2027 presidential election, clearing the path for a third consecutive term. The party’s internal elections,...

Brother Drowns After Rescuing Sister at Costa Rica Beach

The Tico Times -
A young man died after going into the ocean to rescue his 10-year-old sister at Playa Linda in Quepos, Puntarenas, during a family visit to the beach over the...

Costa Rica Lands Two Retreats in the World’s Wellness Top Five

Steven Hodel -
Two Costa Rican retreats have been named among the five best international wellness destinations in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, extending a strong year for Costa Rica...

Costa Rica Prison Tour Proposal for Students Prompts Debate

The Tico Times -
President Laura Fernández’s proposal to take students from high-crime neighborhoods on visits to Costa Rica’s new maximum-security prison has opened a national debate over whether fear can keep young...

Costa Rica Airport Delays Hit Travelers on Busiest Return Sunday

The Tico Times -
If you are flying out of Costa Rica on Monday morning, give yourself an extra hour. A failure in the Judicial Branch platform that immigration officers use to screen...

Volcanic Sediment Turns Two Costa Rica Rivers Milky Gray

The Tico Times -
The Azul and Pénjamo rivers on the northern side of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano turned a milky gray over the weekend after days of small eruptions and heavy...

Jannik Sinner Beats Alexander Zverev to Win Wimbledon 2026

Steven Hodel -
Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon men’s singles title Sunday, recovering from a tense opening-set loss to defeat Alexander Zverev 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 on Centre Court....

Comparing Atenas and Puriscal for Costa Rica Homebuilders

Guest Author -
For buyers looking to build a home in Costa Rica’s western Central Valley, Atenas and Puriscal often land on the same shortlist. Both offer mountain living west of San...

Why Costa Rica’s Highway Projects Keep Costing More Than Promised

The Tico Times -
If you have ever wondered why a highway project in Costa Rica costs more than the government said it would, and finishes later than anyone promised, part of the...

Costa Rica Reverses Route 27 Lanes as Beach Traffic Heads Home

The Tico Times -
If you spent the school break at the beach and you're driving home today, here's the one thing you need to know: Route 27 is going to run in...

Costa Rica Faces Flood Risk as Tropical Wave Moves Across Today

The Tico Times -
A tropical wave moving across Costa Rica today is expected to bring yet another round of heavy rain and thunderstorms, with already saturated ground increasing the risk of sudden...

Argentina Beats Switzerland 3-1 to Reach World Cup Semifinals

Steven Hodel -
Argentina survived another tense knockout match Saturday night, defeating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Julián Álvarez broke...

Costa Rica Report Finds High First-Time Vehicle Inspection Failure Rate

The Tico Times -
More than one-third of the vehicles presented for Costa Rica’s mandatory technical inspection failed on their first attempt during 2025, with excessive emissions, worn tires and brake problems among...

Costa Rica vs Belize – Why I Sometimes Tell People Not to Buy Property in Belize

Sponsored Post -
People usually assume they know what a real estate agent is going to say before the conversation even begins. If I sell Belize real estate, then naturally I must...

Costa Rica Urges Peaceful Transfer of Power in Colombia

The Tico Times -
Costa Rica has joined the United States and 11 other countries in urging Colombian authorities to guarantee a peaceful, orderly and transparent transfer of power following a bitter dispute...

Could Costa Rican Farmer Be the Oldest Person Alive?

The Tico Times -
José Flores Flores, a Guanacaste farmer whose reported birth date is supported by Costa Rican civil and church records, celebrated his 119th birthday Saturday as his family works to...

Costa Rica Faces New Court Push to Ban Thresher Shark Exports

The Tico Times -
An environmental lawyer has asked a Costa Rican court to immediately suspend exports of three thresher shark species, arguing that stronger international protections became legally binding late last month....

Noskova Defeats Muchova in Historic Wimbledon Final

Steven Hodel -
Linda Noskova survived a remarkable second-set collapse to defeat fellow Czech Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday, capturing the Wimbledon women’s singles championship and the first Grand Slam...

Costa Rica Colon Hits Record High as Dollar Falls to All Time Low

Guest Author -
The U.S. dollar closed the week at its cheapest level in the history of Costa Rica's official currency market, capping a four-year slide that has reshaped the finances of...

Costa Rica’s Small Business Registry Reaches Record Level

The Tico Times -
The number of micro, small and medium-sized businesses registered with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce has nearly doubled over the past four years, reflecting a steady...

Rain and Thunderstorms Hit Costa Rica Today as Wet Weekend Pattern Holds

The Tico Times -
Another wet weekend. A humid, unstable pattern is parked over southern Central America, and it is going to stay there through Sunday, which means cloud, rain and afternoon thunderstorms...

This Costa Rica Coffee Just Sold for $200 a Pound

The Tico Times -
A coffee grown high in the mountains of Los Santos sold for $200.10 per pound at Costa Rica's 2026 Cup of Excellence auction, anchoring the strongest set of results...

Costa Rica Airport to Add Biometric Gates for Faster Immigration Checks

The Tico Times -
San Jose's Juan Santamaría International Airport plans to introduce biometric gates by the end of July, a change aimed at speeding up immigration controls at Costa Rica’s busiest airport....

Costa Rica Warns Beachgoers After Avian Flu Case and Pelican Reports

The Tico Times -
Reports of sick and unusually calm pelicans along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast have prompted renewed warnings to beachgoers after authorities confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in...

Costa Rica Hotels Named Among World’s Best in Travel + Leisure Awards

The Tico Times -
Three Costa Rica hotels have been named among the 100 best hotels in the world in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, giving the country another strong showing...

Costa Rican Animal Rescuers Join Venezuela Earthquake Relief Effort

The Tico Times -
Four Costa Rican animal rescuers are part of a nine-person disaster response team deployed to northern Venezuela to help dogs, cats and other animals injured or displaced by the...

Costa Rica Capital Debates New Rules on Dancing, Music and Nightlife

The Tico Times -
A proposed regulation in Costa Rica’s capital would place new limits on public entertainment in restaurants, bars and other venues, drawing opposition from San José’s nightlife and cultural businesses...
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Popular Articles

Volcanic Sediment Turns Two Costa Rica Rivers Milky Gray

The Tico Times -
The Azul and Pénjamo rivers on the northern side of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano turned a milky gray...

Noskova Defeats Muchova in Historic Wimbledon Final

Steven Hodel -
Linda Noskova survived a remarkable second-set collapse to defeat fellow Czech Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday, capturing...

This Costa Rica Coffee Just Sold for $200 a Pound

The Tico Times -
A coffee grown high in the mountains of Los Santos sold for $200.10 per pound at Costa Rica's 2026...

Costa Rica Supreme Court Rejects Fernández Narco Infiltration Claim

Tico Times -
Costa Rica’s Supreme Court formally rejected President Laura Fernández’s claim that organized crime and drug trafficking have penetrated the...

Costa Rica Papagayo Dispute Freezes $700 Million in Investment

Guest Author -
A court fight over the planned removal of 748 trees at Playa Panamá has grown into a broader dispute...
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Travel and Tourism

Brother Drowns After Rescuing Sister at Costa Rica Beach

The Tico Times -
A young man died after going into the ocean to rescue his 10-year-old sister at Playa Linda in Quepos,...

Costa Rica Lands Two Retreats in the World’s Wellness Top Five

Steven Hodel -
Two Costa Rican retreats have been named among the five best international wellness destinations in Travel + Leisure’s 2026...

Costa Rica Airport Delays Hit Travelers on Busiest Return Sunday

The Tico Times -
If you are flying out of Costa Rica on Monday morning, give yourself an extra hour. A failure in...

Costa Rica Reverses Route 27 Lanes as Beach Traffic Heads Home

The Tico Times -
If you spent the school break at the beach and you're driving home today, here's the one thing you...

Costa Rica Faces Flood Risk as Tropical Wave Moves Across Today

The Tico Times -
A tropical wave moving across Costa Rica today is expected to bring yet another round of heavy rain and...
Load more

Expat Living

Costa Rica Report Finds High First-Time Vehicle Inspection Failure Rate

The Tico Times -
More than one-third of the vehicles presented for Costa Rica’s mandatory technical inspection failed on their first attempt during...

Costa Rica vs Belize – Why I Sometimes Tell People Not to Buy Property in Belize

Sponsored Post -
People usually assume they know what a real estate agent is going to say before the conversation even begins....

Costa Rica Colon Hits Record High as Dollar Falls to All Time Low

Guest Author -
The U.S. dollar closed the week at its cheapest level in the history of Costa Rica's official currency market,...

Costa Rica Floats Higher Tax on Everyday Food Staples

The Tico Times -
Costa Rica is studying a plan that could raise the sales tax on basic grocery staples from the current...

How Costa Rica Closed an Extradition Loophole Used by Foreign Fugitives

The Tico Times -
For years, Costa Rica’s ban on extraditing its own citizens created an opening for foreign fugitives who managed to...
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Latin America News

El Salvador’s Bukele Wins Primary for Third Presidential Term

President Nayib Bukele received the official nomination of his Nuevas Ideas party for the 2027 presidential election, clearing the path for a third consecutive...

Costa Rica Urges Peaceful Transfer of Power in Colombia

Costa Rica has joined the United States and 11 other countries in urging Colombian authorities to guarantee a peaceful, orderly and transparent transfer of...

Costa Rican Animal Rescuers Join Venezuela Earthquake Relief Effort

Four Costa Rican animal rescuers are part of a nine-person disaster response team deployed to northern Venezuela to help dogs, cats and other animals...

How rescuers carried out 180-hour ‘miracle’ amid Venezuela’s ruins

In two decades as a rescuer, Kevin Meyers had never faced an operation as challenging as helping to free a man trapped under 160...

Migrant Dollars Still Flowing Into Central America Despite New Fee

Remittances to Central America are still climbing in 2026, led by Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, even as a new U.S. tax on some...

Visiting El Salvador During the August Holiday Week

Anyone planning to visit El Salvador in early August should be ready for one of the busiest holiday periods, when San Salvador’s patron saint...

Panama to Build Maximum-Security Prison to Isolate Gang Leaders

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced plans to build a new maximum-security prison for gang leaders, placing Panama more firmly inside a regional shift...
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Arts and Culture

Grammy Winner Jon Batiste Announces First Costa Rica Concert

Grammy and Oscar-winning musician Jon Batiste will perform in Costa Rica for the first time this September, bringing a one-night orchestral concert to Parque...

Costa Rica Airport Excavation Uncovers Pre-Columbian Evidence

Costa Rica has completed an archaeological rescue excavation in the area planned for the future Southern International Airport, uncovering new evidence of pre-Columbian communities...

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and the Costa Rica Sloths Named After Them

As Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce draw global attention around a reported wedding celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York, Costa Rica’s...

Costa Rica Bull Shark Festival Highlights Tourism and Conservation

Playas del Coco will host the Festival del Tiburón Toro from tomorrow July 3 until Sunday the 5th, bringing researchers, divers, students, tourism businesses...

Costa Rica Reviews PriceSmart Site After Archaeological Material Found

Work at a PriceSmart construction site in Santo Domingo de Heredia could be temporarily stopped after archaeological material was found during earth movement, prompting...

Costa Rica Pride March Takes Over San José Today

San José returns to the streets this Sunday for the 2026 Marcha del Orgullo, one of the largest LGBTQ+ gatherings in Central America, with...

Costa Rica Fishermen Turn Recycled Wood Into Handmade Art

A group of fishermen on Isla Venado is turning discarded and salvaged materials into handmade art, creating a new source of income for local...
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Environment and Wildlife

Volcanic Sediment Turns Two Costa Rica Rivers Milky Gray

The Azul and Pénjamo rivers on the northern side of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano turned a milky gray over the weekend after days...

Costa Rica Faces New Court Push to Ban Thresher Shark Exports

An environmental lawyer has asked a Costa Rican court to immediately suspend exports of three thresher shark species, arguing that stronger international protections became...

This Costa Rica Coffee Just Sold for $200 a Pound

A coffee grown high in the mountains of Los Santos sold for $200.10 per pound at Costa Rica's 2026 Cup of Excellence auction, anchoring...

New Frog Species Discovered in Costa Rica’s Los Santos Region

Scientists have identified a new frog species in the mountain streams of Costa Rica’s Los Santos region, a discovery that links biodiversity with one...

Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest Joins the IUCN Green List

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve has been added to the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, becoming the first protected area...

Strong 5.4 Earthquake Shakes Costa Rica Near Jacó

A strong earthquake shook Costa Rica shortly after midday Tuesday, with reports of movement across the Central Pacific, the Central Valley and parts of...

Costa Rica National Park Welcomes Back White-Lipped Peccaries

White-lipped peccaries have returned to Piedras Blancas National Park after years without confirmed records of the species, marking an important wildlife restoration effort in...
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