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COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

El Salvador Peach Festival Brings Highland Experience to Chalatenango

Tico Times -
The eighth Peach Festival opened today in Río Chiquito, a community in the San Ignacio district of Chalatenango Norte. Local producers and tourism operators host the two-day event through...

Panama moves 29 high risk inmates to Coiba prompting UNESCO warning

Tico Times -
Panama’s Defensoría del Pueblo stated that reopening a penitentiary facility on Coiba Island could compromise the area’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The office issued the warning...

U.S. Calls Cuba’s New Economic Reforms Superficial Smoke Signals

Tico Times -
The U.S. State Department on Friday dismissed Cuba’s newly approved economic overhaul as cosmetic, casting doubt on whether Havana’s biggest opening toward market-style reforms in decades will loosen state...

Enormous Papagayo Resort Collides With Costa Rica’s Forest Law

Guest Author -
On a stretch of Pacific coastline inside the Golfo de Papagayo tourism zone, an ongoing standoff between developers and environmental advocates reached a new flashpoint this week after the...

Costa Rica Arrests Man Over Alleged Death Threat Against President

Tico Times -
Costa Rican police arrested a man in San Carlos on Friday after authorities said he allegedly made a death threat against President Laura Fernández during her visit to Crucitas...

Ex-Costa Rica Coach Alfaro Leads Paraguay to Crucial World Cup Win

Tico Times -
Paraguay’s World Cup campaign came back to life Friday night under coach Costa Rican fans know all too well. Gustavo Alfaro, the Argentine manager who led Costa Rica through...

Costa Rica Faces Growing Pressure as Refugees Near 4.5% of Population

Tico Times -
Refugees and asylum seekers now account for about 4.5% of Costa Rica’s population, a sign of how deeply regional displacement has become part of daily life in the country. By...

Costa Rica Gender Violence Concerns Grow After Young Mother Shot

Tico Times -
The killing of Jocelyn Paniagua Gutiérrez in Alajuela has renewed concern over gender violence in Costa Rica, after relatives said the young mother had previously reported receiving death threats. Paniagua,...

Costa Rica Lawmaker Challenges ACAM Over Music Royalty Fees

Steven Hodel -
A ruling-party lawmaker has opened a public challenge against ACAM, the association that collects music copyright payments in Costa Rica, raising questions that matter directly to bars, restaurants, hotels,...

U.S. Demands Justice One Year After Roberto Samcam’s Killing in Costa Rica

The Tico Times -
The U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs marked the first anniversary of Roberto Samcam’s assassination in San José by calling for accountability in a case that remains one of...

Panama to Adopt Bukele-Style Prison Measures After La Joyita Escape

AFP -
Panama will adopt the kind of "hardline" prison reforms of its Latin American neighbors to address failures of its penal system following a mass escape this month, President Jose...

Costa Rica’s New San Carlos Highway Segment Gets Comptroller Approval

The Tico Times -
One of Costa Rica’s longest-delayed road projects has cleared a major hurdle after the Comptroller General’s Office approved a path forward for the central section of the new highway...

Costa Rica President Evacuated After Loud Blast During Crucitas Visit

Tico Times -
President Laura Fernández was rushed out of the Crucitas mining area Friday morning after a loud blast interrupted her official visit to the Finca Vivoyet property, where she had...

Mexico Clinches Group Control After Tense Win Over South Korea

Steven Hodel -
Mexico became the first team to take full control of its World Cup group on Thursday night, beating South Korea 1-0 in Guadalajara and turning what had looked like...

Costa Rica Expands EV Charging Network With 180 New Stations

Tico Times -
Costa Rica’s push toward cleaner transportation is getting a new boost, as the Costa Rican Electricity Institute, known as ICE, announced a $4.6 million plan to install 180 new...

Costa Rica Wants to Expand Private Airstrips for Luxury Tourism

Tico Times -
Costa Rica’s government is backing a legal reform that would allow private airfields to expand their runways and facilities, saying the change would help attract high-end visitors and private...

Costa Rica Braces for Wetter Weekend as Two Tropical Waves Approach

Tico Times -
Two tropical waves are expected to cross Costa Rica between today and Sunday, adding instability to the weather and raising the chance of heavier downpours across several regions during...

Costa Rica President Floats Referendum on Crucitas Gold Mining

Tico Times -
President Laura Fernández said the government could take the Crucitas mining issue to a national referendum if a bill to allow regulated open-pit gold mining in the area remains...

Cuba Weighs Major Economic Reforms After Raúl Castro Gives Approval

Tico Times -
Former Cuban President Raúl Castro gave his approval Wednesday to a package of economic reforms debated by top representatives of the Communist Party, Cuba’s only legal party, in Havana...

Costa Rica Residency Delays in 2026: What Foreign Residents Should Expect

Sponsored Post -
For many foreigners planning to live in Costa Rica, the residency process in 2026 has required one essential quality: patience. Applicants are currently facing delays at two major stages of...

Costa Rica Airport Travelers Now Have a New Uber Taxi Option

Tico Times -
A notable shift just landed for anyone flying into Costa Rica’s airport in San Jose. As of this week, travelers opening the Uber app for a pickup from Juan...

Costa Rica Sportfishing Industry Presents Roadmap for Coastal Communities

Tico Times -
Costa Rica’s sport and tourist fishing industry has presented a new strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening coastal economies, improving coordination with public institutions and promoting more sustainable use of...

Costa Rica Ends Papagayo Building-Rights Transfer Rule

Tico Times -
Costa Rica as thrown out a contested building rule at the center of a court fight over development in the Gulf of Papagayo. The rule had let developers combine...

English National Exam Suspended in Costa Rica After Reported Test Leak

Tico Times -
Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Education suspended and annulled the National Standardized Foreign Language Exam in English after exam material reportedly circulated among students before the testing process had...

Joy for Colombia, Heartbreak for Panama at World Cup 2026

Tico Times -
A day that began with hope for Latin America's two teams in action at the 2026 World Cup ended in sharply different moods — Colombia flying at the top...

Costa Rica Search for Missing American Hiker Takes Grim Turn

Tico Times -
Costa Rican rescue officials located a body Wednesday afternoon near the area where American hiker Ashley Nicole Phillips disappeared in Pérez Zeledón, bringing a grim new turn to a...

Costa Rica Arrests Soccer Club President Wanted by U.S. Authorities

Tico Times -
Wilder Eusse Osorio, president of Costa Rican First Division soccer club Municipal Liberia, was arrested Wednesday in San José after U.S. authorities requested his extradition in a drug trafficking...

Costa Rica Tightens Prison Rules for Inmates Facing Extradition

Tico Times -
Costa Rica has introduced new prison security rules for inmates facing extradition, cutting off physical contact during visits and requiring prison officers to use body cameras during interactions with...

Costa Rica’s Farmers Markets Are Still the Best Place to Buy Local

Guest Author -
Every weekend, towns across Costa Rica close off a street or fill a covered hall with tables of mangoes, hands of banana, fresh cheese and just-caught fish. The feria...

Costa Rica’s New Dog and Cat Breeding Rules Take Effect

Tico Times -
Costa Rica has put into effect a new regulatory framework for the breeding and sale of dogs and cats, a major change for an industry that has long operated...
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Popular Articles

Costa Rica Fuel Price Relief Could Take Time After Global Oil Drop

Tico Times -
The recent fall in global oil prices has raised hopes that gasoline and diesel costs may ease after months...

Costa Rica’s New Dog and Cat Breeding Rules Take Effect

Tico Times -
Costa Rica has put into effect a new regulatory framework for the breeding and sale of dogs and cats,...

Latin American Women Head to Wimbledon Without a Clear Favorite

Steven Hodel -
Latin America will not arrive at Wimbledon without talent. It will arrive without a clear women’s singles favorite. That...

Costa Rica Lawmaker Challenges ACAM Over Music Royalty Fees

Steven Hodel -
A ruling-party lawmaker has opened a public challenge against ACAM, the association that collects music copyright payments in Costa...

Beach Access Dispute Grows After Costa Police Remove Vehicle Plates

Tico Times -
Traffic Police removed license plates from several vehicles parked along the access road to Playa Blanca in Punta...
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Travel and Tourism

Costa Rica Expands EV Charging Network With 180 New Stations

Tico Times -
Costa Rica’s push toward cleaner transportation is getting a new boost, as the Costa Rican Electricity Institute, known as...

Costa Rica Wants to Expand Private Airstrips for Luxury Tourism

Tico Times -
Costa Rica’s government is backing a legal reform that would allow private airfields to expand their runways and facilities,...

Costa Rica Braces for Wetter Weekend as Two Tropical Waves Approach

Tico Times -
Two tropical waves are expected to cross Costa Rica between today and Sunday, adding instability to the weather and...

Costa Rica Airport Travelers Now Have a New Uber Taxi Option

Tico Times -
A notable shift just landed for anyone flying into Costa Rica’s airport in San Jose. As of this week,...

Costa Rica Search for Missing American Hiker Takes Grim Turn

Tico Times -
Costa Rican rescue officials located a body Wednesday afternoon near the area where American hiker Ashley Nicole Phillips disappeared...
Load more

Expat Living

Costa Rica’s Farmers Markets Are Still the Best Place to Buy Local

Guest Author -
Every weekend, towns across Costa Rica close off a street or fill a covered hall with tables of mangoes,...

IKEA Begins Costa Rica Rollout: Start Practicing Your Allen Wrench Skills Now

Tico Times -
IKEA is moving closer to opening in Costa Rica, and the country’s future furniture shoppers may want to start...

What It Really Costs to Live in Costa Rica as an Expat in 2026

Tico Times -
Costa Rica remains one of the most popular destinations in Latin America for retirees, remote workers and foreign residents,...

The Costa Rica Taxi Rule Every Newcomer Learns Fast

Don Mateo -
Newcomers to Costa Rica have to adjust to certain cultural and lifestyle habits here. A short list might include...

Costa Rica’s OIJ Warns of Surge in Virtual Kidnapping Scams

Tico Times -
Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) is warning of a steep rise in "virtual kidnapping" extortion, with complaints jumping...
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Latin America News

El Salvador Peach Festival Brings Highland Experience to Chalatenango

The eighth Peach Festival opened today in Río Chiquito, a community in the San Ignacio district of Chalatenango Norte. Local producers and tourism operators...

Panama moves 29 high risk inmates to Coiba prompting UNESCO warning

Panama’s Defensoría del Pueblo stated that reopening a penitentiary facility on Coiba Island could compromise the area’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site....

U.S. Calls Cuba’s New Economic Reforms Superficial Smoke Signals

The U.S. State Department on Friday dismissed Cuba’s newly approved economic overhaul as cosmetic, casting doubt on whether Havana’s biggest opening toward market-style reforms...

Panama to Adopt Bukele-Style Prison Measures After La Joyita Escape

Panama will adopt the kind of "hardline" prison reforms of its Latin American neighbors to address failures of its penal system following a mass...

Cuba Weighs Major Economic Reforms After Raúl Castro Gives Approval

Former Cuban President Raúl Castro gave his approval Wednesday to a package of economic reforms debated by top representatives of the Communist Party, Cuba’s...

El Salvador Closes National Park for Conservation Work

El Boquerón National Park, one of the easiest volcano stops for visitors staying in San Salvador, is closed from June 15 to July 15,...

Panama World Cup Travel Brings Busier Days to Airport

Tocumen International Airport is preparing for one of its busiest travel stretches of the year as the 2026 World Cup sends a wave of...
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Arts and Culture

Costa Rica Lawmaker Challenges ACAM Over Music Royalty Fees

A ruling-party lawmaker has opened a public challenge against ACAM, the association that collects music copyright payments in Costa Rica, raising questions that matter...

Costa Rica’s Farmers Markets Are Still the Best Place to Buy Local

Every weekend, towns across Costa Rica close off a street or fill a covered hall with tables of mangoes, hands of banana, fresh cheese...

Costa Rica Bookstore to Close After 130 Years

Costa Rica is losing one of its most historic bookstores. Librería Lehmann announced its permanent closure yesterday, bringing to an end 130 years of...

Costa Rica’s Landmark Same-Sex Marriage Stands as Court Tosses Annulment Case

A family court has rejected the Costa Rican government's long-running attempt to annul our country's first same-sex marriage, reaffirming the 2015 union of Laura...

Starbucks Adds Protein Cold Foam Drinks Across Costa Rica

Starbucks is adding a new line of protein-infused cold beverages to its menu in Costa Rica, bringing the chain’s latest regional drink platform to...

Costa Rican Chorreador Reaches Pope Leo XIV in Gift Rooted in Coffee Tradition

A Costa Rican chorreador, one of our country’s most familiar coffee brewers, has reached an unlikely destination: the hands of Pope Leo XIV. The...

Mariale Acosta Crowned Miss Universe Costa Rica 2026

Mariale Acosta was crowned Miss Universe Costa Rica 2026 on Friday night at the Costa Rica Convention Center, completing a comeback that had made...
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Environment and Wildlife

Enormous Papagayo Resort Collides With Costa Rica’s Forest Law

On a stretch of Pacific coastline inside the Golfo de Papagayo tourism zone, an ongoing standoff between developers and environmental advocates reached a new...

Costa Rica President Floats Referendum on Crucitas Gold Mining

President Laura Fernández said the government could take the Crucitas mining issue to a national referendum if a bill to allow regulated open-pit gold...

Costa Rica Sportfishing Industry Presents Roadmap for Coastal Communities

Costa Rica’s sport and tourist fishing industry has presented a new strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening coastal economies, improving coordination with public institutions and...

Costa Rica Ends Papagayo Building-Rights Transfer Rule

Costa Rica as thrown out a contested building rule at the center of a court fight over development in the Gulf of Papagayo. The...

Costa Rica Researchers Study Rare Meat-Eating Vulture Bees

In the forests of Sarapiquí, Costa Rica, some bees are drawn to something far different from flowers. They visit decaying animal remains, feed on...

When billfish returned to the conversation

There are stories that unfold quietly. They don't make sensational headlines or end with delegates storming out of the room in protest. They are quieter...

Costa Rica Wildlife Cameras Reveal Ocelot Naps and Crocodile Log Crossings

Where do I put my next camera trap? If you see me out somewhere and I have a kind of faraway look in my...
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