No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaU.S. Embassy in Costa Rica reopens following 'security situation' in Pavas

U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica reopens following ‘security situation’ in Pavas [Updated]

This story was updated at 12:35 p.m. following the Embassy’s reopening. 

The United States Embassy briefly suspended normal operations Wednesday morning following an “evolving security situation,” but it reopened by the early afternoon.

At 12:30 p.m., the U.S. Embassy announced via Facebook that “the security situation in the vicinity of the embassy has been resolved” and that it would be returning to full operations.

The original alert followed an apparent fight at the Plaza del Oeste shopping center, which is located across the street from the Embassy in Pavas, San José.

“For your security, [and] for our security,” the U.S. Embassy had asked people with planned visits to reschedule. But with the situation resolved, the Embassy said it will resume holding routine appointments.


Read the original story below: 

The United States Embassy in Pavas, San José, issued an alert Wednesday morning regarding an “evolving security situation” at the Plaza del Oeste shopping center.

Read the Embassy’s full communication below:

Embassy San Jose has received credible information regarding an evolving security situation in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy in Pavas, specifically at the Plaza del Oeste shopping center across the street from the main Embassy entrance. Embassy San Jose directs all individuals with routine and prescheduled appointments today to reschedule. Those U.S. citizens with emergencies should contact the Embassy operator via 2519-2000 or via ACSSanJose@state.gov for more information and guidance.

Embassy San Jose will issue a follow up message when operations have returned to normal.

 

The Embassy did not answer a call requesting further information. The Tico Times is heading to the embassy, and we’ll update this post when we have more information.


This story was made possible thanks to The Tico Times 5 % Club. If only 5 percent our readers donated at least $2 a month, we’d have our operating costs covered and could focus on bringing you more original reporting from around Costa Rica. We work hard to keep our reporting independent and groundbreaking, but we can only do it with your help. Join The Tico Times 5% Club and help make stories like this one possible.

Support the Tico Times

Trending Now

Costa Rica Hosts Expotur 2026 as Tourism Arrivals Continue to Rise

Expotur, Costa Rica’s main tourism business fair, will return to San José from May 27 to 29, bringing international buyers and local tourism companies...

Costa Rica Mangrove Bees Create Unique Honey in Puntarenas

Families in El Establo de Pitahaya, Puntarenas, are building a small community business around one of Costa Rica’s more unusual local products: honey made...

Costa Rican Boxing Star Yokasta Valle Eyes Another World Title

Costa Rican boxing star Yokasta Valle will return to the ring Saturday, May 30, with a chance to add another major belt to one...

Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene Vacation Together in Costa Rica

Two of the most prominent Republican critics of President Donald Trump have turned up on a Costa Rican beach, days after political setbacks pushed...

Costa Rica Extends Corporate Email Rule to End of 2026

Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly approved a measure in its first debate on Thursday that extends to December 31, 2026, the deadline for commercial companies...

Keylor Navas Leads Pumas Into Liga MX Final Second Leg

Keylor Navas has Pumas UNAM one match from the Liga MX title after delivering the kind of performance Costa Rican fans have watched for...

Argentina’s Ugo Carabelli Joins Cerúndolo, Navone at Roland Garros

Camilo Ugo Carabelli outlasted American qualifier Emilio Nava 7-6(12-10), 6-3, 6-3 at Roland Garros on Monday, surviving a marathon opening tiebreak to advance to...

Costa Rica Warns Smoking and Vaping Raise Heart Attack Risk Under 40

Costa Rica health officials are warning that smoking and vaping are putting younger adults at serious risk of heart attacks, with specialists from the...

Costa Rica Braces for Rain and Thunderstorms as Tropical Wave Moves Through

Costa Rica will see unstable weather from today through June 3, with warm mornings followed by afternoon and early-evening rain across much of pur...
🌴 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

Live prediction market odds via Kalshi. Updates every 60 seconds.
Kalshi is available to US residents 18+. The Tico Times may earn a commission from new signups.

Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel