The Ruta de los Conquistadores, the famously grueling mountain bike trek across Costa Rica, begins Thursday. Bikers will start in Playa Herradura, Puntarenas and travel three days across jungle, volcanoes, and rivers to the finish in Playa Bonita, Limón.

A history museum in Rivas, Nicaragua, was the site of a key 1855 battle with U.S. filibuster William Walker, but the history is a little hard to untangle.

A round-up of the best events going on June 6 – 12.

A round-up of the best events going on May 30-June 5.

In her last major public speech before leaving office, Costa Rica’s Laura Chinchilla spoke for nearly three hours Thursday night about the perception of her presidency, her administration’s strategies and achievements, and the country’s continued progress in democracy and social development. But on her administration’s many failures, it was mostly finger pointing.

At a hearing in the International Court of Justice on Tuesday, Costa Rica dismisses claims made by the Nicaraguan government that road construction near the border represents an environmental threat.

Held at the Cervecería Nacional outside of San José, the event marked the second year Costa Ricans could attend with friends from the U.S.

AROUND COSTA RICA: Doing as the soldiers did

Second Vice President Luis Liberman heads the Chinchilla administration’s economic team. Will his experience in the private banking system help Costa Rica weather rough economic seas?

Officials said government agencies raided so far are under suspicion of corruption involving public monies.