Paul Thomas Walter, 62, died of a heart attack on March 13 while hiking near Arenal Volcano. He was one of two U.S. hikers to die on trails in Costa Rica that day.
According to OIJ Director Francisco Segura Montero, 45 people have been shot dead by motorcyclists since the beginning of 2014. Honduras, Guatemala and several other Latin American countries prohibit passengers on motorcycles. But it's unclear whether the rule has reduced crime in those countries.
Rainfall along the Pacific coast has gradually returned to normal levels following last year's decrease in rainfall of up to 65 percent in Guanacaste and 30 percent in Puntarenas.
Strong winds and a choppy sea destroyed the bridge and dock ramp to access the ferry in Playa Naranjo on March 8, forcing ferry owner Coonatramar to suspend the service.
At dawn on Saturday the hikers managed to make a phone call from a mobile phone and send some details on their location, which allowed rescuers to find them.
One of the major proposed changes would swap the current sales tax for a value added tax that would encompass services as well as goods. Tourism activities would be exempt for the first year after the law goes into effect, then charged 5 percent in the second year, 10 percent in the third and 15 percent starting the fourth year.
