Tourism Ministry officials on Thursday reported that revenues from Costa Rica's travel sector last year totaled $2.6 billion, an 8.3 percent increase over the $2.4 billion registered in 2013, according to figures from the Central Bank.
Costa Rica’s Red Cross reported that 79 people died by accidents and other violent causes in the first 19 days of this month. That exceeds by 27 the number of deaths registered in the same period last year, when the Red Cross reported 52 deaths.
Costa Rica's exports of goods last year totaled $11.2 billion, representing a 2.4 percent decrease compared to the $11.5 billion registered in 2013, the Foreign Trade Promotion Office reported.
Recent cases of aggression against animals in Costa Rica have prompted animal rights advocates and everyday citizens to pressure lawmakers to pass an Animal Welfare Bill currently awaiting discussion in the Legislative Assembly.
Media reports on Monday stating that Colombian carrier Avianca will suspend three of its flights from Costa Rica to Mexico, Brazil and Chile starting next month have alarmed many of the airline's customers. In a response, however, the airline denied that those routes will be cancelled or suspended.
The 2.01 percent salary increase approved in October by the National Wages Council went into effect on Thursday and will remain in place for the first six months of this year.
The National Insurance Institute (INS) at noon Wednesday closed collection at their facilities of the year-end auto registration fee and mandatory vehicle circulation permits, known as marchamos, and reported that some 78.9 percent of motorists made the payment on time.
