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Costa Rica’s Trash Problem Begins in Our Own Neighborhoods

I was walking up the street toward my house when I saw a young man coming from the other direction casually toss a bit...

Costa Rica Water Outage to Affect 13,000 in Heredia

More than 13,000 people in San Rafael de Heredia are expected to lose water service for six hours today, while crews clean two storage...

Costa Rica Raises Mandatory Vehicle Insurance Rates for 2027

Anyone owning a car in Costa Rica will face higher mandatory insurance costs in 2027, with private vehicles, motorcycles and buses among the categories...

Dollar Slips Back Toward 450 Colones, Shrinking What Your Dollars Buy

The dollar closed Friday at 452.92 colones on Monex, down from 460.45 on Oct. 1, reducing what anyone earning or saving in dollars gets in Costa Rica.

Pandora Closes All Five Stores in Costa Rica, Leaving Shoppers With Questions

Jewelry retailer Pandora has closed all five of its stores in Costa Rica, leaving customers wondering whether the popular Danish brand plans to reopen...

Water Upgrades for Jacó, Quepos and Manuel Antonio Stall After Seven Years

A loan-funded program to upgrade water systems in Jacó, Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Limón and Guácimo has reached just 25% completion after seven years, according...

Costa Rica’s Pensionado Visa Ranks Fourth in Global Retirement Index

Costa Rica's Pensionado visa ranks fourth of 46 retirement programs worldwide on its $1,000 income rule and tax treatment. Paperwork is the weak spot.

Dollar Holds as Central Bank Warns US Rates Could Push It Higher

The dollar has eased from its early-October high, but Central Bank President Róger Madrigal warns a widening US rate gap could lift it again.

Fruit, Roadside Traditions and the Seasons of Guanacaste

I’m not good with exact dates. Ask me when my boys were born or when I got married and you’ll see an uneasy look...

Costa Rica Among Only Two Latin American Countries Where Most Say Nation Is on Right Track

Costa Rica is one of only two Latin American countries where a majority believes the nation is heading in the right direction, according to the 2026 Latinobarómetro.

Costa Rica Plans to Spread El Niño Power Costs Over Three Years of Bills

A government directive proposes recovering the extra cost of generating electricity during El Niño through rates over 36 months to avoid abrupt increases.

El Niño Leaves Guanacaste Dry and My Family Rationing Water

El Niño has turned Guanacaste's rainy season brown. One expat on dry rivers, thirsty wildlife and water rationing at home.

The Costa Rica Bike Ride I Was Lucky to Survive

Two anonymous Ticos once prevented me from doing one of the more insane things I have ever thought of doing in my life. It...

Costa Rica Red Taxis Can Now Be Booked Through Uber

Uber users in Costa Rica can now request one of the country’s licensed red taxis directly through the app. Uber Taxi started yesterday with...
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Costa Rica Moves 2,700 Corals Deeper to Escape El Niño Heat

Scientists moved 2,700 corals at Isla Tortuga into deeper water as El Niño heat raises the risk of bleaching on Costa Rica reefs.

Costa Rica Ransomware Attacks Rise 39%, Microsoft Reports

Ransomware attacks targeting Costa Rica increased by 39% over the past year, placing us among the world's ten most affected nations, according to Microsoft's...

National Team Defender Among Four Held in Costa Rica Loan-Shark Extortion Probe

Cartaginés right-back Carlos Barahona, 24, was detained in pre-dawn raids in Cartago as a suspect in extortion tied to gota a gota loans.

Costa Rica’s Public Schools Have Lost 180,000 Students in Five Years

Public school enrollment in Costa Rica has fallen 16.5% since 2021 as births decline, while private schools have added more than 12,000 students.