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COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

Costa Rica’s May Beetles Vanish, Signaling Ecological Crisis

In Costa Rica, the iconic “May beetles” (abejones de mayo), known scientifically as the Phyllophaga genus, are vanishing at an alarming rate. These beetles, which have long heralded the...

El Salvador Denies Gang Pact Amid New Allegations from Barrio 18 Leaders

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele on Saturday shared images of gang members in a mega-prison to discredit statements made by two leaders of the Quarter 18 gang to the...

Living in Costa Rica as an Expat Isn’t Perfect—But It’s Better Than You Think

Anyone who has lived here more than a few months is well aware of the myriad problems present in 21st century Costa Rica: Violent crime (our murder rate per...

UNHCR Warns Funding Cuts Threaten Refugee Support in Costa Rica

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warns that a 41% funding cut is jeopardizing support for refugees in Costa Rica, especially Nicaraguans fleeing repression. With over 222,000...

How Trump’s Tariffs Threaten Costa Rica’s Exports and Jobs

A 10% tariff on imports from Costa Rica, rolled out by the U.S. government in April, could slash the country’s economic growth from 3.6% to 3% in 2025, says...

Costa Rica Faces Backlash Over Migrant Detentions and Rights Abuses

Costa Rica violated the rights of over 200 migrants deported by the United States—including 81 children—according to a report by the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), the...

Costa Rica’s Economic Growth Slows as Tourism and Agriculture Struggle

Costa Rica’s economic growth rate slowed to 3.9% in the first quarter of 2025, down from 4.6% during the same period last year, according to new figures released by...

Costa Rica’s 1710 Danish Shipwreck Redefines Slave Trade Narrative

An expedition of marine archaeologists from Denmark has unraveled the mystery surrounding two shipwrecks lying in the shallow waters of Cahuita National Park, on the Caribbean coast of Costa...

A pope for the ages: Is Leo XIV a young pontiff?

At 69 Leo XIV was elected pope at a significantly younger age than his two immediate predecessors, Francis and Benedict XVI -- something observers, including his own brother, believe...

US Denies Military Base Plans in Panama Amid Public Outcry

An agreement signed by the United States and Panama a month ago does not allow for the installation of U.S. military bases in the Central American country, as claimed...

Trump congratulates Pope León XIV, a “great honor” for the US

President Donald Trump congratulated León XIV, the first pope from the United States, in a message on his Truth Social network on Thursday. “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost,...

Historic Election of First American Pope: Cardinal Robert Prevost Becomes Leo XIV

In a groundbreaking moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born prelate, was elected as the first pope from the United States on Thursday, May 8,...

35 Years of Change: An Expat’s Nostalgic Look at Costa Rica’s Past

A relative newcomer to Costa Rica recently asked me what changes I had witnessed over the past 35 years of living here. I said something about how the number...

Costa Rica Orders Halt to Illegal Building in Protected Forest

The Osa Environmental Prosecutor’s Office has received a court order to stop a residential construction project in the Paso la Danta Biological Corridor in Portalón de Savegre, Quepos, after...

Costa Rica’s Record Meth Bust in Tibás Raises Concerns

Costa Rican authorities seized 48 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in Tibás, marking our country’s largest synthetic drug seizure. The operation, conducted by the Drug Control Police (PCD), Judicial Investigation...

Costa Rica Catholics Support Conclave Despite No Voting Cardinal

Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney this evening, signaling that the 133 cardinals in the 2025 conclave have not yet elected a new pope to succeed Pope...

Latin America Reacts to Trump’s 100% Tariff Threat on Foreign-Made Movies

“We want movies made in the United States again!” declared President Donald Trump, as he announced a 100% tariff on films produced abroad. Without providing details on the measure,...

U.S. Embassy in Honduras Issues Urgent Alert Over Mass Shooting Threats

The United States Embassy in Honduras issued a security alert warning of potential mass shooting threats targeting three locations in the capital, Tegucigalpa. The alert, based on information reportedly...

Poás Volcano Crater Glows Red as Eruptions Persist

Poás Volcano’s crater is emitting a red glow, identified by the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI-UNA) as burning sulfur, amid ongoing eruptions. Yesterday, eruptions ejected incandescent...

Thousands March in Panama to Oppose U.S. Troop Deal and Copper Mine Project

Thousands of students and workers marched on Tuesday in Panama City to protest against an increased U.S. military presence near the interoceanic canal, the potential reopening of an open-pit...

How Exchange Rate Changes Affect Costa Rica’s Tourism

As we all are aware Costa Rica's rainforests and beaches draw countless visitors each year, but the strengthening colón now raises costs for dollar-paying tourists. Recently, the dollar exchange...
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Popular Articles

El Salvador Denies Gang Pact Amid New Allegations from Barrio 18 Leaders

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele on Saturday shared images of gang members in a mega-prison to discredit statements made...

How Trump’s Tariffs Threaten Costa Rica’s Exports and Jobs

A 10% tariff on imports from Costa Rica, rolled out by the U.S. government in April, could slash the...

US Denies Military Base Plans in Panama Amid Public Outcry

An agreement signed by the United States and Panama a month ago does not allow for the installation of...

Canadian Government Issues Travel Advisory for Costa Rica

The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for Costa Rica, urging citizens to exercise a high degree of...

American Airlines Adds More Chicago-Costa Rica Flights for High Season

American Airlines has announced plans to increase its number of flights to Costa Rica from Chicago for their 2025-26...

35 Years of Change: An Expat’s Nostalgic Look at Costa Rica’s Past

A relative newcomer to Costa Rica recently asked me what changes I had witnessed over the past 35 years...

Living in Costa Rica: How One Expat Family Handles Water Shortages

She’s trying to do everything right. My wife set her alarm extra early. She got up with plenty of...

Latin America News

El Salvador Denies Gang Pact Amid New Allegations from Barrio 18 Leaders

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele on Saturday shared images of gang members in a mega-prison to discredit statements made by two leaders of the...

A pope for the ages: Is Leo XIV a young pontiff?

At 69 Leo XIV was elected pope at a significantly younger age than his two immediate predecessors, Francis and Benedict XVI -- something observers,...

Trump congratulates Pope León XIV, a “great honor” for the US

President Donald Trump congratulated León XIV, the first pope from the United States, in a message on his Truth Social network on Thursday. “Congratulations...

Arts and Culture

MegaCon 2025 Brings Global Pop Culture to Costa Rica

MegaCon 2025, Costa Rica’s largest pop culture convention, kicked off yesterday, at the Costa Rica Convention Center. Running through Sunday the event is expected...

Easter Weekend in Costa Rica: Traditions, Beaches, and Pura Vida

As someone who is rooted in San José, I’ve watched Semana Santa bring Costa Rica to life each year, and this Easter Weekend is...

Easter in Costa Rica: A Celebration of Faith and Tradition

Easter (Semana Santa), or Holy Week, is a cornerstone of Costa Rican culture, where centuries-old Catholic traditions blend with lively community spirit, captivating expats,...

Environment and Wildlife

Costa Rica’s May Beetles Vanish, Signaling Ecological Crisis

In Costa Rica, the iconic “May beetles” (abejones de mayo), known scientifically as the Phyllophaga genus, are vanishing at an alarming rate. These beetles,...

Costa Rica Orders Halt to Illegal Building in Protected Forest

The Osa Environmental Prosecutor’s Office has received a court order to stop a residential construction project in the Paso la Danta Biological Corridor in...

Poás Volcano Crater Glows Red as Eruptions Persist

Poás Volcano’s crater is emitting a red glow, identified by the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI-UNA) as burning sulfur, amid ongoing...