Costa Rica ranks as the second-worst country in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for transportation infrastructure quality, surpassed only by Colombia among 38 member nations. Coupled with the highest number of vehicles in Central America—344 cars per 100,000 people—this creates significant challenges for daily travel, impacting residents, expats, and tourists alike.
The OECD describes Costa Rica’s road network as “of poor quality,” with issues like potholes and narrow roads affecting routes to popular destinations such as Monteverde. Pacific port infrastructure, including Caldera, operates below capacity, leading to delays for imports and cruise ship schedules. The railway system is “underdeveloped,” primarily serving freight with limited passenger options, and intermodal connections—integrating road, rail, and sea transport—are “weak,” hindering efficient logistics.
Between 2015 and 2022, the number of vehicles in Costa Rica grew by 402,591, totaling a whopping 1,748,935 by 2022. This rapid increase, is disproportionate to Costa Rica’s infrastructure capacity (as anyone that lives here can attest to), exacerbates congestion, particularly in San José, where expats and locals face prolonged commutes. Tourists often encounter unreliable public bus schedules outside urban areas, prompting many to rent cars, which further strains roads.
The transport sector is Costa Rica’s largest consumer of energy, relying heavily on petroleum and contributing to 8 megatons of CO2 emissions annually. Despite Costa Rica’s reputation for sustainability, with 98% renewable electricity, public transportation accounts for approximately 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, challenging Costa Rica’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. These inefficiencies also raise costs for businesses, with the OECD noting that inadequate infrastructure increases logistics expenses, affecting expat entrepreneurs and the import/export sector.
The health impacts of congestion are also significant. The Association of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica has labeled traffic a public health concern, linking it to stress-related conditions. A 2023 study estimated that San José commuters spend an average of 10 hours weekly in traffic, contributing to elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety. Prolonged driving also leads to physical ailments, including back pain and fatigue.
Psychiatrist Francisco Golcher Valverde, president of the Psychiatric Association, notes that traffic-related delays and frustration can lead to increased irritability and aggressive behavior, affecting daily interactions for both residents and visitors.
Efforts to address these challenges are underway. The Central American Bank for Economic Integration recently completed a road infrastructure program, including bridges and roundabouts in San José, benefiting over 40,000 daily users. Additionally, a proposed electric train connecting San José to Heredia, Cartago, and Alajuela, supported by $800 million in funding from the European Investment Bank and other partners, aims to provide a sustainable transport option by modernizing 50 km of railway with 46 stops. However, funding constraints and slow implementation may (i.e. will) delay widespread improvements.
Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Mbappé become superheroes dodging rivals with “dreamlike” acrobatics: FIFA returns to the video game scene with a mix of soccer and extraordinary player powers, designed in Colombia. In an office in Bogotá, a group of tech-savvy forty-somethings specializing in design and 3D modeling are bringing FIFA Rivals to life — a cartoon-style mobile video game, full of bright colors, athletes with broad torsos and long legs, fiery trails from their moves, and balls that leave glowing streaks behind. The project is the global football governing body’s new bid to re-enter this billion-dollar industry.
For nearly three decades, the FIFA video game — hugely popular on consoles like PlayStation and Xbox — was one of the best-selling and most iconic games in history. But in 2022, FIFA ended its exclusive partnership with EA Sports, the American gaming giant that had co-developed it.
Now, FIFA wants to win back its millions of fans with a foolproof formula: a soccer video game for mobile phone users. This time, it won’t be a realistic simulator like the old FIFA. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and other soccer stars will be able to leap several meters and perform acrobatic stunts to score goals.
The game is “seeking its own identity; we don’t want to be a simulation game, (…) but we also don’t want to be at the other extreme of full fantasy games,” explains Jairo Nieto, CEO of Bacon Games, the company designing the game in partnership with U.S.-based Mythical Games.
The release is scheduled just before the Club World Cup, which begins June 14 in the United States, he adds. Unlike the old game, which cost around $70, FIFA Rivals will be free to download but will include in-app purchases to acquire athletes with special abilities.
Superheroes
Partners since 1993, EA Sports and FIFA became kings of the industry. Their franchise sold at least 235 million copies. When their agreement ended, The New York Times reported they had generated over $20 billion in revenue. Over nearly 30 years, they had a historic rivalry with Japanese company Konami, creator of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES).
After the split, EA renamed its product EA Sports FC. It lost the FIFA branding rights but kept the same approach of offering games that closely resembled real-life matches, featuring players nearly identical to their real-life counterparts. FIFA Rivals aims to change the traditional concept of soccer video games, according to the artists at Bacon Games.
Juan Duque is responsible for digitally animating the superhero-like movements of the players. It’s a video game that “combines two very cool things: real-life players, real-life championships, but dreamlike plays,” he says.
In an early teaser released on YouTube, players can be seen holding the ball with their feet and performing flips while fire bursts from their bodies. With this and other features, the developers hope to surpass tens of millions of downloads.
A Milestone
Nieto is convinced FIFA Rivals will shift the paradigm for sports video games of the world’s most popular game. He calls it a “milestone” for Colombia — a country with a prominent position in the region’s gaming industry but still distant from powerhouses like the U.S. and certain Asian countries.
On par with Super Mario or Pokémon, FIFA became a classic partly because of its realism. This time, Nieto and FIFA are breaking the mold, avoiding the replication of physical traits of soccer’s biggest stars in an effort to attract new audiences.
For example, Cristiano Ronaldo will appear as a broad-chested, muscular man, and Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will feature his trademark cheekbones and pronounced nose — exaggerated even further. Each player will have an artistic stamp.
“The goal isn’t realism but rather a kind of abstraction of the characters,” explains Andrés Hernández, a 3D artist at Bacon Games.
Costa Rica received a $15.6 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to continue to improve conservation efforts for the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR), a biodiverse marine region shared with Panama, Ecuador, and Colombia. This funding underscores Costa Rica’s leadership in global environmental stewardship and its commitment to protecting one of the planet’s most ecologically significant marine zones.
The GEF, a financial institution making up 18 international entities—including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, national organizations, and international NGOs—supports global environmental initiatives. The $15.6 million will fund the “Beyond 30×30: Ensuring Resilience in the Eastern Tropical Pacific” project, which aims to strengthen the resilience of the CMAR through improved cross-border cooperation and active involvement of coastal communities, particularly those in Costa Rica’s Pacific regions.
The Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor spans over 500,000 square kilometers, linking key marine protected areas such as Costa Rica’s Cocos Island National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, Colombia’s Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, and Panama’s Coiba National Park. This convergence of warm and cold ocean currents provides unique tropical, subtropical, and temperate ecosystems, supporting migratory species like sea turtles, whales, and hammerhead sharks, as well as endemic species found nowhere else.
Led by CMAR and Conservation International, with execution by the Pacific Foundation, the project will conserve at least 31.25 million hectares of the marine corridor. It focuses on strengthening regional governance, ensuring ecological connectivity, and promoting climate-resilient management. In Costa Rica, the initiative will prioritize sustainable development for coastal communities, aligning conservation with blue economy opportunities such as eco-tourism and sustainable fisheries.
“This milestone reinforces Costa Rica’s commitment to the blue agenda and the fight against climate change, especially as we prepare to co-host the third United Nations conference on the ocean with France,” said Franz Tattenbach, Costa Rica’s Minister of Environment and Energy. He described the GEF-funded project as “a landmark achievement in protecting one of the world’s most biodiverse and vulnerable marine regions.”
The funding was announced during a meeting of CMAR environment ministers in San José, where Costa Rica highlighted its 20-year leadership in the corridor, established through the 2004 San José Declaration. The meeting also marked Panama’s assumption of the CMAR presidency and celebrated the corridor’s role in advancing global biodiversity goals, including the 30×30 target to protect 30% of marine areas by 2030.
For Costa Rica, the project improves protections for Cocos Island and surrounding waters, a cornerstone of our country’s ecotourism industry, while addressing threats like illegal fishing. By fostering regional cooperation and community engagement, the $15.6 million initiative positions Costa Rica as a global leader for transboundary marine conservation, making sure the Eastern Tropical Pacific’s ecological treasures lasts for generations to come.
El Salvador’s Ministry of Education has launched a new initiative to incorporate Bitcoin education into the national curriculum for young students. The program, titled “What Is Money?”, is part of a broader effort to improve financial literacy across the country and introduce innovative financial concepts to the next generation.
The curriculum will initially roll out across 50 public schools located in the La Libertad department, an area recognized for its early and active adoption of Bitcoin. Targeting children between the ages of seven and thirteen, the program will provide students with three hours of weekly instruction focused on key financial topics. These include the history and evolution of money, the principles of budgeting and saving, and an introduction to Bitcoin and digital currencies as emerging financial technologies.
The lessons will be integrated into the Social Studies curriculum and aim to present complex financial ideas in an accessible and engaging manner for young learners. The educational materials have been specifically designed to capture the attention of students, using visual aids, interactive activities, and relatable examples to explain the fundamental concepts behind money and digital innovation.
This initiative reflects El Salvador’s ongoing commitment to financial education and its broader national strategy to incorporate Bitcoin into various sectors of society. Previous educational efforts have included the launch of Bitcoin-focused diploma programs for older students and scholarship initiatives for university-level Bitcoin development.
Through this new program, the government seeks to foster a deeper understanding of financial systems among students and prepare them for a future in which digital currencies are expected to play an increasingly significant role.
By integrating Bitcoin education at an early age, El Salvador aims to position its youth to be more financially literate, adaptable to technological changes, and capable of participating in an evolving global economy. The program marks a significant change in the country’s efforts to blend education with technological advancement.
Costa Rica’s tourism sector, a longtime bedrock of our national economy, continues to face an ongoing decline, with visitor arrivals dropping for seven consecutive months, according to industry data. A strong colón and persistent safety concerns remain key factors undermining the country’s standing as a top travel destination.
Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) President Róger Madrigal has acknowledged that the exchange rate, with the dollar near ₡500, is likely contributing to the sustained tourism downturn. “It must have some effect, but we shouldn’t focus exclusively on the exchange rate, as a wrong diagnosis could lead to inappropriate measures,” Madrigal said, underscoring the issue’s complexity. He indicated that intervening in the exchange market could disrupt other economic sectors, despite ongoing appeals from the tourism industry for action.
The appreciated colón is placing significant pressure on tourism businesses, 85% of which are micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. In Guanacaste, hoteliers have increased prices by up to 15% to offset losses, potentially deterring budget-conscious travelers. The sector’s repeated requests for exchange rate adjustments have yet to be addressed, with authorities prioritizing broader economic stability.
Persistent safety concerns are also driving tourists away. A National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) survey found that 62% of prospective U.S. tourists cited safety as a reason for choosing destinations like Belize or Mexico. Official data reports 880 homicides in 2024, 225 in 2025 to date, and over 6,300 tourist-related crimes, including thefts and assaults. A high-profile robbery near Tamarindo in early April 2025, widely circulated online, has further damaged Costa Rica’s reputation.
Critics contend that the government has not sufficiently tackled tourist safety. The Ministry of Public Security’s budget reportedly prioritizes urban areas over coastal regions like Limón and Puntarenas, leaving key tourism zones vulnerable. No comprehensive plan to address the ongoing rise in violence has been announced.
The industry is also grappling with a 10% reduction in U.S. airline seats to Costa Rica in Q1 2025 compared to 2024, limiting access for North American visitors, who represented 59% of arrivals last year. Meanwhile, Panama reported a 12% increase in U.S. tourists in the same period, benefiting from lower costs and perceived safety.
Tourism Minister William Rodríguez has urged businesses to adapt by adjusting pricing strategies, but with the low season underway, many fear closures. Coastal communities like Quepos and Nosara have reported a 20% drop in tourism-related employment since September 2024.
Despite these challenges, European airlines are increasing flights to Costa Rica for the 2025-2026 high season, signaling confidence in specific markets. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will operate five weekly flights between San José and Amsterdam from this October 26 to April 26 of next year, up from four, using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Air France will increase to nine weekly flights to Paris-Charles de Gaulle during peak periods (From December 15 to January 11 and February 9 to March 15 next year), with two daily flights on Mondays and Saturdays using the Airbus A350.
This expansion, driven by strong demand from French and Dutch travelers, contrasts with the decline in U.S. arrivals. The euro’s relative stability against the colón, compared to the dollar’s weaker position, may make Costa Rica more affordable for Europeans, while the Costa Rica’s appeal as a sustainable, nature-based destination continues to attract this market.
As these divergent trends persist, the tourism industry here continues to press for urgent measures to restore Costa Rica’s broader competitive position.
She’s trying to do everything right. My wife set her alarm extra early. She got up with plenty of time to futz around in her garden, lay out the kids’ uniforms for school, she even got her still sleeping husband’s coffee primed to brew, all with enough time to exercise before heading off to work. As I sit in my rocking chair, reading the news, she emerges from the other room sweaty from a workout and heads to the bathroom for a shower. Seconds later she reappears visibility ticked off. There’s no water.
Since moving to Costa Rica, we have made our lives on the coast of Guanacaste, a land renowned for beautiful beaches that can be enjoyed under cloudless skies for large portions of the year. While lack of rain makes for a great beach day, it isn’t great for the area’s water supply. As a result, by the end of every dry season, there’s at least some issue with the amount of water available to the community.
A lot has changed in the 13 or so years that we’ve lived here. There has been a steady stream of construction throughout Guanacaste and the demand for water has increased right along with it. In our area there was a big project to pipe in water from farther inland and as far as I know it has had at least some positive effect in satiating the community’s thirst. Are the levels of development outpacing the area’s ability to supply everyone with enough water? I don’t have the information to answer that question. What I do know is that you’d better have some water squirreled away by the end of dry season or you might be left high and dry.
Preparation is the key. In the little beach house where we used to live, we had a small water tank that could store a few days’ worth of water even when nothing was coming from the town’s pipes. This is definitely the way to go. There had to be a big problem for our family to use up hundreds of gallons of water from the tank. Unfortunately, our current rental does not come equipped with a water tank. When the water stops flowing from the town’s wells, we get that sad air swooshing noise instead of water when we turn on the taps.
Our current water storage system consists of a mess of six-liter water bottles that we have saved up from when the grandmas visit and need to drink bottled water because our water upsets their bellies. These bottles are hidden in storage areas or under sinks just waiting for their moment to shine. The precious potable water they hold is used to wash hands, brush teeth, boil pasta, and wash only the most important pans, plates, and utensils that you just can’t live without. In an emergency they can also be used to shower the fanciest members of the household who protest the other method cleaning oneself because she doesn’t want to smell like chlorine.
That brings us to the other, non-potable, reservoir of water available to my family in our current location, the pool. Of the many homes we’ve inhabited in our time in Costa Rica, this is the first time we’ve had a pool. It’s almost hilariously tiny, but it has been perfect for us to play in and, importantly, it is full of water when the town water is out. When the shower isn’t an option, the boys and I settle for ‘pool clean.’ Yes, the water’s a little cloudy and yes, one does end up with an air of chlorination afterward, but it has to be better than nothing, right? Besides its ability to at least slightly clean the men of the family, the pool has another use, a big bucket of pool water makes the household’s toilets function.
Periodic lack of water has been part of our reality since moving to Costa Rica. It’s definitely not our favorite part of living here but it usually doesn’t last too long and with proper preparation, it’s not the end of the world. It does come with an upside though, a level of appreciation for water when you have it. As sad as yelling “There’s no water!” is, you do get a little jolt of joy when you turn the tap and water comes flowing out and you get to yell, “The water’s back!”
About the Author
Vincent Losasso, founder of Guanacaste Wildlife Monitoring, is a biologist who works with camera traps throughout Costa Rica.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has confirmed an increase to five weekly flights between Costa Rica and the Netherlands for the 2025-2026 high season, strengthening direct connectivity between Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). The announcement, verified by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), underscores Costa Rica’s growing appeal as a premier travel destination for European tourists.
The expanded schedule will operate from October 26, 2025, to April 26, 2026, with flights scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. This marks an increase from the previous four weekly flights, offering travelers greater flexibility and access to Amsterdam’s extensive network of European and global connections. The flights will be operated using KLM’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, known for its fuel efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions, and enhanced passenger comfort with features like Wi-Fi and modern cabin amenities.
According to preliminary data, KLM flights are expected to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport at approximately 5:10 p.m. local time and depart for Amsterdam at 8:35 p.m., facilitating convenient connections for passengers traveling to and from Europe. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is configured with 30 World Business Class seats, 45 Economy Comfort seats, and 219 Economy seats, ensuring a premium travel experience for all passengers.
The Netherlands remains a significant source of European tourists for Costa Rica, ranking as the fifth-largest European market. ICT data for the first quarter of 2025 reports 10,370 arrivals from the Netherlands, contributing to a total of 158,842 European visitors by air. In 2024, Costa Rica welcomed 428,637 tourists from Europe, reflecting sustained tourism growth. The increased flight frequency is expected to further boost these numbers, supporting Costa Rica’s tourism-driven economy, which directly and indirectly employs over 600,000 people.
Adding to KLM’s expansion, Air France, part of the Air France-KLM group, announced in April an increase to nine weekly flights between San José and Paris-Charles de Gaulle during peak periods. From December 15, 2025, to January 11, 2026, and February 9 to March 15, 2026, Air France will operate two daily flights on Mondays and Saturdays, utilizing the Airbus A350. This marks the first time a European airline has had so many flights to Costa Rica, reinforcing the Air France-KLM group’s commitment to the region.
William Rodríguez, Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, marked the announcements as a milestone for our country’s tourism strategy. “One of our key priorities at the ICT is to consolidate and expand air routes to Costa Rica. KLM’s decision to operate five weekly flights next season enhances connectivity with the Netherlands and unlocks a wealth of European connections via Amsterdam. This is excellent news for our country, travelers, and the tourism sector, and we thank KLM for their continued trust in Costa Rica,” Rodríguez said.
The Air France-KLM group’s combined efforts will offer up to 14 weekly flights between Costa Rica and Europe during peak periods, significantly enhancing accessibility. Diana Vargas, Country Sales Manager for Air France-KLM in Costa Rica, emphasized the strategic importance of the market. “Costa Rica is a preferred destination for our clients. The increase in KLM and Air France frequencies reflects our commitment to meeting growing demand and providing sustainable, high-quality travel experiences,” she stated.
Travelers coming to Costa Rica at this time are encouraged to book flights early through KLM’s website or travel agencies, as high demand is anticipated during the European winter season.
As our United Airlines flight was descending into San Pedro Sula airport, the large square fields outside La Lima and the serpentine Ulua river brought back memories of so many landings and time here in Honduras. I was feeling good and looking forward to three nights stay at the Hliton Indura Resort in Tela, and fishing early the next morning near Punta Sal.
Honduras is a country I am fascinated by. It’s where I really learned Spanish (after college and in the Peace Corps back in the 80’s). It’s rich Pre-Colombian history, the Mayan empire, Christopher Colombus landing at Trujillo in 1502 on his fourth voyage to the Americas and his first landing on the Central American mainland, subsequent Spanish conquest, pirates, the Bay Islands, William Walker’s forays and eventual military execution on Trujillo Beach, and the infamous United Fruit Company and plantation agriculture established in the early twentieth century and continuing to this day are among the historical threads that awe me.
Tela, a two-hour drive from the San Pedro International airport, is a dusty and bustling town with incredible heat on the north coast, and is my preferred destination because of its beautiful beaches, friendly people, excellent fishing and a much shorter drive compared to La Ceiba and Trujillo. Tela was my former favorite get-away spot as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the 80’s, and still fun to visit. The azure ocean, strong yet predictable waves, and the wide open, seemingly never-ending beach going both ways is a memory burned into my brain.
Visiting Tela
Over the years, I have visited often and the place seems almost timeless. The major differences I see today are the fast-food restaurants and of course cell phones and internet, quite a bit more plastic trash, and a severe decline in ocean reefs. Other than that, the town remains very similar to the way I came to know it forty years ago. There is always talk of rebuilding Tela pier and the cruise ships it would bring. I want the best for Tela but in a selfish way I hope the cruise ship visits never materialize.
Being in Tela, I had to visit the Dr. Wilson Popenoe Botanical Garden, or “Lancetilla” as it’s known locally, despite having visited countless times over four decades. Popenoe, part of a north American family who loom large in tropical horticulture and agriculture, was tasked by United Fruit Company to establish and manage the Lancetilla Agricultural Experiment Station in Tela in 1925. (Read Wilson Popenoe. Agricultural Explorer, Educator, and Friend of Latin America 1991 by Frederic Rosengarten, Jr.).
Mangosteen, rubber trees, African palm, cacao, banana, pineapple, citrus, avocado, bamboo, chicle, edible nuts, sugarcane, tropical hardwoods and hundreds more species were grown there, and many of the agricultural species were dramatically improved through selection and plant breeding. This may have been the peak of tropical agricultural innovation, or at least the rapidity of it. Wilson Popenoe and the horticulturalists and naturalists of the period have been awe-inspiring to me ever since I first read about them in college. Life is not without tragedy and Popenoe’s first wife, Dorothy, died at 33 years old after eating a raw akee fruit, and is buried at the cemetery in the park.
Popenoe’e house still stands in an eery loneliness in the back corner of the park, which along with its gardens are neglected memories of a distant past. It seems like philanthropy is scarce these days, especially for botanical gardens, and so I point no fingers, but rather just reflect on how good this place could be, and that the memory of a pivotal time and place in the Americas deserves more recognition and prominence. Even as it is now, the park is a pleasant way to spend a few hours under the shade of immense trees such as the Ceiba tree, whose gargantuan, twisted branches, themselves the size of tree trunks, arch across the blue sky.
After arriving at Hilton Indura Resort late in the afternoon, I texted my confirmation for the fishing adventure the next morning, checked in, and walked around the property for the first time. The hotel property at Indura is incredible with amazing landscaping and gardens, a clean, well maintained beachfront east of Jeanette Kawas National Park, casual restaurants with superb fare and a preeminent Honduras flavor. The unpretentious yet elegant, tropical architecture of the rooms, a terrific staff with impeccable attitudes, and the uncrowded, unhurried environment puts this hotel on my favorites list.
Down at the Tela pier at daybreak, I waited for Enrique from Arrecife Tours (arrecifetours.com) to pick me up in his roofed, sturdy “panga” with an extra outboard motor in case ever needed. The pier was closed for repairs/inspection so I waited down at the waterfront and soon enough Enrique appeared with that indelible smile, his assistant, two ocean rods, live bait, life jackets, and a cooler full of water and fruit. I came prepared with my own telescopic rod and reel and my own preferred lures. I had fished with Enrique three times in the last year and so I was feeling experienced and confident on this sunny morning.
The trip to the reef near Punta Sal was less than 30 minutes and soon we had three trolling lines in the water. I was using a 5-inch long, multijointed and brightly colored Truscend lure on 30-lb braided line. Within thirty minutes I had my first strike and reeled in a nice 3-foot barracuda. We moved onto the rocks off Punta Sal and circled, trolling for the next two hours where I caught two more, a kingfish, and mackeral. I was happy, and ready to head back to the hotel for an afternoon web meeting.
The Road to Copan Ruinas
After three days in Tela, I was ready to try the drive to Copan Ruinas, about a 6 hour drive. I wanted to see how the Pan American highway was faring, which was newly constructed along the major part of the San Pedro to Copan route. After passing the bustling town and slow stoplights of El Progreso, it was mostly a clear shot to the Copan highway along the Circunvalación-El Estadio route. Google Maps works really well in Honduras.
I was happily impressed to learn that the new highway construction was made with concrete. This should last decades, as the similar construction between El Progreso and San Pedro over thirty years ago has proven. There is only one section, less than a half mile, that needs to be completed, near Quimistan, and that looks like just weeks away from completion. The rest of the highway to La Entrada and Copan Ruinas was in an excellent state, free of potholes, and the miles can be made at a good clip. Only a washed-out section (being repaired) a few miles from the ruins marred the otherwise good highway.
Copan Ruins remains the quaint, small, quiet, and friendly place that is has always been, just a few miles from the Guatemalan border. You can walk around the entire town in less than an hour, with its central plaza, small yet modern Mayan museum, cozy restaurants, coffee places, and small clothing stores and mini-markets. I started my mornings at Café Welchez for that first cup of coffee and a “baleada sencilla”. For dinner, Hacienda San Lucas (www.haciendasanlucas.com) has a nice overlook for sunset and provides a superb intake of Honduran tradition and ranch style, built over a century ago by a pioneering Honduran archeaologist.
The Mayan ruins are always inspiring and you may be one of only a few dozen visitors most days. The two nights at Hotel Terramaya on top of the town’s principal hill, just a short walk up from the Plaza central, were magnificently restful and relaxing. I welcomed the opportunity to chat with the proprietor about the state of tourism in Copan now. As with everybody in the industry, the pandemic created a precipitous downfall and it is taking a while to recover.
World and local news often only focuses on the problems in Honduras, but I see and feel a more optimistic and friendly country. I spent over seven years of my adult life living in Honduras and have made countless trips back to my favorite places like Tela, Trujillo, Roatan, Santa Rosa, and Gracias. I have driven through most of the country except the Mosquitia. I have always found Honduras to be friendly, welcoming, and upbeat. A simple Buenos dias or Buenas tardes goes so far here. And I will keep coming back.
The families of two Honduran women deported by the administration of former President Donald Trump — along with three American children, one of whom is battling cancer, and a Honduran girl — are facing a deeply traumatic situation, according to their lawyers and human rights activists.
In a new case highlighting the impact of Trump-era immigration policies, Honduran nationals Jenny López Villela and an unidentified woman were deported on Friday. López was deported with her two-year-old daughter, while the other woman was deported with her four- and seven-year-old sons, according to reports from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigration Project (NIP). All three children are American citizens.
López, who is pregnant, was also deported with her 11-year-old Honduran daughter. The younger of the two sons of the second woman has been diagnosed with cancer, according to the advocacy organizations.
A correspondent attempted to contact the families in Honduras. However, López’s attorney, Mich González, and Michelle Méndez, Legal Resources Director at the NIP, said in a phone call from the United States that the women have requested privacy as they endure the stress of their abrupt deportations and the separation from the children’s fathers.
“They are scared,” said González. “Both families are going through something very difficult and have expressed that they can’t believe this is happening to them. They are trying to figure out how to recover and what steps to take next.” Michelle Méndez called the situation “tragic,” emphasizing that the families have experienced “trauma and very difficult moments.”
The women were reportedly detained while attending routine immigration check-ins with officials in New Orleans, Louisiana. According to their attorneys, they were “tricked” into deportation by immigration agents. In response, Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s former border enforcement czar, told reporters at the White House on Monday that it was the mothers who “made the decision” and “requested” to take their children with them to Honduras.
“If you choose to have a U.S. citizen child knowing that you are in this country illegally, you put yourself in that position,” Homan said. In a related development, a federal judge in Louisiana announced a hearing scheduled for May 16 to investigate whether the government deported a U.S. citizen — López’s daughter — without due process. The case raises serious concerns over constitutional protections for American-born children during immigration enforcement actions.
The deportations come amid an ongoing legal battle surrounding a Trump administration decree, signed in January, aiming to abolish the constitutional principle of birthright citizenship in the United States. Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio García described the deportation as an “express repatriation” and reiterated an offer of support to the families made over the weekend by President Xiomara Castro, though he did not provide details about what assistance would be offered.
Costa Rica has issued a serious warning about the growing danger posed by vaping to public health, especially among minors. According to the Minister of Health, Mary Munive, other countries have detected the presence of highly dangerous substances, such as fentanyl, in these electronic devices.
“Vaping is something that arrived many years ago and has become fashionable, but it is a health risk product,” said Munive. The warning is primarily directed at parents and caregivers, as adolescents and young people are increasingly using these devices. “We are concerned that a population as vulnerable as minors is being exposed to these risks,” the minister added.
Another related concern is cannabis use in vapes. Cannabis contains two main components: CBD and THC — the latter being tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high.” THC should not be present in vaping products, yet many such cases have been identified in Costa Rica.
The Ministry of Health is also working on stricter regulations that would align vaping restrictions with those already in place for tobacco products. In response to these growing risks, the Ministries of Health, Education, and Public Security have launched a prevention campaign targeting high school students, specifically addressing the threat posed by fentanyl.
Authorities warned about the severe effects of fentanyl, its high addictive potential, and its marketing strategies aimed at young people. “Trying it can kill you. Fentanyl is being distributed and sold in various colors and shapes to appeal to the youth market, often disguised in drug pills containing fentanyl. A microdose can be fatal and can quickly lead to drug dependence,” said Mary Munive, who also serves as Vice President of the Republic.
The warning was echoed by Public Security officials. Manuel Jiménez, Vice Minister of Public Security, warned that fentanyl is being mixed with other substances to which young people have easy access. “Fentanyl is being combined with other drugs easily accessible to youth, posing a great risk because they often don’t know what they are consuming. It is easier to prevent drug use than to rescue young people from its devastating effects,” said Jiménez.
