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COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

Tamales in Costa Rica – A Christmas Tradition..

Tamales, a staple of Christmas in Costa Rica dating back to pre-Columbian times, see an estimated consumption of 196 million pairs in December. Traditionally wrapped in banana or plantain leaves, these tamales contain seasoned masa, vegetables, and usually pork. A University of Costa Rica study found that 91.3% of Ticos engage in this tradition, with 62% preparing them at home, spending about $50 for 50 tamales. The cherished custom of the tamaleada brings friends and family together to enjoy tamales, coffee, and conversation, underscoring its role in Costa Rican Christmas celebrations…

Drug Gangs Target Businesses in Costa Rica..

In Costa Rica, a surge in extortion cases has been reported, primarily by two criminal gangs, Los Lara in San Jose and Diablo across the Caribbean. Jose Solano from the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) notes that extortionists often obtain phone numbers from advertisements and social networks, falsely claiming ties to international cartels, and demanding large sums, typically over ten million colones, via Sinpe mobile or international transfers. As of November 2, there were 686 registered complaints. Solano warns against “gota a gota” loans, where small loans incur high weekly repayments, advising to avoid these loans, document lender details, and report any incidents to authorities…

Costa Rica’s Unprecedented Heat..

November 2023 was recorded as the hottest November since 1940, with temperatures in Costa Rica 1.0°C above normal, as reported by the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN). This follows a trend of warmer conditions nationwide since May. The European observatory Copernicus also noted that globally, November 2023 was the warmest on record, exceeding a 0.85°C increase. Climate change, El Niño, and rising temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea are cited as primary causes. Experts anticipate a 1 to 2 degrees increase in temperatures in Costa Rica over the next three months, especially in the Central Pacific, North Pacific, and Central Valley regions. Furthermore, Guanacaste experienced an 88% surplus in rainfall, attributed to the significant warming of the Caribbean Sea waters…

Costa Rica Bans Toxic Pesticide Chlorothalonil.. 

On May 31st, 2023, Costa Rica banned the pesticide chlorothalonil, following a decree by President Rodrigo Chaves. Widely used on various crops, chlorothalonil has been a subject of environmental concern due to its persistence and potential negative impacts, including being classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and concerns about groundwater contamination noted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The ban was enacted after a technical report by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage, and was mandated by the Constitutional Chamber. The Ministries of Health, Environment and Energy, and Agriculture and Livestock are collaborating to develop a comprehensive pesticide management policy, a move hailed as a significant victory by environmental lawyer Alvaro Sagot…

Today's Top News

6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province

Yesterday, a strong earthquake shook the province of Guanacaste at about 11:43 a.m. The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) reported that...

Costa Rica vs Guatemala: Nations League Showdown in San José

After Friday's 1-1 draw away to Suriname, Costa Rica returns to the comforts of home to face off against Guatemala on Wednesday evening, aiming...

Citizen Science Boosts Marine Protection in Costa Rica

In an effort to protect  marine life, the seventh Scientific Fisheries Monitoring event took place in the Bahía Santa Elena Marine Management Area (AMMBSE)....

Banana Production In Costa Rica: Another Perspective

Often, we receive letters about issues we cover in the Tico Times. While most could be called "manifestos", wild conspiracy theories or personal attacks...

Nicaragua Severs Diplomatic Ties with Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Nicaragua announced this Friday that it will break diplomatic relations with Israel, a country that Daniel Ortega's government had been criticizing for its war...

Bolt Ride-Hailing App Plans to Launch in Costa Rica

Costa Rica will soon welcome a new transportation services platform. Bolt, which operates in Europe and Africa, has announced its entry into the national...

Global Volunteers Converge on Costa Rica for Wildlife Conservation

National Geographic underscored Costa Rica’s tourism strategy, which involves local community participation in managing environmental and ecological tourism. The publication emphasized the importance of...

Costa Rica Held to 1-1 Draw by Suriname in CONCACAF Nations League

Costa Rica and Suriname saw out a tightly fought 1-1 draw on Friday night in Paramaribo, thanks to goals from Josimar Alcócer and Gleofilo...

Five Take-Aways From A Year in Costa Rica

I’ve spent the past year on the south Pacific coast, and I’m struck by how much this country offers me—in terms of people, lifestyle...

EU Gray List: Costa Rica’s Push for Tax Transparency

Costa Rica remains on the European Union's (EU) gray list. Despite approved tax reforms and improved fiscal figures, they were insufficient for the country...