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COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

Costa Rica battles rising dengue fever outbreak

Costa Rica experienced a surge in dengue fever cases. The uptick was concentrated in the Central North, Central South, and Central Pacific regions, with the cantons of Alajuela, San José, Puntarenas, Turrialba and Atenas being hardest hit. Though no deaths occurred, health authorities ramped up interventions like fumigations, breeding site cleanups, and door-to-door inspections aimed at curbing the outbreak and preventing further spread of the mosquito-borne virus. Officials urge public cooperation with prevention measures while noting that consistent elimination of standing water sources is key to disrupting dengue transmission.

Airbnb Alert on Currency Charges for Travelers

Airbnb announced important policy changes taking effect in March and April 2024, including newly imposed fees on bookings involving multiple currencies. When guests pay in a different currency than the one hosts set for listings, Airbnb will charge up to 2% more on the total booking cost. Alongside expanded terms and conditions and privacy rules also being instituted, Airbnb states the updates aim to support operational complexities while providing value. All users must review and consent to the new policies by March 28 to continue accessing the platform, with the option to delete accounts if unwilling to agree to the altered terms.

Costa Rica’s $75 Million Fishing Industry Overhaul Raises Red Flags

Costa Rica’s $75 million World Bank-financed sustainable fishing program, intended to economically uplift coastal communities while protecting fisheries, has alarmingly stalled due to the lead agency’s financial mismanagement and failure to engage stakeholders or utilize funds. This squandering of resources amid unchecked overfishing and habitat loss represents a devastating setback that jeopardizes the industry’s future sustainability. Urgent action is needed to get the initiative back on track through transparent governance, research on threatened species, and ensuring fishermen benefit in order to safeguard both environmental and community wellbeing across Costa Rica’s vulnerable coasts.

Today's Top News

Costa Rica Prepares for US Secretary Rubio’s Official Visit

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit Costa Rica between late January and early February. This will be Rubio's first trip abroad...

Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas Signs 2-Year Deal With Newell’s Old Boys

Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas was presented this Friday as a new signing for Argentina's Newell's Old Boys. He revealed he spoke with star...

Fishing tourism as a pillar of the blue economy: Michael Jordan’s Costa Rican experience

Michael Jordan’s second visit to Costa Rica for recreational fishing in 2025 underscores the growing significance of this activity not only as a leisure...

Costa Rica Grapples with Rural Gentrification and Property Prices

A recent National University (UNA) survey reveals that 86.8% of Costa Ricans believe foreign residents are appropriating coastal properties. The study found that 76.9%...

Costa Rica Limits Access to Active Poas Volcano Due to Safety Concerns

The Poás Volcano has registered an increase in its activity in recent weeks. The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) reports increased...

US Secretary Rubio to Visit Panama Amid Canal Tensions

Marco Rubio will make his first trip as US secretary of state to Central American nations including Panama, a spokeswoman said Thursday, after President...

Costa Rica Wildlife Reveals Mysterious Striped Hog-Nosed Skunk

Today we meet the striped hog-nosed skunk, a little-known species that inhabits forests throughout Costa Rica. The striped hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus semistriatus) is known...

USA Dominates Costa Rica 3-0 in Miguel Herrera Debut Match

Miguel Herrera's first match in charge of Costa Rica ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of the USA. In team news,...

New ₡500 Coin in Costa Rica: Design, Features, and Exchange Deadline

Time is running out to spend your old ₡500 coins! The Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) has announced that the current golden ₡500...

Guatemalan Journalists Face Ongoing Judicial Persecution

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported Wednesday that journalists in Guatemala continue working in a "hostile" environment due to ongoing "criminalization" cases driven by the...