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COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

Starbucks Costa Rica Embraces Eco-Friendly Practices in Four Newly Certified Stores

Starbucks has certified its first four Greener Stores in Costa Rica, aiming to reduce global carbon emissions, water usage, and waste sent to landfills by 50% by 2030. The stores meet standards across eight environmental impact areas, including water stewardship, energy efficiency, waste diversion, renewable energy, responsible materials, engagement with sites and communities, and health and well-being. One of the newly certified stores, located at Hacienda Alsacia, runs entirely on solar energy and features electric vehicle charging stations, a wearables program, and a commingled recycling plan. This initiative is part of Starbucks’ commitment to prioritize initiatives that help protect the planet.

Costa Rica Eases Driving License Rules for Tourists and Expats

The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica has passed a bill in its initial reading that aims to amend the Transit Law, allowing foreigners with tourist or transit visas to drive in the country using their foreign license for the duration of their visa. The bill also simplifies the process of homologating foreign licenses for those with approved or pending immigration status. The final vote is expected in early April, and once published in the Official Gazette, the law will become enforceable. This initiative promotes inclusion, mobility, and road safety for foreigners in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Launches Nationwide Measles Vaccination Campaign for Children

Costa Rica is launching a vaccination campaign from April 1st to May 24th, 2023, targeting 563,000 children aged 15 months to 10 years to protect them against measles, rubella, and mumps. The campaign, led by the Ministry of Health, CCSS, and PAHO, aims to achieve 95% coverage, as the country has seen a decline in vaccination rates in recent years. Health officials will visit schools, shelters, homes, and set up vaccination stations to administer the free MMR vaccine. The initiative is in response to a PAHO epidemiological alert due to the global rise in measles cases and low coverage of MMR doses in Latin America.

Today's Top News

Veteran’s Failed Hijacking of Tropic Air Cessna in Belize

An United States citizen armed with a knife attempted to hijack a small plane in Belize this Thursday but was shot dead by a...

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...

Costa Rica’s Tourism Crisis: Why Tourists Are Vanishing

Maria Vargas, a third-generation tour operator in Nosara, stares at an empty booking calendar. “This is the worst high season I’ve seen in 20...

Costa Rica Proposes Strict Penalties for Illegal National Park Entries

Costa Rica is cracking down on illegal entries into its national parks and protected areas, citing dangers to visitors and environmental harm. Franz Tattenbach,...

Panamanian Judiciary Moves to Prevent US Troops in Canal Zone

A citizens’ coalition on Wednesday asked Panama’s Supreme Court to declare “unconstitutional” a controversial agreement signed last week that allows the United States to...

Costa Rica Reports Sharp Dengue Decline, Urges Vigilance

Dengue cases in Costa Rica have plummeted in early 2025, with the Ministry of Health reporting 1,802 cases as of March 23, a 69.5%...

Costa Rican Bank Faces Money Laundering Probe Over $100M Transactions

Authorities in Costa Rica and Panama are investigating a Costa Rican bank for alleged money laundering and tax evasion involving over $100 million in...

Costa Rica Ghost Net Cleanup Saves Marine Life in Puntarenas

For the Oceans Foundation successfully completed the first stage of its ghost net rescue campaign in Costa de Pájaros, Puntarenas, removing approximately 15 tons...

Monteverde Fights Gentrification to Preserve Community

In the Tilarán Mountains, Monteverde, Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and ecotourism. However, rising rents and land prices are driving gentrification, forcing...

US Deportations to El Salvador Unveil a Human Rights Crisis

The deportation of migrants detained in the United States to El Salvador and their imprisonment in a mega-prison for gang members is creating “a...