Costa Rica Eyes Complete Vape Ban to Combat Rising Teen Use and Risks

A lawmaker from Costa Rica’s ruling party has introduced a bill to outlaw vapes entirely, targeting their import, sale, and use across the country. Ada Acuña, a deputy with the Partido Progreso Social Democrático, filed the proposal on November 18 under file number 25.309. The measure aims to prohibit all activities related to electronic nicotine …

Trump Pardon Frees Ex Honduran President Hernández Before Crucial Vote

Juan Orlando Hernández has a kind of luck that borders on a miracle. Born in a very poor household, he rose to become president of Honduras, and when it seemed he would spend the rest of his life in prison for drug trafficking, he received a pardon from Donald Trump. Brought down from grace by …

Costa Rica’s La Fortuna Waterfall Ranks in Top 1% Globally on TripAdvisor

La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica received TripAdvisor’s “Best of the Best” award for the second straight year in the Travellers’ Choice 2025 rankings. This honor places the site among the top 1% of attractions globally, based on millions of traveler reviews and ratings. The waterfall, a key draw in the Arenal Volcano National Park …

Spirit Airlines Starts Nonstop Flights to Belize from Fort Lauderdale

Spirit Airlines has started nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale to Belize City, marking a new option for travelers heading to Central America. The service began on November 21, and it runs three times a week on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This route connects Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize …

Costa Rica Ranks Third in 2025 Global Retirement Index

Costa Rica has earned third place in International Living’s 34th Annual Global Retirement Index for 2025, a solid performance that keeps the country among the world’s top retirement spots despite a slight drop from recent years. The index, which evaluates countries based on factors like cost of living, healthcare, climate, and residency options, highlights Costa …

Trump Threatens Serious Consequences Over Razor Thin Honduras Presidential Race

US President Donald Trump warned Monday of “serious consequences” if a supposed attempt to “change” the results of Honduras’s presidential election is confirmed, as a technical tie persists between right-wing candidates Nasry Asfura, whom he backs, and Salvador Nasralla. Trump has taken an active role in the vote held Sunday, threatening to cut cooperation with …

Costa Rica’s Local Beach Economy Through the Eyes of an Expat

Change is in the air. The threatening, gray, rain-filled clouds of September and October are starting to give way to the pleasing, fluffy, white clouds of dry season. That means high season is right around the corner and the near-empty local beaches are about to see a significant uptick in both Tico and foreign visitors. …

Mass Die-Off in Costa Rica’s Madre de Dios Lagoon Sparks Alarm

A wave of dead fish, birds and reptiles has washed up along the canals and beaches linked to Madre de Dios Lagoon, signaling a fresh environmental crisis in this key biodiversity zone on Costa Rica’s Caribbean side. Local residents and tourism operators report seeing hundreds of snook, snapper, tilapia, seagulls and even crocodiles floating lifeless …

Costa Rica Joins Forces in Bid to Host 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Costa Rica has stepped into the global spotlight with a joint bid to co-host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside the United States, Mexico, and Jamaica. The four nations submitted their formal proposal to FIFA last week, marking a significant move for women’s football in the region. The bid, announced in October, positions the …

Costa Rican Junior Tennis Gains Momentum with Korneva’s ITF Victory

Alexandra Korneva lifted the trophy at the ITF J30 San José this past weekend, capping a strong performance that highlights how local tournaments here serve as early markers for young talents eyeing bigger prizes, including the junior draws at the Australian Open. The Armenian teenager’s victory came just days before the calendar flips to a …