Inter-American Court Rules Against El Salvador in Historic Abortion Case

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights condemned El Salvador this Friday for denying an abortion in 2013 to a woman, publicly known as Beatriz, despite her life being at risk and the fetus having a congenital malformation. For the first time, the continental court ruled on a case related to abortion, which is prohibited in …

Guatemala Rescues 160 Children From Religious Group Amid Abuse Claims

Guatemalan authorities rescued 160 children this Friday from a property belonging to the Lev Tahor sect, an ultra-orthodox Jewish group under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of minors, reported the Minister of Interior and the Prosecutor’s Office. “Operation allowed the rescue of 160 minors who were allegedly abused by a member of the Lev Tahor …

A Local’s Guide to Driving Across Costa Rica: Guanacaste to San José

When we moved to Costa Rica 12+ years ago, my new job managing a small non-profit brought us to a little beach town in Guanacaste. Life here has been good. Stunning beaches. Abundant nature and wildlife. Beautiful culture. Nice people. Delicious food. An overall slower pace of life. However, there are some things that are …

El Salvador Abandons Bukele’s Bitcoin Dream as Chivo Wallet Faces Shutdown

El Salvador will privatize or close the cryptocurrency wallet “Chivo” created by President Nayib Bukele when he made bitcoin legal tender in 2021, an official said Thursday. The announcement came after the Central American nation’s government reached a $1.4 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund that addressed its controversial embrace of bitcoin. While …

Costa Rica Tourism at Risk as Liberia Airport Struggles to Stay Open

The Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, the gateway to Costa Rica’s popular Pacific beaches, is facing a staffing crisis that threatens to derail the country’s crucial high tourism season. On Tuesday, the airport – known locally as Liberia International – suspended operations for several hours, marking yet another closure in a string …

US-Panama Deal Cuts Darién Crossings by 41% Amid Policy Change

The treacherous Darién jungle, a crucial corridor between Colombia and Panama for migrants heading to the United States, has seen a significant decrease in crossings as Donald Trump’s January inauguration draws near. Official figures show a 41% drop in migrant crossings compared to last year, with 300,000 people making the perilous journey in 2024 versus …

Actor Morgan Freeman Joins Celebrity Wave in Costa Rica

Costa Rica continues to shine as a top destination for celebrities seeking relaxation, luxury, and stunning natural beauty. This time, U.S. actor and producer Morgan Freeman visited the country from December 11 to 14, as confirmed by the General Directorate of Immigration (DGME). Freeman explored Guanacaste, one of Costa Rica’s most popular provinces for A-list …

Three New Plant Species Found Growing in Costa Rica

Three new plant species have been discovered in Costa Rica following an investigation by the National Museum of Costa Rica. The plants are identified as Miconia rupicola Gleason, Phyllanthus elsiae, and Coccoloba williamsii Standl., with the latter commonly known as “papaturro.” The first two species, previously noted in Nicaragua and Panama, were mentioned in the Manual de Plantas de Costa Rica as …