About five percent of the world suffer from anosmia– having no sense of smell. Everyone has likely experienced this at least once on a temporary basis when hit with a severe cold or sinus infection. One of the main side effects of covid as well, is loss of the sense of smell. This malady can …
Read more “Scents and Sensibility in Costa Rica: The Fragrant Life of a Tico Expat”
To me, Christmases past always seem better, happier and more promising than present ones. Either we were more innocent back then or the times were. For us (kings, editors and identical twins get to use the first person plural when speaking of themselves) the excitement of the holidays began in late November and lasted into …
Read more “The Best Part of a Costa Rica Christmas Is Remembering”
Illegal cattle ranching in Central America has triggered a resurgence of the screwworm, a deadly parasite once considered eradicated. Experts warn that stricter controls are essential to prevent its spread to Mexico and the United States. The New World screwworm, the larvae of a fly that infects warm-blooded animals, thrives due to livestock trafficking through …
Read more “Deadly Parasite Reaches Costa Rica After 30 Years of Eradication”
“Nicaragua has neither God nor law,” says the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, who accused Nicaragua of disrespecting international law and warned that he will take measures if former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli continues to send political messages from the Nicaraguan embassy, where he has been granted asylum. “Nicaragua is a country that has …
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As December’s cool breezes come to Costa Rica, our families gather to celebrate Christmas with cherished traditions and festive treats. Among the most beloved holiday drinks is rompope, a rich, creamy drink often described as Latin America’s answer to eggnog. While each country across Latin America has its own version, Costa Rica’s take on this …
Read more “Costa Rica’s Holiday Spirit in a Glass: The Story of Rompope”
Congressman Leslye Bojorges of Costa Rica’s PUSC political party presented a bill to allow the controlled hunting of crocodiles and caimans in Costa Rica. Bojorges seeks a change to the Wildlife Conservation Law, which would require Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) to develop and …
Read more “Costa Rica Proposes Controlled Crocodile Hunting Bill”
The U.S. Department of State recently updated its travel advisory for Costa Rica, urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime-related concerns. This advisory highlight both petty and violent crime as ongoing issues that could affect tourists. “Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, also …
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The tourist fishing sector in Costa Rica will launch a new project this month. Participatory Tourist Fishing is the first initiative in this sector to be financed with funds from the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) of the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica. The project seeks to answer a specific question: what would be possible in …
Read more “Fishing in Costa Rica Gets U.S. Support for New Initiatives”
Panama’s president appealed to US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday to maintain the aid Washington gives his central American country for deporting US-bound migrants. The United States has contributed $1 million towards the cost of deporting over 1,000 migrants who tried to cross the Darien jungle from Colombia into Panama since July. “I believe it …
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Costa Rica’s tourism industry is on track for a record-breaking year. By the end of 2024, an estimated 2.6 million people will have visited the country, representing a 10% increase over 2023 and surpassing pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019. According to data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, this growth is matched by foreign exchange …
Read more “Costa Rica Breaks Tourism Records with Over $5 Billion in Revenue in 2024”