An United States citizen armed with a knife attempted to hijack a small plane in Belize this Thursday but was shot dead by a passenger, local authorities reported. The Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft of Belizean airline Tropic Air had taken off in the morning with 16 people on board from Corozal bound for the island …
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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 no exception. It’s a time when faith, family, and our Pura Vida spirit collide in a beautiful, vibrant way. For expats settling in, tourists exploring, or travelers curious about what’s happening …
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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 years,” she says, her voice heavy with worry. Her story reflects a broader crisis gripping Costa Rica, where a sharp decline in tourist arrivals threatens the tourism industry—a sector that generates …
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Costa Rica is cracking down on illegal entries into its national parks and protected areas, citing dangers to visitors and environmental harm. Franz Tattenbach, Minister of Environment and Energy (MINAE), has called on lawmakers to approve a bill imposing fines of up to ¢2.3 million (approximately $4,400) on individuals and tour operators who access these …
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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 deploy troops in the Canal Zone. During a visit to Panama, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed the pact with Panamanian Security Minister Frank Ábrego. The agreement authorizes Washington to station …
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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% decrease from the 5,909 cases recorded during the same period in 2024. This marks a significant improvement from last year, which saw a record 27,791 cases by October. Despite this encouraging …
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Authorities in Costa Rica and Panama are investigating a Costa Rican bank for alleged money laundering and tax evasion involving over $100 million in undocumented transactions, according to a report by Panama’s La Estrella de Panamá newspaper. The probe centers on a network of companies, reportedly controlled by a Costa Rican businessman, that owns the …
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For the Oceans Foundation successfully completed the first stage of its ghost net rescue campaign in Costa de Pájaros, Puntarenas, removing approximately 15 tons of abandoned fishing nets from the seabed, enough to nearly fill a 20-ton truck, according to social media reports and foundation statements. The initiative aims to eliminate these silent killers that …
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In the Tilarán Mountains, Monteverde, Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and ecotourism. However, rising rents and land prices are driving gentrification, forcing many local residents to commute from nearby areas for work as living costs exceed their budgets. Ecotourism drives Monteverde’s economy, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year to its cloud forests and …
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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 black hole” without legal protections, warn human rights advocates concerned about the anti-immigration alliance between the two countries. On Monday at the White House, the presidents of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, …
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