Month: July 2025

Costa Rica is the only country in the Americas that has an official religion—Catholicism—enshrined in its constitution. While the Constitution recognizes freedom of worship, Catholicism has a special status. The Catholic church is present anywhere you look in Costa Rica, from the streets of San José to the smallest rural villages. Not far behind are …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Religious Culture Through the Eyes of a Non-Religious Expat”

United States President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law on July 4, introducing a new surcharge for most non-immigrant US visas. The legislation adds a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” to existing charges, significantly raising the cost of entry for many Latin American travelers—including those from Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and …

Read more “US Visa Cost Increase for Travelers and Workers Under New Law”

Claudia Poll, Costa Rica’s only Olympic gold medalist, and two other former swimmers from the country, alleged on Monday that they suffered psychological, physical, and sexual abuse by well-known local coach Francisco Rivas, who has denied the accusations. “I suffered all the (psychological) abuses possible” from Rivas, said Poll, who won gold in the 200-meter …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Olympic Hero Claudia Poll Alleges Abuse by Famed Swim Coach”

Canadian visits to Costa Rica have started to drop in 2025, with crime playing a big part in the shift. Data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) shows a clear dip in arrivals from Canada, especially in recent months. For example, May saw a 5.3% decrease in Canadian tourists compared to the same month …

Read more “Canadian Tourism to Costa Rica Drops Amid Rising Crime Concerns”

The European Union and Central American nations came together for their first Association Council meeting in Brussels. They focused on growing trade and investment while tackling shared global problems. This step marks a key moment in their partnership, built on an agreement that fully kicked in on May 1, 2024. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top …

Read more “EU and Central America Launch First Meeting to Expand Trade Relations”

In 2026, the U.S. government will impose a 1% tax on cash remittances sent from the United States to Latin America. Electronic transfers will be exempt, but this measure will increase the cost of traditional remittance methods that many migrants use to support their families. Experts warn of two important effects this policy could have …

Read more “Costa Rican Economists Raise Alarm Over U.S. Cash Transfer Tax”

A strong earthquake struck off Panama’s Pacific coast today, rattling the region but causing no reported injuries or destruction. Seismologists pegged the magnitude at 6.2, though some early reports listed it higher at 6.6. The tremor hit at 11:53 a.m. local time, or 16:53 GMT, with the epicenter in the ocean about 206 kilometers south …

Read more “Strong Earthquake Shakes Panama’s Pacific Coast, No Damage Reported”

A team of UN human rights experts said Tuesday that involvement by the Nicaraguan government in the killing of retired major Roberto Samcam cannot be ruled out. They point to a pattern of attacks on opponents living abroad under Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s rule. Samcam, 66, was shot dead by assailants at his home …

Read more “UN Experts Warn of Possible Nicaraguan Government Role in Exile’s Murder in Costa Rica”

US forces teamed up with Panamanian police for fresh military drills focused on safeguarding the Panama Canal, starting amid ongoing debates about foreign influence on this key trade path. Three US Army helicopters touched down in Panama on Sunday at the National Aeronaval Service base in Arraiján, near Panama City. The lineup included two UH-60 …

Read more “US and Panama Begin Joint Exercises to Protect Panama Canal”

The colonial route of Panama, used for centuries to transport the riches of the Americas on mules and boats and considered a forerunner of the interoceanic canal, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO this Saturday. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the Spanish Empire transported goods from Asia and the Americas across the …

Read more “Panama’s Colonial Trade Route Named UNESCO World Heritage Site”