In the United States, Halloween ranks as the second-biggest commercial holiday, pulling in billions each year through costumes, candy and decorations. Here in Costa Rica, the day draws mixed reactions—some embrace it with parties and trick-or-treating, while others push back, viewing it as a foreign import that clashes with national identity or Catholic values. Yet …
Read more “The Celtic and Christian Beginnings of Halloween Explained”
A panel of United Nations human rights experts pressed the international community on Thursday to take action against Nicaragua’s leaders, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, for what they described as systematic violations amounting to crimes against humanity. The experts presented their findings for the first time to the UN General Assembly, highlighting a pattern of …
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From La Llorona’s anguished weeping to El Cadejo’s ominous rattling chains, Costa Rica’s folklore is rich with chilling tales passed down through generations. For those intrigued by the supernatural side of Costa Rica, we’ve gathered the country’s most bone-chilling legends guaranteed to raise goosebumps. Get ready to discover the creepy colonial-era monsters, vengeful saints, ghostly …
President Rodrigo Chaves has intensified his public feud with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), drawing sharp rebukes from its leadership and raising alarms about the health of Costa Rica’s democratic institutions as the 2026 elections approach. Chaves’ latest outburst came after the TSE requested that the Legislative Assembly remove his constitutional immunity. This move aims …
Read more “Costa Rica Democracy Under Threat from Chaves-TSE Conflict”
Costa Rica’s legislature has passed a bill that lets police conduct raids around the clock to tackle rising drug-related killings and gang activity. The measure, approved in its final debate this week, removes time limits on searches, giving authorities more flexibility to act against criminal networks. Lawmakers voted 43-0 on Tuesday to advance the legislation, …
Read more “Costa Rica Passes 24/7 Raid Bill to Fight Drug Gangs”
As October draws to a close, Costa Ricans prepare for Halloween with a mix of modern festivities and age-old tales that echo through rural communities. While carved pumpkins and costumes have gained popularity in urban areas, the holiday often revives local folklore, including ghost stories passed down for generations. One such narrative, the legend of …
Read more “Costa Rica’s Phantom Ox Cart is a Halloween Legend Rooted in History”
Nantipa Resort in Santa Teresa has secured a place among the top 20 resorts in Central America in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. This marks a key achievement for the Costa Rican property in one of the travel industry’s established honors. Readers from across the globe cast more than 757,000 votes to rate …
Read more “Costa Rica’s Nantipa Named Among Best Resorts by Condé Nast Traveler”
Use it or lose it. I passed a month speaking zero Spanish and was anxious to get the tongue rolling again. With each passing year I forget a few words, and find myself saying ‘Como?’ in conversation too often. The more time away, the more time my brain needs to limber up and regain fluency. …
Read more “Costa Rica Expat Back in LA Where Pura Vida Meets Melrose”
The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) has rolled out new guidelines that will reshape how students present themselves in public schools across Costa Rica starting in the 2026 school year. These rules target personal expression through bans on tattoos, makeup, and certain accessories, sparking discussions among families, educators, and legal specialists. The changes aim to …
Costa Rica’s national parks and protected areas face growing threats from budget shortfalls, surging visitor numbers, and climate shifts, according to a recent report from the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED). The study highlights how these pressures weaken conservation work and risk the country’s renowned biodiversity. The National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), tasked with …
Read more “Costa Rica National Parks Face Threats from Tourism and Budget Cuts”