Month: October 2025

Belize and the United States have sealed a deal that positions Belize as a temporary host for migrants pursuing asylum in the U.S., according to announcements from both governments. The agreement, signed yesterday in Belize, lets Washington transfer certain asylum seekers to Belize while their applications undergo review. Officials from Belize described the move as …

Read more “Belize Signs Safe Third Country Deal with US for Asylum Seekers”

The United States Senate has approved Melinda “Mindy” Hildebrand as the new ambassador to our country, marking a fresh chapter in bilateral ties between our two nations. The confirmation came following a nomination from President Donald Trump earlier this year. Hildebrand is a prominent business leader and philanthropist from Houston, Texas, secured the position with …

Read more “Melinda Hildebrand Confirmed as US Ambassador to Costa Rica”

A strong earthquake struck near Quepos late last night, sending tremors across parts of our country and even into our neighbor Panama. The quake, measured at magnitude 5.9 by the United States Geological Survey, hit at 9:57 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 7 kilometers offshore from Quepos, a town about 150 kilometers southwest …

Read more “Costa Rica Shaken by a Quake with No Injuries Reported”

Scientists have identified a new salamander species in the remote páramo of Chirripó National Park, highlighting our country’s rich biodiversity and the pressing challenges facing high-altitude ecosystems. Named Bolitoglossa chirripoensis, this medium-sized amphibian stands out with its dark body marked by golden spots on the back and white flecks along its sides and tail. Researchers …

Read more “Scientists Identify New Salamander in Costa Rica’s Highest Peak Ecosystem”

The United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica have teamed up to bid for hosting the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This marks the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams, expanding from the current 32. U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone led the announcement in New York on October 20. She stated, …

Read more “Costa Rica Joins US-Led Bid for 2031 Women’s Soccer World Cup”

Rescuers in Venezuela recently saved a sloth trapped on electrical lines, a scene that played out on social media and drew attention to a wider problem plaguing wildlife in the region. The animal, clinging to high-voltage wires in an urban area, faced certain death from electrocution. Teams from the Chuwie Rescue Center in Miranda State …

Read more “Venezuela Sloth Rescue Exposes Wildlife Electrocution Crisis”

A push to keep Costa Rica’s beaches open to everyone took a step forward last week when a legislative committee approved a bill requiring at least three public entry points for each coastal area. The measure, now headed to the full Assembly for debate, targets barriers that have quietly restricted access despite beaches being public …

Read more “Costa Rica Lawmakers Push Bill for Guaranteed Public Beach Access”

The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) dismantled a gang dedicated to human trafficking for the sexual exploitation of minors after carrying out 19 simultaneous raids in different parts of the country, mainly in Heredia and Guanacaste. According to OIJ Director General Randall Zúñiga, the main targets of the operation were located in Playas del Coco and …

Read more “Costa Rica OIJ Arrests Human Trafficking Ring Exploiting Minors”

Contractors began repairs on the runway at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport this week, focusing on sections that did not meet required standards after a major overhaul earlier this year. The work, set to last 15 days, runs only at night to keep flights moving without delays. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation confirmed the …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Liberia Airport Fixes Runway Issues Overnight”

Five years ago, I began my journey using camera traps in wildlife monitoring projects in Costa Rica. A few years after that I began submitting wildlife articles to The Tico Times. I rely on my camera traps successfully recording Costa Rica’s abundant biodiversity as fuel for writing my articles. A few nicely framed videos of …

Read more “What Camera Traps Miss Chasing jaguars in Costa Rica”