Month: January 2026

Costa Rica Police arrested two teenagers on Thursday morning in Betania de Siquirres after a months-long probe into a small but aggressive extortion operation. The suspects, aged 16 and 17, face charges of extortion and attempted homicide for pressuring local youths with demands for cash payments and backing those threats with gunfire. The Organismo de …

Read more “Costa Rica Police Raid Dismantles Teen Extortion Ring Targeting Rivals”

As the 2026 tennis season kicks off, world number one Aryna Sabalenka has spoken out against the packed schedule, labeling it as too demanding and announcing her intent to pull out of select tournaments to safeguard her physical condition. This comes just days before the Australian Open, where players face mounting pressure to perform at …

Read more “Why Aryna Sabalenka Is Skipping Tournaments to Prep for Australian Open 2026”

A tourism and residential development in Manuel Antonio faces growing scrutiny as local figures push for a construction stop due to alleged harm to the environment. The project, known as Ocean Cove, has drawn complaints for proceeding without proper approvals. Lawyer Wálter Brenes filed formal reports on December 9, with the National System of Conservation …

Read more “Environmental Concerns Prompt Calls to Halt Ocean Cove Project in Manuel Antonio”

Motorists traveling between the capital and the Caribbean coast need to adjust their plans this week. Route 32, the key highway linking San José to Limón, will experience full temporary closures starting today as workers install aerial wildlife crossings at several locations. The installations form part of ongoing efforts to safeguard animals in Braulio Carrillo …

Read more “Costa Rica Highway to Close Temporarily for Wildlife Crossing Installations”

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador plans to arrive in Costa Rica next week for an official visit focused on the country’s new high-security prison project. The trip centers on the Centro de Alta Contención y Crimen Organizado (CACCO), a facility under construction at La Reforma prison complex in Alajuela. Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves …

Read more “El Salvador’s Bukele to Break Ground on Costa Rica’s Mega-Prison”

The Osa Peninsula has landed on The New York Times’ annual list of 52 places to visit in 2026, ranking fourth overall. This recognition points to the region’s rich biodiversity and its role as a quieter option compared to busier parts of Costa Rica. The Times describes Osa as a relaxed escape with open beaches …

Read more “New York Times Spotlights Costa Rica’s Osa as Top 2026 Travel Pick”

Authorities in Costa Rica continue to investigate the homicide of 36-year-old Francisco Ojeda Garcés, a Chilean environmentalist who had lived in the country for about three years. His body was found on the shore of Playa Dominicalito in Bahía Ballena, Osa, Puntarenas, on the morning of December 26, 2025. Ojeda Garcés had participated in a …

Read more “Death of Foreign Activist Adds to Costa Rica’s Mounting Security Concerns”

Costa Rica’s real estate market heads into 2026 with steady footing after recent adjustments in high-end coastal areas. Buyers and investors find a landscape marked by balanced supply, reasonable price gains, and solid interest from abroad. Data from recent reports point to a shift away from the sharp rises of past years toward more even …

Read more “Guanacaste Leads Coastal Recovery in Costa Rica Real Estate”

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Venezuela plans to transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of crude oil to the United States. This move follows a U.S. military operation that removed former President Nicolás Maduro from power last weekend. Trump described the oil as high-quality and sanctioned, estimating its value at over $2 …

Read more “Trump Announces Venezuela Oil Transfer Worth Billions”

A young female manatee washed up alone on a beach in Tortuguero National Park early on January 5, sparking a coordinated effort by local authorities to save the animal. The calf, identified as a Caribbean manatee, appeared separated from its mother, with no immediate signs of her in the area. Park rangers received the first …

Read more “Costa Rica Rescues Orphaned Manatee Calf in Tortuguero”