Month: February 2026

The U.S. State Department issued a direct reminder to American travelers renewing passports online. In a recent Facebook post, officials explained that the old passport becomes automatically canceled upon submission of the application. It cannot be used for international travel, even if the new passport has not yet arrived in the mail. This policy has …

Read more “U.S. State Department Warns Old Passports Canceled Immediately Upon Online Renewal”

The U.S. State Department keeps Guatemala at a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to crime. Officials issued the current version in late December 2024 and have not changed the level despite recent government actions against gangs. A wave of violence hit the country in January 2026. Members of the Barrio 18 gang staged riots …

Read more “US Keeps Travel Warning for Guatemala After January Gang Attacks”

Robert Duvall, who played the smooth mafia lawyer in “The Godfather” and stole the show with his depiction of a surfing-crazed colonel in “Apocalypse Now,” has died at the age of 95, his wife said Monday. His death Sunday was confirmed by his wife Luciana Duvall. “Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, …

Read more “Godfather and Apocalypse Now actor Robert Duvall dead at 95”

Tourist arrivals to Costa Rica by air rose 10.3 percent in January 2026 compared to the same month last year, according to data released Monday by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). Our country welcomed 294,087 visitors by air last month. That marks an increase of 27,412 arrivals over the 266,675 recorded in January 2025. …

Read more “Tourist arrivals to Costa Rica by air grew in January”

With the certainty that Saudi Arabia will have a Masters 1000 in February starting in 2028, the tournaments on South America’s clay-court swing are trying to find a solution to the Saudi arrival and prevent their events from disappearing. The “Golden Swing,” as the ATP tour held in Latin America at the beginning of the …

Read more “The ATP’s South American swing is trying to survive Saudi money”

The Central Bank of Costa Rica Museums now open their doors later on Thursday and Friday evenings to give visitors more time in the capital. The museums, located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, extend hours from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. as part of the Summer at the Museum program. The schedule runs through …

Read more “Museums in San José Extend Evening Hours Through March”

The Chinese community in Costa Rica marked the approach of the Lunar New Year with a public celebration on February 14 in the Barrio Chino of San José. The main date of the festival falls on February 17, which begins the Year of the Fire Horse. The event took place along the Paseo de los …

Read more “Costa Rica Joins Global Lunar New Year Observances With Community Festivities”

Dionisio Paniagua, known as “Nito,” shared a positive update with his followers. The well-known tour guide, who has a strong presence on social media, said the process to renew his license for Corcovado National Park has moved forward again. A few days earlier, Paniagua explained that his license had expired. Tour guides in Costa Rica …

Read more “Popular Costa Rica Tour Guide Says License Renewal Is Back on Track”

Cuban organizers announced on Saturday the postponement of the Festival del Habano, the island’s signature cigar event, as the country deals with a severe energy shortage. In a message sent to participants, Habanos S.A. said it was delaying the gathering, which had been scheduled for February 24 to 27. No new dates were provided. The …

Read more “Cuba Postpones Cigar Festival Amid Energy Crisis”

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo said Sunday that the 30-day state of siege helped authorities regain control over gang activity after Barrio 18 members killed 11 police officers in January and set off prison riots. The measure, which Congress ratified, gave police and the army wider powers to respond to the violence. It ends Monday. “In …

Read more “Guatemala’s president says state of siege brought gangs under control”