ICT Starts Picadillo Route to Spice Up Costa Rica Tourism

The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) has rolled out “La Ruta del Picadillo,” a new initiative that spotlights one of our country’s staple dishes to draw foodies from around the globe. This gastronomic route takes travelers on a province-by-province exploration of picadillo variations, showcasing local ingredients and cooking methods passed down through generations. Chef Carlos …

San José’s Simón Bolívar Park Set for Temporary Access This Saturday

The Simón Bolívar Urban Natural Park will open to the public for a single day on Saturday, March 14, starting at 9 a.m. This temporary access forms part of Amón Cultural 2026, a festival that highlights heritage in the Amón and Otoya neighborhoods. The event marks the 12th edition of Amón Cultural, held under the …

Andreeva’s Indian Wells Defense Ends in Dramatic Loss

Mirra Andreeva’s title defense at Indian Wells ended in frustration during the third round on Monday. Katerina Siniakova defeated the Russian 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a match filled with tension. The 18-year-old Andreeva started her campaign with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Solana Sierra. Against Siniakova, ranked 44th, she struggled through a back-and-forth battle. …

Keylor Navas Opens Up on Costa Rica’s World Cup Miss and His Club Revival

Keylor Navas opened up in a recent interview with journalist Yashin Quesada about Costa Rica’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and his own path forward. The veteran goalkeeper expressed deep regret over the national team’s absence from the tournament, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Navas stressed …

Costa Rica Rejects U.S. Bid to Extradite Caribbean Drug Boss

The Criminal Court of Limón turned down a U.S. request to extradite Gilberth Hernán Bell Fernández, known as ‘Macho Coca,’ on Monday afternoon. Judge Jorge Arturo Sequeira Rodríguez issued the ruling at 2:50 p.m., stating that the 62-year-old Costa Rican must face trial in his home country for charges related to international drug trafficking. Bell, …

Women in Costa Rica Struggle More to Find Jobs Than Men

Women in Costa Rica continue to participate in the labor market at lower rates than men, according to the most recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics and Census. The latest INEC data for the period covering November and December 2025 and January 2026 put female labor participation at 42.5 percent. This figure includes …

Costa Rica Camera Trap Records Birds Far Beyond Their Expected Range

It’s safe to say I probably like camera trapping a little too much. My work is dedicated to that one activity. My social media feeds almost exclusively show me content from other camera trap aficionados like me. Heck, I even dream about reviewing camera traps. The part of camera trapping that has really hooked me …

Panama’s Tourism Surge in 2025 Puts Costa Rica on Notice

Panama recorded 3,004,266 international visitors in 2025. That total marks an 8.2 percent rise from the year before, according to figures released by the Panama Tourism Authority. Air arrivals at Tocumen International Airport led the gains, reaching 2,244,078 travelers for a 10 percent increase. Cruise ports handled 344,408 passengers, up 11.5 percent. The Paso Canoas …

United States Advances Major Economic Pact With Cuba

The Trump administration is preparing an economic deal with Cuba that could be announced soon. President Donald Trump said Saturday that Cuban officials want to negotiate and are already talking directly with him and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.People familiar with the administration’s plans said the agreement would ease restrictions on American travel to Havana. …