Author: allthingspanama.net

Every December Costa Rica celebrates its strong bicycling roots with La Vuelta, a 10-stage cycling race that challenges riders with its mix of hill climbs, sprints and endurance, under conditions ranging from cool and windy to stiflingly hot. This year, one of the stages concluded where I live. The downtown streets of San Isidro de …

Read more “Costa Rica’s La Vuelta returns with international teams and a descent into San Isidro”

In a warehouse the size of two basketball courts, hundreds of people are manually reviewing the votes that will decide the winner of Honduras’s presidential election, unfolding like a suspense thriller. Wearing latex gloves, electoral officials and party delegates have been examining every ballot since Thursday as if it were forensic work, following the election …

Read more “Vote recount in Honduras advances amid mistrust and Trump reprisals”

The United States government has stopped its diversity visa program in response to recent shootings at two top universities. Officials point to the suspect’s entry into the country through the same lottery system as a key factor in the decision. The program, which grants up to 50,000 green cards each year to people from underrepresented …

Read more “US Halts Diversity Visa Program Following Deadly Campus Attacks”

Lawmakers in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly have given the green light for up to 195 U.S. Coast Guard vessels to access the country’s ports next year as part of joint efforts to combat drug trafficking. The approval, passed on Wednesday with 38 votes in favor and five against, covers operations from January 1 to December …

Read more “Costa Rica Approves U.S. Coast Guard Boats for 2026 Anti-Drug Operations”

Travelers who plan to bring their dogs or cats into or out of the country often face strict rules set by the National Animal Health Service, known as SENASA. These guidelines aim to protect public health and prevent the spread of diseases like rabies. Failing to follow them can lead to quarantine, denial of entry, …

Read more “How to Travel with Pets in Costa Rica Without Issues”

Guatemalan officials arrested 14 people tied to a migrant smuggling operation aimed at the United States, striking a blow to illegal crossings in Central America. The raids happened yesterday in the areas of San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Sololá, and El Progreso. Prosecutors named the group Los Moisés and called the effort Operation Albuquerque. They targeted homes …

Read more “Guatemala Dismantles Los Moisés Migrant Smuggling Network Targeting US Border”

Huntington Beach’s Bailey Turner secured the girls’ under-16 gold at the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, posting a two-wave score of 13.07 to edge out local favorite Catalina Zariquiey by 0.20 points. The win not only etched Turner’s name among surfing’s rising elite but also spotlighted Costa Rica’s emerging talent, as young Ticos held …

Read more “Bailey Turner Claims Gold in Peru While Costa Rica’s Juniors Make Their Mark”

Wanting to be close to nature is probably among the top five reasons that many folks from other countries cite when they decide to move to Costa Rica. If you drilled down on that topic a bit more, what the majority of people probably mean is ‘comfortably close’ to nature. They’re imagining watching a toucan …

Read more “Costa Rica Snake Prevention Tips for Homes and Gardens”

At the start of Costa Rica’s dry season, thoughts of summer tennis in Melbourne might seem out of place. But as the 2026 Australian Open draws near, set to run from January 11 to 25 at Melbourne Park, the event stirs something deeper for many in Central America. It’s not just about the matches; it’s …

Read more “Why the Australian Open Tempts Central Americans to Plan Epic Trips”

Honduras electoral officials started a partial recount of votes yesterday from the November 30 presidential election. The race remains close, with right-wing candidate Nasry Asfura, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, holding a narrow edge. The National Electoral Council launched the review of about 2,800 vote tally sheets, covering close to half a million ballots …

Read more “Honduras Starts Partial Recount in Tight Presidential Election Backed by Trump”