Property owners in Costa Rica have just days left to meet the deadline for the 2026 Luxury Home Tax. The Ministry of Finance issued a reminder this week that declarations and payments must be submitted by January 15 to avoid penalties. This tax, known formally as the Impuesto Solidario para el Fortalecimiento de Programas de …
Read more “Property Owners in Costa Rica Face Strict January 15 Luxury Tax Cutoff”
In last night’s heated presidential debate hosted by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, Laura Fernández of the Partido Pueblo Soberano came under heavy fire from rival candidates. The event, the third in a series leading up to the February 1 elections, saw Fernández defending the current administration’s record while opponents zeroed in on her past …
Read more “Costa Rica Presidential Hopefuls Unite Against Fernández in Debate”
Panama and the United States will start joint military exercises on Monday to bolster defenses around the Panama Canal. This marks the first extended training session between the two nations in 2026. The program will bring together 50 U.S. Marine Corps infantry troops and 61 specialized personnel from Panama’s National Air-Naval Service, National Police, and …
Read more “Panama and US Set to Launch Canal Defense Drills”
Coffee growers in Costa Rica know that elevation plays a key role in how beans develop and taste. Farmers in regions like Tarrazú and Los Santos see it firsthand as they harvest across slopes that rise from 1,200 meters to over 1,800 meters. This difference stems from temperature variations that influence ripening speed and bean …
Read more “How Altitude Shapes Flavors in Costa Rican Coffee Beans”
American tennis star Madison Keys arrived in Adelaide on Sunday, ready to tap into the success she found there last year. That victory at the 2025 Adelaide International set the stage for her breakthrough at the Australian Open, where she claimed her first Grand Slam title. Keys, now 30 and ranked seventh in the world, …
Read more “Madison Keys Leans on Adelaide Success for Australian Open Repeat Bid”
Honduran President Xiomara Castro pulled back the termination of her country’s extradition treaty with the United States on January 10, just ahead of her handover to President-elect Nasry Asfura. Castro made the announcement, stating that she had nullified the diplomatic notes from August 2024 that aimed to end the agreement. She described the move as …
Read more “Honduras Keeps Extradition Pact with U.S. After Trump Pardon”
Costa Rica has won yet another major honor in the global travel scene, earning the title of Best International Destination at the Healthy Places 2025 Awards presented by the Spanish editions of Men’s Health and Women’s Health. The recognition spotlights the country’s focus on health, active lifestyles, and overall well-being. The awards ceremony unfolded in …
Read more “Costa Rica Takes Home Top Wellness Honor from European Health Magazines”
The government of Nicaragua announced this Saturday the release of “dozens” of imprisoned opponents and critics, under pressure from the United States and a week after the overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, its close ally. The U.S. Embassy in Managua said Friday that while Venezuela has freed “a large number of political prisoners,” in …
Read more “Nicaragua Frees Dozens of Political Prisoners Amid U.S. Pressure”
U.S. airport security checkpoints have required REAL ID compliant identification for domestic flights since May 7, 2025, a rule that still catches some Costa Rica based travelers off guard when their itinerary includes a connection inside the United States. Many trips to and from Costa Rica route through U.S. hubs such as Miami, Houston, and …
Read more “U.S. Real ID Rules Tighten for Domestic Flights, Impacting Costa Rica Travelers”
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) is examining a request to bar Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele from entering Costa Rica ahead of his planned visit next week. TSE President Eugenia Zamora confirmed on Friday that the tribunal received an electoral appeal from a citizen. The filer claims Bukele’s presence could compromise the neutrality of Costa Rica’s …
Read more “Costa Rica’s Tribunal Weighs Ban on Bukele Visit Over Neutrality Fears”