New U.S. Biometric Checks Now in Place for Costa Rican Travelers

Costa Rican travelers heading to the United States will find stricter immigration controls after a new rule took effect yesterday. The change requires all non-U.S. citizens, including tourists and permanent residents, to provide biometric data at both entry and exit points. The Department of Homeland Security finalized the policy last month, mandating facial photographs for …

Tragic Accident in Guatemala Kills 15 as Bus Falls into Deep Ravine

A passenger bus carrying travelers along Guatemala’s Inter-American Highway veered off the road and tumbled into a deep ravine late Friday, killing at least 15 people and injuring around 20 others, according to rescue officials on the scene. The accident happened at kilometer 174 in an area called the Alaska summit, within the district of …

US Snowstorm Disrupts Holiday Travel with Delays Reaching Costa Rica

Airlines canceled more than 1,600 flights across the United States on Friday as winter storm Devin brought heavy snow and ice to the Midwest and Northeast during the busy post-Christmas travel period. New York braced for up to 10 inches of snow overnight, with freezing temperatures expected to continue through the weekend, complicating recovery efforts …

Former Venezuelan Detainees from El Salvador’s Cecot Prison Call for US Due Process

A group of Venezuelans once held in El Salvador’s notorious Cecot prison spoke out in Caracas on Friday, pressing the United States to allow them to contest the gang-related charges that prompted their deportation. Their demand follows a federal court decision this week that mandates due process for those affected. The migrants, numbering 252, faced …

Costa Rica’s Escalating Drug-Related Killings Grip Quepos and Parrita

Drug gangs fighting for control have left 95 people dead in Quepos and Parrita since January 2024, according to data from the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). The toll edges close to 100 as investigators review additional cases and hospital deaths tied to the violence. This surge marks a sharp rise in organized crime clashes in …

Latin America Doubles Success Shows the Best Path to Grand Slam Tennis

In men’s tennis, Latin America’s clearest route to the sport’s biggest stages isn’t always singles. It’s doubles. Over the past two seasons, the region has produced a steady stream of elite doubles results: Grand Slam titles, Masters trophies, year-end No. 1 rankings and deep runs that keep Latin flags flying high into major tournaments, even …

Costa Rica Launches Campaign Against Elder Abandonment

Health officials in Costa Rica marked December 24 with a fresh push against a growing problem: the spike in abandonment and mistreatment of older adults during the holiday season. The Ministry of Health teamed up with the National Council for Older Adults (Conapam) to roll out an audiovisual campaign that urges families and communities to …

Whooping Cough Spreads Faster in Costa Rica This Year

Health authorities in Costa Rica report a steady climb in pertussis cases throughout 2025, prompting alerts for residents and visitors alike. The Ministry of Health confirms 159 laboratory-verified instances as of early December, up from 45 noted in May. This marks a notable shift from the 103 cases recorded in 2024, aligning with broader trends …

Claudia Dobles Pushes to Reopen Closed Coast Guard Stations in Costa Rica

Claudia Dobles, the presidential candidate for Alianza Agenda Ciudadana, has put forward a plan to reopen two key National Coast Guard Service stations in Sixaola and Bahía Drake. These outposts shut down during President Rodrigo Chaves’ administration, a move that critics say has left coastal areas more exposed to drug trafficking. Dobles’ government proposal focuses …