As the year winds down and the air fills with the scent of banana leaves and seasoned masa, tamales season has officially arrived in Costa Rica. For those of us here, it’s a cherished signal that the holidays have arrived. But for tourists and fresh expats, diving into this tradition often means navigating a set …
Read more “Costa Rica Tamales Season Tips Every Tourist Should Know”
Costa Rica’s Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) has accepted a complaint and sent it to its oversight unit for review. The focus is on construction permits issued by the Osa Municipality in the Fila Costeña, a mountainous area in the southern Pacific region. The move follows claims of unchecked real estate growth in fragile …
Read more “Costa Rica Probes Osa Permits in Fila Costeña Amid Eco Concerns”
Thousands of travelers face gridlock at the Peñas Blancas border crossing between Costa Rica and Nicaragua this holiday period, with migration offices overwhelmed by the return of Nicaraguans heading home for Christmas and New Year gatherings. The surge started early this December, as workers and families based in Costa Rica began their trips north. By …
Read more “Long Lines at Costa Rica-Nicaragua Peñas Blanca Border”
Authorities arrested a 42-year-old man this week in connection with the deadly fire at Hotel Oriente that claimed five lives in early October. The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) confirmed the detention of the suspect, identified as Hernández Pérez, who faces charges of quintuple homicide and arson. OIJ agents from the Homicide Unit carried out …
Read more “OIJ Arrests Suspect in Deadly San José Hotel Oriente Fire”
Salvadoran prosecutors have secured convictions against 248 members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang, resulting in prison terms that stretch into centuries for some defendants. The rulings come as part of President Nayib Bukele’s ongoing campaign against organized crime, which has drawn attention from neighboring countries, including Costa Rica, where leaders seek ways to combat …
Read more “Salvadoran Gang Sentences Spark Debate in Costa Rica Amid Security Alliance”
The National Stadium in San José transformed into a hub of holiday cheer yesterday, as thousands of children from across our country gathered for the 25th annual Fiesta Nacional de Navidad organized by the Asociación Obras del Espíritu Santo. Buses rolled in from urban neighborhoods and rural areas early in the morning, bringing boys and …
Read more “Children Fill Costa Rica’s National Stadium for Annual Christmas Fiesta”
Authorities in Costa Rica plan to recover archaeological artifacts from the site of the proposed Southern Zone International Airport in Palmar Sur de Osa. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) announced that the recovery effort will start in the first half of 2026, before any construction begins on the airport project. The DGAC selected …
Read more “Pre-Columbian Treasures to Be Saved Before Costa Rica’s New Airport Build”
For years, Latin American tennis followers have turned to a handful of familiar names when scanning Grand Slam draws for women’s singles contenders. Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia often tops that list, followed by Colombia’s Camila Osorio or the rare strong showing from an Argentine or Mexican player. As the 2026 Australian Open approaches, however, a …
Read more “Emiliana Arango Rises as Latin American Tennis Leader at Australian Open”
Independent workers across Costa Rica will soon have a simpler way to handle their income taxes. Starting January 1, 2026, a reform to the Income Tax Law lets them deduct 25% of their gross income without needing receipts or other proof. This change, part of Law No. 10667 approved earlier this year, aims to cut …
Read more “How Costa Rica’s 2026 Tax Changes Benefit Digital Nomads and Expats”
The Fiestas de Zapote draw thousands each year to celebrate the end of one year and the start of another. For visitors to Costa Rica, this event offers a look at local traditions in a lively setting. Held from December 25, to January 4, at the Campo Ferial in Zapote, an area east of central …
Read more “Costa Rica’s Zapote Festival Returns: Dates, Times and Music Lineup”