Author: allthingspanama.net

Costa Rica’s flagship tourism industry, long a cornerstone of our nation’s economy, is dealing with a noticeable downturn in 2025 as rising crime, health concerns, infrastructure issues, and a strong local currency converge to challenge one of the country’s most vital economic sectors. According to new data released by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), …

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Costa Rican authorities dismantled a human trafficking network linked to the criminal gang Tren de Aragua, which financed the travel of women from Venezuela for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ, police) raided three hotels and four houses in San José and other locations. “Thirty minutes after …

Read more “Costa Rica Dismantles Human Trafficking Ring Linked to Tren de Aragua”

The environmental crisis in Crucitas persists. Police discovered and dismantled an artisanal mining material processing plant in a wooded area of Tatú Hill in Crucitas, consisting of a pool made of plastic, filled with cyanide, sediments, and water, according to the regional director of the police force in the northern border, Junier Villalta Rubí. The images …

Read more “Costa Rica Police Uncover Second Cyanide-Laced Mining Operation in Crucitas”

Costa Rica is the only country in the Americas that has an official religion—Catholicism—enshrined in its constitution. While the Constitution recognizes freedom of worship, Catholicism has a special status. The Catholic church is present anywhere you look in Costa Rica, from the streets of San José to the smallest rural villages. Not far behind are …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Religious Culture Through the Eyes of a Non-Religious Expat”

United States President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law on July 4, introducing a new surcharge for most non-immigrant US visas. The legislation adds a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” to existing charges, significantly raising the cost of entry for many Latin American travelers—including those from Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and …

Read more “US Visa Cost Increase for Travelers and Workers Under New Law”

Claudia Poll, Costa Rica’s only Olympic gold medalist, and two other former swimmers from the country, alleged on Monday that they suffered psychological, physical, and sexual abuse by well-known local coach Francisco Rivas, who has denied the accusations. “I suffered all the (psychological) abuses possible” from Rivas, said Poll, who won gold in the 200-meter …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Olympic Hero Claudia Poll Alleges Abuse by Famed Swim Coach”

Canadian visits to Costa Rica have started to drop in 2025, with crime playing a big part in the shift. Data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) shows a clear dip in arrivals from Canada, especially in recent months. For example, May saw a 5.3% decrease in Canadian tourists compared to the same month …

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The European Union and Central American nations came together for their first Association Council meeting in Brussels. They focused on growing trade and investment while tackling shared global problems. This step marks a key moment in their partnership, built on an agreement that fully kicked in on May 1, 2024. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top …

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In 2026, the U.S. government will impose a 1% tax on cash remittances sent from the United States to Latin America. Electronic transfers will be exempt, but this measure will increase the cost of traditional remittance methods that many migrants use to support their families. Experts warn of two important effects this policy could have …

Read more “Costa Rican Economists Raise Alarm Over U.S. Cash Transfer Tax”

A strong earthquake struck off Panama’s Pacific coast today, rattling the region but causing no reported injuries or destruction. Seismologists pegged the magnitude at 6.2, though some early reports listed it higher at 6.6. The tremor hit at 11:53 a.m. local time, or 16:53 GMT, with the epicenter in the ocean about 206 kilometers south …

Read more “Strong Earthquake Shakes Panama’s Pacific Coast, No Damage Reported”