Category: Blog

I got to know Horizontes, more specifically Estación Experimental Forestal Horizontes, by accident. I had a contract to place camera traps on a few private farms in Guanacaste. Two of those farms happened to only be accessible by riding a rented horse named Superman on a six hour round trip directly through the tropical dry …

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In an exciting scientific breakthrough, a team of researchers from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) recorded the presence of the Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes), a species of oceanic bird considered near-threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is the first time this bird has been seen in the country. …

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As reported by the local newspaper La Nación, FIFA has raised concerns about a possible rigging of a first-division match played last season in the Costa Rican Liga Promerica soccer tournament. FIFA issued the alert, prompting Costa Rica’s integrity officer, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, to launch an investigation into the match between Santos de Guápiles and Asociación …

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Costa Rica is positioning itself as a future semiconductor hub, a vision that has received strong support from the U.S. government over recent years. In an effort to secure a reliable supply chain for critical devices, U.S. officials have emphasized the strategic benefits of having semiconductor components sourced from Costa Rica. Initially, the Trump administration …

Read more “Costa Rica Aims to Become a Semiconductor Hub with U.S. Backing”

Starbucks is set to invest approximately $11 million over the next five years in Costa Rica, fueling the opening of at least 15 new coffee shops and creating an estimated 250 new jobs. The expansion plan includes an investment of roughly $750,000 per new location, underscoring the company’s commitment to strengthening its footprint both within …

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The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN), Margaret Satterthwaite, sent Costa Rica a note in which she expressed her concern about what she considers to be the lack of independence of the judiciary. Satterthwaite pointed out that there is interference from the Executive Branch in matters that only concern the legislative branch. According to …

Read more “UN Special Rapporteur Warns Costa Rica Judicial Independence is at Risk”

Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas experienced a challenging night as Newell’s Old Boys suffered a 2-0 defeat to Central Córdoba on February 7 in the Torneo Apertura 2025. The loss marked a stark contrast to Navas’s impressive debut and highlighted the defensive struggles of his new team. Navas Under Pressure Despite his best efforts, Navas …

Read more “Keylor Navas Faces Setback as Newell’s Stumble Against Central Córdoba”

The Art City Tour (ACT) returns to San José with the event “For the Love of Chepe” (“Por Amor a Chepe”), inviting the public to explore the city’s art and urban culture while celebrating Valentine’s Day. Held four times a year, this special edition of the event will take place on Thursday, February 13, starting …

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My Tica wife was one of 14 kids. Twelve of the fourteen, all between the ages of early 50s to mid 70s are still alive. They communicate regularly, and by regularly, I mean daily. Every day I listen to my wife doing a video call with one or more of her siblings. All are in …

Read more “Costa Rican Family Life Through North American Eyes”

Melinda Hildebrand has been nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica, as officially announced. Hildebrand is a successful businesswoman and philanthropist who serves as Vice Chair of the Hildebrand Foundation and Vice President of Hilcorp Ventures Inc. She is also the President and Owner of the popular River Oaks Donuts. “She will fight …

Read more “Melinda Hildebrand Nominated as Next U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica”