Cold Front to Increase Rains and Winds in Costa Rica in Coming Days

A powerful cold front, known as Empuje Frío #11, is sweeping across the Caribbean Sea and is set to bring intensified rainfall and strong winds to various regions of Costa Rica over the next few days. According to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), the system is already influencing weather patterns, with conditions expected to peak …

Crime, Jobs Lead Voter Priorities in Costa Rica’s 2026 Presidential Contest

Laura Fernández maintains a clear advantage in recent polls as Costa Rica’s presidential election nears on February 1. Surveys indicate she could win in the first round by surpassing the 40% vote threshold, yet a runoff on April 5 stays in play with nearly 30% of voters undecided and opposition candidates splitting support. A roundup …

Djokovic opens Australian Open with clinical win as 25th major chase resumes

Novak Djokovic started his latest run at a record 25th Grand Slam title with an efficient, no-drama first-round win on Monday night, rolling past Spain’s Pedro Martínez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. The 38-year-old Serb never looked rushed. He took the ball early, kept points short when he could, and moved cleanly across …

Guatemala Decrees State of Siege After Gangs Kill Eight Police Officers

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo on Sunday decreed a state of siege across the country after gangs killed eight police officers in recent hours and staged several prison riots, taking dozens of hostages. The measure will allow the suspension of certain constitutional guarantees to combat the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gangs, labeled “terrorists” by …

How Scammers Use Real Photos to Steal Deposits on Costa Rica Getaways

As Costa Ricans and tourists finalize plans for Semana Santa and mid-year breaks, authorities and consumer groups issue fresh alerts on a persistent scam with a fresh angle: the property is genuine, the images authentic, and the address accurate. The reservation, however, is not. This fraud came to light this week when the owner of …

Endangered White-Lipped Peccaries Found Slaughtered Inside Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve

Last Wednesday, the carcasses of ten wild pigs were found slaughtered inside the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve on the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. The organized group Rancho Quemado Community Biological Monitoring reported the incident on social media. Their intention is to expose the fact that hunting continues in the community of Vanegas, which …

Hostage Crisis Unfolds in Guatemala Prisons After Gang Leader Transfers

Gang members sparked riots in multiple prisons across Guatemala on Saturday, taking more than 40 guards and staff as hostages. The unrest stems from ongoing tensions after authorities shifted top leaders of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gangs to a high-security facility last year. Officials report that inmates hold 46 people captive in …

Brazilian Star Beatriz Haddad Maia Falls in Australian Open First Round Upset

Beatriz Haddad Maia, Brazil’s leading women’s tennis player, saw her Australian Open campaign end abruptly on Sunday with a first-round defeat to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. The match, played under the bright lights of Melbourne Park, went three sets, with Putintseva emerging victorious 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 after nearly three hours of intense play. Haddad Maia, ranked …

Ocaso Music Festival Returns to Costa Rica with International Lineup

The Ocaso Underground Music Festival prepares for its ninth edition, set to bring house and techno beats to the central Pacific coast from January 22 to 25. Organizers expect thousands of attendees from around the world to gather just outside Jacó for a mix of music, art, and late-night gatherings. The event takes place along …

Gang Riots Erupt in Guatemala Prisons Over Transfer of Leaders

Gang groups rioted on Saturday in several Guatemalan prisons, where they have been protesting since 2025 over the transfer of their leaders to a maximum-security facility, authorities said. The Barrio 18 gang and its rival, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) both designated as “terrorist” organizations by the United States and Guatemala are accused of contract killings, extortion, …