Costa Rica’s Nayara Resorts Plans Eco-Friendly Beach Hotel in Manuel Antonio

Nayara Resorts, known for its high-end hotels and focus on green practices, has revealed plans for a new property in Manuel Antonio. The beach resort aims to open in mid- to late 2027 and will create about 300 direct jobs. For those familiar with the area, the site sits where the Barba Roja restaurant once …

Costa Rica Launches Wellness Route to Boost Tourism and Health Experiences

Costa Rica has launched a new initiative to boost its standing in the global wellness tourism sector. The “Wellness Route – The Essence of Costa Rica” highlights key spots and activities that blend nature, local culture, and personal renewal. Officials presented the project as a way to draw visitors looking for meaningful trips that support …

Why Tamales Are at the Heart of Christmas in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the Christmas season is closely linked to traditional dishes, among which tamales hold a special place. They’re an essential element on Costa Rican tables and are typically enjoyed with coffee or aguadulce and shared with family on warm December afternoons. Their preparation reflects the country’s long-standing agricultural connection to corn, which was …

How AI Is Changing Wildlife Research in Costa Rica

My work, using camera traps in wildlife monitoring projects, involves two extremes. I’m either hiking up a never-ending hill, splashing through a stream, and doing that very careful way of digging my heels into the hillside and kind of leaning backward so I don’t slide down a mountain, or I’m doing a whole lot of …

World Tennis Rebrand Boosts Central American Hopes for 2026 Slams

Young players from across our region fill the courts at Panama’s Circuito Conteca tournament. More than 120 competitors from six countries, including our own Costa Rica as well as Guatemala, sit on shared benches and push through sets under the heat. A Costa Rican junior battles a tight third set on red clay as coaches …

Porter Airlines Inaugurates Toronto-Liberia Service in Costa Rica Expansion

Canadian carrier Porter Airlines touched down in Costa Rica for the first time, marking the launch of its new route between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. The inaugural flight signals the airline’s entry into Central America and aims to boost travel options for visitors heading to Guanacaste’s beaches and …

Guatemala Faces Security Crisis After Mayor’s Murder in Festive Parade

Gunmen shot and killed the mayor of Masagua during a Christmas parade in Guatemala on Saturday evening, wounding one of his bodyguards in the attack. Nelson Luciano Marroquín, 38, died from his injuries while being taken to a hospital in Escuintla, about 60 kilometers south of Guatemala City. The shooting happened around 7:50 p.m. in …

MarViva Urges Costa Rica Presidential Hopefuls to Focus on Ocean Protection

Fundación MarViva has rolled out a set of five key priorities for candidates vying for the presidency in the 2026 elections. The group, which works on marine conservation, put forward these ideas in a guide called “Votemos por el océano: una decisión que cuida nuestro futuro.” Released late last month, the document lays out steps …

Costa Rica’s Main Airport Updates Radar Power Systems Post-September Failure

Authorities at Juan Santamaría International Airport have moved forward with updates and expansions after a power outage in September halted air traffic across the country. The incident exposed weaknesses in the radar’s backup power, prompting quick fixes and broader improvements to keep operations running smoothly. The trouble started on September 24 when a high-intensity electrical …

El Salvador’s Surf City Reshapes Coastline Amid Tourism Boom

Along El Salvador’s Pacific coast, a string of once-quiet surf towns now pulses with activity. President Nayib Bukele’s Surf City program has transformed these areas into a national showcase, drawing surfers and travelers with promises of perfect waves and modern facilities. The initiative has sparked a surge in visitors and economic activity, yet it raises …