Category: Blog

Preliminary data from the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) shows temperatures dipping to 0.7 degrees Celsius at Volcán Irazú early Saturday morning, the lowest reading across the country. Other high-elevation spots followed close behind: Cerro de la Muerte hit 2 degrees Celsius, Volcán Turrialba reached 3.1 degrees, and Volcán Poás clocked in at 8.2 degrees. These …

Read more “Near-Freezing Chill Hits Costa Rica’s Peaks, Catching Tourists Off Guard”

Waves pounded Manzanillo’s shoreline last week, claiming more ground from the beach. In a matter of days, the sea pushed forward several meters, exposing tree roots and putting the main road linking this village to Puerto Viejo at risk. Local residents say the water now reaches the foundations of homes and paths, a sharp sign …

Read more “Costa Rica Faces Coastal Crisis with Manzanillo Losing to Sea Rise”

The Ministry of Hacienda has launched an internal audit into potential flaws in its new customs management system, ATENA, following complaints about reliability and costly delays. The review, now underway, examines issues raised in pilot tests and questions the value of a multimillion-dollar contract taxpayers are funding. ATENA forms one pillar of the broader Hacienda …

Read more “Hidden Flaws in Costa Rica’s Customs Overhaul Leads to Audit”

Drivers heading to Limón faced another roadblock Saturday night when a landslide closed Route 32 at kilometer 28 near the Zurquí sector in Braulio Carrillo National Park. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) halted all traffic in both directions around 8 p.m. to protect travelers from falling rocks, soil and branches. This marks …

Read more “Costa Rica’s Route 32 Shuts Down Again After Landslide Near Zurquí”

Argentine tennis player Hernán Casanova, No. 397 in the ATP rankings, was suspended for two months by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for placing sports bets and for failing to report an attempted match-fixing approach. The ITIA sanction comes less than a week after the final of the Challenger 125 tournament in Rosario, Argentina, …

Read more “Argentine Tennis Player Suspended for Sports Betting”

Five European governments point to a South American frog toxin in the 2024 death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The claim spotlights epibatidine a chemical from poison dart frogs that does not occur naturally in Russia. Costa Rica has species that generate related toxins in their skin a fact that draws fresh attention to …

Read more “European Accusation Ties Navalny Death to Rare Frog Toxin”

The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) reports that 150 schools have shut their doors over the past 10 years, a direct result of falling student numbers tied to the country’s shrinking birth rate. Education Minister Leonardo Sánchez Hernández laid out the numbers during a recent briefing, pointing to a steady decline that has reshaped classrooms …

Read more “Costa Rica Closes 150 Schools in a Decade as Enrollment Drops”

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court, known as Sala IV, has ruled against immigration officials who blocked a Chilean man from entering the country due to simple drawings in his passport. The decision highlights the need for clear grounds when refusing entry, setting a precedent for how authorities handle document issues. The case stems from an incident …

Read more “Costa Rica’s High Court Overturns Border Denial Tied to Passport Sketches”

Authorities investigate the violent death of Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old U.S. citizen and longtime resident who owned Hotel Puerto Viejo. The incident occurred Saturday morning in Hone Creek, Cahuita, Talamanca. The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) received a report at 10:50 a.m. Van Dyke’s body showed signs of asphyxiation and multiple stab wounds, according to …

Read more “American Hotel Owner Slain in in Costa Rica Robbery”

As couples across Central America exchange gifts for Valentine’s Day, Panama starts its annual Carnival today, turning streets into parades of color and music. The four-day event, running from February 14 to 17, draws crowds from neighboring countries, including Costa Rica, where many plan short trips to join the action. Panama’s Carnival starts with water …

Read more “Panama Begins Carnival Festivities on Valentine’s Day”