Esperanza Martinez lost three relatives who were murdered and saw numerous bodies left in the streets of her neighborhood, a former stronghold of the notorious MS-13 street gang in El Salvador. While she has lived more peacefully lately, she remains on alert: gang members are “hidden, but still there,” she whispered. The 10 de Octubre …
Read more “Life After MS-13 in El Salvador as Residents Seek a Fragile Peace”
There are at least 141 different species of snakes in Costa Rica. With that large number of species packed into such a tiny nation, one would think that you’d be tripping on serpents every time you stepped out of your front door. Unfortunately for us snake-lovers, that’s not the case. The preferred habitat of many …
Read more “Costa Rica’s Eyelash Viper Snake Is One of the Most Beautiful”
A large crowd gathered in Paseo Colón, San José, to participate in the LGBTIQ+ Pride March 2025. It began at noon, as people marched from the statue of León Cortés, in the western sector of La Sabana, toward the central building of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), in the heart of the capital. …
Read more “Costa Rica’s Pride March 2025 Defies Restrictions and Celebrates Diversity”
If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of coffee—and maybe a moment to catch your breath. The match, which wrapped up just about half an hour ago, ended in a dramatic penalty shootout after a wild 2-2 draw in …
Read more “Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak”
Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport fishing, rich biodiversity, and deep cultural roots. Once a thriving village built on the backs of the fishing, timber, and banana industries, Barra has now shifted to eco-tourism and sport fishing. …
Read more “Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado”
Have you been keeping up with the various events taking place in Costa Rica? There is always something interesting going down, and here are five questions related to some of Ticolandia’s biggest stories this week: 1) Will it ever stop raining? Tropical wave number 10 is presently soaking down much of the country. While that …
Read more “An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now”
Honduras, with a surprising and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama, and Mexico, with a lackluster win against Saudi Arabia, advanced Saturday to the 2025 Gold Cup semifinals after resolving their quarterfinal matches at State Farm Stadium. The quarterfinals kicked off with Honduras defeating Panama 5–4 in a penalty shootout. Regular time ended 1–1. Ismael …
Read more “2025 Gold Cup: Honduras Advances After Dramatic Shootout, Mexico Ends Goal Drought”
The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, joked on Saturday that he could send inmates from his mega-prison to France, after they were represented in a show at Paris Fashion Week that his government claims “glorifies criminality.” Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarría presented a show on Friday in Paris in which he had several tattooed men …
Read more “El Salvador Slams Paris Fashion Show Inspired by Cecot Mega-Prison Inmates”
Thousands of government supporters marched Saturday in the capital of Honduras to commemorate the anniversary of the 2009 coup that ousted then-leftist President Manuel Zelaya, the husband of current President Xiomara Castro. The gathering also served as a political rally for former Defense Minister Rixi Moncada, the presidential candidate for the left-wing Libertad y Refundación …
Read more “Hondurans March to Mark 2009 Coup as Election Battle Heats Up”
I am 81 years old and have had teeth removed, bridges, and cavities fixed several times to sustain my ability to eat and function. Finally, major surgery was determined to be required because my bottom teeth were severely ground to 50% of original due to a severe overbite. I did an assessment of recommended procedures …
Read more “Prisma Dental in Costa Rica Keeps Customers Happy and Smiling”