The first book I ever tried to read in Spanish was Robert Vesco Compra una República. It was 1991 and I was a few months into my life in Costa Rica. Learning Spanish by listening to the radio, overhearing conversations on the street, making verb charts, drinking at the cantina and talking with the locals, …
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This morning at approximately 5:15 a.m., Poás Volcano erupted yet again, producing a significant ash plume that soared 3.5 kilometers above the crater, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI-UNA). This event, marked by a powerful explosion and a “strong rumble” reported by local residents, underscores the volcano’s ongoing eruptive phase, …
Read more “VIDEO: Poás Volcano Erupts with 3.5 km Ash Plume, OVSICORI Reports”
Costa Rica ranks among Latin America’s most affected countries for plastic bottle pollution on its beaches, according to a new study by Chile’s Universidad Católica del Norte. The report, titled “In Search of the Origin of Plastic Bottles,” reveals that plastic bottles and caps dominate coastal waste, threatening the country’s renowned biodiversity and marine ecosystems. …
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A white-winged dove recently decided that the hanging plant, sitting about head high a few steps from my front door, was just the right spot for a nest. At first this led to a frightening explosion of feathered wings every time a member of my family walked out of the door, but after a while …
Read more “VIDEO: How a Bird on my Porch in Costa Rica Relates to Wildlife and a Hole in a Tree”
Costa Rica has recorded seven consecutive months of declining international tourist arrivals, a troubling trend that began in September 2024 and persisted through March 2025, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). The downturn, coinciding with the country’s traditional high season, has raised alarms within the tourism sector, a cornerstone of the national economy. …
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Pope Francis implemented during his pontificate a number of significant measures—from reforming the Roman Curia to combating sexual abuse of minors within the Church. Below is an overview of his most important actions as leader of the Catholic Church: Reforms Pope Francis sought to carry out a deep reform of the Roman Curia—the Church’s central …
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In celebration of our little 51,100‑square‑kilometer stretch of earth, we’re revisiting a selection of photos from Costa Rica’s landscapes. From volcanoes and rivers to cloud forests and coastal wildlife, these images remind us why protecting nature matters. Alberto Font/The Tico Times Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times Lindsay Fendt/The Tico Times (Courtesy of Centro Cientifico Tropical) (Courtesy …
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The Catholic Church of Costa Rica issued a heartfelt message following the death of Pope Francis, expressing profound sorrow and gratitude for his transformative pontificate. The Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica united in prayer with Catholics worldwide, mourning the loss of the first Latin American pope. “We, the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Costa …
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Volcán Poás erupted with significant force today, sending an ash and gas plume soaring over 2,000 meters above its crater, marking the most intense eruption of the year, according to the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica (OVSICORI). The explosive event, described as a “fuerte erupción explosiva,” blanketed communities across Costa Rica’s Central Valley, …
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The escalating trade war between the United States and China is creating significant uncertainty for Costa Rica’s export-driven economy. This month the U.S. imposed a 145% tariff on imports from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, combining a 125% reciprocal tariff with a 20% existing levy, citing systemic trade imbalances. China retaliated with a 34% …
Read more “Costa Rica Faces Uncertainty as U.S. – China Tariff War Escalates”