Costa Rica Ranger Trapped After Falling off Cliff on Cocos Island

Rescue teams in Costa Rica continue their efforts to save a park ranger who fell down a 40-meter cliff on Isla del Coco. The accident took place in a remote area of the national park, making the operation difficult and time-sensitive. The ranger, an employee of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), suffered the …

Costa Rica Nominates Rebeca Grynspan for UN Secretary-General Role

Costa Rica has put forward Rebeca Grynspan as its candidate for United Nations secretary-general, a move that highlights the nation’s push for stronger Latin American representation in global leadership. President Rodrigo Chaves made the announcement today, positioning the former vice president and current head of the UN’s trade and development agency as a frontrunner in …

Costa Rica’s FIFCO Sells Operations to Heineken After Vote

Shareholders of Costa Rica’s Florida Ice and Farm Company, known as FIFCO, gave the green light on October 7 to sell most of their food, beverage, and retail operations to Heineken. The Dutch brewer will pay $3.25 billion for the deal, which covers 78% of FIFCO’s assets. The vote took place during an extraordinary general …

Costa Rica Faces a Must-Win for a Place in 2026 World Cup

Costa Rica’s national soccer team faces a defining stretch in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup. With just two points from their first two games in Group C of the Concacaf qualifiers, La Sele sits in a tight spot behind leaders Honduras, who hold four points. Haiti also has two points, while Nicaragua …

Costa Rica Approves Extradition of Ex-Minister Gamboa and Associates

A Costa Rican court has approved the extradition of former Security Minister Celso Gamboa Sánchez to the United States on charges of international cocaine trafficking. The 49-year-old, who once served as a Supreme Court judge, faces accusations of aiding traffickers in moving large shipments through Costa Rica to the U.S. He stands with two associates: …

Riu Guanacaste Hotel Reopens in Costa Rica After Renovation

The Riu Guanacaste hotel in Costa Rica has reopened after a complete renovation, welcoming guests back to its beachfront spot on Matapalo Beach. The resort, known for its all-inclusive setup, finished the updates just in time for the peak travel season, with doors swinging open on October 4. Travelers heading to Guanacaste can now check …

Costa Rica TSE Seeks to Lift President Chaves Immunity

Costa Rica’s electoral tribunal has stepped up pressure on President Rodrigo Chaves by asking lawmakers to strip his immunity over claims of political interference in the ongoing election campaign. The move comes just two weeks after Chaves dodged a similar push from the Supreme Court tied to corruption charges. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) made …

New Poison Dart Frog Species Discovered in Peru’s Amazon

Peruvian researchers have identified a new poison dart frog in the Amazon rainforest, adding to the region’s rich array of wildlife. The tiny creature, called Ranitomeya hwata, stands out with its bright yellow stripes on the back, a spotted belly, and a black band across its throat that sets it apart from similar frogs. At …

Costa Rican Hotels Warn of Job Risks Amid Drop in Tourists

Hotels across Costa Rica face mounting pressures as tourist numbers dip and a sluggish dollar exchange rate eats into their earnings. From January to August 2025, air arrivals fell by 2.1 percent compared to the same stretch in 2024, signaling a slowdown in one of our country’s key economic drivers. This drop ties directly to …

Costa Rica Updates National ID Card with Enhanced Security Features

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) rolled out a redesigned physical identity card today. The update focuses on better protection against fraud while keeping the card practical for everyday use. The new card keeps its 10-year validity and standard size of 85.60 millimeters by 53.98 millimeters, matching international norms. It drops some older details, like …