Canada–Guanacaste flights will run year-round, expanding Canada at Liberia Airport

Travelers flying between Canada and Costa Rica’s Pacific coast will have more options outside the traditional high season. Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR) says the Toronto–Guanacaste route will operate all year in 2026 instead of stopping when peak season ends. The year-round service is tied to Porter Airlines’ Toronto (YYZ) operations into Liberia, which began …

Cold Front to Increase Rains and Winds in Costa Rica in Coming Days

A powerful cold front, known as Empuje Frío #11, is sweeping across the Caribbean Sea and is set to bring intensified rainfall and strong winds to various regions of Costa Rica over the next few days. According to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), the system is already influencing weather patterns, with conditions expected to peak …

Marriott and Hilton Plan 22 Costa Rica Hotel Openings Through 2028

Marriott and Hilton, the two international hotel chains with the largest presence in Costa Rica, are planning a combined 22 hotel openings in our country between 2026 and 2028, in a pipeline that leans on brand conversions in the Central Valley and new builds tied to leisure and business travel. Marriott currently operates 24 properties …

Crime, Jobs Lead Voter Priorities in Costa Rica’s 2026 Presidential Contest

Laura Fernández maintains a clear advantage in recent polls as Costa Rica’s presidential election nears on February 1. Surveys indicate she could win in the first round by surpassing the 40% vote threshold, yet a runoff on April 5 stays in play with nearly 30% of voters undecided and opposition candidates splitting support. A roundup …

Djokovic opens Australian Open with clinical win as 25th major chase resumes

Novak Djokovic started his latest run at a record 25th Grand Slam title with an efficient, no-drama first-round win on Monday night, rolling past Spain’s Pedro Martínez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. The 38-year-old Serb never looked rushed. He took the ball early, kept points short when he could, and moved cleanly across …

Guatemala Decrees State of Siege After Gangs Kill Eight Police Officers

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo on Sunday decreed a state of siege across the country after gangs killed eight police officers in recent hours and staged several prison riots, taking dozens of hostages. The measure will allow the suspension of certain constitutional guarantees to combat the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gangs, labeled “terrorists” by …

Endangered White-Lipped Peccaries Found Slaughtered Inside Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve

Last Wednesday, the carcasses of ten wild pigs were found slaughtered inside the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve on the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. The organized group Rancho Quemado Community Biological Monitoring reported the incident on social media. Their intention is to expose the fact that hunting continues in the community of Vanegas, which …

How Scammers Use Real Photos to Steal Deposits on Costa Rica Getaways

As Costa Ricans and tourists finalize plans for Semana Santa and mid-year breaks, authorities and consumer groups issue fresh alerts on a persistent scam with a fresh angle: the property is genuine, the images authentic, and the address accurate. The reservation, however, is not. This fraud came to light this week when the owner of …

Hostage Crisis Unfolds in Guatemala Prisons After Gang Leader Transfers

Gang members sparked riots in multiple prisons across Guatemala on Saturday, taking more than 40 guards and staff as hostages. The unrest stems from ongoing tensions after authorities shifted top leaders of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gangs to a high-security facility last year. Officials report that inmates hold 46 people captive in …

Gang Riots Erupt in Guatemala Prisons Over Transfer of Leaders

Gang groups rioted on Saturday in several Guatemalan prisons, where they have been protesting since 2025 over the transfer of their leaders to a maximum-security facility, authorities said. The Barrio 18 gang and its rival, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) both designated as “terrorist” organizations by the United States and Guatemala are accused of contract killings, extortion, …