Five Things to Know About Honduras Ahead of the Elections

A president sent out of the country in his pajamas, another locked up in a U.S. prison for drug trafficking, deep turquoise waters that gave the country its name. Here are five key points about Honduras ahead of Sunday’s general elections. Coup in pajamas In the early hours of June 28, 2009, soldiers backed by …

Teams Set for 2026 World Cup Draw as Qualification Wraps Up

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage draw scheduled for early December, football fans across the Americas turn their attention to the 42 teams that have secured spots in the expanded 48-team tournament. Co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the event marks a historic moment for North America, though Costa Rica’s national …

Brazilian Tennis Sensation João Fonseca Reflects on Breakthrough Season

João Fonseca kicked off preseason training in Rio de Janeiro with eyes set on a strong start to 2026, a year that brings new demands after his breakout 2025 campaign. The 19-year-old Brazilian, who climbed from 145th to 24th in the ATP rankings last season, now faces the task of defending points while aiming to …

Costa Rica Expat Struggles with Food Issues in the US

Confession time: I miss my Tico diet. Basic, almost boring, it is made up primarily of beans, eggs, tomatoes, bananas, bread, tortillas, coffee, chicken and fish, with various other fruits and vegetables occasionally part of the mix. I am in my third and final month in the States, and have done my best to replicate …

Costa Rican Officials Clarify Leaked Air Safety Report as Preliminary and Erroneous

Costa Rican transport officials moved quickly to address a leaked report from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that assigned our country a failing score in air safety oversight. The document, which surfaced online last week, indicated a score of 61.58 out of 100, falling short of the 75-point threshold set by ICAO standards. Minister …

Fraud Claims Sow Tensions as Honduras Prepares to Elect President

Hondurans go to the polls on Sunday in a closely fought presidential election rife with fraud accusations that have sparked fears of violence in a country where coups are an ever-present threat. Lawmakers and mayors will also be elected in one of the world’s leading coffee exporters, which is plagued by drug cartels and gang …

Viral Video Shows Chimpanzee Smoking at Chinese Zoo

A video showing a chimpanzee smoking a cigarette at a zoo in southern China has spread rapidly online, raising concerns about animal welfare and visitor behavior. The footage, captured at Nanning Zoo in Guangxi province, depicts the animal picking up a discarded cigarette butt and inhaling from it with practiced ease. Posted earlier this week, …

Costa Rica Updates Visa Requirements for Foreign Visitors

The General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME) rolled out new guidelines for visas and entry this month, aiming to streamline processes while tightening certain exemptions. The changes affect how foreign nationals from various countries plan their trips, with adjustments to visa exemptions and validity periods. Officials say the revisions respond to ongoing global travel …

Costa Rica and El Salvador Issue First Digital Yellow Fever Certificates

Costa Rica and El Salvador have taken a key step in modernizing public health by issuing the first digital yellow fever vaccination certificates in the Americas. This move, backed by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), sets the region ahead in adopting secure digital tools for health records. The certificates …

Nicaragua Releases Doctor to House Arrest After Disappearance

Nicaraguan authorities have released Yerri Estrada, a 30-year-old doctor with dual Costa Rican and Nicaraguan citizenship, from prison after holding him in forced disappearance for three months. The Ortega-Murillo government moved him to house arrest in León, according to the Legal Defense Unit. Estrada’s case drew attention from Costa Rica and the United States, where …