Central America’s Five Great Forests are Lifelines for Migratory Birds

Each year, as the wet season winds down in Costa Rica, the air fills with the calls of warblers and thrushes arriving from their northern breeding grounds. From my vantage point here in the heart of our country, where the La Amistad International Park spans our border with Panama, these birds represent more than seasonal …

Direct Flights from Ottawa to Liberia Costa Rica Begin with Porter

Guanacaste Airport rolls out new routes for the high season that started this month, featuring a fresh direct flight from Canada to Liberia. Canadian carrier Porter Airlines steps into Central America for the first time, linking Toronto Pearson International Airport and Ottawa International Airport to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. The Ottawa to Guanacaste route …

Costa Rica Starts Work on Key Tempisque River Bridge in Guanacaste

Officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation kicked off a major renovation of the bridge over the Tempisque River in Guardia de Liberia tomorrow. The project addresses years of wear on a structure that handles heavy daily traffic in Guanacaste. Workers plan to invest ₡2.531 billion in the effort, with completion set for …

Costa Rica Fans React to World Cup 2026 Elimination

Our national soccer team finished their 2026 World Cup qualifying run with a 0-0 draw against Honduras on Tuesday night. The result put the team third in their Concacaf group with seven points from six matches, behind Honduras and Haiti. They missed direct qualification and a playoff spot. The country qualified for the past three …

Costa Rica Agriculture Gains from US Executive Order

Costa Rica’s agricultural exporters breathed easier last week after the United States lifted tariffs on key products, restoring duty-free access under long-standing trade agreements. The move, detailed in an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on November 14, exempts items such as bananas, pineapples, coffee, cassava, and orange juice from reciprocal duties imposed earlier …

How Hollywood Gets Costa Rica Wrong – And Ticos Set It Right

I recently watched the original Jurassic Park for the first time. I had often heard the movie was based in Costa Rica, but less than 10 minutes in, I realized that Spielberg and company did not do their homework. As anyone who has seen it knows, the movie starts with a graphic reading ‘San Jose, …

FBI Team Lands in Guatemala to Hunt Down Escaped Barrio 18 Leaders

A team from the FBI’s Joint Task Force Vulcan touched down in Guatemala yesterday to assist local forces in tracking down 16 fugitive leaders of the Barrio 18 gang. The escapees broke out of a high-security prison last month, sparking a nationwide security shakeup and drawing international attention to the country’s battle against organized crime. …

Costa Rica Eliminated from 2026 World Cup After Honduras Draw

Costa Rica’s national team drew 0-0 with Honduras in their final Concacaf qualifier match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sealing elimination for both sides at the Estadio Nacional last night. The result left Costa Rica in third place in Group C with seven points from a 1-4-1 record. Honduras finished second with nine points …

Costa Rica Claims Second Spot in Global Travel Rankings

Costa Rica has earned second place in the Wanderlust Readers’ Travel Awards for the most desirable country in the world. The ranking places the nation just behind Japan, with Canada in third. Voters selected Costa Rica for its natural features and travel options. The awards, announced earlier this month, drew from 208,000 participants who cast …

Costa Rica Makes History With Film in Two Oscar Categories

Costa Rica has entered a new chapter in its film industry by submitting a single documentary for consideration in two major Academy Award categories. The film, “The Altar Boy, the Priest, and the Gardener” directed by Juan Manuel Fernández Escoto, represents our country’s first attempt to get nominations for both Best International Feature Film and …