Costa Rica Opens All National Parks for Semana Santa

Costa Rica is rolling out the welcome mat this Easter Holy Week, with all 29 protected wildlife areas open and operating under regular schedules. The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), and the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) are encouraging both local and international travelers to take …

Costa Rica Road Death Rate Up to Five Times Higher Than Europe

Costa Rica’s road death rate is running up to five times higher than that of some Western European countries, a gap that road safety specialists say shows how far the country still has to go on enforcement, driver behavior, and modern traffic management. Recent analysis presented by experts linked to the Federated College of Engineers …

Costa Rica Sportfishing Efforts Grow in Barra del Colorado

In Costa Rica’s remote Caribbean north, a new model for sustainable sportfishing is taking shape, driven in part by the leadership of FECOP and the active participation of local fishing communities. Nowhere is this more evident than in Barra del Colorado, where recent efforts have focused on strengthening responsible fishing practices while reinforcing the region’s …

Human Rights Watch Urges El Salvador to End Bukele’s State of Emergency

The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the government of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to end the state of emergency it has maintained for four years as part of its anti-gang war, which has led to about 91,000 detentions. Bukele has enforced the emergency regime since March 27, 2022, under which thousands of people …

U.S. Monitors Surge in Detentions of Panama-Flagged Ships in Chinese Ports

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is closely monitoring a surge in the detention of Panama-flagged vessels at Chinese ports.Officials link the increase to Panama’s takeover of two key container terminals near the Panama Canal from a Hong Kong-based operator earlier this year. Panama’s Supreme Court ruled on January 30 that the concession held by Panama …

Israel Defends Blocked Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Sepulchre

Netanyahu stating there was “no bad intention” after preventing a Catholic Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre enters Costa Rica’s public conversation at a particularly sensitive moment: Holy Week. During Holy Week, Costa Rica experiences one of its most culturally and spiritually significant periods of the year. A large portion of the population …

Jannik Sinner Wins Miami Open 2026 to Complete Historic Sunshine Double

Jannik Sinner won the 2026 Miami Open on Sunday, defeating Czech 21st seed Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 in the men’s final at Hard Rock Stadium to complete the Sunshine Double and cement his status as the dominant force in men’s tennis heading into the clay-court season. The Italian world No. 2 became the first man …

Cuba Aid Sailboats Arrive in Havana After Disappearance at Sea

The two sailboats transporting humanitarian aid to Cuba arrived in Havana yesterday after a long journey from Mexico during which they disappeared and were later relocated in a search mission. The nine-member crew, which included U.S., French, and German citizens, as well as a four-year-old child, appeared to be in good health and good spirits. …

Living in Costa Rica: The Experiences That Make It Feel Like Home

The Costa Rica checklist. For the average visitor, it reads something like: Volcano, cloud forest, rain forest, beach, waterfall, coffee tour, etc. Think of those areas highlighted in guidebooks and featured in international photo shoots. Our country’s amazing vistas, nature and beauty are the stars of the show. But once you’ve been here long enough, …

Costa Rica Marks Palm Sunday with Crowds at Cartago Basilica

Palm Sunday brought large crowds to Cartago on Sunday as Catholics gathered at the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles for Masses, blessings of palm branches, and the start of Holy Week observances in one of Costa Rica’s most important religious centers. The date also marks the beginning of Semana Santa in 2026, with …