Spirit Airlines Shutdown Strands Central America Travelers

One day after Spirit Airlines ceased all operations, travelers in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize are scrambling to find seats on other carriers or waiting out refund delays while alternative fares climb. The Florida-based budget airline halted flights at 3 a.m. Eastern time yesterday, leaving thousands of passengers with tickets to or from the …

Porter Airlines to Start Direct Toronto–San José Flights in December

Canadian carrier Porter Airlines will begin direct seasonal service between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Juan Santamaría International Airport on December 2, 2026, opening a second nonstop link between Costa Rica’s capital region and its second-largest tourism market. The route will operate four times per week through April 30, 2027, aligning with the high season …

Costa Rica Warns Fuel and Food Prices May Rise From Middle East Shock

Costa Rican consumers are expected to begin feeling the first effects of the inflationary shock linked to the conflict in the Middle East starting in May, with fuel, imported goods and some food prices likely to face the earliest pressure. The Banco Central de Costa Rica said the impact will come with a delay because …

UN Experts Request Proof of Life for Indigenous Leader Imprisoned in Nicaragua

A group of UN experts on Friday called on the Nicaraguan government, led by husband-and-wife co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, to provide proof of life for imprisoned Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera, amid fears that he may have died in custody. Rivera, 73, who is considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was detained …

Yara Jiménez Becomes Fifth Woman to Lead Costa Rica’s Congress

Yara Jiménez Fallas was elected president of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly on Friday, becoming the fifth woman to lead the country’s Congress and opening a new four-year term defined by the ruling party’s consolidation of power and the most female-majority legislature in Costa Rican history. Jiménez, a 52-year-old attorney from Cartago, secured the post with …

Salvadorans Protest Bukele’s Policies in May Day March

Thousands of Salvadorans marched through the capital on May 1 to denounce what they called democratic setbacks under President Nayib Bukele and to demand the release of people they described as innocent who were detained in the government’s crackdown on gangs. The demonstration marked International Workers’ Day and highlighted persistent criticism of a state of …

Starbucks Debuts Summer Menu in Costa Rica with Four New Drink

Starbucks has rolled out its 2026 summer menu at participating stores across Costa Rica, with four featured beverages now available as part of a regional launch across Latin America and the Caribbean. The lineup includes the new Iced Cherry Chai Latte, the Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso, the Horchata Frappuccino and the Tropical Butterfly Refresher. The …

Avianca Offers Free Return Flights to Stranded Spirit Airlines Passengers

Avianca will fly stranded Spirit Airlines passengers home at no fare cost, the Colombian flag carrier announced today, becoming the first Latin American airline to extend a formal rescue plan after Spirit abruptly shut down operations earlier in the day. The offer waives the airfare itself but requires passengers to cover taxes, airport fees, and …

Spirit Airlines Shuts Down Leaving Costa Rica Travelers Scrambling

Travelers heading to or from Costa Rica face sudden disruption after Spirit Airlines announced early Saturday it is shutting down all operations and liquidating, ending 34 years of service from the budget carrier known for its bright yellow planes and bare-bones fares. “It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started …

Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park Faces Pressure Over Tourism Growth

Corcovado National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most important protected areas, is again at the center of a debate over how much tourism its ecosystems can support. The park, located on the Osa Peninsula, is one of our country’s best-known nature destinations. Costa Rica’s tourism board describes Corcovado as a protected area of forests, mangroves, …