Costa Rica Faces Rising Extortion from Informal Lenders, Says UN

A new United Nations study sheds light on the rapid spread of informal lending schemes called “gota a gota” across Costa Rica, where high-interest loans often lead to extortion and violence. These operations, once limited to certain communities,...

Why Did DHS Send a Russian Exile to Costa Rica?

Illustration: Patrick Leger On a rainy evening in March, a Russian man named Dimitry stumbled through the dark, looking for a hole in a fence. In a former life, Dimitry worked as a fitness trainer for cops and bureaucrats in St. Petersburg, so he...

Costa Rican Cacao Is in the World’s Top 50

Costa Rica once again earns a place on the world map of fine cacao. On September 23, 2025, in Rome, Italy, the organizers of the international “Cacao of Excellence 2025” competition announced this year’s 50 best cacaos, one of which is produced by...

Opinion: Response to article on Costa Rica and US Tariffs: Risk or Opportunity?

OP-ED by Christopher Clarke — The Deloitte analysis is correct in suggesting that some tariffs make investment outside the US more attractive in general. The restrictions on H1B visas will heighten this effect. Uncertainty caused by abrupt US...

Pura Vida Diplomacy: Costa Rica’s Vision for Sustainable Partnerships in the Gulf

GJIA: With the recent appointment of Your Excellency Ambassador Esquivel, what are Costa Rica’s key diplomatic priorities in Qatar and the broader Gulf region? Ambassador Esquivel: Costa Rica has been actively strengthening diplomatic relations...

Costa Rica and US Tariffs: Risk or Opportunity?

Q COSTARICA — The imposition of tariffs on Costa Rican exports by the United States will impact the national economy in 2025. In terms of GDP, a 15% tax on exported products will cause the economy to grow only 3.56%, four basis points less than...

How the US Shutdown Could Disrupts Travel to Costa Rica

As the US federal government enters a partial shutdown starting today October 1, travelers heading to Costa Rica face potential hurdles. The impasse stems from budget disputes in Congress, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers without...

Bank of America Predicts Stable Exchange Rate for Costa Rica

Bank of America has released a fresh analysis of Costa Rica’s economy, pointing to steady conditions ahead. The report predicts the dollar exchange rate will hold firm with only slight shifts in 2026, while interest rates stay elevated due to...

Guns N’ Roses Kicks Off Latin Tour in Costa Rica at National Stadium

Rock fans across the country gear up for a night of hard-hitting music as Guns N’ Roses performs at the Estadio Nacional this evening. The show marks the opening date of the band’s Latin America 2025 tour, bringing Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan,...

Rules for Costa Rican Visas are Tightened by the U.S. Embassy Starting October 1

The U.S. Embassy here has rolled out new guidelines for nonimmigrant visa applications, making in-person interviews the norm for most applicants. The changes, set to take effect tomorrow, October 1, end many of the interview waivers that eased the...

Costa Rican Rubyglow pineapple enters global markets

A rare pineapple variety from Costa Rica has drawn international attention after being featured on the YouTube channel MrBeast 2, which has over 52 million subscribers. The Rubyglow, grown in Buenos Aires de Puntarenas by Fresh Del Monte, was...

Is There A Corner Of India In Costa Rica?

In a world where specialization seems to be the norm, Abril Zamora Valverde defies convention and shows us that it is possible to combine different passions and talents to create a life full of purpose and meaning. This Costa Rican, a physical...

Costa Rican Auditorium Theater Seeks Cast for Musical “The Little Prince”

The National Auditorium Theater announces the search for talent for its next major production: a new musical version of the classic “The Little Prince,” which will premiere in February 2026. This proposal, which comes from the famous Corrientes...

U.S. Embassy Tightens Visa Rules for Costa Ricans Starting October 1

The U.S. Embassy here has rolled out new guidelines for nonimmigrant visa applications, making in-person interviews the norm for most applicants. The changes, set to take effect tomorrow, October 1, end many of the interview waivers that eased the...

Sae-A Trading Announces Acquisition of Swisstex El Salvador Plants to Expand Global Manufacturing Network

Sae-A Trading Expands Its Americas Footprint with the Acquisition of Swisstex, Strengthening Leadership in Sports and Performance Apparel. LOS ANGELES and SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sae-A Trading, a leading global textile and...

William Rodríguez: The Minister’s Vision For Quality Tourism In Costa Rica

How does a renowned tourist destination like Costa Rica adapt to fluctuations in the global market? The Central American country’s Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez, reveals the keys to maintaining the country’s competitiveness and appeal,...

Marine biologist seriously injured in shark attack off Costa Rica

September 29, 2025 / 10:37 PM EDT / CBS/AP A Mexican marine biologist was seriously injured after he was attacked by a shark while working off Costa Rica's Pacific coast and transferred to a hospital in the country's capital on Monday, authorities...

Costa Rica’s Tourism Adapts to Demands for Authentic Experiences

Costa Rica’s tourism sector keeps shifting as travelers look for deeper connections with local life, moving past basic stays to hands-on involvement in food, traditions, and self-care. This push reflects a broader change where people want trips...

Bills Target Crucitas Gold Mining Mess in Costa Rica

Crucitas ranks among Costa Rica’s most severe environmental setbacks. Illegal gold mining has ravaged the area for years, bringing crime, community unrest, water pollution, and deaths among those risking their lives in unauthorized operations. The...

Case Study: Heritage Petroleum Company Upgrades SCADA System With Skkynet Software

A reorganization in 2018 of Petrotrin, the state oil company of Trinidad and Tobago, resulted in the formation of a new company, Heritage Petroleum Company, Ltd., to conduct exploration and production of oil and gas both onshore and offshore. It...