7 h. ago Nicaragua moves 40 political prisoners to house arrest amid US pressure

The Nicaraguan government placed 40 political prisoners under house arrest on Saturday, at a time when pressure from the United States is mounting against it and its main ally Venezuela, according to exiled media outlets and activist groups.Nicaraguan outlets operating from abroad, mainly in Costa Rica, such as La Prensa, Confidencial and 100% Noticias, reported […] The post Nicaragua moves 40 political prisoners to house arrest amid US pressure appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

11 h. ago Chicharrones Festival in Puriscal: A Celebration of Costa Rican Culinary Heritage and Rural Tourism

Chicharrones Festival in Puriscal: A Celebration of Costa Rican Culinary Heritage and Rural Tourism  Travel And Tour World

Politics

12 h. ago EU to Send First Observer Mission for Costa Rica’s 2026 Elections

The European Union has agreed to send an observer mission to monitor the country’s national elections for the first time, marking a new step in international oversight of the voting process. The mission will focus on key elements of the electoral system ahead of the February 1, vote. Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) officials received […] The post EU to Send First Observer Mission for Costa Rica’s 2026 Elections appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

16 h. ago Costa Rica and US Seize 4.4 Tons of Cocaine in Pacific Operation

Costa Rican and U.S. authorities completed a joint maritime operation that led to the seizure of 4.4 tons of cocaine, dealing a substantial hit to drug trafficking networks operating between South and North America. The action took place about 170 nautical miles from Puerto Golfito in the Pacific Ocean. Costa Rican Coast Guard teams worked […] The post Costa Rica and US Seize 4.4 Tons of Cocaine in Pacific Operation appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

16 h. ago Kyrgios Eyes Australian Open Return with Kooyong Classic Entry

Nick Kyrgios has given his strongest hint yet of a full-scale return to competitive tennis by entering the Kooyong Classic, a key warm-up ahead of the 2026 Australian Open. The Australian star, known for his flair and crowd-pulling antics, signed up for the exhibition event on Tuesday. Set for January 13 to 15 at Melbourne’s […] The post Kyrgios Eyes Australian Open Return with Kooyong Classic Entry appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

18 h. ago Trump Announces Pardon for Convicted Former Honduran President Hernández

President Donald Trump declared on Friday that he plans to grant a full pardon to Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras serving a 45-year sentence in the United States for drug trafficking convictions. The announcement came days before Honduras holds its national elections, raising questions about U.S. influence in Central American politics. Hernández, […] The post Trump Announces Pardon for Convicted Former Honduran President Hernández appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

27 h. ago Germany Unites With Italy, Turkey, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, And More As Canada Strengthens Travel Advisory Due To Escalating Security Threats, Protests, And Border Control Measures

Germany Unites With Italy, Turkey, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, And More As Canada Strengthens Travel Advisory Due To Escalating Security Threats, Protests, And Border Control Measures  Travel And Tour World

Events

32 h. ago Avianca Flight Disruptions Hit Costa Rica and All Central America

Colombian airline Avianca announced today that software issues in its Airbus A320 aircraft will cause major flight interruptions across its network, including key routes in Central America. The carrier expects these problems to last at least 10 days, leaving passengers in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and other regional hubs facing cancellations and delays. The disruptions […] The post Avianca Flight Disruptions Hit Costa Rica and All Central America appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

36 h. ago Miguel Herrera Opens Up on Costa Rica’s Heartbreaking World Cup Miss

Mexican coach Miguel Herrera returned home after a tough stint with the Costa Rican national team, sharing his raw thoughts on the squad’s inability to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The failure marks the first time since 2010 that Los Ticos will sit out the global tournament, leaving fans and players alike grappling with […] The post Miguel Herrera Opens Up on Costa Rica’s Heartbreaking World Cup Miss appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

39 h. ago In Memory of Carlos Alvarado Valverde: A Highly Regarded Authority on Costa Rican Security

Carlos Alvarado Valverde, former director of the Coast Guard, former head of the Costa Rican Drug Control Institute (ICD), and respected security analyst, died Thursday at the age of 64. He had been experiencing health complications for about a month and had been hospitalized in Alajuela. Following in the footsteps of his father, Manuel Alvarado, […] The post In Memory of Carlos Alvarado Valverde: A Highly Regarded Authority on Costa Rican Security appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

42 h. ago US Dollar Exchange Rate Hits Record Low in Costa Rica’s Monex Market

The U.S. dollar continued its slide against the colón yesterday, closing at ₡493.47 in the Monex market, marking the lowest level in nearly two decades. This drop extends a streak of six consecutive sessions of declines, as reported by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. Traders in the Monex foreign exchange market saw the dollar […] The post US Dollar Exchange Rate Hits Record Low in Costa Rica’s Monex Market appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

54 h. ago Latin America Poverty Falls to Record Low in 2024 but Inequality Remains Stark

Poverty in Latin America fell by 2.2 percentage points in 2024 compared to the previous year and now affects 25.5% of the population, the lowest level since comparable data have been available, ECLAC reported. Last year, 162 million Latin Americans were living in poverty in the region, of whom 62 million were in extreme poverty. […] The post Latin America Poverty Falls to Record Low in 2024 but Inequality Remains Stark appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

57 h. ago Costa Rica Faces Escalating Gender Violence Crisis, Ombudsman Warns

Costa Rica’s Ombudsman has sounded the alarm on a deepening crisis of violence against women, with femicides hitting a peak not seen in over a decade. The warning came during observances for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, highlighting systemic failures that leave women exposed to harm. The Defensoría de los […] The post Costa Rica Faces Escalating Gender Violence Crisis, Ombudsman Warns appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

65 h. ago Landslides Prompt Closure of Costa Rica’s Route 32 at Cerro Zurquí

Transit Police shut down Route 32 at Cerro Zurquí early this morning after landslides dumped debris onto the highway amid ongoing heavy rains. The move came as a precaution to protect drivers on the vital link between the capital and the Caribbean coast. Authorities reported the landslide struck around kilometer 27, blocking the road completely. […] The post Landslides Prompt Closure of Costa Rica’s Route 32 at Cerro Zurquí appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

65 h. ago How To Roast a Thanksgiving Turkey With Cornbread and Pecan Stuffing in Costa Rica

If you’re spending Thanksgiving in Costa Rica, the basics of a good turkey don’t change: crisp skin, juicy meat and lots of gravy. What does change is the setting — maybe you’re in shorts, the windows are open, and the oven is working a little harder in the tropical heat. This classic recipe from Jeff […] The post How To Roast a Thanksgiving Turkey With Cornbread and Pecan Stuffing in Costa Rica appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

3 d. ago Nighttime Closures Set for Costa Rica Highway This Weekend Amid Overpass Work

Drivers on Costa Rica’s busy General Cañas Highway face temporary full closures over three nights starting this Friday as crews install beams for a new overpass tied to a major development in Heredia. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) confirmed the shutdowns will run from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on November 28, […] The post Nighttime Closures Set for Costa Rica Highway This Weekend Amid Overpass Work appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

3 d. ago Costa Rica Jaguar Caught on Camera Trap in Guanacaste Forest

The forest that I visit in person isn’t the same place my camera traps record. When I’m physically there it takes all of ten minutes of hiking before I cook up a good sweaty dude smell that the wind blows into the discerning noses of all the local fauna. I stomp around, snapping twigs and […] The post Costa Rica Jaguar Caught on Camera Trap in Guanacaste Forest appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

3 d. ago U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica Issues Security Alert Due To Rising Crime Threats

The U.S. Embassy here released a security alert, warning its citizens about a spike in crimes targeting foreigners across our country. Officials pointed to recent cases of property theft, financial scams, and robberies that have hit U.S. tourists and residents hard. Criminal groups have zeroed in on foreign-owned homes and businesses, carrying out break-ins, armed […] The post U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica Issues Security Alert Due To Rising Crime Threats appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

4 d. ago Costa Rica’s Main Airport Braces for Passenger Growth This High Season

Operators at Juan Santamaría International Airport forecast a notable uptick in passenger traffic for the upcoming high season, with projections showing 300,000 more visitors passing through the terminal compared to last year. This 4.5% growth reflects renewed interest in Costa Rica as a travel destination, as the country heads into a busy period from November […] The post Costa Rica’s Main Airport Braces for Passenger Growth This High Season appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

4 d. ago 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 […] The post Brazilian Tennis Sensation João Fonseca Reflects on Breakthrough Season appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics