Local News
Latest news from Costa Rica's Caribbean coast and beyond — curated for travelers and locals. Updated hourly.
Caribbean Coast & Limón
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General national updates
“Bikini Killer” arrested in Alajuelita
Q COSTA RICA — Agents from the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) arrested a 22-year-old woman surnamed Ortiz—popularly known as the "Bikini Killer"—this Tuesday; she is suspected of murdering an American man i...
Rincón de la Vieja Could Be Settling Down or Building Toward Bigger Eruptions
Rincón de la Vieja is erupting less, but OVSICORI says the lull could mean the volcano is settling down or building toward bigger eruptions.
Quetzal Recorded for the First Time at Little-Known Cartago Refuge
A quetzal turned up for the first time at La Marta refuge in Cartago during a 132-species bird count. Here's what it means for birders.
A Big Mac costs 12.5% more in Costa Rica. Who would’ve thought?
RICO's Q — I can’t remember the last time I ate at McDonald’s—whether in Costa Rica or anywhere else I’ve traveled. It’s just not my thing. Still, a social media post comparing Big Mac prices in Costa Rica and the Uni...
Costa Rica Opens Walk-In Motorcycle Road Tests Without Appointments
Need a motorcycle license in Costa Rica? Take your road test at Ciudad Vial without an appointment through Friday, Oct. 30.
Synthetic drug use raises concern among Costa Rican youth
Q COSTA RICA — Older adolescents and young adults are among the groups most often consuming synthetic drugs in Costa Rica, according to Mario Sánchez, an investigator with the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ)...
El Niño Squeeze on the Panama Canal Could Raise Costa Rica Import Costs
El Niño has held Panama Canal transits to 33 a day, below the usual 34 to 36. Experts see higher costs for Costa Rica's corn, soy and wheat imports.
Unprecedented: Costa Rica’s Three Branches of Government Are Led by Women
Q COSTA RICA — Costa Rica has reached a first in its institutional history: the country’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches are simultaneously led by women. The change followed the election of Supreme Cour...
Costa Rica Gets Five Weekly Nonstop Flights From London Heathrow
British Airways now flies nonstop from London Heathrow to Costa Rica five times a week, year-round for the first time. Here are the days, times and aircraft.
Costa Rica’s crime-prevention message meets a budget-cut test
Q COSTA RICA — Costa Rican President Laura Fernández has made a pointed case for education as crime prevention: keeping children and young people in school, she says, can help steer them away from criminal networks. B...
Laura Fernández compares her own life path to that of the drug trafficker “Diablo”
Q COSTA RICA — The president of Costa Rica, Laura Fernández, has argued that education can help prevent crime, using a striking comparison between her own life path and that of the drug trafficker known as “Diablo” — ...
For the First Time, Women Lead All Three Branches of Costa Rica's Government
Women now lead all three branches of Costa Rica's government. New Chief Justice Patricia Vargas says ₡30 billion in court funding is tied up.
US Tourist Breaks Leg in 10-Meter Fall at Costa Rica Waterfall
A US tourist suffered an open leg fracture after a 10-meter (33-foot) fall at the Cinchona waterfall in Alajuela. Red Cross crews and neighbors carried him out.
With heads shaved and wearing orange uniforms Costa Rica began transfer of inmates to the CACCO
Q COSTA RICA — On Monday, Costa Rica began moving prisoners to the new maximum-security complex, located within the walls of the La Reforma Institutional Center, a penitentiary complex located in San Rafael de Alajuel...
Costa Rica's Children's Hospital ICU Is Full as Respiratory Viruses Spread
Costa Rica's national children's hospital ICU is full, with 18 kids on ventilators. Here's how to protect your child and the warning signs to watch.
Harry Kane Wins the Ballon d'Or, England's First Winner in 25 Years
Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London after a 73-goal season for Bayern Munich and England, becoming the first English winner since 2001.
Costa Rica Artists Rally to Protect Montezuma Waterfall After Environmental Damage
Seventeen artists release a protest song after authorities confirm environmental damage to protected land near Costa Rica's Montezuma waterfall.
Why won’t Nicaragua extradite to Costa Rica the man accused of killing his wife and daughter?
Q COSTA RICA — Rafael Antonio Valdez García allegedly killed his spouse, Jasmina López Castro, and their 9-year-old daughter, Belkania Balezka Valdez López, in Liberia, Guanacaste. He then made a phone call to a neigh...
Nicaraguans Account for 87% of Refugee Applications in Costa Rica
Q COSTA RICA — Nicaraguans make up 87% of refugee applications in Costa Rica, according to Cindy Molina, head of the Refugee Unit at the country’s Directorate General of Migration and Foreign Affairs. She gave the fig...
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