
First Informal Vote Held for Next UN Secretary-General
The UN Security Council has conducted its first informal straw poll to select the next Secretary-General, with Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan reportedly leading the race.

Recent polls indicate GOP divisions influencing the Texas Senate race, while an informal poll suggests Costa Rica's Grynspan is leading the race to become the next UN chief.

Actor Chris Hemsworth shared video footage from a 'crazy' and terrifying plane ride through lightning and severe turbulence during a family vacation in Costa Rica.

The UN Security Council has conducted its first informal straw poll to select the next Secretary-General, with Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan reportedly leading the race.

Train service between San José and Cartago in Costa Rica will operate continuously for 27 hours this weekend to facilitate travel for the Romería pilgrimage, making it the most convenient option for commuters.

A new influx of Saharan dust is anticipated to spread across Costa Rica this week, leading to hazy skies, reduced visibility, and a decline in air quality, with Thursday and Friday expected to be the most affected days.

Ride-app drivers in Costa Rica have called for a protest today at 9 a.m., which is expected to cause significant traffic disruptions across the Valle Central, particularly impacting routes to Juan Santamaría Airport and between Cartago and San José.
Scientists in a Costa Rican forest are using CapuchinAI, a portable testing station equipped with a touch screen and facial recognition software, to study primate intelligence in the wild.

Travel + Leisure magazine, based on advice from travel-industry experts, has included Costa Rica on its list of the ten best places for Generation Z travelers to visit currently. The list highlights a trend of younger travelers seeking different types of destinations.

A Costa Rican lawmaker has revived a proposal for a cable car to the summit of Chirripó, the country's highest point, aiming to change the long-standing policy of difficult access.

Tropical Wave 24 has prompted Costa Rica's emergency commission to issue a yellow alert for the Northern Zone and other regions, advising residents to plan around heavy rain, especially near rivers or when traveling to the Caribbean coast.

Costa Rica's national railway institute is developing a plan to integrate the country's train, bus, and taxi services into a single network to alleviate traffic congestion.

President Laura Fernández of Costa Rica has disclosed receiving information about approximately nine alleged plans to attack her, one of which reportedly involved a sniper. The reports have been passed to prosecutors for investigation.

Some Costa Rican merchants are considering a return to cash transactions due to a new plan by the Ministry of Hacienda to scrutinize mobile payment numbers. This initiative aims to identify undeclared commercial income.

Costa Rica is experiencing a windy and humid start to the week, with heavier rainfall anticipated for Tuesday, particularly affecting the Caribbean and Northern Zone.

A personal narrative describes a 'white-knuckle' taxi journey through the mountains of Costa Rica, highlighting the adventurous and sometimes unpredictable nature of local travel.

Costa Rica has been ranked as having the second-worst traffic in the world, according to Numbeo’s 2026 Mid-Year Traffic Index, placing it behind Nigeria and ahead of many larger, more congested countries.

A coalition of environmental organizations in Costa Rica has launched a nationwide campaign to protect the country’s coral reefs, as a powerful El Niño phenomenon threatens to raise ocean temperatures through early 2027.

An observation in Costa Rica's forest revealed how quickly a dead deer was naturally recycled by the ecosystem within just two weeks.

Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly has approved an extraordinary budget to reallocate ₡70 billion (about $154 million) from childcare, nutrition, and housing programs to pensions and other social assistance.

A bill advancing through Costa Rica’s Congress aims to prohibit Uber drivers from picking up passengers at Juan Santamaría Airport, with a legislative committee having completed work on 282 proposed changes.
Researchers on a picturesque Costa Rican beach witnessed a mother sea turtle laying eggs with a suckerfish (remora) clinging to her shell for an extended period. The unusual interaction was observed for nineteen minutes.

Kai Trump, eldest granddaughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, posted a travel vlog last week featuring a small Guanacaste coastline stretch. The video exposed the Costa Rican destination to over 1.5 million young American viewers.

The ferry service connecting Puntarenas and the southern Nicoya Peninsula will experience a reduction of two daily sailings, leading to fewer trips, fuller boats, and longer wait times for passengers in the coming weeks.

Costa Rican authorities have captured Alejandro Arias Monge, known as 'Diablo' and the country's most wanted fugitive, after a decade-long manhunt, with him spending his first night in the maximum-security La Reforma penitentiary.

Costa Rica observes July 25 as the 202nd anniversary of Nicoya's decision to join the nation, a historical event that significantly expanded the country's map, economy, and culture. The annual celebration marks a defining moment in Costa Rican history.

The CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province following a surge in chikungunya cases near popular tourist areas like Playa Langosta, advising travelers to take precautions.

The widow of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner is suing his mother for $1.2 million, alleging a dispute over a prenuptial agreement and seeking funds from a family trust. The lawsuit highlights a financial disagreement within the family.

The U.S. Embassy in San José has advised American travelers to take active precautions against chikungunya, particularly when heading to Guanacaste, due to the risk of mosquito bites.

Flooding and landslides have led to the closure of Route 32, the main highway between San José and Limón, and affected Route 4 in Costa Rica's Caribbean region.

The University of Costa Rica’s School of Musical Arts building is at risk of losing its operating permit after health inspectors found significant infrastructure and sanitation problems, including openings that allow raccoons to enter the facility.

El Lugar Costa Rica, a hotel and private nature reserve in Costa Rica's northern lowlands, has been honored with a 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, placing it among the top 10% of global listings.

A bridge on the main route to Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica's most popular destinations, has been flagged as being at risk of collapse following a special inspection.

A senior municipal official in San José has resigned days after the city government withdrew controversial new rules for bars, restaurants, and live entertainment that the official helped develop.

Information on how to watch the World Cup final from Costa Rica, including details about the third-place match between England and France.

Actor Chris Hemsworth shared a workout video from his recent Costa Rica getaway, showcasing his training regimen before he returns to production for his next major action movie.

US airlines flying to San José or Liberia, Costa Rica, are no longer required to display baggage and change fees upfront, allowing them to show only the base fare.

A criminal court judge in Pococí has struck down part of the isolation regime imposed on Alejandro Arias Monge, known as "Diablo," by the Justice Ministry, initiating a direct confrontation between the government and the judiciary.

Costa Rican lawmakers have given initial approval to legislation that would enable authorities to prosecute illegal mining and other severe environmental offenses under organized-crime laws.

Experts are working to certify José Flores, a 119-year-old man from Costa Rica, as the world's oldest person. Despite living in poverty, he maintains remarkably good health near a 'Blue Zone' known for its centenarians.
Scientists discovered a thriving forest in Costa Rica 16 years after a dead pasture was covered with 12,000 tonnes of orange peel, demonstrating a successful ecological restoration project.

A Costa Rican citizen was among two men stabbed in Manhattan's Upper West Side in attacks that New York police are investigating as a possible hate crime, confirmed by Costa Rica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Severe flooding in Costa Rica has led to the closure of 267 schools, particularly in areas like Sarapiquí, Guápiles, and Siquirres, with hundreds of residents evacuated to shelters and Route 4 cut off.

Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly was forced to disconnect its information systems after detecting an attempted cyberattack, paralyzing congressional business for a full day.

Costa Rica is among 60 economies facing potential new tariffs from the United States, tied to a federal investigation into forced labor in global supply chains. Formal announcements regarding the 12.5 percent tariff could be made within days.

An internal audit has revealed that Costa Rica's public healthcare waiting lists have swelled to 1.4 million, intensifying scrutiny of the system. The Legislative Assembly has formally demanded answers regarding the extensive delays.

The Municipality of Santa Cruz in Costa Rica is preparing a coastal and urban zoning plan to establish a formal legal framework for development in its rapidly growing property market.

Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly has approved a reform enabling the state fuel company, Recope, to work with energy sources other than oil for the first time, though immediate changes in fuel prices are not expected.

A strong El Niño is causing drier and hotter conditions in Costa Rica, leading to water rationing and increased wildfire risk, with impacts expected to continue through 2026.

Route 27 in Costa Rica will become one-way towards San José for four hours starting at 2 p.m. today, coinciding with a shift to wet and windy weather conditions, impacting travelers returning from the mid-year break.

Former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace laureate Óscar Arias has accused the country of compromising its foreign-policy independence by 'selling itself' to Washington for leverage over visa power.

Over 199,000 patients are awaiting surgery in Costa Rica’s public healthcare system due to a severe shortage of anesthesiologists, forcing major hospitals to close operating rooms and reschedule procedures.

The Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique in Costa Rica has been named to Forbes' list of vacation-worthy luxury resorts, highlighting Guanacaste's growing appeal among affluent travelers.

Costa Rica experienced a record first half for tourism, even as June arrivals saw a slight dip, indicating continued growth in the sector. Concurrently, the Costa Rican Colón reached a new record low against the US dollar for three consecutive days.