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...

Arajet expands Santo Domingo–Costa Rica route

Santo Domingo.- Starting in December, Dominican airline Arajet will expand service on its route between Las Américas International Airport (AILA) in Santo Domingo and Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, Costa Rica. Currently...

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 leads Central America in average international tourist spending

Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica consolidated its position as the country with the highest average spending per tourist in Central America, according to a Mastercard Advisors study using data from the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) – Costa Rica...

Isabella Cota, Mexican business journalist, wins Cabot for holding economic power to account

By César López Linares October 2, 2025 In the business and finance world, largely dominated by men, Mexican journalist Isabella Cota has had to learn to deal with the discomfort of being the only woman in the room. Especially as a woman who asks...

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...

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...

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...

Costa Rica Bill Targets Public Drinking with Fines and Jail Time

Lawmakers in Costa Rica have put forward a bill to crack down on drinking in public spaces, aiming to cut down on related disturbances and boost safety. Bill 25.101, presented by Diputada Olga Morera Arrieta from the Nueva República party, would...

Costa Rica to lift banking secrecy law

Q COSTARICA — The Economic Affairs legislative committee issued a majority ruling on File 24,658, which eliminates the need for a court order to lift bank secrecy. The proposal, presented at the end of 2024 by Frente Amplio (FA) legislator Sofía...

Meet Gerhard Hernández, Costa Rica's first trans elected official — and a Gen Z Coldplay fan

San Jose, Costa Rica -- Costa Rica's first out transgender elected official, Gerhard Phillip Hernández Padilla, is more than just a historic politician — he's a member of Gen Z who loves Coldplay, art history, and tattoos. Keep up with the latest...

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...

Is Costa Rica’s Democracy Failing?

Select your citation format: MLA (Modern Language Association 8th edition) Chicago Manual of Style 16th edition (full note) APA (American Psychological Association 7th edition) Read the full essay here. Costa Rica is arguably the longest...

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 Social Security Issues Urgent Call For Blood Donations

The general hospitals of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) are facing a critical shortage of blood supplies, so they are calling on the public to come forward and donate this vital liquid. The director of the Rafael Ángel Calderón...

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...

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...

US Revokes Visa of CRHoy Owner Amid Fraud Allegations

The US government revoked the tourist and business visa of Leonel Baruch, the businessman behind Costa Rican news site CRHoy. Reports connect the move to active investigations into money laundering and tax evasion against him. Baruch confirmed the...

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,...