The Tico Times

10/01/2026

Costa Rica's Supreme Electoral Tribunal is reviewing a request to prevent Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele from entering the country next week. A citizen filed the appeal, arguing his visit to the mega-prison site in Alajuela threatens electoral neutrality. Full details:

https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/10/costa-ricas-tribunal-weighs-ban-on-bukele-visit-over-neutrality-fears

Costa Rica's Supreme Electoral Tribunal reviews a citizen's request to ban Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's visit.

10/01/2026

Costa Rica's presidential candidates clashed in last night's TSE debate, focusing on security, economy, and health. Key exchanges highlighted divides on crime, migration, and policy reforms as the February 1 election nears. Read More:

https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/10/costa-rica-presidential-candidates-spar-in-tense-debate

09/01/2026

Drivers here in Costa Rica know the drill: if you’re stuck on the side of the road, help is coming and it usually arrives fast.

Longtime resident Lindsay Losasso shares real stories of strangers pushing cars out of mud, clearing fallen trees with machetes, and turning small disasters into moments of community.

Read more:

Read about the Costa Rica Good Samaritan culture, where strangers help those in distress on the road with kindness and speed.

09/01/2026

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele heads to Costa Rica next week to lay the first stone for the Centro de Alta Contención y Crimen Organizado (CACCO) at La Reforma prison complex.

President Rodrigo Chaves confirmed the visit, noting Bukele's role in advising on the project inspired by El Salvador's CECOT facility.

Read More:

El Salvador President Bukele visits Costa Rica next week to inspect and lay the first stone for the new prison.

08/01/2026

Route 32 travelers, take note: Full closures start today for aerial wildlife crossing installations between San José and Limón. Stops up to 35 minutes daily from 8:30 a.m. through Monday.

Read more: https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/08/costa-rica-highway-to-close-temporarily-for-wildlife-crossing-installations

: Route 32 in Costa Rica faces temporary full closures from Jan 8-12, 2026, for aerial wildlife crossing installations..

07/01/2026

Intestinal parasites are Don Mateo's unwanted companion in Costa Rica.

About every six months, his body sends the same signals and he ends up at the pharmacy for antiparasitic pills.

Don Mateo shares his story of an emergency surgery years ago in Pérez Zeledón that changed how he thinks about food, washing produce, and living in the tropics.

If you’ve ever had a “Costa Rica gut” episode, you’ll relate.

https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/06/my-twice-yearly-parasite-routine-in-costa-rica

06/01/2026

An anonymous trader on Polymarket bet $32,537 on Nicolás Maduro's removal from power and won over $436,000 just before U.S. forces captured him.

This raises questions about insider knowledge in crypto prediction markets. Read the full story:

An anonymous crypto trader on Polymarket profited $436,000 by betting on Nicolás Maduro's capture just before the U.S. operatio

05/01/2026

Costa Rica's Nosara in Guanacaste makes Forbes' top 10 adventure travel destinations for 2026. The list highlights Playa Guiones for its surf schools, lodging, and operators, plus a focus on sustainability and fewer crowds. Read the full story:

https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/05/costa-ricas-nosara-highlighted-in-forbes-top-10-adventure-spots

04/01/2026

Actress Gal Gadot returned to Costa Rica for her second straight New Year's celebration, sharing beach sunsets and horse rides with her family.

She arrived on December 25 and posted messages of hope for 2026. Tourism officials here said they saw a lift from her spotlight on our country's natural places. Read the full story:

https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/04/gal-gadot-chooses-costa-rica-again-for-new-years-getaway

04/01/2026

Heads up for anyone traveling on Route 27 this January: Reversible lanes kick in every Sunday to handle the rush back from the Pacific coast.

On Jan. 4, 11, 18, and 25, the highway switches to one-way toward San José from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with closures starting at 1 p.m. and normal traffic resuming by 7 p.m.

This affects the stretch between Orotina and Ciudad Colón. Plan ahead if you're heading to the airport or beaches—use alternate routes like Route 1 or 34 for westbound trips after 1 p.m.

Toll rates just went up by ₡10 to ₡60 at booths, so factor that in. Stay updated via the Ruta 27 app or MOPT channels for smoother trips.

A Costa Rica expat shares funny true stories of English phrases on hats and T-shirts, and how Ropa Americana leads to unexpected wardrobe messages.

03/01/2026

U.S. forces carried out strikes this morning, leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as confirmed by President Trump.

The operation targeted military sites, causing explosions across the capital. Venezuelan officials call it an act of aggression.

United States launches airstrikes on Caracas, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as announced by President Trump.

02/01/2026

Late-night host Jimmy Fallon chose Costa Rica's Papagayo Peninsula for his year-end family getaway, staying at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Nekajui.

His zipline adventures and social media shares highlight Guanacaste's luxury tourism scene. Read more about how celebrity visits boost the area's high-end appeal.

Late-night host Jimmy Fallon vacationed at a luxury resort in Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula, highlighting Guanacaste’s premium tourism