Guanacaste

Where Expats Live in Costa Rica How do you Choose Where to Live in Costa Rica?

By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica How to choose where to live in Costa Rica. So, you are contemplating a move to Costa Rica after being intrigued by the promise of its unique beauty and livability. Going back to 1500, Christopher Columbus gave it the name which translates into "Rich Coast." It had nothing to do with gold, despite that being a major preoccupation. Without drif...

Costa Rica Gold Miners Gold Miners From Guanacaste Caused Chaos with 24-Hour Road Block in Costa Rica

Costa Rica celebrates 199 years of independence this September 15 dealing with Covid-19, historically high unemployment rates, and street demonstrations from gold miners in Abangares, Guanacaste. Gold miners of the area of Abangares blocked a sector of the Interamericana Norte street which connects to Monteverde and the road that leads to Cañas in Guanacaste for more than 24 hours not allowing ...

PriceSmart Costa Rica New PriceSmart to Open Doors in Liberia, Guanacaste

PriceSmart announced that it plans to move forward with opening what will be its 46th warehouse club on June 17, 2020 in Liberia, Costa Rica. Sherry S. Bahrambeygui, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "In March 2020, when we first began to appreciate the uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we temporarily suspended significant capital expenditures, including additional club developm...

Costa Rica Hybrid Seeds JH Biotech JH Biotech Starts Operations in Guanacaste Costa Rica

JH Biotech, a subsidiary of Jianghuai Horticulture seed Co. of Anhui, China, opened its new facilities in Guanacaste, where it will carry out research and development, quality control, marketing, and sales, as well as export and import products logistics. Costa Rica will be the company’s hub to commercialize seeds from China to other markets on the continent. The company established in Nanda...

US Embassy Costa Rica American Embassy Announces Consular Outreach Event in Tamarindo and Tilarán Guanacaste

The US Embassy in San Jose has announced the upcoming Consular event – routine services for U.S. citizens in Tamarindo and Tilaran, Guanacaste. The Consular staff will be on hand to provide several services in Tamarindo and will be available to answer questions. To RSVP for passport renewals, notary services, and federal benefits inquiries, please indicate your preference by writing to ACSSa...

La Amistad Bridge Costa Rica Maintenance Will Force Closure of La Amistad Bridge in Guanacaste Costa Rica for two Months

The National Roads Authority (CONAVI) is planning the closure of La Amistad Bridge over the Tempisque river which connects the Guanacaste counties of Cañas and Nicoya. The closure obeys to the need to do maintenance and repair works and will require the closure of the structure for at least two months and an investment of over one million dollars. Helmut Wenzel, original designer of the stru...

Costa Rica Animals, Ecology, Jaguars VIDEO:Happy Belated Mothers day to a Jaguar and her Cubs in Costa Rica

The Jaguar Program of Universidad Nacional released amazing video of a mama jaguar and her two cubs, just in time for Mother’s Day. The video was taken by nocturnal cameras in the Dry Forest of Guanacaste. “What better way to celebrate this day (Mother’s Day), than to see a Mama Jaguar and her two cubs in the Dry Forest of the Parque Nacional Santa Rosa!” Researchers have been following this...

PriceSmart Costa Rica PriceSmart Will Open New Location in Liberia, Guanacaste

PriceSmart has announced its plans to expand its operation in Costa Rica by adding a new warehouse club in Liberia, Guanacaste. The shopping club has acquired a 227,000 square feet of land in Liberia, where it plans to build a small-club format that would open doors in the summer of 2020. This would be PriceSmart's 46th warehouse club in the world and the eight in Costa Rica. The Company ...

Six Sense Papagayo COsta Rica Six Senses Papagayo Costa Rica is Slated to Open in 2021.

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is a renown operator of luxury hotels, resorts and spas, managing 19 hotels and resorts across 14 countries, plus 37 spas under the brand names Six Senses, Evason, Six Senses Spas and Raison d’Etre; since February 2019, Six Senses became part of the IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) family of hotel brands. Six Senses will be opening its first resort in Central Ame...

Costa Rica Airlines KLM Will Fly to Liberia, Guanacaste Starting October 2019

KLM has announced it ill expand its offer in Costa Rica, adding a flight to Liberia, Guanacaste, starting October 2019. Just after two years of having inaugurated its first direct flight to Costa Rica, KLM is ready to include four flights a week originating from Amsterdam, stopping in San Jose, and continuing to Guanacaste. The route is already available and the service will begin October 29...

Costa Rica Surf National Tournament Leonardo Calvo and Rubiana Brownell Win Surfing Republica Cup in Guiones

The third date of the Kölbi National Surf Tournament received almost 300 participants this past weekend in Playa Guiones, Nosara, Guanacaste, in the Surfing Republica Cup. 21 year-old, Leo Calvo from Boca Barranca, Puntarenas, took the first place in the Open category, beating Ramón Taliani, Olman Morales and Sebastian Mora, all from Santa Teresa, Cóbano. Calvo has previously won in the U1...

Costa Rica Geothermal Plant Costa Rican Electricity Institute Forced to put Geothermal Plant into Operation

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) will be forced to put the Las Pailas Geothermal Plant into production earlier than expected due to the dry conditions affecting the country. Las Pailas II has 55 megawatts of installed capacity and its incorporation into the National Electric System is now programmed for May instead of June. The first trimester of the year has presented atypical we...

Guanacaste Water New Aqueduct Brings Water to Communities and Tourist Projects in Guanacaste Costa Rica

The Government inaugurated the long awaited Las Trancas-Bahía de Papagayo aqueduct in the district of Carrillo, Guanacaste. This project will provide an additional 120 liters of water per second, which will supply 14,250 people in communities, as well as the manufacturing and tourism sectors. It consists of 15 kilometers of pipes and a 3,000 cubic meter water storage tank. The project was de...

Costa Rica Blues Festival February 16th Enjoy the 8th Annual Blues Festival in Costa Rica

The 8th edition of the Costa Rica Blues Festival is scheduled to take place February 16 at the Costa Rica Sailing Center in Playa Potrero, Guanacaste. This year the headliner is blues rock guitar legend Walter Trout, and some of the guest bands and artists include The Craig Thatcher Band from Philadelphia, The Sparky Parker Band from Houston, Texas; Grey Gregson from Austin, Texas; The Honky To...

Top Ten Reasons Nosara Costa Rica is an Expat Haven

Over the years Costa Rica has become one of the main expat havens in Latin America, the country possesses specific characteristics that make it attractive for foreigners who are looking for a peaceful place to live where they can enjoy the tropical weather and the benefits of living surrounded by raw nature while at the same time enjoying a comfortable life with access to modern-day amenities. ...

Flights Vancounver Canada to Costa Rica First Direct Flight from Vancouver Canada to Liberia Costa Rica Arrived This Week

Canadian airline Sunwing, began operations between the Vancounver International Airport and the Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste, this is the third new flight of the high season that arrives to the city of Liberia, with a weekly frequency. Sunwing Airlines plans to continue offering these direct flights every Sunday through March 31, 2019, all throughout the high season in Costa Ric...

Costa Rica Coast Guard US Tourist Aided by Costa Rican Coast Guard Service

A U.S. tourist who was aboard the sailboat Panache in front of Danta beach in Flamingo, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, received assistance from the Costa Rican National Coast Guard Service which answered an emergency call from the captain of the boat indicating that the tourist was suffering from a strong chest ache. The man, identified as Chandu Chandhari, 77 years old, was transferred to the Coast G...

Guanacaste Costa Rica Guanacaste Costa Rica Among the 50 Best Places to Visit in 2019

Travel & Leisure Magazine posted their list of 50 Best Places to Travel to in 2019 and included in the list is the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. ¨With its beach-meets-jungle coastline, splendid array of biodiversity, and climate as warm as the locals, it's no wonder Costa Rica's northwestern corner became an early paragon of ecotourism. That's a lot of paradise to protect. Now, Guanac...

Costa Rica Flamingo Marathon Tamarindo Beach Marathon in Costa Rica Moves to Flamingo Beach for 2019

During a press conference this Wednesday, December 19, Global Sportx Group confirmed that the traditional Tamarindo Beach Marathon will be moving to Flamingo this 2019. This sporting event that has been taking place for 12 years in Tamarindo, Guanacaste changed its site to the neighboring beach town due to the lack of support from different entities and companies and with the purpose of improvi...

Costa Rica Las Catalinas Hotels Santarena Hotel Will Open Doors in Las Catalinas, Guanacaste in February 2019

Las Catalinas located in Playa Dante, Guanacaste will have a new hotel in February 2019, Santarena, part of the expansion plans of independent hotel brand Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Santarena is a “bohemian gem” that promises to offer guests “unparalleled world-class service” and “one-of-a-kind experiences”. "Costa Rica, with its fantastic year-round climate, lush landscape, secluded be...

Costa Rica NY flights JetBlue Liberia Guanacaste is Officially the First City in Latin America to have Jet Blue MINT Service Experience

This Saturday, December 16, the first JetBlue Mint flight arrived at the Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, Guanacase, from New York; even though this connection already existed, the modality of the new flights (Mint) is one of the novelties in arrivals to Liberia since its one of the most exclusive international services. Liberia became, the first city in Latin America to offer Mint, JetBlue is...

Costa Rica Flamingo Hotels Margaritaville Beach Resort Opens its Doors at Flamingo Beach, Guanacaste

Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo has already opened doors in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The hotel was known in the past as Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa, but back in July, 2017 it became part of Margaritaville Holdings portfolio. Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo made its debut under the Margaritaville brand with several new signature restaurant concepts, updated guestrooms, a...

Santa Cruz Parties Costa Rica Costa Rican Tourism Board Declares Santa Cruz’ Traditional Parties 2019 an Activity of “Public Interest”

The Costa Rican Tourism Board declared the Fiestas Típicas Nacionales de Santa Cruz 2019 (National Traditional Party of Santa Cruz), which will be celebrated January 14 through January 20, 2019, of “public interest”. This traditional activity carried out in the county of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, has gained popularity in the country, in particular due to the Costa Rican style bullfighting. I...

Costa Rica W Conchal Hotel W Hotel Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal Officially Opened Doors in Guanacaste

W Hotel Reserva Conchal by Marriott opened its doors this November 28th in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, this is the brand’s first hotel in Costa Rica and Central America. Elements of the Costa Rican culture are present everywhere in the hotel, “Plugged into and buffered from it all, standing tall between beautiful beaches and the mangroves, W Costa Rica brings a fresh spin to a Costa Rica adventure...

Red Tide, Costa Rica Costa Rica Red Tide Alert

Health authorities in Costa Rica warn of red tide affecting some areas of the Pacific Coast, Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula and the Central Pacific. Red tide is caused by large concentrations of some species of algae. Red tide can be easily spotted due to the presence of red-brownish spots in coastal waters, this algal bloom also deplete oxygen in the waters and release certain toxins which w...

Costa Rica Mexico Flights Aeromexico Inaugurated Flights to Liberia This Saturday, November 10

Mexican airline Aeromexico, inaugurated its flights connecting Liberia, Guanacaste to Mexico City, Mexico this Saturday, November 10 ; a route that will operate during the high season, ending April 21, 2019. The route is operated with planes with capacity for 99 passengers. This first flight departed from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia to Mexico City. Aeromexico has also ...

Costa Rica Tourism Guanacaste Costa Rican Tourism Board Consolidates Guanacaste Operations in their Liberia Office

The Costa Rican Tourism Board consolidated as of November 1st its operations in Guanacaste in their Liberia office, eliminating the previous Nicoya office, this in an effort to maximize existing resources. "With the issue of an administrative order to foster the achievement of results, a decision was made to consolidate staffing and operations in Liberia. While the office will remain in the sa...

Costa RIca Giraffes Another Giraffe Was Born in Costa Rica and Her Name is Sofia

Sofia is the name of the new baby giraffe that was born at the Ponderosa Adventure Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, the 13th giraffe born in the country and the fourth so this year, the others that were welcomed this year in the park are Maira, David and Lydia. In total, the tower of giraffes at the park is composed by 14 giraffes, “this means that the country already has a genetic reserve of th...

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Guanacaste 2018 Fashion Returns to Guanacaste With the 5th Edition of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

The 5th edition of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week will fill Guanacaste with color and glamour on December 28 which will take place once again at Hacienda Pinilla Beach & Golf Resort. As is usually the case, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week – Guanacaste (MBFWG) focuses on summer outfits and trends, inspired in the wonderful nature of Costa Rica. The activity is sponsored by Mastercard and prod...

Costa Rica Rain Rain Continues to Cause Damages in Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

The National Emergency Commission (CNE) raised the alert in the Cental and South Pacific from green to yellow after 130 reports of floods in these areas caused by intense rainfall of tropical wave #40 that affected the country this Thursday, the red alert remains for the districts of Cobano, Paquera, Lepanto, El Roble, and the Center of Puntarenas that were considerably affected last week. The...

Costa Rica Peninsula Papagayo Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula Starts Next Phase of its $100 Million Dollar Transformation

Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre premier resort and residential community on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica, today announces the next phase of its more than $100 million transformation led by international luxury hospitality and residential real estate investment and development firm, Gencom. As part of a singular vision to connect its remarkable 11 miles of coastline from end to end for th...

Costa Rica Crime, Murders, 2019,2020 Will Arrests Finally be Made in the Tamarindo Expat Murder Case in Costa Rica

US expat Barry Lawson was  brutally beaten during a robbery back on April 1st, 2015, at the hotel Villa Alegre in Tamarindo Guanacaste. Barry died days later at the hospital, now, three years later the Intelligence Unit of the Judiciary Investigative Police (OIJ) has been following fresh leads on four suspects, three men and one woman. The information was released by Channel 7 Telenoticias alon...

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica Officially Opens Doors

This Monday, October 1st Planet Hollywood Beach Resort opened its doors today in Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, “marking the opening of the first ever all-inclusive resort by the iconic lifestyle brand”. “It’s been an amazing journey leading my all-star cast of employees to prepare for the grand opening of Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Costa Rica,” said General Manager Jonat...

Tourist Drowns Costa Rica American Tourist Drowns in Guanacaste Costa Rica

Photo Credit: Guana/Noticias An American tourist drowned this Friday, September 28 in Playa Prieta near Flamingo, Guanacaste. The victim, with last name Ramsey was 51-years-old and was dragged out onto the beach by the Costa Rican Red Cross, paramedics proceeded to practice CPR but unfortunately the man did not respond. The circumstances surrounding the accident are still unclear. This...

US Citizens Drown Costa Rica U.S. Couple Drowned in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Two U.S. citizens, a man and a woman drowned today in a river waterhole known as El Salto de Belen, Nicoya, Guanacaste. According to preliminary information, the Red Cross received the alert at 11:35 a.m. this Wednesday, September 19; the foreigners were staying in a hotel in Samara and decided to visit this place to enjoy the fresh water and the waterfall. A witness stated to local media ...

Costa Rica Sea Turtles Over One Million Sea Turtles Arrived at Ostional, Guanacaste This Weekend

The first massive “arribada” (arrival) of olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) of the season started this past weekend and will extend through September 4th.According to the Ostional Development Association the number of sea turtles that arrived during this past weekend exceeded one million. The months of September, October and November are the months when higher number of sea turtl...

Costa Rica Tourist Raped Costa Rican Authorities Arrest Suspect Accused of Raping Argentinian Tourist in Samara

Judiciary Investigative Police (OIJ) in Costa Rica, arrested a man of last names Pereira Lopez suspected of the alleged rape of an Argentinian tourist. OIJ received the report last Saturday, the victim is a 41-year-old woman that is vacationing at Samara Beach in Guanacaste; no further details were revealed by the authorities. The suspect is currently serving three months of preventive custo...

Costa RIca Robbery Tourists Not a Good Week For Tourists in Costa Rica, 5 Tourists Victims of Armed Robbery in Rincon de la Vieja

Two Spanish tourists and three Costa Rican tourists (including a minor) suffered an armed robbery while they were enjoying a walk in one of the trails of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park this Thursday, August 9th at around 11:30 a.m. The tourists were intercepted by men carrying knifes who took all their belongings, cell phones, binoculars, cash, backpacks, among other things. The Public...

Guanacaste Water Approved Loan for $425 Million Will Bring Water to Three Guanacaste Counties

President Carlos Alvarado communicated yesterday the approval of a loan by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) for a total of $425 million for the Project: System of Water Supply for the Mid Basin of the Tempisque River and Coastal Communities (PAACUME) for the benefit of the counties of Nicoya, Santa Cruz and Carrillo. Alvarado also detailed that this is the most importa...

W Hotel Costa Rica W Hotel Costa Rica in Reserva Conchal Will Begin Operations November 2018

W Hotel Reserva Conchal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica announced it will begin operations in November 2018. The hotel, property of the company Florida Ice & Farm (FIFCO), “will have 151 guestrooms, the W Living Room lifestyle lounge, specialty restaurants a destination bar and lounge, infinity edge pool, a spa and meeting space”, details the press release. This will be the brand’s first hotel in C...