Author: Laura Alvarado



Costa Rica Covid-19 ICU Capacity Costa Rican Health Authorities Warn the Worst of the Pandemic is Coming

Health authorities in Costa Rica warn that the worst moment of the pandemic in the country is expected in the upcoming weeks. Early this week the social security service (CCSS) reported they had over 2,246 patients that required hospitalization due to Covid-19, an increase "never seen before". In average, 27 people die every day with conditions related to Covid-19. "We are close to reachi...

Costa Rican Athletes in Tokyo Olympics

Costa Rica has 13 athletes representing the country in the Tokyo Olympics 2021: Andrey Amador : Men's Road Cycling  Maria Jose Vargas: Women's Road Cycling Brisa Hennessy: Women's Surf Leilani Mcgonagle: Women's Surf Carlos Muñoz: Men's Surf (last minute slot) Ian Sancho: Judo Neshy Lee: Taekwondo (last minute slot) Luciana Alvarado: Gymnastics Andrea Vargas: Athletics (Women's 100m Hu...

5 Steps to Moving to Costa Rica, Residency, Immigration Costa Rica Approves New Law to Attract Investors, Retirees and Rentistas

Costa Rican congress approved a new law to attract investors, people with fixed income (rentistas) and retirees; the purpose of this law is to offer temporary benefits for people who wish to come live in the country and apply for the residency under any of the categories mentioned. Although it was already possible to apply for the residency under those categories now there are additional benefi...

Nextern will Launch MedTech Operations in Costa Rica

Multinational MedTech, U.S. - based company, confirmed its arrival in Costa Rica. Over the coming months, the company will establish operations in La Lima Free Zone, in Cartago. In addition to manufacturing the company's signature medical devices, it will also house a design, research, and engineering team involved in new product creation. Likewise, it will develop improvements to existing devices...

Costa Rica Space Radars Costa Rica Inaugurates the Most Advanced Space Radar on the Planet

Source: EFE LeoLabs, a U.S. company, inaugurated in Costa Rica a radar capable of detecting space objects as small as a golf ball. It is one of the most advanced of its kind and can provide a series of services, such as safety information for satellites and space flights. "Just nine months after beginning our work in Costa Rica, we are very gratified to announce that the most advanced comme...

Covid Cases continue to Increase, New Restrictions Go Into Effect May 3

Costa Rica registered 2,781 new cases of Covid-19 this Thursday, April 29, a new record for the country. Under these circumstances, the Government has announced new restrictions that will go into effect May 3 and will continue through May 9. The new restrictions include:' The closure of “non-essential” commercial businesses that offer attention to the public from May 3 through May 9th. ...

Costa Rica Covid-19 ICU Capacity Costa Rica Reaches New Record Number of Covid-19 Cases in One Day

Costa Rica registered this Wednesday, April 28th, a new record on the number of new Covid-19 cases a total of 2,434. With this new number, the total cases reach 245,601 out of which 40,184 are active. 351 people remain in intensive care while another 467 are hospitalized. The health system has expressed its concern with the current rhythm of infection and the possibility of a collapse of pub...

Costa Rica COVID19 New Restrictions Go Into Effect Today in Costa Rica as Covid Numbers Rise

The Costa Rican Government announced new restrictions that will go into effect as of this Tuesday, April 27, and through Sunday, May 16. The main change has to do with transit restrictions, starting today the restriction will be in place starting at 9 p.m. ad through 5 a.m. Commercial establishments will have to also close business by 9 p.m. in accordance with the transit restriction. T...

MTB Kivelix Trophy The Kivelix Trophy All Women MTB Event Will Take Place in Costa Rica May 15th

Mountain Bike Event Kivelix Trophy, a sporting event directed exclusively to women will be taking place between May 15 and 16 in Hacienda Guachipelin Hotel in Rincón de la Vieja, Guanacaste. This MTB competition expects to gather at least 150-200 cyclists. Kivelix Trophy consists of two timed stages and general classification, stage 1 scheduled for May 15th starting at 7 a.m. for the first bloc...

Costa Rica Tuna Fishing Costa Rica Delays Protection of Dolphins

The Costa Rican Fishing Federation (FECOP), expressed their disappointment in the delay of a tuna law reform that would have given better protection to dolphins and other marine life that is captured as bycatch in the process of purse seine tuna fishing in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is one of the few countries that still allow tuna purse seine boats to capture dolphins while fishing for yellowfin ...

Costa Rica Vaccine Covid19 Vaccination in Costa Rica at Slow Pace

According to data published by Our World in Data Costa Rica’s ratio of Covid-19 vaccinated population is 4.8 per 100 inhabitants, slightly under the world average of 5 per every 100. The country registers over 250 thousand vaccines applied, 77% of which correspond to first doses while 23% to second doses. On March 23 Costa Rica received the biggest lot of vaccines yet, a total of 119 thousand...

Joe Biden President Biden Invited 40 World Leaders to Summit on Climate, Costa Rica Isn’t on the List

On March 26, U.S. President Joe Biden invited 40 world leaders to the Leaders Summit on Climate he will be hosting on April 22 and 23, the White House informed; this is the first action taken by Biden to return the United States to the Paris Agreement after former President Donald Trump announced the decision to leave in 2017 which didn’t become effective until November 2020. “The Leaders Summi...

Costa rica Land borders Costa Rica Reopens Land Borders on April 5th

The Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Segura, announced that Costa Rica will be ready to open land borders as of April 5th for tourism purposes. The country reopened its air and sea borders in August 2020. The Costa Rican Tourism Board considers it is ready to proceed with the normal operation of land borders, which also allows European tourists to move freely between Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua...

Intel Costa Rica Intel and Bill Gosling Open New Job Positions in Costa Rica

Intel Costa Rica is expanding its operations in the country: it is currently hiring 202 job positions in different areas, both technical and administrative. “The Costa Rican human talent quality is a key piece for Intel operations in the country, and over these 24 years, it has made it possible for us to offer high-quality services and value-added to the Corporation at the world level. Today we...

Costa Rica Drugs Costa Rican Authorities Seize $30 Million in Cocaine Inside Container

Costa Rican authorities seized 2 tons of cocaine that were found hidden inside a container in APM Terminals in Moín, Limón. Scanners showed something suspicious and the Drug Control Police proceeded to inspect the container which was loaded with pineapples in route Costa Rica – Belgium, among the cargo police officers found 2,000 packages of cocaine each weighing approximately 1 kilogram. ...

Costa Rica Corcovado Park Costa Rica Listed Among Nat Geo’s Best Places For Travel In 2021

Costa Rica appears in National Geographic Traveller magazine “Best of the World 2021” list, in which international editorial teams selected “35 incredible places to discover in 2021 and beyond”, under five categories: sustainability, family, nature, adventure and culture. “The joy of travel comes from the unexpected. And while the pandemic was just that, brining journeys to a standstill, it has...

february restrictions costa rica Changes in Restrictions for February in Costa Rica

For the month of February, the Costa Rican Government announced some changes in the sanitary restrictions. When it comes to vehicular transit restrictions the weekend schedule will be extended for an additional hour, which means cars (restricted still by plate number) will be allowed to transit between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The weekend restriction by plate number remains in place for Februar...

Costa Rica US Ambassador Costa Rica Recognizes Labor of US Ambassador Sharon Day

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rodolfo Solano, presented the US Ambassador to Costa Rica, Sharon Day with the award of the “Juan Mora Fernandez National Order in the level of Great Cross of Silver Plate” in honor of the conclusion of her diplomatic mission in Costa Rica. The ceremony was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of President Carlos Alvarado. Chancellor Solano e...

Costa Rica Retirement Costa Rica Ranks as the No.1 Retirement Destination in 2021

Costa Rica took the top spot this year in InternationalLiving.com’s 2021 Annual Global Retirement Index. which scores the world´s top 25 retirement destinations across 13 categories, including, including cost of living, governance, retiree benefits, climate and healthcare, among many other aspects that are important for those looking for a place to retire. It also topped the healthcare category. ...

Costa Rica Flights International Airport in Guanacaste Costa Rica Back in Action

The Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste received two new routes operated by United Airlines proceeding from the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, USA; it also received four flights from routes previously suspended due to the pandemic. The inaugural flight arriving from Los Angeles arrived at Liberia on Friday at 15:37 hours, while the flight from San Fr...

Costa Rica Concerts Events in Costa Rica With a Maximum 15,000 People Will Resume in Second Semester

The Ministry of Culture in Costa Rica has informed they expect to allow small public events starting July 2021 following, of course, new sanitary protocols to guarantee the security of the attending audience. Ada Acuña, director of Artistic Production of the Ministry of Culture explained that a massive event is “financially viable when it’s for a minimum 10,000 to 15,000 people”. Meetings ...

Costa Rica Tourism Industry These are the Holidays that are Moved to Mondays During 2021 in Costa Rica

Last year President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, signed Law number 9875 to Transfer the Holidays (that fall on weekends or mid-week) to Mondays with the purpose of promoting national tourism during the years 2020 through 2024 with the purpose of helping reactive the tourism sector. Below you will find the list of holidays that fall on weekends or mid-week that will be transferred to Mondays:...

Costa Rica USA Security Collaboration United States Supports Costa Rica to Purchase Police Vessels and New Aircraft

With the assistance of the United States, the Ministry of Public Security purchased three vessels from the U.S. company Metal Shark, a firm specialized in the design of vessels for law enforcement purposes. Also with the assistance of the United States, the Aerial Surveillance Service (SVA) recently added a new aircraft to facilitate law enforcement and counter-narcotics operations and a new hang...

Costa Rica Restrictions Covid19 Costa Rican Government Announces Changes in Restrictions

The Government of Costa Rica announced changes in restrictions for the end and beginning of the year. The measures will apply to the entire country and are as follow: On Thursday, December 31st: The transit restriction will apply as of 7 p.m. and through 5 a.m. (exceptions apply). Commercial establishments that provide attention to the public will have to close at 7 p.m. and through 5 a.m...

Costa Rica Vaccine Covid19 First Shipment of Covid-19 Vaccines Arrives to Costa Rica

The first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines arrived at the Juan Santamaría Airport in San Jose this evening of Wednesday, December 23. This shipment contained 9,750 vaccines. The government announced that this Thursday two senior citizens and two members of the health care system will be vaccinated in a symbolic public activity; however, the vaccination will begin officially on Monday, December 28t...

Costa Rica Cocaine Vessels Carrying Over 2.4 Tons of Cocaine in Costa Rica Intercepted by Coast Guard

Costa Rican authorities with the assistance of the USA Coast Guard Service detained two vessels carrying over 2.4 Tons of cocaine in waters of the Pacific. In under 4 hours, the same Coast Guard Service crew patrolling waters of the South Pacific alerted about the presence of a suspicious motorboat at around 7 p.m. on Friday, December 19, the same was intercepted 150 kilometers from Golfito, th...

Costa Rica Covid-19 ICU Capacity Hospitals in Costa Rica Running Out of Beds for Critical Patients

The Social Security Service (CCSS) in Costa Rica confirmed this Sunday they have only 5 available beds in ICU for critical COVID-19 patients. On Saturday hospitals had run out of beds for critical patients; CCSS had to relocate some patients to make some beds available, others became available after the passing of other critical patients. “We have reached a maximum capacity, it is very painful...

Costa Rica, Taxes As of Today Uber, Booking, Disney+ and Others Will Have to Charge 13% VAT in Costa Rica

As of today, Friday, December 18, 2020 services such as Uber, Didi, Disney+, Expedia, Booking, Despegar, Aplaudir.com among others will have to add the 13% charge corresponding to the Value Added Tax (VAT), confirmed the Ministry of Treasury in Costa Rica. The list of websites is listed in the Ministry’s site hacienda.go.cr, new providers can be and will be included as needed and with three da...

Costa Rica Flights United Airlines Inaugurates Two New Routes Connecting Costa Rica and USA

United Airlines inaugurated this December 17th, 2020, the first of two new routes that will be connecting Costa Rica and the United States before the end of the year. The route inaugurated connects San Jose, Costa Rica to Los Angeles, California, USA, one of the North American cities with the largest concentration of tourists interested in traveling to Costa Rica. “Studies show that the west...

Costa Rica African Descent Day UN Adopts Resolution Proposed by Costa Rica to Declare Aug. 31 As International Day For People of African Descent

The United Nations General Assembly adopted by acclamation this past December 16 a resolution presented by Costa Rica and co-sponsored by 52 countries, to proclaim August 31 as the International Day for People of African Descent. Announced by Vice President Epsy Campbell Barr on a national broadcast last August on the occasion of the commemoration of the Historical Month of Afro-descendants in ...

Costa Rica Reventazon Plant For Sixth Consecutive Year Costa Rica Surpasses 98% of Clean Energy Generation

The National Electric System (SEN) will sum at the end of 2020 its sixth consecutive year generating over 98% of renewable energy. The data provided by the Center of Energy Control (CENCE) also confirms that during the pandemic the electric consumption went down 3%. The energy that comes from the fuel is the lowest since 1986, this year it represented only 23.73 gigabytes hour, in addition to...

Intel Costa Rica Intel to Start Assembly and Test Operations in Costa Rica

Intel Corporation announced today that it will invest $350 million US dollars over the next three years to start assembly and test operations in Costa Rica. The investment is anticipated to create more than 200 new jobs in the coming months and the facility will begin to operate in the second half of 2021. "Intel continually evaluates its operations around the world to ensure that we have the ...

Medical Devices Costa Rica Medical Device Company to Create 2,000 Jobs in Costa Rican Expansion

MicroVention-Terumo, a U.S.-Japanese company in the life sciences sector, announced that it will expand its Costa Rican operations with the construction of a new plant in Alajuela’s Coyol Free Zone. The 20,000 square-meter facilities will generate 2,000 more jobs in various administrative, operational, and engineering areas. MicroVention currently employs 1,700 workers in Costa Rica; its newest...

Costa Rica Vaccine Covid19 COVID-19 Update Costa Rica: The Vaccine

Costa Rica has had 143,685 confirmed cases of COVID-19 through last Friday, December 4, out of these, 95,789 people have recovered, and 577 patients remain hospitalized. In total the country has registered 1,773 deaths related to COVID-19: 666 women and 1,107 men. The Government announced this week that it has formalized the agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech for the purchase of 3 million do...

Costa Rica Therapeutic Abortion Ministry of Health in Costa Rica Approves Protocol for Therapeutic Abortion

The Ministry of Health of Costa Rica informed the Social Security Service (CCSS) that the “Protocol of clinical attention for the medical procedure related to article 121 of the Criminal Code: therapeutic interruption of pregnancy”, has been approved. The protocol, as stated in the Executive Decree, standardizes the actions in the health services network of the different professionals (OBGYNs...

Walmart Plastic Bags Walmart Costa Rica Will Stop Giving Out Plastic Bags Starting January

Supermarket chain Walmart in Costa Rica which includes MasxMenos, Maxi Palí, and Palí have announced they will stop providing plastic bags as of January 1, 2021. Costa Rica has been working on its mission to becoming carbon neutral and banning the single-use plastic; eliminating supermarket bags is part of that goal. Most Costa Rican supermarkets have been promoting other options to pack g...

Costa Rica Keylor Navas Costa Ricans Kaylor Navas and Shirley Cruz Nominated to The Best FIFA Football Awards

FIFA revealed this week the nominees to The Best FIFA Football Awards, a ceremony that will take place on December 17, 2020 and that recognizes the achievements of soccer players around the world during the 2019-2020 season. Two expert panels – one for women’s football and another one for men’s football – selected the candidates for each category. Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas currentl...

Album 3:33 by Costa Rican Singer-Songwriter Debi Nova Nominated for a Grammy

Debi Nova’s album 3:33 is the first album by a Costa Rican artist to be nominated to a Grammy. The album was nominated in the category best Latin pop or urban album where it will compete with other renowned artists such as Bad Buddy with his album “YHLQMDLG” (Spanish acronym for ‘I do whatever I want’), Camilo with “Por Primera Vez” (For the First Time) Kany Garcia with “Mesa para dos” (Table f...

Costa Rica Abolition Army Costa Rica Celebrates the Abolition of the Army With a Holiday Monday Nov 30th

For the first time, Costa Rica commemorates with a holiday the day of the Abolition of the Army which is officially December 1st but will be celebrated this year on Monday, November 30 due to the passing of a bill a few months back which moves the national holidays that fall on a weekend or mid-week to Monday with the purpose of having long weekends and promoting national tourism. President of ...

Turrialba Volcano in Costa Rica Will Reopen For Visitors December 4 After 8 Years of Closure

After 8 years, the Turrialba Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to visitors on December 4, confirmed the National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC). The reopening of this National Park will allow the reactivation of the local economy, especially hotels, restaurants, and local tourism businesses. The Park closed doors back in 2012 when the Volcano increased its activity which cont...