The law that bans single-use plastics in Costa Rica comes into force on April 20th. This measure, approved in 2021, seeks to eliminate materials such as straws, plates, and cups that are quickly discarded. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that Costa Rica produces approximately 60 tons of waste of this material per day. The law prohibits the commercialization and free delivery of single-use plastic straws throughout the country and prohibits the commercialization and free delivery of plastic bags to the final consumer in supermarkets and commercial establishments whose purpose is to carr ..read more

Early one morning in the waning days of the pandemic, I found a wallet in the street while cycling. The contents consisted of 8,000 colons, a one-dollar US bill, and a Costa Rican cedula. The photo was of a young man. The signature was his first name only– Gustavo– printed in all capital letters. The barrio where he lived when the cedula was issued was in one of the poorer areas of the city; I had not been to the barrio for years. Previously, it had been a precario of rutted, unpaved streets, filled with crude little houses, many of which were constructed with nothing more than zinc roofing s ..read more

The President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, received José Raúl Mulino in San José yesterday. Mulino is the protégé of former President Ricardo Martinelli and the favorite presidential candidate for the upcoming elections in Panama. The Costa Rican presidency published on social media that it was a “courtesy audience,” following Chaves’ willingness to receive presidential candidates who request to meet with him. They added that during the meeting, both advocated for the “upcoming elections in the neighboring country to be a new democratic electoral celebration.” Panama will elect the successo ..read more

The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) reports an alarming increase in health disorders associated with vaping. According to official data, registered cases in the country increased from 13 in 2021 to 1,456 in 2023. “Vaping is not a safe activity and is generating more and more health problems,” warned Dr. Marny Ramos, coordinator of the Commission for the Implementation of the CCSS Cessation Clinics. Specialists point out that vaping affects especially adolescents and young adults, who practice it more frequently. Dr. Ramos pointed out that “it is the younger people who are reporting th ..read more

Rafa Nadal, who returned to competition on Tuesday after more than three months of absence, was eliminated this Wednesday in the second round of the Barcelona Tournament by Australian Alex de Miñaur, 7-5 and 6-1. The winner of 22 Grand Slam tournaments competed well but ended up accusing the lack of competitive rhythm against the Australian, number eleven in the world. “I got a win against Rafa on clay, which is something I never thought I would achieve in my career,” said De Miñaur after the match. Nadal had easily won (6-2, 6-3) against Italian Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday in his return to comp ..read more

Most of the water supply problems faced by the country are the responsibility of the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage (AyA). A recent report by the Comptroller General’s Office and the Ombudsman’s Office exposed the institution’s financial situation, and its problems in meeting the needs of the population. The Comptroller General’s Office explained that the management of AyA’s portfolio of investment projects for potable water supply and wastewater sanitation has not been effective and hasn’t reached vulnerable populations and hasn’t been “effective and efficient in managi ..read more

Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates signed an Economic Partnership Agreement on Trade and Investment. The Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica, Manuel Tovar Rivera, and the Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, represented their respective nations. The UAE Minister of Foreign Trade arrived in the country on Monday afternoon with a delegation of 28 representatives from both the public and private sectors, including tourism, finance, and infrastructure. The Agreement aims to stimulate foreign direct investment, boost bilateral trade, and e ..read more

In Costa Rica, a land of mostly small creatures, a giant lurks in the shadows. Costa Rica is not Africa, where a huge number of species pack more bulk than a full-grown man. Most of Costa Rica’s creatures are small enough to pick up and embrace in a bear hug (not recommended). There is one 500-pound giant pushing through the underbrush, the Baird’s tapir, and until last week it had eluded my tapir-loving gaze. Well, I finally saw one, and I’m so tickled pink that I’m going to tell you all about it. The fateful event happened in hot, hot Guanacaste. My mother-in-law was in town which meant tha ..read more

The Panamanian prosecutor’s office asked on Wednesday for 12 years in prison, the maximum penalty for money laundering, for Jürgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca, founders of the now-defunct law firm at the epicenter of the international “Panama Papers” scandal. Prosecutor Isis Soto asked the court for a “maximum” sentence against the heads of the Mossack Fonseca law firm as perpetrators of the crime of money laundering, during the eighth day of the trial taking place for the “Panama Papers”. Mossack and Fonseca are also accused of “concealing, covering up and providing false information to bankin ..read more

The National Chamber of Agriculture and Agribusiness (CNAA) of Costa Rica reported monthly losses of $1,000,000 for the agricultural sector due to problems at the Caldera port on the Pacific coast. The CNAA reported uncertainty surrounding the administration and operation of the Caldera port, as the fourth position of the dock, designated for bulk shipments, is being utilized to unload other product types, disrupting the flow of goods nationwide. In addition, the restrictions established for navigation through the Panama Canal, due to low water levels resulting from the intense drought, have ..read more