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Laura Fernández: “I wouldn’t hesitate to call a referendum”

Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica could once again hold a referendum similar to the one in 2007, when Costa Ricans voted to join the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. Laura Fernández, Costa Rica's president-elect, confirmed in an...

Life After The Asemblea… What will legislators do when their term ends on April 30?

Q COSTARICA — In two and a half months, on April 30, the current legislators (diputados in Spanish) of the Legislative Assembly will conclude four years of public service and return to their daily lives. What will they do? In...

Influenza A is the most prevalent respiratory virus circulating in Costa Rica

Q COSTARICA — Influenza A is currently the most prevalent respiratory virus in Costa Rica, according to data from the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS) plans to move up its influenza vaccination campaign to...

Migrants arrive in Panama on their return journey to South America

Q24N (EFE) Between January 1 and 18, 2026, 577 undocumented migrants arrived in Panama, traveling back to South America after their plans to settle in the United States were thwarted. Under Donald Trump's second presidency, the U.S. has launched a...

US issues air travel alert for Central America

Q COSTARICA — What's happening in the skies? The United States issued an air safety alert on Friday, January 16, for flights crossing specific regions of Central America and parts of South America, raising concerns for airlines and travelers...

The current government will leave office without having purchased a single train or even a single switch for railway crossings

Q COSTARICA — What once felt like a minor inconvenience, traffic congestion has now turned into a daily struggle for thousands, especially in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), which includes the capital, San José, and its surrounding suburbs. The root...

How Travelers Are Combining Tourism and Online Gaming in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has long drawn visitors looking for something beyond the ordinary. With its volcano hikes, lush eco-lodges, and beaches that stretch into the Pacific and Caribbean, the country offers far more than just a place to relax. But there’s...

Mexico’s low-cost airlines Volaris and Viva agree to merge

Q COSTARICA — Two of Mexico's leading low-cost airlines, Viva and Volaris, have agreed to merge, forming what could become one of the biggest domestic airlines in the country. Volaris has had a presence in Costa Rica for years, while...

Which presidential candidate has the best proposal to curb insecurity, homicides, and drug trafficking?

Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica is experiencing a gang war for territory that has driven up murders in the last three years. Among the proposals put forward by the leading presidential candidates to address Costa Rica's security crisis are large-scale...

A train service completely out of touch

RICO's Q — Costa Rica’s commuter train has the potential to be a major solution for the daily gridlock choking the Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM). But instead of easing traffic headaches, it’s often a source of frustration. Delays and service...

A cheap dollar is an illusion that ends up costing the economy dearly

Q COSTARICA — Between June 2022 and March of this year, individuals and businesses that receive their income in dollars saw their earnings decrease by almost 30% due to the appreciation of the colón against the dollar. While it's true...

Protecting your income from a weak dollar

Q COSTARICA — If you receive all your income in dollars and spend in colones, as many foreigners in Costa Rica do, it's clear that your finances have been hit hard by the dollar exchange rate in recent days. In...

9 Things to Keep In Mind When Travelling Outside the Country for a Vacation

International travel opens doors to unforgettable experiences, new cultures, and breathtaking destinations. However, venturing beyond your home country requires careful planning and awareness to ensure your trip remains safe, enjoyable, and hassle-free. Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter or embarking on...

SUTEL rejects Liberty and Tigo merger

Q COSTARICA — The Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUTEL)  - Superintendency of Telecommunications - has prohibited the merger between Liberty and Tigo, arguing that the union of the two companies would negatively impact competition and consumer interests. The regulatory body made...

Electric vehicle expansion drives installation of private chargers in Costa Rica

Q COSTARICA -- The rapid adoption of electric vehicles in Costa Rica is creating an urgent challenge: the availability of charging points. With a growing electric fleet, more and more drivers are facing a lack of charging stations, a situation...

Costa Rica: The Country with More Cars Than Babies Per Year

Q COSTARICA -- It’s a statistic that stops you in your tracks: in Costa Rica, more cars are registered each year than babies born. For a country famous for its lush rainforests, vibrant culture, and “Pura Vida” way of...

Nicaraguan Women in Exile in Costa Rica: Navigating the Tough Shift from Small-Scale Hustles to Official Businesses

Q REPORTS (NicaraguaInvestiga) Yadira Hernández arrived in Costa Rica in June 2023, fleeing the harsh sociopolitical turmoil in Nicaragua. Despite over 20 years of working with civil society groups, she struggled to find formal work here. With two teenagers to...

Rodrigo Chaves’ electric commuter train could derail on the departure platform

Q COSTARICA -- Before even moving a centimeter, the electric train project proposed by Rodrigo Chaves’s government could derail on the departure platform. The plan hinges on legislative approval for a US$800 million loan, and that’s where it could...

Maduro: Venezuela’s ready to declare state of emergency if US attacks

Q24N -- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced he’s prepared to declare a state of emergency due to what he describes as a looming “aggression” threat from the United States, following a series of deadly US strikes on boats...

Wider sidewalks, more trees, more light: This is what the new Avenida 2 will look like

Q COSTARICA -- Under the guidance of Mayor Diego Miranda, the Municipality of San José got the green light from the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) - Ministry of Public Works and Transportation - to spruce up...

Costa Rica closes airspace after radar system loses power

Q COSTARICA -- Costa Rica closed its airspace on September 24, leading to major flight delays and cancellations. The shutdown began around 6:20 a.m. and is expected to last until noon at both Juan Santamaria International Airport in San...

Luis Amador to Rodrigo Chaves: “I’m your worst nightmare”

Q COSTARICA -- Former wunderkind and former Minister of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), Luis Amador, delivered a pointed critique of President Rodrigo Chaves and his chosen successor, Laura Fernández. At the same time, he revealed that he plans...

How many cell phone lines are on your account—two, five, ten, or even more?How do you know?

Q COSTARICA -- In Costa Rica, most people have just one cell phone line, but it’s not unusual for some to have two or three. While many Costa Ricans stick with a single line for personal use, some—especially those...

Bolsonaro on trial: Brazil judges the coup that sought to dynamite its democracy

Q 24N -- The future of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro is in the balance as his trial for masterminding a conspiracy to stay in power enters its final stage today. The country is bracing for unrest during the...

Card Payments vs. Keeping Cash Flow Healthy

RICO'S Q -- In Costa Rica, the debate between using card payments (debit or credit card) and cash for everyday transactions goes beyond convenience—it's about sustainability and the future of the country's economy. As digital payments gain traction, understanding how...

Nicaragua: “We can’t sell, inherit, or mortgage the land,” lament Nicaraguans in the border area

Q24N -- Andrea’s farm sits tucked near Nicaragua’s border, just a few miles from Costa Rica. It’s been in her family for over 20 years, a place she hoped to pass down to her kids someday. But now, her land...

Commuter trains would run on weekends and holiday under Natalia Díaz’s administration

RICO'S Q -- The commuter train in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) has always been low on the list for governments and politicians. You might even say it hasn’t even been a real priority for INCOFER, Costa Rica’s railway...

Project to convert former San José zoo into an Urban Natural Park advances

Q COSTARICA -- On Monday, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Culture, and the Municipality of San José unveiled the designs, master plan, and General Management Plan for the Simón Bolívar Urban Natural Park (UNUR). The project to...

Costa Rica finally joins the U.S. Global Entry program

Q COSTA RICA -- On Wednesday, Costa Rica finally entered the United States' Global Entry program, which expedites the entry of travelers. The announcement was made by Kristi Noem, United States Secretary of Homeland Security, after meeting with President Rodrigo...

Pilar Cisneros sees herself out of politics after 2026

QCOSTARICA -- Legislator Pilar Cisneros announced her retirement from politics once her term in the Legislative Assembly ends in 2026. Cisneros expressed her retirement from politics during an interview on the Punto de Encuentro program on Radio Monumental, where she...

Pet-related leave: Is it possible?

QCOSTARICA -- According to the Encuesta Nacional de Hogares (ENAHO) - National Household Survey, it was determined that 62.2% of Costa Rican households would have at least one dog or cat as a pet, meaning that approximately 1.7 million...

Understanding Critical Illness Insurance: What It Covers and Why You May Need It

In the current era of advancing healthcare, planning for unforeseen medical emergencies is not just prudent but essential. Critical illness insurance plays a crucial role in this planning. Let’s get to deeper into its significance, what it covers, and...