This week’s newsletter mixes practical travel updates with the bigger stories shaping Costa Rica right now. The U.S. has rolled out new biometric checks affecting Costa Rican travelers, while the country crossed a grim security milestone with more than 3,000 homicides under President Rodrigo Chaves.
We also have a major environmental enforcement move in Guanacaste, plus the holiday travel and weather context and a few seasonal guides for anyone out and about.
Top Costa Rica News Story
New U.S. Biometric Checks Now in Place for Costa Rican Travelers
New U.S. rules took effect on Dec. 26, 2025, requiring most non-U.S. citizens (including Costa Ricans) to provide biometric data at entry and exit, typically a facial photo scan, with possible fingerprints or iris scans in some cases.
More News From Costa Rica This Week
Costa Rica Surpasses 3,000 Homicides Under President Chaves
OIJ-linked figures show 3,058 homicides since Chaves took office on May 8, 2022, with 2023 the deadliest year and 2025 tracking high again as of mid-December...
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The story focuses on how narco turf wars have turned Quepos and Parrita into a sustained violence hotspot, with local homicide totals stacking up across 2024–2025. It also highlights the spillover effect, with rising “collateral” victims and broader community fear as criminal groups fight for control.
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Costa Rica Mandates Mangrove Restoration at RIU Guanacaste Hotel
Costa Rica’s Environmental Administrative Tribunal ordered restoration of mangrove and forest areas damaged during construction of the RIU Guanacaste complex at Playa Matapalo. The ruling closes a dispute that has stretched for more than 15 years and puts the restoration obligation squarely on the developers
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Long lines at the Costa Rica–Nicaragua Peñas Blancas Border
Holiday travel triggered major backups at Peñas Blancas, with travelers facing long waits as traffic surged at the main land crossing with Nicaragua. It’s a service-heavy piece that explains what’s driving the congestion and what travelers should expect during peak days.r.
Children Fill Costa Rica’s National Stadium for Annual Christmas Fiesta
The National Stadium in San José transformed into a hub of holiday cheer yesterday, as thousands of children from across our country gathered for the 25th annual Fiesta Nacional de Navidad organized by the Asociación Obras del Espíritu Santo.
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Other News This Week
Spotlight
Pre-Columbian Treasures to Be Saved Before Costa Rica’s New Airport Build
Authorities in Costa Rica plan to recover archaeological artifacts from the site of the proposed Southern Zone International Airport in Palmar Sur de Osa. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) announced that the recovery effort will start in the first half of 2026, before any construction begins on the airport project.
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