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This week was a mix of hard numbers and day-to-day reality: the dollar slid to levels Costa Rica hasn’t seen in years, Route 32 stayed messy after landslides, and fresh reporting dug into alleged institutional corruption tied to drug trafficking. On the ground, hotels in key tourism zones reported a February dip, and lawmakers moved a bill aimed at illegal entries into parks.
This Week’s Top Costa Rica News Story
Why the falling dollar is testing Costa Rica’s tourism edge
The U.S. dollar hit its weakest point against the colón in nearly two decades, a move that helps importers and locals buying in colones but squeezes tourism businesses and exporters that price in dollars. The story points to strong tourism inflows, lower oil prices, and post-election stability as drivers, and lays out what the shift means for travelers and Costa Rica’s broader economy
More News From Costa Rica This Week
Coast Guard corruption scandal tied to drug trafficking case
New reporting, based on court records and wiretaps, details alleged bribes involving Coast Guard officers and cocaine shipments, underscoring how organized crime pressures institutions meant to fight it
Costa Rica’s Route 32 Shuts Down Again After Landslide
Drivers heading to Limón faced another roadblock Saturday night when a landslide closed Route 32 at kilometer 28 near the Zurquí sector in Braulio Carrillo National Park. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) halted all traffic in both directions around 8 p.m. to protect travelers from falling rocks, soil and branches
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Shakira’s Concerts Boost El Salvador’s Economy and Tourism Surge
Colombian singer Shakira’s five-concert series in El Salvador has drawn massive crowds, filling hotels and sparking a notable economic lift for the country. The shows, part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, expanded from an initial three dates after tickets sold out quickly
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February slump hits Costa Rica hotels, operators cite weather and airfares
Hotels in Guanacaste and the Central Pacific reported weaker February occupancy than recent years, with the national average down in a chamber survey and operators blaming unusual weather patterns and airfare dynamics
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Lawmakers advance bill to fine illegal entries into national parks
A bill moved forward that would impose significant fines for unauthorized entry into protected areas, aimed at deterring risky or damaging access by visitors and operators..
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Other News This Week
Spotlight
Corcovado guide criticizes SINAC as illegal mining persists
A well-known Corcovado guide said he is pausing work after problems renewing his license and used the moment to criticize park management, arguing enforcement hits guides hard while illegal mining continues. It’s a local dispute, but it lands on a national pressure point: who gets policed, and how, in Costa Rica’s most famous park.
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