This past week began with fireworks and beach trips, then pivoted fast to big geopolitical shocks, tougher crime data, and very practical reminders about life on Costa Rica’s roads. Here’s what actually matters if you live in, invest in, or travel to Costa Rica.
Top Costa Rica News Story
Costa Rica watches Maduro’s capture and braces for fallout
The United States carried out pre-dawn airstrikes on military sites in Venezuela, leading to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Donald Trump announced the operation on social media, framing it as the culmination of years of narco-terrorism charges filed in New York.
More News From Costa Rica This Week
Driving without Marchamo now brings fines and plate removal
More than 250,000 vehicles started 2026 on Costa Rican roads without the new Marchamo sticker. Transit Police can now issue fines of about ₡60,800, remove plates on the spot, and send uninsured cars to the lot. Authorities remind drivers that Marchamo covers mandatory insurance plus taxes and fees, and that late payments accrue interest from January onward.
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Tourism picks up, but security and the strong colón squeeze earnings
Tourist arrivals bounced back in October and November, putting full-year 2025 numbers near or slightly above 2024. That’s the good news. The bad news: a stronger colón and rising crime worries are eroding profits. Hotels and tour operators are earning dollars that convert into fewer colones for salaries and local costs, while travel advisories from the United States and Canada highlight crime and shake Costa Rica’s “safe haven” image.
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Costa Rica slides in global organized crime ranking
A new Global Organized Crime Index pushed Costa Rica down to 58th place out of 193 countries, with a higher score for criminal markets and actors. The report flags cocaine trafficking, counterfeit goods (including fake medicines) and human trafficking as major pressure points. Mafia-style groups and looser criminal networks have expanded their influence, while institutions struggle with limited budgets and backlogged courts
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More than two tons of cocaine found in Costa Rican pineapples headed to Spain
Spanish authorities seized over two tons of cocaine hidden in a container of pineapples shipped from Costa Rica to the port of Algeciras. The bust, carried out at year’s end, highlights how export routes for legitimate products are still being used by traffickers.
Route 27 goes one-way toward San José on Sundays in January
If you’re driving back from the Pacific coast this month, Route 27 will matter more than usual. MOPT confirmed that every Sunday in January the stretch between Orotina and Ciudad Colón will operate one-way toward San José during peak afternoon hours. Closures westbound start around 1 p.m., with full reversible lanes from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Other News This Week
Spotlight
Surfers in Costa Rica know the excitement of riding the perfect Pacific swell, but at certain beaches, they share the water with an unexpected local: the American crocodile. These reptiles, drawn to river mouths and estuaries where fresh and saltwater mix, sometimes venture into surf zones.
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