This Week’s Top Costa Rica News Story
This week in Costa Rica, a sinkhole swallowed part of the country's busiest highway and rattled the Pacific-coast economy, the Fernández administration escalated a fight with the judiciary, a 25-year corruption saga finally closed, and the IMF trimmed its growth outlook. Here's what actually matters if you live in, invest in, or travel to Costa Rica.
A hole in the road — and in the economy: Route 27's sinkhole crisis
massive sinkhole opened in late May near Coyolar in Orotina, fully closing Route 27 at kilometer 56 and severing the main artery between San José and the Pacific coast. Limited traffic has since been restored, but the disruption has hit commuters, freight, and beach-bound tourism — and reopened hard questions about the highway's maintenance and concession.
More News From Costa Rica This Week
President Fernández orders polygraph tests for top officials
President Laura Fernández widened a contentious order requiring polygraph tests tied to her government's new security strategy, declaring that judicial-branch personnel who attend her meetings must also submit — escalating tensions between the executive and the courts
Former President Miguel Ángel Rodríguez acquitted after 25 years
A Costa Rican court acquitted ex-President Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría of embezzlement in the long-running "Reaseguros" case, closing one of the country's most protracted corruption prosecutions.
Read the full story →
Drought Fears Grow as Costa Rica Water Megaproject Falls Behind
Guanacaste is heading into another period of water uncertainty as Costa Rica’s long-promised PAACUME water project remains far behind schedule, four years after the country signed a $425 million loan agreement to finance the work.
Read the full story
Airport customs officer suspended over alleged tourist scam
A customs official at Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia was suspended for four months while prosecutors investigate an alleged scheme to extort a foreign traveler — reportedly demanding a $200 "tax" before releasing luggage
Read the full story
Costa Rica Expands Guanacaste Airport With New VIP Lounge
Guanacaste Airport in Liberia is moving ahead with a $6 million modernization plan that includes a new VIP lounge, expanded parking, a business aviation terminal and operational upgrades. The work is aimed at improving passenger service and supporting the North Pacific’s growth as a tourism hub.
Read the full story →
Travel, Local Life and More
Spotlight
A new species, hiding in the sand at Playa Naranjo
Researchers identified a previously unknown marine worm — sporting coloring reminiscent of a jaguar's coat — buried in the sand along Costa Rica's Pacific coast, adding yet another name to the country's extraordinary biodiversity ledger
Sponsored Post
Heading to Costa Rica? Protect your trip in 2 minutes.
A hospital visit, a canceled flight, or lost luggage shouldn't end your trip. Compare plans from top insurers in one place — quotes take just a few minutes. Get a free quote →
Stay in the loop
If this roundup helps you make sense of what’s happening in Costa Rica, you can support our work by:
Reading and sharing the articles that matter to you
Forwarding this email to a friend who follows Costa Rica