This Week’s Top Costa Rica News Story
This week in Costa Rica was defined by a change of government, fresh warning signs in the labor market, and another blow to the country's banana sector. Laura Fernández was sworn in Friday as our 49th president, opening a four-year term anchored to a hard-line security agenda and continuity with outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves.
Beyond the political handover, new INEC numbers showed the workforce shrinking, Fresh Del Monte announced the closure of four banana farms, and Canada updated its travel advisory over crime. Here is what mattered most for anyone living in, investing in, or traveling to Costa Rica.
Laura Fernández sworn in as Costa Rica's 49th president
Laura Fernández took the oath of office Friday at the National Stadium in San José, becoming the second woman to lead Costa Rica and opening her 2026–2030 term with a tough-on-crime agenda focused on organized crime, drug trafficking and what she called weaknesses inside state institutions.
The 39-year-old political scientist won February's election with the backing of outgoing president Rodrigo Chaves, who remains a powerful figure in the new government.
Delegations from 71 countries and 18 international organizations attended the ceremony, including King Felipe VI of Spain and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, making the transfer one of the largest diplomatic events Costa Rica has hosted in years.
More News From Costa Rica This Week
Costa Rica loses 56,000 jobs as workforce participation hits multi-year low
The country shed more than 56,000 jobs in Q1 2026 compared with a year earlier, while another 118,000 people dropped out of the labor force entirely, according to INEC's Continuous Employment Survey. Women bore the brunt of the contraction and informal employment held steady at 38.2 percent
Fresh Del Monte to close four banana farms in Costa Rica
Fresh Del Monte will shutter four farms in the Atlantic Region, affecting roughly 1,200 hectares and more than 850 workers. The company blamed the strong colón — now near ₡450 per dollar — alongside disease pressure and rising input costs.
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Canada updates Costa Rica travel advisory over crime concerns
Canadians to stay away, but it is urging heightened caution over violent crime, car break-ins and property theft, with Alajuela, Limón, Puntarenas and San José flagged among the most affected provinces.
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Green alert declared at Poás Volcano amid increased eruptive activity
The CNE issued a preventive green alert after Poás showed renewed eruptive activity, with plumes and fumarolic emissions logged through May 5–6. The park remains open, but officials warned visitors to stay within authorized areas.
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Marriott to Open World’s First All-Inclusive JW Marriott in Costa Rica
Marriott International will open the JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, All-Inclusive, in Costa Rica on September 10, marking the JW Marriott brand’s first all-inclusive resort and adding a major luxury project to Guanacaste’s North Pacific coast. The property is located at Playa El Jobo in La Cruz, inside the Costa Elena resort-residential community.
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Travel, Local Life and More
Spotlight
Costa Rica Court Orders Urgent Action to Protect Tempisque River
Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has ordered several state agencies and local governments to act together to address the degradation of the Tempisque River, after finding that the official response to sand extraction and environmental damage in the area has been fragmented and insufficient.
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