Costa rica

February 02, 2026

Americas

Fernández wins Costa Rican presidency, steering Latin America further right

Rightwing populist elected in landslide after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to cocaine trade

By Editors Desk

Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People party celebrates after winning the election in San José, Costa Rica, on Sunday. Photograph: Jeffrey Arguedas/EPA

September 14, 2023

Americas

Costa Rica, the once-peaceful land of ‘pura vida,’ battles violence as cocaine trade grows

By Editors Desk

A young girl takes in a police roadblock in Chacarita, Costa Rica, where violence has skyrocketed in recent years. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

May 26, 2020

Americas

Costa Rica celebrates first same-sex weddings

The first same-sex weddings have taken place in Costa Rica, the first Central American country to equalise its marriage legislation.

AFP / Alexandra Quiros and Dunia Araya were among the first same-sex couples to get married

December 05, 2018

Society

Hostel security guard arrested after American woman's body found in Costa Rica

Investigators had studied surveillance footage from the area where Stefaniak was staying, near the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose, and compared it to witness statements, Espinoza said.

costa rica american disappeared 02 ht jc 181204 hpMain 16x9 608

December 03, 2018

Society

US woman missing in Costa Rica after 'pretty sketchy' text

A Florida woman who vanished during a holiday in Costa Rica last week has been kidnapped, her family fears.

FINDING CARLA/FACEBOOK / Carla Stefaniak has been missing since 28 November in Costa Rica

July 07, 2016

Americas

Costa Rica nominates former U.N. climate head to be next U.N. chief

Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), attends a news conference during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) at Le Bourget, near Paris, France, December 7