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Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber has ordered the suspension of tree-felling permits, construction authorizations, and density modifications tied to a hotel development in the Papagayo Gulf Tourist Complex, pending the resolution of a constitutional challenge that accuses regulators of fast-tracking the project without adequate environmental review. The decision was handed down by investigating magistrate Fernando Cruz in the context of a constitutional challenge filed by attorney Juan Pablo Xatruch Ovares against the regulation that governs real estate development in the tourist hub — the same regulation that allowed logging permits to be granted for the hotel project. “As the investigating judge, I adopted the requested precautionary measure, which aligns with the conditions and characteristics of the case, suspending any activity related to this hotel development or the felling of trees in that area,” Cruz explained. “Until a decision is reached, to prevent irreparable harm in t...

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The sexual harassment case that has dominated the final weeks of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly reached its final stage on Friday, though with an uncertain outcome. The special commission that investigated the complaint against Deputy Fabricio Alvarado presented three final reports: two recommending sanctions against the Nueva República lawmaker, and a third that clears him of responsibility. The reports recommending sanctions were signed by Social Christian deputy Alejandro Pacheco — who chaired the commission — and independent deputy Johana Obando, while the third was presented by Alvarado’s own bench colleague, Olga Morera. The argument for not recommending a sanction is that the case is already moving through the criminal courts. A case with high stakes The investigation stems from a complaint filed by former deputy Marulín Azofeifa, who has alleged a series of inappropriate acts that occurred during the previous four-year term, when she held a Nueva República seat. According...

Costa Rica’s fraud problem is moving fast online, and travel is one of the clearest targets. What used to look like isolated scams now forms part of a wider pattern built around fake booking platforms, cloned websites, false promotions, and digital payment traps aimed at residents and tourists alike. The scale of the broader problem keeps rising as Costa Rica recorded 10,027 online fraud cases in 2025, up 41% from the previous year, while losses tied to cyber fraud reached about ₡6 billion. Investigators have also warned that cloned websites remain one of the most common tools used to steal personal and banking data, often by copying the look of legitimate institutions and changing only a few letters in a web address. In one recent case, judicial authorities dismantled a fake travel agency that changed names and locations every two months while selling nonexistent vacation packages. The group allegedly stole ¢165 million from 112 victims and used card details collected during the bo...

Costa Rica’s biggest auto fair of the year is in full swing, and this edition is one for the record books. Expomóvil 2026 started Thursday, and runs through Sunday at the Centro de Eventos Pedregal in Belén, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Association of Vehicle and Machinery Importers (AIVEMA), the trade group that organizes the event each year. This year’s edition brings together 79 brands and roughly 350 different models in one space, ranging from basic urban vehicles to extreme-luxury offerings. The fair spans more than 33,000 square meters of exhibition space. A market in transition Costa Rica now has 115 registered vehicle brands — a 35% jump from pre-pandemic levels, driven primarily by the aggressive entry of Chinese manufacturers and an accelerated transition toward electric and hybrid models. The shift is visible throughout the fair, where traditional brands share the floor with newer arrivals. Brands on display include Toyota, Lexus, Subaru, Mercedes Benz, BY...

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