If you’re scrolling through your feed looking for the usual "paradise found" headlines, today’s news from Costa Rica today might feel like a cold shower. Look, we all love the postcard version of this country. The sloths, the surfing, the $7 craft beers in Nosara. But as of January 18, 2026, the vibe on the ground is shifting in ways that the glossy travel brochures aren't quite ready to admit.
The biggest thing hitting the fan right now? It’s the election. We are officially less than two weeks away from the February 1st national vote, and honestly, it’s a mess. Imagine 20 different candidates all shouting for attention. That is where we are. According to the latest data from the Center for Investigation and Political Studies (CIEP), nearly 45% of voters still haven't picked a side.
That’s huge. It means almost half the country is walking around today with no idea who they want leading them for the next four years.
The Election Chaos and Why It Matters Right Now
You might think, "I’m just here for the beaches, why do I care about Tico politics?" Well, you’ve got to understand the tension. This isn’t just another election. There’s a massive standoff happening between President Rodrigo Chaves and the judicial branch. Today, news outlets are buzzing about Stella Chinchilla Mora, a 62-year-old activist who’s been caught in the crosshairs of an alleged plot against the president. She denies it, of course.
The political fragmentation is so deep that we are almost certainly headed for a runoff in April. Laura Fernández is leading the pack for now, followed by Álvaro Ramos and Ariel Robles. But with half the electorate undecided? Anything can happen by the time the polls open on February 1st.
Tourism is Bracing for a Reality Check
If you're planning a trip, you need to know that the "Switzerland of Central America" is getting, well, as expensive as actual Switzerland.
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CANATUR, the National Chamber of Tourism, just dropped some sobering numbers. International arrivals only grew by 1% last year. Meanwhile, places like Guatemala and Mexico are seeing double-digit jumps. Why? Because the Costa Rican colón is incredibly strong right now. Your US dollars just don't buy what they used to. A family of four is easily looking at $4,000 for a week here, and travelers are starting to notice.
It’s not just the price, though. It’s the safety alerts. The US Embassy in San José recently issued a fresh warning about "signal blockers" being used by thieves to stop rental cars from locking. If you’re at a beach trailhead today, double-check that door handle. Don't just click the fob and walk away.
A Dark Day for the Osa Peninsula
Switching gears to something a bit more heartbreaking—and this is a major part of the news from Costa Rica today—the wildlife community is reeling.
Reports just surfaced from the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve on the Osa Peninsula. Ten endangered white-lipped peccaries were found slaughtered in the Vanegas community. These aren’t just "wild pigs." They are critical to the ecosystem; they move seeds and feed the jaguars.
The Rancho Quemado Monitoring Group is rightfully furious. They’ve spent years bringing this population back from near extinction—growing the herd from 50 to 350. To see ten killed in a single afternoon by illegal hunters is a massive blow. Yolanda Rodríguez, who heads the monitoring committee, basically said the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) is asleep at the wheel. Only two rangers for nearly 150,000 hectares? That’s not a defense; it’s a "closed for business" sign for poachers.
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Festival Season: Palmares and Ocaso
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. If you’re in the Central Valley today, you’re probably heading to Palmares.
The "Fiestas de Palmares" are in full swing. Yesterday was the legendary Tope (the horse parade), and today, Sunday the 18th, the legendary Óscar D’León is taking the stage at noon. If you’ve never been, Palmares is essentially a twelve-day blur of imperial beer, bullfights where the bull doesn't die (but the humans get chased), and enough dust to clog your lungs for a week.
Down on the Pacific coast, the Ocaso Underground Music Festival is wrapping up. It’s a very different crowd—lots of techno, lots of glitter, and a lot of international DJs. It’s one of those events that shows the duality of Costa Rica today: one foot in the dusty cattle traditions of the past, and the other in the globalized, high-end "digital nomad" future.
The New "Golden Visa" Reality
Speaking of nomads, the government just updated the "Golden Visa" guidelines. If you’re looking to move here, the bar is clear:
- Investors: You need to put $150,000 into real estate or a business.
- Rentistas: You need a guaranteed $2,500 monthly income.
- Digital Nomads: You need to show you make $3,000 a month ($4,000 if you're bringing a family).
This is part of a larger push to professionalize the expat community. The days of "living on a beach for $500 a month" are basically over. The government is leaning hard into the OECD standards, trying to clean up the "informal" economy.
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Realities You Should Know Before Heading Out Today
Traffic. We have to talk about the traffic. If you are trying to use Route 1 (General Cañas) today, expect delays. Between the Palmares crowds and a nasty multi-vehicle crash reported late Thursday that’s still causing ripple effects in logistics, getting around the GAM (Greater Metropolitan Area) is a headache.
Also, keep an eye on the sky. Not for rain, but for planes. The FAA just issued safety warnings for Central American airspace due to "potential military activity" nearby—mostly related to shifts in regional tensions. It likely won't grounded your flight, but it's another layer of complexity in a year that feels increasingly volatile.
Actionable Advice for Navigating Costa Rica Right Now
If you are currently in the country or arriving this week, don't just wing it.
- Verify your locks manually. As mentioned, thieves are using signal jammers at popular tourist spots. Physical check is the only way.
- Download the 'Waze' app. It is the only way to survive Costa Rican roads. Google Maps is okay, but Waze is the local religion for avoiding "choques" (crashes).
- Budget for the 15th. If you own property here, the Luxury Home Tax deadline was January 15th. If you missed it, get to a bank or the Ministry of Finance website immediately to avoid some pretty aggressive fines.
- Respect the Peccaries. If you’re hiking in the Osa, stay on marked trails and report any suspicious hunting activity to SINAC or the OIJ (Judicial Investigation Agency).
The "Pura Vida" life is still there, but it’s becoming more expensive and politically charged. Staying informed isn't just about knowing the news; it's about protecting your wallet and your safety in a country that is rapidly outgrowing its old reputation.
Watch the polls as we hit the final stretch toward February 1st. The outcome of that vote will determine if the current economic "stabilization" continues or if we’re in for a radical pivot in how this country handles foreign investment and environmental protection.