The victim's motor scooter was found parked on the bank of the river. (Facebook / Noticias en linea Puriscal) Partially dismembered remains found in a river in Parrita, in Costa Rica’s central Pacific province of Puntarenas are those of 79-year-old retired pilot, Ovidio Segura Roman, a nearby resident, according to numerous reports. The remains were discovered by an area resident on Monday,...

Source: Wikimedia Commons A six-year old boy and an adult male are the latest victims of attacks by large reptiles in Costa Rica. The incidents took place during Holy Saturday in the communities of Parrita and Los Chiles. According to a news report filed by Tatiana Gutierrez of online news daily Costa Rica Hoy, a six-year old boy was rushed to the public hospital in Quepos after he was brut...

(Stock / Archive) COSTA RICA STAR NEWS BRIEF A tourist from the United States drowned Monday afternoon in Playa Villa Leonor, in Osa, Puntarenas on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the Costa Rican Red Cross confirmed. Authorities identified the victim as 67-year-old Daniel Joseph Miller. According to witnesses, Miller struck his head on a rock after being hit by a powerful wave. Family ...

Flickr Commons COSTA RICA STAR NEWS BRIEF A criminal court in Osa, Puntarenas sentenced on Friday a 29-year-old Costa Rican man to 66 years in prison for the multiple rape of a French tourist in Dominical de Osa, Puntarenas in November 2014.   The court sentenced Javier Secundino Cortés Espinoza to a total of 66 years – 11 years each on six counts of rape.   However, u...

The final week of November welcomes the formal arrival of the dry season to Jaco Beach, one of the premier leisure and relaxation destinations of Costa Rica. According to a recent press conference held by the National Institute of Meteorology (Spanish initials: IMN), the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica is no longer transitioning out of the green (rainy) season, and residents of Jaco Beach shou...

For more than a decade, Sharkproject International has been presenting the only environmental awards in the world specifically focused on sharks. Alongside a positive award, the SharkGUARDIAN, there is also a negative award, the SharkENEMY of the year. The Sharkproject team nominates potential recipients and the winners are chosen by an international jury. An interesting nomination this year...

Mark Lyons missing in Costa Rica UPDATE: Race officials posted a Facebook announcement before 5:30 pm on November 6th, stating: Mark is alive and well! Thank God! No further details were provided. Mountain rescue squads have been deployed to the Turrubares and Bijagual districts of the northwestern sectors of the San Jose province to look for Mark Lyons, a United States mountain bike (MTB) ...

Tiny pieces of synthetic materials contaminate 12 beaches of Costa Rica, including some of the most popular destinations for tourists and expats. Jaco Beach is one of a dozen beaches where micro plastic debris can be found in abundance, floating along with plankton and mixing with grains of sand. According to a report filed by Michelle Soto of daily newspaper La Nacion, micro plastic debris par...

Source: Airbnb LAS VEGAS, Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Pure Hospitality Solutions, Inc., (OTC: PNOW) announced today, that the Company has added another new property to the Oveedia database, while receiving a notable endorsement from the hotelier. The Playa Escondida Lodge, an Eco Refuge located in Puntarenas Costa Rica, has now joined the ranks of Tango Mar, Guarumo and Samasati, becoming...

The Moana. Wikimedia Commons BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin,and the 88-guest m/v Tere Moana, announces savings of up to $1,450 per person off previously advertised prices on select cruises to the Caribbean and Lati...

Wikimedia Commons MIAMI, Aug. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Norwegian Cruise Line today announced exciting and exotic new itineraries for the brand's Fall/Winter 2016/2017 deployment, bringing the world to guests who want to explore new sights while experiencing the freedom and flexibility that only Norwegian Cruise Line can offer. Norwegian offers guests new destinations and new ports to choose fro...

Source: OIJ A top law enforcement agent in Costa Rica has been arrested under suspicion of being involved in a bizarre intimidation scheme that resulted in the wrongful detention of three visitors from the United States, one of them a former police officer. Early reports on this strange situation indicate that the strong-arming may be tied to unethical practices in the lucrative real estate ma...

Dark sand beaches of Playas del Coco in Guanacaste A tourist from the United States drowned in Costa Rica over the weekend during a cruise that he had arranged as part of his 52nd birthday celebration. The unfortunate incident took place in the Pacific Ocean stretch between Puntarenas and the beach resort town of Playas del Coco in the province of Guanacaste. James Warner had arrived in Cos...

After an afternoon press conference that got underway later than scheduled, officials from the National Commission on Emergencies (Spanish initials: CNE) in Costa Rica declared that the Red Alert issued earlier on Sunday should be downgraded to Yellow, which means that swimmers and surfers can reenter the ocean waters from Port of Caldera north to the city of Puntarenas (where the Double Tree Hilt...

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The CNE has downgraded this alert from Red to Yellow.  Please see our updated news report: http://news.co.cr/red-alert-in-costa-rica-downgraded-to-yellow/38605/ Officials from the National Commission on Emergencies (Spanish initials: CNE) in Costa Rica have issued a Red Alert on a significant section of the Pacific Coast after a barge carrying diesel fuel and 180 tons of ammon...

Source: Facebook A team of experts from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) returned to their duty stations after an unsuccessful underwater search for the Pura Vida Princess catamaran. As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star: Three elderly tourists from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom lost their lives at sea while enjoying a catamaran cruise off the Pacific Coast of C...

DoubleTree Hilton Costa Rica MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE) --DoubleTree by Hilton, the Hilton Worldwide upscale full-service hotel brand with more than 400 locations globally, recently announced its top performing properties of 2014. “We believe that the little things mean everything and add to the guest experience at DoubleTree by Hilton, and we’re proud to present our hotels and team membe...

Beach house in Costa Rica The ongoing economic recovery of the United States is having a positive impact on select housing markets in Costa Rica.   Whereas real estate development was particularly strong last year in the province of Guanacaste, analysts are seeing greater construction activity in the province of Puntarenas, particularly in the Central and Southern Pacific Coasts. Ac...

The two coastlines of Costa Rica are blessed with abundant marine life, excellent weather, and very nice people who are eager to teach newcomers to the world of deep sea fishing the wonders of going offshore. First-timers who want to learn more about deep sea fishing should plan a trip to Costa Rica for the purpose of becoming acquainted with this recreational activity. To this effect, the followi...

Source: OWC Twenty teams of competitive anglers from the United States, Canada and Central America (including Costa Rica) will participate in qualifying rounds ahead of the Offshore World Championship, which will take place in Puntarenas later this year. Nearly 200 anglers from around the world are vying for a spot in this major sports fishing tournament, which in 2014 was dominated by the tea...

Three elderly tourists from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom have lost their lives at sea while enjoying a catamaran cruise off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Acting President Ana Helena Chacon, who is currently in office as President Luis Guillermo Solis is on an official trip to China, held a press conference during which she indicated that 106 passengers were rescued after the...

Source: Wikimedia Commons Farmers and grocers in Costa Rica sometimes lament certain facts of free trade and globalization; to with: A significant portion of garlic, rice and even black beans, all staples of traditional cuisine in this country, are actually imported from China. Due to the agricultural economic background of Costa Rica, some may consider this to be a trade imbalance; however, s...

Source: Ylang Ylang Resort As 2014 comes to an end, beach resorts in Costa Rica are preparing special activities for their guests, visitors and residents. One such resort is the Ylang Ylang, located on the Puntarenas portion of the Nicoya Peninsula, right near the tip. This resort is close to the coastal town of Montezuma, a prime tourism spot in Costa Rica. Like other beach resorts, Ylang Yla...

The Puntarenas Carnival is one of the most prominent beach celebrations in Costa Rica, and this year it will feature an international gathering of motorcycle aficionados, one of the largest conventions of iron horse riders in Latin America. This event will follow the successful live music presentation by Inner Circle, the legendary Jamaican reggae band known for their hit songs “Bad Boys” and “Swe...

Azamara Quest docked at the Puerto Caldera, in PuntarenasA new type of tourism was launched in Costa Rica this past Wednesday, the very first time a cruise liner has started its journey from a Costa Rican port. Azamara Quest, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean, launched the Ruta Mesoamericana, a journey from the Puerto Caldera, in Puntarenas to different ports in Central America, Mexico and Los A...

If you would like The Costa Rica Star to publish your business press release, please contact us. Santa Teresa, Puntarenas — Pollo Pass is a new discount service for travelers to the Santa Teresa area in Costa Rica. Pollo Pass is a discount bracelet that entitles the customer to discounts at local businesses including restaurants, bars, horseback riding, Spanish lessons, surf lessons, spas, yoga...

Ocean Mall is one of the 35 shopping centers that are being built in Costa Rica. If all goes well, inhabitants of Puntarenas will be able to visit Ocean Mall in 2015. The mall will have 22,000 square meters of construction within an area of ​​6 hectares, located one block west of the intersection between Route 23 and 17 (in Esparza). It will be similar in size to Outlet Mall in San Pedro, Monte...

Seven robbers surprised and tied up two guards at a customs car park in Barranca, Puntarenas, and made off with four brand new autos recently imported. But they did not have it all their own way. Despite the ease of the robbery itself in the wee hours of Monday morning, the robbers had to abandon two of the stolen vehicles, one destroyed by fire to eradicate traces--and two suspects are in cust...

October 17th, 2012 – Patients of the Monsenor Sanabria Hospital, in Puntarenas, are having a tough time getting used to the “new facilities.” The parking lot in which they used to park their cars is now the outpatient area. The hospital was one of the structures most damaged by the September 5th earthquake. Entrance to the now-empty medical tower is forbidden, so patients and staff have had to rel...

Vegetarian-Vegan-Raw-Be inspired & change your life from the inside out through what you put into your body. Hop on the bus with Pura Vida Pantry and discover the magic of an AWAKENED LIFESTYLE through Compassionate Foods & Juicing! Mission To inspire and create awareness of how important the foods and drinks we put into our bodies are, and the changes that occur when we nourish ourselve...

Note: You can go to The Costa Rica Star Facebook page to view a large photo gallery related to this article. Puntarenas - It’s 1pm, the last public bus from Cabagra prepares to leave, the inhabitants gather, a trip among steep ways lies ahead. The indigenous territory of Cabagra is located in the canton of Buenos Aires, province of Puntarenas, in southern Costa Rica. The population is made ...

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MICIT) has provided new computer equipment to its Intelligent Community Center or CECI by its acronym in Spanish, for the community of Miramar, Puntarenas. The center is located in the local Library and members of the community will be able to use six new computers made available which include Windows 7, Office 2010, webcams, headphones, 4gb memories and ...

For 20 years, I’ve been fortunate to live and work in this fabulous country and I’ve assembled the following information with links to share a slice of paradise with you. CENTRAL VALLEY - The heart and soul of Costa Rica, where 70% of the population lives and works. Strikingly beautiful with a mild, spring-like climate year-round. Costa Rica’s Central Valley lies at an elevation of 3,000 to 5,...

On Tuesday, April 3rd, classical music lovers will be treated to a free concert at the Plaza de la Cultura in downtown San Jose. The repertoire today will include Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 8 in B Minor (the Unfinished Symphony) and The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, among others. The Manuel Maria Gutierrez Symphonic Orchestra (OSMMG or MaMaGu in Spanish) is an ensemble f...

Nature made Costa Rica’s beaches beautiful, and the local government is making sure that they also remain clean thanks to the Bandera Azul Ecologica (Blue Ecologic Flag) program. The PBAE was created in 1996 with the objective of preventing or stopping pollution and to safeguard the public health. The program (which is an adaptation of a similar one launched in Europe back in 1985) has been promot...