Claims family patriarch never known during six month stay ALAJUELA — A French exchange student is appealing the ruling of a Costa Rican judge to pay five months of back-rent to the Aguilar family, claiming she was a victim of “cultural trickery” and an incomprehensible Tiquismo. Susanne LeBlanc, a sophomore from Bordeaux, lived with the Aguilar family…
Sea Shepherd Paul Watson among those in uproar over attack JACO BEACH – A dream surf vacation went tragically wrong for U.S. resident Andy Newberry last week when the Jersey Shore native mauled a bull shark in Costa Rican waters. In his first trip to Costa Rica, Newberry, an avid traveler and surfer, hit the…
Repeatedly said “Estoy embarazada” after spilling Lizano sauce in restaurant MANUEL ANTONIO – An unfortunate miscommunication disrupted Peggy Morris’s holiday vacation when she was rushed to Hospital Monseñor Sanabria in Puntarenas after confusing the Spanish words pregnant and embarrassed at the Barba Roja Restaurant in Manuel Antonio. While enjoying a sunset dinner at the popular tourist restaurant,…
Most friends don’t even know his real name, which is Ken BELÉN — A local Costa Rican man born to Taiwanese immigrants is threatening to pack up and move to Taiwan though he’s never actually been there before. Ken Chu, 28, who was born in Belén to Taiwanese immigrants, says his reasons for wanting to…
Guilt-stricken Tico comes clean about his treasonous palate OROTINA – Local cell phone repair proprietor and roadside plantain salesman Juan Carlos Pérez made a shocking public announcement to the Orotina community Sunday morning: he prefers Nicaraguan Gallo Pinto over the Tico dish. Perez made the announcement at the close of Sunday morning mass during the…
Tip from ex-Facebook friend breaks bad news SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA — A study abroad student received some upsetting news last week when after five days in Costa Rica she realized nothing looked like the Lonely Planet guidebook she was carrying around. Becky Miller, a 21-year old geography major from Louisville, Kentucky, was scheduled to spend three…
U.S. discounts so good flights basically “being given away” JUAN SANTAMARIA AIRPORT — Spendthrift mothers have found a way to beat Costa Rica’s inflated holiday sales and circumvent pricey import taxes: Travel to Miami on Black Friday. While Costa Rican stores have picked up on the U.S.’s post-Thanksgiving sales-a-thon, there is no better way to save…
Son got along well with islanders in capital city of San Juan TAMARINDO – After a week-long trip soaking up the sun and surf of Jacó, Tamarindo and Playas del Coco, the Butler family (pictured) from Topeka, Kansas unanimously agreed that Costa Rica was their favorite island to ever visit. “Amazing all around,” said Brenda…
Had to skip Thursday morning surf due to packed agenda PUERTO VIEJO – Costa Rica’s reputation as a laid-back “pura vida” nation is being compromised as the country embraces 21st century development, according to a Puerto Viejo-based Rastafarian sitting in a tree. The Rasta, who goes by “High Red”, popped a tire on his beach cruiser and snapped…
El Pejibaye 