The sad passing of acclaimed British-American political writer and intellectual essayist Christopher Hitchens did not go unnoticed in Costa Rica. Besides the requisite obituaries published in La Nación and El País, there was a small flurry of activity in online social networks by members of Costa Rica's digital literati. Social psychologist and open source software advocate Carolina Flores name...

It was a nail-biter until the very end. For the third time in a row, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense (LDA) came away victorious in the final game of the Winter Tournament of the First Division, the highest honor for professional football in Costa Rica. The victory marked the 27th time that Alajuela's favorite team has claimed the coveted First Division title. It was not an easy feat for La Liga....

Author's Note: Title VI of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Costa Rica states that the Roman Catholic religion, while officially supported by the Government, does not preclude the people's freedom to engage in other religions or doctrines. This article is not meant to be an endorsement of any religion over another. The Costa Rica Star respects our Constitution, as well as all religiou...

One of the top trending items on Twitter today was one of the most long-awaited announcements of 2011. Cerveza Imperial, Costa Rica's most iconic beer, has finally set a date for its cherished annual music fest at La Guácima speedway in Alajuela. Festival Imperial is now officially 98 days away, and music fans are already busy making requests for their dream musical lineup on Cerveza Imperial's of...

Some of the most adorable arboreal creatures on Earth are being given a helping hand in a former bird zoo in Limón. Since 1992, the Aviarios Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita has been caring for “osos perezosos” -as sloths are called in Spanish- that need some sort of rehabilitation before being returned to the wild. Many of the sloths who end up at Aviarios are truly needy: they are orphaned babies. The...

The recent losses of military unmanned aircraft over Iran and the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean call attention to the increased dependence by the United States on drone technology. While American drones are mostly used in covert strike missions and to spy on their own citizens, Costa Rica has learned to put drone technology to good use. The Center for the Investigation of Nuclear and...

Costa Rica's standing in the international community as an oasis of peace and democracy amidst the Central American powder keg of political instability and military conflict is fueling the imagination of leading video game developers. The constitutional ban on the military and the country's peaceful ways leave it wide open for bad guys with extremely nefarious motives to set up shop in Konami's...

Is Costa Rica destined to become the Malibu Beach of Central America? The tabloids of the world are awash with reports of Hollywood's most glamorous power couple coming to spend the holidays in a rented hacienda. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, collectively referred to as “Brangelina” by gossip mavens, might be heading to the Guanacaste province to spend the holidays in a rented hacienda, according ...

The final weeks of the year in Costa Rica are filled with tradition and cheer. With the holidays upon them, Ticos look forward to infallible seasonal staples such as the delicious tamales, the bull runs and firework displays in El Zapote, the Parade of Lights, the Avenidazo, two or more weeks off work, the hopes to score at least one lottery ticket, the national carnival, the equestrian parad...

The year 2011 may not have been the most auspicious for one of Costa Rica's most fervent passions. Football fans who were ecstatic with the signing of highly respected manager Ricardo La Volpe to lead the haphazard national team quickly lost faith in his legendary abilities after “La Sele” suffered a string of losses and dubious performances. La Volpe's press conferences became infamous as he ment...

The breakup of the communication monopoly held by the venerable Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) has had its share of supporters and detractors. Those who thought that all Ticos would celebrate the forced loosening of ICE's tight grip on wireless communications were a bit surprised by the old-hat attitudes of a few who welcomed new competitors Claro and Movistar with suspicion and eve...

Various labor unions and social advocacy groups have resolved to voice their discontent against proposed financial reforms with a labor strike and public demonstration. The display of solidarity will take place just days before a large number of Ticos will leave for the beaches and the countryside. The decision was formulated a week ago during an impromptu summit of labor union leaders. Beatriz...