Ileana Fernandez

Alajuela

Journalist at The Tico Times

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Articles

Costa Rica Retreat Under Scrutiny After Tragic Fatal Heart Attack

3 weeks ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

Costa Rican authorities completed their investigation into the death of U.S. tourist Lauren Levis, who died in a hotel in August 2024 while using iboga, a potent naturally occurring drug that can cause heart attacks. After almost eight months of investigations, on March 13, the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) of Nicoya sent a report on the case to the local Prosecutor’s Office. Lauren Levis arrived in Costa Rica on Friday, August 2, 2024, as confirmed by the records.
Costa Rica's Poás Volcano Activity Surges, Alert Raised

1 month ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

Poás Volcano in Costa Rica is undergoing intense and unprecedented activity, marked by persistent tremors, high gas emissions, and structural deformation, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory (OVSICORI). Experts say this behavior is unlike anything seen in recent records. “We can’t predict exactly what will happen because this is a new situation for Poás. We lack data from past events for comparison,” said OVSICORI volcanologist Geoffroy Avard.
Costa Rica Benefits as Airbnb Delivers $5M+ in Tax Contributions

1 month ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

The Airbnb platform delivered a new update on the tax contributions it has made in Costa Rica, which amount to more than $5 million as of December 2024. This has been carried out since the platform registered with the Ministry of Finance as a cross-border service provider in June 2023. In fact, Airbnb became the first foreign platform offering accommodations to register with the Ministry of Finance for Value Added Tax (VAT) purposes as a cross-border digital service provider.
IACHR Warned of Rising Femicides and Judicial Stagnation in Costa Rica

1 month ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) assessed human rights conditions in Costa Rica through a public hearing, where several organizations shared their perspectives and concerns. The event, conducted in a regional context marked by the weakening of the rule of law and democratic institutions, highlighted the challenges facing the country.
Costa Rica's Role as Bridge Country for US Deportations Begins with First Repatriations

1 month ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

The General Directorate of Migration (DGME) confirmed the departure of the first group of migrants deported by the United States, who were temporarily hosted in Costa Rica for repatriation. This first group included an Armenian mother and her two young daughters. They arrived on February 20 and stayed at the Center for Temporary Attention of Migrants (CATEM) in the Southern Zone before being transferred to Juan Santamaría International Airport, where they began their journey home.
Endangered Jabiru Birds in Costa Rica Face Habitat Loss and Climate Threats

1 month ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

The jabiru belongs to the family Ciconiidae. It is the largest bird found in Costa Rica and one of the most endangered species in the country, which is why the State Distance Learning University (UNED) has been leading a strategy to promote its conservation. Like many other species, the jabiru has been a victim of habitat destruction, wetland drainage, and agricultural and urban expansion.
Costa Rican Indigenous Community Mourns Death After Medical Neglect

1 month ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

The Indigenous populations of Costa Rica have suffered from the neglect of the government and its institutions. In this case, unfortunately, a 29-year-old woman died after being bitten by a snake in the Indigenous village of Alto Blei in Telire, Talamanca, in Limón. On Sunday, at around 1 p.m., the 29-year-old woman was bitten by a velvet snake. She was working on a farm with her husband far from home when the incident happened.
Howler Monkeys in Costa Rica Face Electrocution Risks

2 months ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

Howler monkeys, native to Costa Rica, are increasingly threatened by human activity. Traditionally known for swinging from branch to branch using their tails, these monkeys are now often seen navigating power lines due to uncontrolled urbanization that has reshaped many ecosystems. When these animals jump from power line to power line, they can inadvertently create an electric circuit that may injure or even kill them.
Historic Cypress Trees Cut Down in Costa Rica After Foreign Resident's Lawsuit

2 months ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

The iconic cypress trees that adorned the streets of San Rafael de Heredia, particularly in the residential area of El Tirol, were cut down following a lawsuit filed by a foreign resident, Irina Mijaylovna Tkachenko. She claimed that the 65 cypress trees, located on public roads at the entrance of Residencial El Monte (known as “El Tirol”), endangered her private property and life.
Foreign Buyers Drive Costa Rican Mountain Town Land Prices Up

2 months ago | ticotimes.net | Ileana Fernandez

San Gerardo de Rivas is a small, traditional Costa Rican town situated high in the valley of the Chirripó Pacífico River in the Talamanca Mountains of south-central Costa Rica. The area has traditionally been dedicated to agriculture, and the land has been owned by locals who have devoted their lives to this economic activity. However, things are rapidly changing in this region.