Latest news in Costa Rica? September 28th, 2026

Key developments in Costa Rica as of late September 2026 include:

• Travel & Public Health Requirements: Costa Rica expanded mandatory yellow fever vaccination rules to cover travelers arriving from eight additional countries across South America and the Caribbean. Meanwhile, health authorities and international advisories remain on alert following an active cluster of locally transmitted chikungunya cases identified in the Pavas district of San José.

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• Foreign Income Tax Debate: The government has advanced a proposal to implement a 15% tax on certain passive foreign income earned by tax residents, including overseas dividends, interest, and rental yields. The measure has prompted significant pushback from the expatriate and investment communities as it moves through legislative debate.

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• Water Rationing and El Niño Drought: More than 20 municipalities remain under an orange alert due to persistent rainfall deficits. Community water systems have implemented rotational rationing schedules impacting over 70 communities, primarily across Guanacaste and the northern Pacific slope.

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• Import Tax Disputes: Costa Rican vehicle importers have filed legal challenges against the Ministry of Finance regarding revised tax assessment formulas for used-car imports, arguing the valuation structure significantly inflates duties.

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• Emergency Response Operations: Rescue crews and the Red Cross have been managing localized emergency operations after isolated weekend downpours, including search-and-recovery efforts following fatal rip currents at Playa Cabuyal in Guanacaste and a flash-flooding incident at a waterfall in Tarrazú.

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