Up Front Featured Articles
Wow…how do we decide what to feature from a country with so much to offer? You can review all our cover stories by the photos on the front covers of Howler Magazine. You’ll soon see the diversity as we highlight1 one particular story to be “up front.”
Editorials
We are thrilled to share our thoughts in editorials about Costa Rica! This enchanting country, brimming with biodiversity and natural wonders, never fails to captivate our imagination. Our own personal experiences create our editorials. Daily we immerse ourselves in what is going on in our beautiful country. Sometimes it’s about shedding light on some of the most pressing issues faced by the nation, these editorials serve as a rallying cry for all who wish to protect and preserve the unparalleled beauty of
Costa Rica. As we delve into each editorial, you’ll discover a variety of topics. At Howler, we pursue to share the positive attributes, but we do not ignore some of the not-so-positive attitudes and trends we experience. – John Quam, Owner, Editor in Chief
Single-Use Plastic Ban in Costa Rica: Progress or Pretense?
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica's bold initiative to ban single-use plastics by 2021 was hailed as a groundbreaking step towards environmental sustainability. This policy...
Why Costa Rica in 2025?
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]To kick off 2025, Howler has created a decision-making tool to assist you when it comes to considering Costa Rica for whatever your intention. Based on...
A Year of Resilience: How 2024 Shapes a Hopeful 2025
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Reflections on 2024 and Looking Forward to a Hopeful 2025 As 2024 draws to a close, we find ourselves at a poignant moment—a time to pause, reflect,...
The Power of Water
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]From the November flooding of Costa Rica to the abundant thermal springs, waterfalls, and coastline, we've all experienced the extremes of water. For...
Is Noise Pollution Eroding Pura Vida?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] This scenario is totally dependent on where you live in Costa Rica. For those areas where the noise level is steadily rising, is it just the way of “progress” or “culture” or is it just another unwanted invasion of the new reality?...
Road Rage in Paradise: Why Does Everyone Drive Like They’re Late for a Surf Session?
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Navigating the roads of Costa Rica can often feel like an unplanned adventure, mimicking the nation's lush, untamed landscapes in both beauty and...
The New Face of Paradise: Gentrification and Its Impact on Costa Rican Communities
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica, renowned for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and biodiversity, has become a paradise for both tourists and expatriates. However,...
What Makes the Blue Zones Conducive to People Living Over 100 Years?
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]For a little over two decades, Dan Buettner has been making known some places where people lived longer, many of them enjoying enviable health, doing...
The Pura Vida Predicament: Too Laid Back for Its Own Good?
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Is Costa Rica’s beloved "Pura Vida" lifestyle its Achilles' heel or its secret superpower? This mantra of 'pure life' might sound like a dream come...
Investment vs. Environment: The Complex Dynamics of Foreign Capital in Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Assessing the Dual Impact of Foreign Investments in Costa Rica Costa Rica celebrated for its rich biodiversity and environmental stewardship,...
Costa Rica is a Strategic Business Partner in the Americas
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text] Costa Rica stands as a beacon of opportunity in the Americas, not only due to its strategic location and environmental credentials but also because of...
Resilience and Ritual: The Enduring Culture of the Cabécar in Eastern Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text] Doña Angela (front cover photo) does not speak Spanish, only her native Cabecar. At 92 years old, she lives on her farm in the mountains, works...
Under the Sea
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]The ocean off the coast of Costa Rica holds a world of wonder and discovery beneath its surface. From fascinating geological formations to vibrant...
Beyond Appearances: Uniting ‘Esse Quam Videri’ and ‘Pura Vida’ in Pursuit of Genuine Happiness
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]The Latin motto "Esse quam videri," which translates to "To be, rather than to seem," resonates deeply with the Costa Rican ethos of "Pura Vida." Both...
Travel with Purpose: The Rise of Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Hospitality
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]In the realm of hospitality, eco-friendly and regenerative hotels are pioneering a sustainable revolution, transcending traditional environmental...
Life Under the Volcanoes: Costa Rica and the Ring of Fire
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title="Adventure Tours in Costa Rica" color="juicy-pink"...
Howler Real Escapes Costa Rica’s Toast to a Peaceful and Prosperous 2024
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Happy New Year from The Howler Magazine! As the clock ticks towards midnight, marking the beginning of a brand new year, we at The Howler Magazine are...
Are You Happy?
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Those who live in Costa Rica, or have recently traveled here, have seen the increases in traffic and the rising prices of rent, food, and fuel. I hear people expressing shock at how expensive it is to live and travel...
Lucky Being Here and Staying Safe
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] November & December 2019 Howler Magazine Editorial: Lucky Being Here and Staying Safe. Welcome to our little gem in the tumultuous world. I want to take a moment and remind visitors or those living here how lucky you are....
Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] No trip to San José should be considered complete without visiting one of its many historical museums. The Museums of the Central Bank of Costa Rica (Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica) has two of these museums, each...
