AGP Executive Report

Cultural Exchange: Costa Rican artists joined performers from five other Latin American countries at Beijing’s Latin American Art Season on Oct. 6–7, bringing music and dance to a cross-cultural festival. Fashion: San José-born designer Andrea Kader is building her New York brand while keeping production in Costa Rica, navigating export costs and a crowded market. Live Music: Iron Maiden fans camped at La Sabana ahead of the band’s historic Costa Rica concert. Pageantry: Costa Rica is among the countries represented by contestants visiting Puerto Rico ahead of the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. Culinary Arts: On the Osa Peninsula, chef Sebastián Gallucci draws on jungle, ocean and local culture to shape his soul-infused cooking.

Costa Rican Cuisine: Chef Sebastián Gallucci has made the Osa Peninsula home, building a soulful cooking style shaped by the jungle, ocean and family recipes. Fashion: San José-born designer Andrea Kader is growing her New York brand while keeping production in Costa Rica. Film: Película>Pelikula marks 25 years with screenings, talks and workshops. Live Music: Iron Maiden fans are camping in La Sabana ahead of the band’s historic Costa Rica concert. Drag: Costa Rican performer Scythe joins the international cast of “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula” season seven. Cultural Heritage: A new interactive map highlights Costa Rica’s cultural, natural and ocean heritage.

Fashion & Identity: Moda Por Una Causa announced its sixth edition in San Salvador, bringing 45 models and international designers for a runway tied to social impact. Hispanic Heritage Month: A look at how the month’s symbols connect to deeper, shifting identities across Latin America and the U.S., with Costa Rica named among represented cultures in Madrid’s Hispanidad parade. Costa Rican Creative Scene: Interview spotlight on Sebastián Gallucci’s Osa Peninsula cuisine, plus a profile of Costa Rican designer Andrea Kader building a fashion path from San José to New York. Music & Nightlife: Iron Maiden fans camped out at La Sabana ahead of the historic Costa Rica concert, while Dragula returns with a Costa Rica contestant. Arts & Culture Abroad: The New Museum named artists and theme for its 2027 Triennial, “The Outside Expands.” Travel & Lifestyle: JW Marriott opens its first all-inclusive in Costa Rica (Costa Elena), adding 415 rooms and 17 pools. Local Life: Route 32 closed after an overnight landslide, affecting travel to Limón and the Caribbean coast.

Luxury Hospitality: JW Marriott opened its first-ever all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica—Costa Elena Resort & Spa in Guanacaste—bringing 415 rooms, 17 pools, 15 dining spots, and a “Griffin Club” tier plus Mindfulness-focused offerings. Travel & Access: Route 32 on the way to Limón is closed after an overnight landslide near Zurquí (km 33), with detours via Route 10 (Cartago/Turrialba) or the northern route through Heredia/Vara Blanca/Sarapiquí—expect delays and plan for daylight driving. Arts & Entertainment: Dragula returns for season seven with international contestants, including Scythe representing Costa Rica, ahead of its Oct. 27 premiere. Music Spotlight: Iron Maiden fans have been camping at La Sabana ahead of the band’s Oct. 8 Costa Rica concert, marking a decade since their last local show. Film/Media Business: Paramount has completed its Warner Bros. Discovery takeover, forming Skydance and reshuffling major TV and streaming brands under one roof. Local Culture/Heritage: Costa Rica opened a new accessible pier at Isla San Lucas National Park, making the former prison island easier to reach.

Iron Maiden in La Sabana: Heavy metal fans have been camping at La Sabana Park ahead of Iron Maiden’s historic Costa Rica concert on Oct. 8, with organized shifts to secure prime spots. Music & Culture: Puerto Rican star Jay Wheeler announced the “La Voz Favorita” world tour, with a Costa Rica stop among dates across Europe, the U.S., and Latin America. Sports Spotlight: Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor helped Haiti reach the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, scoring in wins that included a 2-0 result vs Costa Rica. Arts & Travel Infrastructure: Costa Rica opened a new accessible tourist pier at Isla San Lucas National Park, replacing an older dock and making the former prison island easier to reach. Local Wellness Narrative: A new piece highlights Limón’s “wellness story” as public and private investment grows in roads, healthcare, tourism, and port development. Global Pop Politics: Commentary on Latin America’s rightward shift points to Brazil’s election momentum and the wider cultural pull of Trump-style populism.

Costa Rica Tourism & Heritage: A new accessible pier has opened at Isla San Lucas National Park, replacing a deteriorated dock and making it easier to reach the former prison island—now a wildlife refuge and national park with trails and history. Local Culture & Community: Heredia is hosting the Feria del Café con Memoria Herediana 2026, a free, public celebration of coffee’s cultural roots with specialty exhibitors, historical “pulperías” recreations, and live music plus a roasted coffee championship. Arts & Entertainment (Music): Puerto Rican urban star Jay Wheeler announced the La Voz Favorita World Tour, with stops including Costa Rica, and ticket presales starting Oct. 7. Arts & Entertainment (Film): Película>Pelikula marks its 25th edition, pushing cinema as a shared experience with a lineup spanning multiple Spanish-speaking countries and more. Wellness Spotlight: Limón is framed as entering a “new chapter” for Costa Rica’s wellness story, with development across roads, healthcare, tourism, and ports raising big questions about what success means for locals. Travel & Lifestyle: Breeze Airways adds flights from Tampa to San José, starting Oct. 3, with service twice weekly.

Live Music: The Strokes are set for two London O2 nights on Oct. 6–7, with Fat White Family and Alex Cameron as support, and the band’s Costa Rica-recorded album Reality Awaits fueling the buzz. Local Culture & Community: Heredia hosts Feria del Café con Memoria Herediana 2026 this Sunday (free, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.), with specialty coffee, historical pulpería recreations, and ICAFE roasting and brewing competitions plus live entertainment. Cinema Spotlight: Película>Pelikula marks its 25th edition (Oct. 4–11), bringing Spanish-language films back as a shared experience with a lineup spanning multiple countries. Costa Rica Travel/Discovery: “Discover Costa Rica,” a new free interactive map, launches in Spanish and English with cultural, ocean, and natural heritage content. Sports & Identity: Dominican Republic bans Haiti’s national team from its venues after crowd trouble, following Haiti’s 4-1 win—another reminder of how sport can spill into regional tensions. Indigenous Youth Funding: Cultural Survival opens the 2027 Indigenous Youth Fellowship call (concept deadline Oct. 25) for youth-led creative community projects.

Heredia Coffee Heritage Fair: Heredia’s free “Feria del Café con Memoria Herediana 2026” runs Sunday (11 a.m.–8 p.m.) at Campo Ferial La Perla, with 30+ specialty coffee exhibitors, pulpería-style history recreations, ICAFE awards, a brewing methods contest, and live magic plus tropical music. Costa Rica Travel Boost: Breeze Airways adds Tampa–San José service starting Oct. 3 (Wed/Sat), with one-way fares from $149—good news for arts-and-culture visitors. Discover Costa Rica Map: A new free bilingual interactive map launches for exploring Costa Rica’s cultural, ocean, and natural heritage, built with essential COSTA RICA, the Foreign Ministry, and UCR partners. Puerto Calero Marlin Cup: Naomi wins the XXXIII Puerto Calero Marlin Cup, earning a spot in the Costa Rica Offshore World Championship. Indigenous Youth Fellowship: Cultural Survival opens the 2027 Indigenous Youth Fellowship call (concept deadline Oct. 25) supporting youth-led creative community projects. Sports & Culture Crossovers: Haiti’s 4-1 win over the Dominican Republic keeps CONCACAF drama high, and the island rivalry now includes a Haiti facilities ban—while Costa Rica’s own matchups continue to shape the weekend’s sports viewing.

Cinema & Culture: Película>Pelikula returns for its 25th edition (Oct. 4–11), aiming to bring audiences back to the big screen with 23 films across Spain, Latin America, Brazil, and the Philippines—plus a reminder that movies are meant to be shared and discussed, not just streamed. Local Arts & Travel Tech: Costa Rica launches a free bilingual interactive “Discover Costa Rica” map, bundling cultural, ocean, and scientific info to help students, visitors, and media explore parks, ecosystems, and heritage. Community Dance: Candela: Latin Dance Club’s second-annual “Desfiles de Faroles” banquet spotlights Latin dance, music, and community pride with performances, food, and an open dance floor. Film Restoration Buzz: Henry Jaglom’s 1980 road comedy gets a 4K restoration and festival screenings, including Oct. 4 in Baltimore and a New York debut soon after. Arts-Adjacent Mobility: Breeze Airways announces new Tampa–San José flights starting Oct. 3, making Costa Rica travel easier for U.S. visitors.

Cinema & Community: Película>Pelikula returns for its 25th edition (Oct. 4–11), pushing the idea that movies are best experienced together, with 23 films from Spain, Latin America, Brazil, and the Philippines. Costa Rica Travel & Culture Tech: “Discover Costa Rica,” a free interactive map in Spanish and English, launches with cultural, ocean, and heritage content via essential COSTA RICA and UCR partners. Music & Identity: Italian reggae artist MadElaine releases From My Heart to Your Heart, collaborating with Jamaican roots and dub voices. Arts on the Big Screen: Henry Jaglom’s 1980 road comedy gets a 4K restoration, with festival and theater debuts starting Oct. 4. Local Arts Scene (abroad): Candela Latin Dance Club hosts its “Desfiles de Faroles” banquet, spotlighting community dance and performances. Travel News: Breeze Airways adds Tampa–San José flights starting Oct. 3. Sports & Rivalry: The Dominican Republic bans Haiti’s national team from its stadiums after crowd trouble, one day after Haiti’s 4-1 win.

New Costa Rica travel tool: A new free interactive map, “Discover Costa Rica,” launches in Spanish and English, letting users explore the country’s parks, islands, volcanoes, ecosystems, protected areas, and cultural history—plus its maritime dimension (92% of territory). Aviation & access: Breeze Airways adds a Tampa–San José route starting Oct. 3, with flights Wednesdays and Saturdays and one-way fares from $149. Indigenous youth funding: Cultural Survival opens the 2027 Indigenous Youth Fellowship call (concept deadline Oct. 25), offering $2,500–$5,000 for youth-led, creative community projects running April–October 2027. Community & culture: Candela: Latin Dance Club holds its second-annual “Desfiles de Faroles” banquet, spotlighting Latin dance, music, food, and an open dance floor. Sports with regional ripple effects: Haiti beats the Dominican Republic 4-1 in the Nations League, and the Dominican Republic bans Haiti from its venues after crowd trouble—Haiti then faces Costa Rica in San José.

Costa Rica Culture & Science: A new free “Discover Costa Rica” interactive map launches in Spanish and English, built with essential COSTA RICA, the Foreign Ministry, CIMAR-UCR, and UCR Geography—covering parks, islands, volcanoes, biodiversity, and the country’s ocean territory (92% of its land). Community Arts: Candela: Latin Dance Club held its second-annual “Desfiles de Faroles” banquet, blending performances, food, games, and an open dance floor to spotlight Latin dance and community representation. Arts & Learning: Samford University expands its Costa Rica study-abroad base at Finca de Samford, adding more student cohorts and service opportunities in Ciudad Colón and San José. Local Spotlight: Workplace wellness coverage highlights Nicoya Peninsula habits—movement, simpler eating, connection, spirituality, and purpose—as workplace lessons. Media & Film: “Película>Pelikula” returns with Spanish cinema screenings (Oct. 4–11) across drama, documentary, animation, comedy, and shorts. Travel & Entertainment: Margaritaville at Sea announces 2028 itineraries with its first-ever calls to Limón, Costa Rica, plus Colón, Panama.

Cinema & Culture: “Película>Pelikula” returns for the Manila Spanish Film Festival’s 25th anniversary, running Oct. 4–11 with 23 free screenings (Oct. 4 at Instituto Cervantes Intramuros; Oct. 5–11 at Power Plant Cinema 2), featuring Spanish, Latin American, and Philippine films with English subtitles. Local Arts & Community: Mare Island Art Studios member Priscila Soares launches “Step Into Wonder,” a monthlong Letting Go Art Experience with free all-ages “Wonder Sundays” (Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25) plus workshops and an After Dark Costume Party. Arts & Media Spotlight: ArtPrize keeps expanding access, with hundreds of works across Grand Rapids venues and campus displays helping students and passersby “get more people exposed to art.” Sports (Arts-adjacent): Costa Rica’s Nicoya Blue Zone wellness piece highlights movement, nutrition, connection, spirituality, and purpose as workplace culture lessons. Costa Rica in the News: The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica denies rumors about visa revocations for sitting Costa Rican officials.

Wildlife Photography: The Comedy Wildlife Awards spotlighted conservation-minded humor, with finalists including a giraffe, squirrel and bear—plus 10,000+ entries from 112 countries. Arts & Community: Mare Island Art Studios member Priscila Soares launches “Step Into Wonder,” a month of free Wonder Sundays, workshops and an After Dark Costume Party. Wellness in Costa Rica: A workplace wellness piece draws lessons from Nicoya’s longevity habits—movement, easier healthier choices, and stronger social connection. Costa Rica in the spotlight: The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica publicly denied social media rumors about visa revocations for sitting officials. Faith & Media: “Awake Jerusalem” brings Christian leaders from 51 nations to Jerusalem’s Tower of David, with live broadcast plans. Film & Awards: Latin American countries submit new titles to the Oscar race, including Cuba/Spain-US co-production Malecon. Cruise Culture: Margaritaville at Sea unveils 2028 itineraries, adding Limon (Costa Rica) and Colon (Panama).

UN Spotlight: Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan keeps pulling ahead in informal UN Security Council straw polls for the next secretary-general role, topping multiple rounds as veto politics still loom. Local Justice & Safety: The OIJ arrested two women accused of running a social-media driving-school scam in Heredia and San José, allegedly taking upfront payments (¢185,000–¢220,000) and then stalling or blocking victims. International Relations: The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica denied viral claims that it revoked visas for serving Costa Rican officials, after renewed rumors tied to Rodrigo Chaves. Arts & Culture: A Costa Rica–based interdisciplinary artist is set to release a debut solo album under the moniker iiisa, blending poemsongs, field recordings, and intimate home-life audio. Sports (Costa Rica in the mix): CONCACAF Nations League group play continues with Costa Rica facing relegation pressure and key matchups shaping the quarterfinal picture.

UN Leadership Race: Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan is again leading informal UN Security Council straw polls, topping the latest round with 10 “encourage” votes, while a veto by a permanent member could still derail her bid. Costa Rica Politics & Diplomacy: The U.S. Embassy in San José denied social-media visa rumors tied to Rodrigo Chaves, and Óscar Campos urged the Prosecutor’s Office and DEA to monitor Chaves despite “no evidence” claims. Arts & Culture (Local): A Costa Rican interdisciplinary artist releasing under the new moniker iiisa draws on Costa Rica field recordings for a debut solo album. Travel & Leisure (Costa Rica-linked): MSC Poesia ends its first Alaska season, then heads on a repositioning cruise that includes a call in Puntarenas, with more Caribbean itineraries planned. Community & Heritage: Hispanic Heritage Month coverage highlights Costa Rica’s Sept. 15 independence alongside regional celebrations. Scams & Justice: Two women were arrested in Costa Rica over an alleged driving-school scam that took upfront payments and then stalled or blocked victims.