My family and I are renting a house in Manuel Antonio for a week at the end of May. While I am there, I am going to need to read a newspaper.

What newspapers are availabe there and where can I find them?

Can you read in espanol? If so, La Nacion is a daily paper. We always buy a copy of the Tico Times every Friday--but it isn't a daily. We've never seen New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News, Chicago Sun, or USA Today while traveling in Costa Rica! Perhaps it's because we haven't been looking for them, but somehow I doubt they are there!

Come on, austinguy, you're supposed to pretend like you're in the Garden of Eden while in Costa Rica--forget there's another world out there somewhere!

The Miami Herald arrives in San Jose the afternoon of publication, and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today, the day following. I've only seen them in San Jose in big hotel shops, the airport and branches of Casa de las Revistas as well as Seventh Street Books. And I've just started seeing The Dallas Morning News here too. But I've never seen any of these in Manuel Antonio.

But, yeah, definitely pick up The Tico Times on Friday. And if you read Spanish, La Nacion is a good paper.

I don't recall seeing any newspapers in MA - but then I was on vacation & wasn't exactly looking! I'd guess you might be able to get a newspaper (in spanish) 1-2 days out of date. But I agree with Shillmac - you're on vacation, there's nothing that can't wait til you get back!

I am married to a news addict - print or tv! Since I typically book lodgings with NO tv - I pick up every news related magazine available in the airport, to hopefully keep him satisfied.

We have found small book swap stores, library sorts that also carry newspapers. However they normally only arrive maybe once a week to areas other than SJ.

Maybe someone in MA will be able to give you some info. Otherwise stock up before you leave. You know what they say "it isn't old news until you have read it."

Jeff, thank you! It makes sense that San Jose would be a place to find all those newspapers we both mentioned. I'm afraid I made it sound as if the more well known papers just didn't make it down to this little country! Quite the contrary, Costa Rica is more sophisticated than many give it credit for!

It's just that when we're in the little pulperias and even supermercados, we usually only see La Nacion.

Shillmac, you're right that all you're going to see in the supermarkets and small stores are the local publications. The foreign papers and magazines are just in a very few select stores in San Jose that would be frequented by foreigners. And they're pricey too: I picked up a daily NY Times one day last week for 1,750 colones, which works out to about $3.50. (I know there are costs associated with shipping it here every day.)

In M.Antonio and Quepos, I've seen USA Today, NY Times, Wall St. Journal and the Miami Herald but as previously stated, the newspaper will be dated by at least one day and they are very limited in availability. I believe they are either flown intracountry from San Jose or arrive via the bus system so it's really hit or miss if you find one. If you are staying in Manual Antonio, try Cafe Milagro located on the M.Antonio main road (reference point, across from the road which goes to El Parador and Makanda.) Also, Buena Nota gift shop located on the M. Antonio Road just past Karahe Hotel. In Quepos, there is another Cafe Milagro located just as you arrive in Quepos (traveling from the north) on the left side of the road. Additional reference point is the Cafe Milagro roasting shop (if you can't find the cafe ... follow your nose on roasting day ... HEAVEN!) You might have to go to all three shops before you find even one (or maybe strike out and find none) but it's a good excuse to have a great cup of coffee or two at Milagro! Jeff is correct, they're expensive. Expect to pay $3.75/paper.

Lisa in Manuel Antonio

Amazingly enough, in the early 90's, we were able to get same day NYT in Quepos. There was quite a rush when they arrived. I would imagine it is still available but as Lisa says might be a day late.

My husband is a news addict too although I have been working on breaking him of it a little while on vacation. I don't think he went looking for it at all this year. It is a very rare day that he does not read the NYT when home. Our DVR is set to record the News Hour and World News every night. We lighten things up by finishing the evenings news with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. Donna, you and I need to get together to drink our coffee while the guys discuss current events.

I have also seen the NYT, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and others up in Monteverde for anyone who might be interested although they were at least a day late up there and cost quite a bit more.

We very rarely even have a tv in CR but we just happened to be staying at the Arenal Paraiso when the last space shuttle went down and they have them there. We heard about it at a restaurant and went back to our hotel to get the details. It was nice being able to find out what was happening.