United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Costa Rica health ministry warning after tainted booze kills 19
Health officials in Costa Rica confirmed 19 people have died from consuming methanol-laced tainted alcohol in the past two months.
The Costa Rican health ministry issued a formal alert after more than 30,000 bottles suspected of containing tainted alcohol were seized.
As investigations into the deaths continue, the ministry warned against consuming not only bootleg alcohol but also those made by established brands due to counterfeiting.
Authorities have been confiscating products from Aguardiente Barón Rojo, Guaro Montano, Aguardiente Estrella, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Timbuka, and Molotov Aguardiente, according to the Tico Times.
It advises people not to drink these brands for the time being.
The ministry said five women and 14 men died since early June, ranging in age from 32 to 72.
It includes seven deaths in tourist hotspot San José.
Signs of methanol poisoning include dizziness, headaches, and vomiting,
"Coma, convulsions, and death from respiratory arrest may ensue," notes the World Health Organization.
Tainted alcohol is still in the frame as a possible cause of deaths of Americans in the Dominican Republic in recent months.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights