Latest news with #CostaRica
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Two famous Aussie beaches on disappointing list
When tourists think of Aussie beaches often the two that spring to mind are Bondi and Manly – and while they are both known for their scenic and vibrant atmosphere, they've also found themselves on a not so popular list. Australia is renowned for having some of the best beaches in the world given its vast coastline, natural beauty and cultural significance. But according to recent research conducted by Cloudwards, Bondi Beach and Manly Beach formed part of the top 20 most complained about beaches worldwide. It 'meticulously' examined TripAdvisor reviews for 200 of the world's most popular beaches to determine 'which sandy shores are leaving visitors feeling salty'. It then ranked the beaches from 1 – being the most complained about, to 100, the least complained about. The study focused on four main areas of criticism – cleanliness, overcrowding, long queues and noise disruption. Coming in first was Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, followed by Venice Beach in LA and Playa Manueel Antonio in Costa Rica. They had a complaint score of 100, 89.7 and 73.5, respectively. Bondi Beach ranked ninth while Manly Beach secured the 20th spot. According to the study, Bondi has a complaint score of 57.1, a 'dirty' rating of 13 per cent, 'overcrowded' percentage of 75.9 and 'noise disruption' of 3.4 per cent. Manly's complaint score is 47.4, has a 'dirty' score of 10.2 per cent, is 76.5 per cent 'overcrowded' and a 'noise disruption' of 4.1 per cent. According to the study, the more negative reviews, the higher the overall complaint score. Bondi and Manly were the only two Aussie beaches to feature on the list, while four American beaches featured in the top 10 and 39 were in the top 100. Meanwhile, earlier this year Tourism Australia released its best Aussie beaches list for 2025, The Bay of Fires beaches beat over 12,000 entrants including Bondi and Manly beaches. 'This year's list showcases to the world what Aussies already know – that Bondi and Brighton are great, but it's worth the journey to see some truly unique beaches in regional Australia,' Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said. 'There will be many families, just like mine, that love looking through the 'Best Australian Beaches' list every year to pick which ones they want to visit next. 'At times, the selections create plenty of debate, which I welcome, and I look forward to the feedback on this year's top 10,' he added.
CBC
21 hours ago
- General
- CBC
Canada qualifies for FIFA U20 Women's World Cup after beating Nicaragua
Canada booked its ticket to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup by virtue of its 4-1 win over Nicaragua coupled with Mexico's 4-0 victory over Panama on Saturday at the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in Alajuela, Costa Rica. The eight-team CONCACAF tournament, which runs through June 8 at Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium, will send four CONCACAF sides to the 24-team FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled for September 2026 in Poland. Group A at the CONCACAF tournament features host Costa Rica, the U.S., Puerto Rico and Guyana. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals, securing World Cup qualification in the process. With six points at 2-0-0, Canada and Mexico cannot be caught by Panama or Nicaragua, both pointless at 0-2-0, with one game remaining. The young Canadians play defending champion Mexico on Monday to decide the Group B winner. Canada has taken part in nine of the previous 11 editions of the FIFA U-20 tournament, missing out in 2010 and 2018. The Canadians lost 2-1 to Spain in the round of 16 at last year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Canada had to survive a first-half red card and penalty in dispatching Nicaragua (0-2-0). Outshot Nicaragua 30-7 Despite being a player down for 80-plus minutes, Canada outshot Nicaragua 30-7 (4-4 in shots on target), had 67.7 per cent possession and a 14-0 edge in corners. Teegan Melenhorst, Anabelle Chukwu and Liana Tarasco scored for Canada (2-0-0), which also profited from a Nicaragua own goal. Chukwu, who scored twice in Canada's opening 7-1 Group B win over Panama, added to her Canadian youth international scoring record, previously held by Christine Sinclair. Chukwu now has 37 goals in 39 games from the under-15 to under-20 level. The 18-year-old from Ottawa, who plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame, has been called into camp by the Canadian senior side but has yet to win a cap. Captain Jenifer Sarantes scored for Nicaragua (0-2-0). Nicaragua was blanked 6-0 by defending champion Mexico in its opener. Canada's Nourani receives red card Canada was reduced to 10 women in the 10th minute when Trinidad and Tobago referee Crystal Sobers showed Ines Nourani, judged to be the last defender, a red card for bodying Daniela Manzaneres to the ground on a Nicaragua counterattack after an errant pass off a Canada short corner. Canada coach Cindy Tye sent on defender Victoria Rocci for midfielder Juliette Perreault after the red card. Canada went ahead in the 23rd minute on an own goal. Chukwu got her head on a Canadian corner with Adriana Munguia's attempted headed clearance going straight back and beating Nicaragua 'keeper Greta Genie, who plays for Belmont University in Nashville. Canadian goalkeeper Noelle Henning wiped out Manzaneres in the 32nd minute going for a high ball in the penalty box, prompting a lengthy discussion with the video assistant referee. Sobers went to the pitchside monitor, to check for a potential offside before the collision, and then pointed to the penalty spot. Sarantes beat a diving Henning, who was yellow-carded on the play, to tie it at 1-1 in the 37th minute. But two goals in first-half stoppage time restored Canada's lead. Melenhorst's left-footed shot from the edge of the box beat a diving Genie before Chukwu evaded two defenders and sent a low shot into the far corner of the goal. Tarasco made it 4-1 in the 85th minute, knocking the ball home after a pinball-like sequence in front of the goal off a Canadian corner. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Canada outshot Nicaragua 15-3 in the first half, although the Central Americans had a 3-2 edge in shots on target. Canada had 70 per cent possession and had eight corners to Nicaragua's none in the first 45 minutes. Canada, with a height advantage, threatened on almost every set piece but could not convert. Tye made five changes to her starting lineup. Nicaragua started 14-year-old attacker Maxie Teofilo, who plays her club soccer with the Seattle United. Canada booked its ticket to the CONCACAF tournament by winning its qualifying group with ease in February. The Canadians outscored their qualifying opposition 43-0, dispatching Dominica 22-0, Bermuda 9-0 and host Trinidad and Tobago 12-0. The U.S. and Mexico, as the top-ranked countries in CONCACAF, skipped the qualifying round and were given direct entry to the CONCACAF championship. Canada and 23 other teams had to win their way there, with Costa Rica, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama and Puerto Rico also topping their groups. Canada won the CONCACAF tournament in 2004 and 2008 and was runner-up to the U.S. in 2002, when the age group was under-19. The Americans are looking for their eighth title, having last won in 2020 and 2022.
The Guardian
a day ago
- General
- The Guardian
LAFC v Club América – Club World Cup playoff live
Update: Date: 2025-06-01T01:08:11.000Z Title: Content: LAFC has been in really good, but not outsstanding form of late. The team hasn't lost since 9 April's 3-1 result v Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup, but have only won three of their last eight games. The other five have all been high-scoring draws. In total, LAFC has managed to give up 12 goals in 8 games and not lose any of those games. Maybe not the best omen for a one-off knockout match, but impressive nonetheless! Update: Date: 2025-06-01T01:07:37.000Z Title: Content: Oddly enough, it all started in Costa Rica. That's the home country of the club Alajuelense, who filed the first petition to remove either Club León or Pachuca from the competition, despite both being fair-and-square winners the Concacaf Champions Cup. Alajuelense's reasoning: both teams are owned by Grupo Pachuca, which violates the Club World Cup's rules against multi-club ownership within the competition. The matter was raised all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), who ruled that León should be removed from the competition, while also dismissing Alajuelense's claims to replace them. In their place, Fifa decided on a playoff between LAFC and Club América, based on regional ranking and, in LAFC's case, being the team that León defeated in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup final to qualify for the tournament in the first place. It's complicated. More details here: Update: Date: 2025-06-01T01:07:37.000Z Title: Content: Club América is just coming off the disappointment of losing the Liga MX Liguilla final to Toluca, so they'll be well-practiced for a playoff situation.
CNN
a day ago
- General
- CNN
What Costa Rica's rise in crime means for tourists seeking ‘pura vida'
Costa Rica's slogan "pura vida" invites tourists to experience "a pure life," but with murder rates on the rise in the nation's capital, authorities say visitors are on the decline. CNN's Djenane Villanueva reports from San José.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Zara McDermott stuns in backless pink dress during Ibiza break after loved-up holiday with boyfriend Louis Tomlinson
ZARA McDermott stunned in a backless pink dress during her latest Ibiza break after returning from a loved-up holiday with her boyfriend Louis Tomlinson. Love Island star Zara, 28, looked radiant in the figure-hugging maxi dress, which featured floral detailing around the neckline and a dramatic ruffled skirt. Sharing the snaps to Instagram on Friday, Zara posed barefoot with her tan glowing against the soft baby pink fabric. She kept her accessories minimal, wearing a beaded bracelet and silver earrings, while her highlighted hair was styled in beachy waves. A dewy makeup look finished off the ensemble, which she simply captioned: 'Me in a dress.' Zara's just returned from another getaway - this time to Costa Rica with her boyfriend Louis Tomlinson, 33. The One Direction star and reality beauty couldn't keep their hands off each other on a sun-soaked day out. They were spotted hiring a quad bike, with Louis taking the lead as they cruised through town. The History singer wore an orrange T-shirt and white shorts, which he teamed with black sunglasses and a baseball cap. Zara stunned in loose white trousers and a crop top layered over her green bikini. At one point Louis puffed on a cigarette while they waited for their ride, with a smitten Zara wrapping her arms around him. Louis returned the affection by gently squeezing her bum and planting a kiss. They were later seen grinning at each other before hopping on the quad bike and driving away. Louis flew the Strictly star out in first class to a secluded villa last week. He's currently working on new music there and wanted to spend some quality time with Zara after going public with their romance. She was previously seen locking lips with her new pop star beau as they dined at a restaurant. A source said: 'Louis and Zara are going from strength to strength. 'He got his team to organise her first-class travel from London to Costa Rica. 'It meant Zara was unable to attend the TV Baftas but she is keen to spend as much time with Louis as possible." Louis will be back in the UK for Soccer Aid next week and is set to play on the England side with Zara's ex Sam Thompson. Zara split from former Made In Chelsea star Sam in January, moving out of Sam's West London home, and leaving behind the two cats they shared. She has decided to skip Soccer Aid to avoid an awkward run-in with her ex. Zara and Louis confirmed their romance on holiday in Los Angeles over a month ago. The pair were snapped holding hands in a sweet PDA during their trip to the US. The Sun revealed they were an item after they were spotted enjoying an overnight stay at The Suffolk in Aldeburgh in exclusive photos. It came amid reports that Zara had formed close bonds with Louis' sisters Phoebe and Daisy. They recently teased a new reality show, with sources claiming Zara has been helping them behind the scenes thanks to her experience as a TV presenter and documentary maker. 5 5 5 5
