Costa Rica warning following 20 deaths
The Foreign Office is warning visitors to Costa Rica to take care buying spirits following a number of deaths and cases of serious illness caused by drinks containing methanol.
Criminal gangs have been reported to manufacture bottles of alcohol containing high amounts of methanol, it said.
These have included the brands Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella Roja, Guaro Montano, Aguardiente Baron Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka and Aguardiente Molotov.
"You should take care when buying any spirit-based drinks," said the FCO in an update to its travel advice.
The Costa Rican Health Ministry says it has now confirmed at least 20 deaths from consumption of alcohol tainted with methanol.
The ministry said on Wednesday that it searched a facility belonging to one of the suppliers of the alcohol and confiscated boxes of the product.
So far, 15 men and five women have died after drinking adulterated liquor since early June. The victims range from 32 to 72 years of age.
In total, the ministry identified 41 people affected by the alcohol.
The Pan American Health Organisation says: "Methanol can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. High doses can cause blindness or vision loss as a consequence of serious damage to the optic nerve.
"Chronic exposure may cause liver damage, cirrhosis or even death from respiratory or cardiac failure". If you, or someone you’re travelling with, shows signs of alcohol-induced methanol poisoning, seek immediate medical attention."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025