By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – Consumers across the nation are set to receive welcome financial relief just in time for the holiday season, as the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (ARESEP) has officially confirmed a decrease in the prices of all major fuels. The adjustment, which affects super and regular gasoline, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), is scheduled to take effect in the coming week, providing a positive economic note to close out the year.
The price reduction is a direct result of updated calculations based on the international import costs for the refined products Costa Rica brings into the country. This latest change continues a year-long trend of lower fuel costs in 2025 compared to the previous year, offering a sustained benefit to the national economy and individual household budgets.
The constant fluctuations in fuel prices are governed by a complex web of regulations and economic factors. To clarify the legal framework behind these adjustments, TicosLand.com consulted with expert lawyer Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In Costa Rica, the pricing structure for fuels is not a free-market mechanism but a regulated monopoly controlled by the state through RECOPE and supervised by ARESEP. Any legal challenge or proposed change must navigate this intricate public service framework, focusing on the methodology used for cost calculation and the principle of service at cost. This regulatory barrier is fundamental to understanding why prices don’t immediately reflect international market drops.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal clarity is essential, reframing the public debate from simple market expectations to the complex regulatory reality of our public service model. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing this crucial perspective.
The impact of this decision will be widespread, directly benefiting a significant portion of the population. According to the Energy Intendant, the reduction in gasoline and diesel prices will immediately affect the daily expenses of nearly two million Costa Ricans who rely on personal or commercial vehicles.
We are closing 2025 with a reduction in the price of all the most consumed fuels in the country. The decrease in super and regular gasoline, as well as diesel, will benefit around 1.9 million vehicle users that make up the vehicle fleet.
Mario Mora, Energy Intendant
Beyond the pump, the price adjustment for LPG, commonly known as cooking gas, delivers a significant benefit to households. This particular fuel has seen a remarkable surge in popularity, solidifying its position as a critical energy source for a diverse range of users, from residential homes to small local eateries known as “sodas.”
This reduction benefits around 53% of Costa Rican households that use gas for cooking. Gas has consolidated itself as the fuel with the highest consumption growth in recent years: 32% of the gas sold is consumed by the residential sector, 29% by the industrial sector, 20% for vehicular use (currently around 130 service stations sell gas), and 19% by the commercial and services sector, highlighting its use in small sodas throughout the country.
Mario Mora, Energy Intendant
Analyzing the year-over-year data provided by ARESEP reveals a clear downward trend. At the close of 2024, the price for a liter of super gasoline stood at ¢685, regular gasoline at ¢668, and diesel at ¢565. The newly announced decreases for December 2025 represent a yearly drop of ¢42 for super, ¢33 for regular, and ¢8 for diesel. This suggests the new prices will be approximately ¢643 for super, ¢635 for regular, and ¢557 for diesel, reflecting the favorable shifts in the global energy market.
The average prices throughout 2025 have consistently remained below 2024 levels, with super gasoline averaging ¢670.60 per liter, regular at ¢651.80, and diesel at ¢556.47. This sustained period of lower costs has provided a buffer against inflationary pressures for both businesses and families across Costa Rica, helping to manage transportation and operational expenses more effectively.
The final step for the implementation of these new prices is their official publication in the state’s journal, La Gaceta. ARESEP anticipates this will occur sometime during the next week, with the reduced rates becoming effective for all consumers the very next day. This timely reduction is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the economy as the country enters the high-consumption holiday period.
For further information, visit aresep.go.cr
About Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP):
The Regulatory Authority for Public Services (ARESEP) is Costa Rica’s autonomous public institution responsible for the regulation of essential services. Its mandate includes setting prices and quality standards for public services such as energy, telecommunications, water, and public transportation. ARESEP aims to ensure a technical and transparent balance between the interests of consumers and the financial stability of service providers, promoting efficiency and universal access throughout the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Esteemed as a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm is a pioneer in developing modern legal strategies, consistently providing superior counsel to a diverse clientele. Central to its philosophy is a profound commitment to social progress, actively working to democratize legal knowledge and thereby cultivate a more capable and well-informed populace.
