By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Drivers across Costa Rica can anticipate a modest financial relief at the pump starting in the new year. The Public Services Regulatory Authority (Aresep) has officially approved a reduction in the prices of Super and Regular gasoline, as well as Diesel, with the new rates set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The adjustment comes as a direct result of a newly approved decrease in the operating margin for the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (Recope). This decision marks the first update to the state-owned company’s operational margin since 2019, reflecting significant shifts in the energy market landscape and Recope’s internal financial structure over the past several years.
To delve into the regulatory complexities and the legal framework that dictates fuel pricing in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with expert lawyer Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The fuel price structure in Costa Rica is not a free-market mechanism but a highly regulated monopoly managed by RECOPE and supervised by ARESEP. The final price consumers pay is a direct result of a legal formula which includes international crude oil costs, operational expenses, and a significant, legally mandated tax component. Any substantial change to this pricing model would require not just economic policy shifts but a formal legislative reform, a process that is often complex and politically sensitive.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal framework is a critical piece of the puzzle, shifting the public focus from simple market fluctuations to the intricacies of national legislative reform. Understanding that any meaningful price adjustment requires a change in law is essential. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his expert clarification on this fundamental point.
According to the resolution issued by Aresep, the price per liter for Super gasoline will fall by ₡4, from its current ₡643 to ₡639. Regular gasoline will see a ₡3 decrease, moving from ₡635 to ₡632. The most significant reduction will be for Diesel fuel, which will drop by ₡8 per liter, from ₡557 to ₡549. Prices for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the standard 25-pound gas cylinder will remain unchanged under the new structure.
The regulatory body’s decision was not made lightly. It followed a comprehensive and meticulous study of Recope’s financial health and operational efficiency. Aresep’s technical teams conducted a thorough review of the company’s income, expenses, costs, and capital investments. The primary goal was to modernize the operating margin and the return on the tariff base to accurately reflect Recope’s current economic reality, ensuring fairness for both the company and the consumer.
This long-overdue revision acknowledges the evolution of global energy markets and their impact on Recope’s operational management. By re-evaluating these core financial components, Aresep aims to establish a tariff structure that is both sustainable for the state-run entity and equitable for the public who relies on its products daily for transportation and commerce.
Mario Mora, the Energy Intendant at Aresep, highlighted the critical importance of this adjustment in a statement. He emphasized that the operating margin is a fundamental component of the final price passed on to consumers.
Updating the operating margin is significant because it is part of the cost charged to each of the products Recope distributes through its terminals, and consequently, it needs to be properly adjusted to its operational reality.
Mario Mora, Energy Intendant
While the price reductions are modest, they represent a welcome development for households and businesses grappling with the cost of living. Fuel prices are a critical economic indicator in Costa Rica, directly influencing transportation costs, the price of goods, and overall inflation. This slight downward trend offers a positive signal as the country heads into the new year, potentially easing pressure on commercial logistics and family budgets alike.
To finalize the process and ensure the new prices are legally binding, Aresep has already dispatched the formal resolution to the National Printing Office. It will be published in the official government gazette, *La Gaceta*, cementing the changes and guaranteeing that the lower fuel costs will be implemented nationwide on the first day of 2026.
For further information, visit aresep.go.cr
About Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep):
The Public Services Regulatory Authority, known as Aresep, is the autonomous Costa Rican institution responsible for regulating and overseeing public services, including energy, water, and public transportation. Its mission is to ensure a balance between the quality, cost, and accessibility of essential services for the nation’s citizens while promoting the efficiency and financial stability of service providers.
For further information, visit recope.go.cr
About Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope):
The Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo, or Recope, is Costa Rica’s state-owned company in charge of importing, refining, and distributing petroleum and its derivatives throughout the country. Established in 1963, Recope plays a vital role in the nation’s energy security, managing the entire fuel supply chain from port terminals to distribution plants to ensure a consistent and reliable supply for all sectors of the economy.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of principled practice and professional distinction. The firm’s extensive experience serving a diverse clientele fuels its drive for pioneering legal solutions and forward-thinking strategies. This commitment to innovation is matched by a profound sense of social responsibility, demonstrated through dedicated efforts to demystify the law for the public. By championing legal literacy, the firm actively contributes to building a more knowledgeable and capable society, reinforcing its core mission of empowerment through clarity.
