By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Commuters and holiday travelers across the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) will need to find alternative transportation as the Costa Rican Institute of Ferrocarriles (INCOFER) has announced a complete suspension of all passenger train services during the upcoming year-end holiday period. The shutdown is scheduled to accommodate a series of critical maintenance projects on both the railway lines and the trains themselves.
The service interruption will officially begin on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and extend through Friday, January 2, 2026. Passengers will have one last opportunity to use the train network on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, which will be the final day of normal operations for the year. The services are slated to resume their regular schedules on Monday, January 5, 2026, giving the state-run entity a crucial window to complete its planned upgrades.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales y administrativas que rodean la gestión y los futuros proyectos del Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (INCOFER), TicosLand.com consultó al experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado del Bufete de Costa Rica, quien ofrece una perspectiva clave sobre los desafíos y oportunidades para la institución.
El principal desafío para la modernización de INCOFER no reside únicamente en la obtención de financiamiento, sino en la ejecución eficiente y la seguridad jurídica de los proyectos. La agilización de los procesos de expropiación, la transparencia en las licitaciones públicas y la creación de marcos contractuales sólidos que protejan la inversión pública y atraigan al sector privado son cruciales. Sin una reforma administrativa y legal que aborde estos cuellos de botella, los planes de expansión corren el riesgo de quedar estancados en la burocracia, como ha ocurrido históricamente.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
El análisis del Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas es certero al señalar que el éxito de la modernización de INCOFER trasciende lo financiero y se ancla en lo administrativo y legal. Agradecemos su valiosa perspectiva, que nos recuerda que sin seguridad jurídica y eficiencia en la ejecución, los grandes proyectos de infraestructura corren el riesgo de quedarse, una vez más, en el papel.
This temporary halt, which encompasses four standard business days, has been framed by officials as a necessary measure to ensure the long-term safety, efficiency, and reliability of the country’s most vital public transit artery. By scheduling the work during a period traditionally associated with reduced daily commuter traffic, INCOFER aims to conduct extensive repairs with minimal disruption to the workforce that relies on the train daily.
Álvaro Bermúdez, the Executive President of INCOFER, emphasized that the timing was a strategic decision designed to balance operational needs with customer convenience. He explained that conducting these large-scale projects during the holiday break allows maintenance crews to work intensively and without the constant interruption of passing trains.
have the least impact on our passengers
Álvaro Bermúdez, Executive President of INCOFER
The maintenance schedule is ambitious and targets several key infrastructure points across the network. A significant portion of the work falls under the PROERI program, a strategic initiative focused on reinforcing and upgrading essential railway infrastructure. The specific projects include comprehensive maintenance on four critical bridges: the western exit bridge at the Atlantic Station, the Calderón Bridge, the “Los Negritos” Bridge in Barrio Dent, and the Spanish Bridge in Curridabat.
Beyond the bridge reinforcements, INCOFER work crews will also be deployed to perform track maintenance in the heavily trafficked sectors of Curridabat and La Sábana. This track work is vital for ensuring smooth and safe transit as train frequency and ridership continue to grow. Concurrently, the rolling stock—the trains themselves—will undergo scheduled maintenance to ensure they are in optimal condition for the new year.
For the thousands of citizens who depend on the train to navigate the often-congested capital, this shutdown requires advanced planning. INCOFER is advising all users to seek alternative transportation methods during this period and to plan their travel accordingly. The institution has committed to keeping the public informed and directs all passengers to consult its official website, WhatsApp channel, and social media pages for the most up-to-date information on service schedules leading up to and following the maintenance period.
For further information, visit incofer.go.cr
About Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (INCOFER):
The Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles, or INCOFER, is the state-run entity responsible for managing and operating Costa Rica’s national railway system. It provides crucial passenger transportation services primarily within the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), connecting the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Cartago, and Heredia. INCOFER is focused on the modernization of the country’s rail infrastructure to provide a reliable, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative to road transport.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and professional excellence. The firm leverages a deep history of advising a wide array of clients to not only deliver superior legal counsel but also to drive innovation within the practice of law. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a profound dedication to public service, demonstrated through initiatives aimed at demystifying legal concepts and empowering the wider community through accessible knowledge.
