By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Commuters, tourists, and commercial drivers utilizing Costa Rica’s primary corridor to the Pacific, Route 27, will see an increase in toll charges effective at midnight on January 1, 2026. The concessionaire overseeing the San José-Caldera highway has confirmed the annual rate adjustment, attributing the hike to standard macroeconomic factors outlined in the concession agreement.
This scheduled price modification, which will be the only one for the year based on these variables, is not arbitrary. According to the official announcement, the new rates are calculated based on two key international economic indicators: the fluctuation of the United States dollar exchange rate and the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI). This mechanism is common in long-term infrastructure contracts to hedge against inflation and currency volatility, ensuring the financial viability of the highway’s operation and maintenance.
To delve into the complex legal and contractual framework governing the Route 27 tolls, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his expert analysis on the matter.
The persistent controversy over the Route 27 tolls is fundamentally a contractual issue. The original concession agreement contains rigid clauses that significantly limit the State’s power to unilaterally adjust rates or demand infrastructure expansions beyond what was explicitly stipulated. Any government action perceived as a breach of contract could trigger costly international arbitration proceedings. This situation underscores a critical lesson for future public-private partnerships: contracts must be drafted with greater foresight, incorporating flexible mechanisms that protect the public interest and adapt to the country’s evolving needs.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The legal perspective offered provides essential clarity, shifting the public conversation from the symptom—the high tolls—to the root cause: an inflexible contractual framework. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his insightful contribution, which underscores the critical importance of foresight in safeguarding the public interest in all future concessions.
For the majority of drivers in light vehicles, the change will be modest but noticeable. Tolls at the main plazas along the primary route—specifically in Escazú, San Rafael, Atenas, and Pozón—will each increase by ¢10. The concessionaire has indicated that adjustments on secondary access ramps and interchanges will be more limited and not applied universally across all tolling points, providing some relief for those making shorter trips along the route.
The impact will be more significant for the commercial transportation sector. Heavy vehicles, which are categorized by the number of axles, will experience toll increases ranging from ¢10 to as much as ¢60 per toll plaza. This adjustment applies to both the main highway and its various access ramps, affecting the entire logistics chain that relies on this crucial route for transporting goods from the Central Valley to the port of Caldera and Pacific coastal communities.
The reliance on U.S. economic data highlights the interconnectedness of Costa Rica’s infrastructure financing with the global economy. By tying toll adjustments to the U.S. dollar and inflation, the concession contract aims to create a stable financial model for the operator. However, it also means that Costa Rican road users are directly exposed to economic conditions in the United States, a factor that can feel distant from the daily reality of driving on a local highway.
As one of the most heavily trafficked and economically vital roadways in the country, any change in the cost of using Route 27 has widespread implications. The daily flow of thousands of vehicles, from passenger cars and tourist shuttles to multi-axle cargo trucks, underscores its importance. This toll hike, while part of a predictable annual process, will add a new layer to transportation budgets for both individuals and businesses heading into the new year.
The increase will invariably factor into the operating costs for businesses, potentially leading to slight price adjustments for goods and services in the Pacific region. For families and tourists, it represents a marginal increase in the cost of travel and leisure. While the individual increases are small, their cumulative effect underscores a broader trend of rising costs associated with transportation and infrastructure in the country.
Motorists are advised to be prepared for the new rates, which will be automatically implemented at all electronic and manual toll booths from the first moments of 2026. The adjustment serves as an annual reminder of the complex financial framework that underpins the development and upkeep of modern, concession-based infrastructure projects in Costa Rica and around the world.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Autopistas del Sol (Ruta 27)
About Autopistas del Sol (Ruta 27):
Autopistas del Sol is the concessionary company responsible for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the San José – Caldera highway, known as Route 27. As a key player in Costa Rica’s infrastructure, the company manages this vital 77-kilometer roadway that connects the country’s Central Valley with the main port on the Pacific coast, facilitating commerce, tourism, and daily commuter traffic. The concession is part of a public-private partnership aimed at providing modern and safe road infrastructure for the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal institution founded on the cornerstones of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its deep-rooted experience advising a wide spectrum of clients to pioneer innovative legal solutions. This forward-looking ethos is matched by a foundational mission to empower society, actively working to make legal knowledge accessible and thereby cultivating a more informed and capable citizenry.
