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Costa Rica Toll Roads Complete Guide

System: Limited toll network on 3 main highways (Routes 27, 1, 32)
Coverage: San José to Pacific coast, northbound Guanacaste, Caribbean access
Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC); US Dollars (USD) accepted at some booths
Technology: QuickPass/Telepase RFID transponders, credit card scanning (Route 27), manual cash booths
Operators: Globalvía (Route 27), CONAVI/MOPT (Routes 1, 32)

Do I Need QuickPass for Costa Rica? 2026 Update

No, QuickPass is not required to use Costa Rica's toll roads - but it saves significant time on Route 27, the country's busiest and most toll-intensive highway. All 12 toll stations across the network accept cash payment, and Route 27 now also accepts credit cards at all booths.

Key Reality: Costa Rica has only 3 tolled highways out of its entire national road network. Route 27 (San José-Caldera) has 9 toll plazas and is the main corridor to Pacific beaches - expect 2-5 minute waits per booth during peak travel times without QuickPass, significantly longer during Semana Santa and holiday weekends.

2026 Update: Route 27 toll rates were updated as of April 2026. The current rates reflect the full schedule across all 9 plazas on the San José–Caldera corridor. Credit card scanning is available at all Route 27 booths. The QuickPass Top Miles rewards programme continues for frequent users.

Costa Rica Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)

Route 27 (San José–Caldera) Toll Stations

Toll Station	Light Vehicle (CRC)	Approx. USD	Notes
Escazú	₡390	~$0.75	Main entrance from San José ring road
Ciudad Colón	₡200	~$0.38	Western San José access point
San Rafael	₡600	~$1.15	Mid-route plaza; Heredia area
Guácima	₡450	~$0.86	La Guácima interchange
Siquiares	₡470	~$0.90	Cartago–Pacific corridor crosspoint
Rampa Atenas	₡390	~$0.75	Atenas on-ramp/off-ramp
Atenas	₡790	~$1.51	Highest single-plaza rate on Route 27
Pozón	₡600	~$1.15	Near Caldera port; final major plaza
Rampa Pozón	₡200	~$0.38	Pozón on-ramp/off-ramp
Full Route 27 (San José to Caldera)	CRC 4,000–4,500 total	~$7.65–$8.60	9 toll plazas; varies by entry/exit points and vehicle class

Routes 1 & 32 Toll Stations

Highway	Station	Light Vehicle (CRC)	Approx. USD
Route 1 (Panamericana Norte)	Estación General Cañas (Río Segundo)	₡240	~$0.46
Route 1 (Panamericana Norte)	Estación Bernardo Soto (Naranjo)	₡410	~$0.78
Route 32 (San José–Caribbean)	Zurquí (Carretera Braulio Carrillo)	₡250	~$0.48
Route 32 (San José–Caribbean)	Tres Ríos (Florencio del Castillo)	₡75	~$0.14

How to Pay Costa Rica Tolls

1. QuickPass / Telepase Electronic Transponder:

• RFID transponder on windshield; deducted from prepaid account automatically - no stopping required
• QuickPass Top Miles rewards programme: earn points redeemable for toll credits
• Rental cars equipped with Telepase: charges automatically added to rental agreement - confirm billing arrangement with rental company before driving
• Available from Globalvía offices and select HSBC branches

2. Credit/Debit Card:

• Now accepted at all Route 27 booths - swipe at the operator window
• Limited or unavailable on Routes 1 and 32 booths - cash recommended

3. Cash:

• All booths accept Costa Rican colones; US dollars accepted at some Route 27 booths but change given in colones (often at unfavourable rates)
• Carry exact change where possible to speed up manual booth payment

To calculate toll costs for all vehicle types across Costa Rica's toll roads, use TollGuru Costa Rica toll calculator:

Costa Rica Toll Calculator

Recent Changes (2026)

• Route 27 toll rates updated as of April 2026 across all 9 plazas; rates now reflect full per-station schedule from ₡200 (Ciudad Colón, Rampa Pozón) to ₡790 (Atenas)
• Route 1 station names confirmed: Estación General Cañas (Río Segundo) at ₡240, Estación Bernardo Soto (Naranjo) at ₡410
• Route 32 has two plazas: Zurquí at ₡250 and Tres Ríos (Florencio del Castillo) at ₡75
• Credit card scanning extended to all Route 27 toll booths
• Circunvalación Norte expansion project in planning - new toll infrastructure expected when completed
• MOPT continues $350M investment programme in highway expansion and toll infrastructure modernisation
• Rainy season (June-November) road conditions on secondary routes can be challenging - main toll highways maintained year-round

Costa Rica vs. Central American Neighbours

Country	System	Typical Cost	Coverage
Costa Rica	QuickPass + cash/card	CRC 75–790 per booth	Routes 27, 1, 32 only
Nicaragua	Cash only	NIO 2-15 per booth	Limited national highways
Panama	EasyTag + cash	USD $0.25-2.00 per booth	Corredor Norte/Sur, autopistas
Guatemala	SiVAPass + cash	Q15.25 per crossing	Palín-Escuintla only
El Salvador	None - toll-free	$0.00	All roads free

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use US dollars at Costa Rica toll booths?

Some Route 27 booths accept USD but change is given in colones, often at unfavourable exchange rates. Carrying Costa Rican colones for exact change is strongly recommended for manual booth payment.

Does my rental car have QuickPass?

Many rental companies equip vehicles with Telepase transponders. Confirm before driving whether your car has one, and ask how toll charges will be billed - either directly to your rental agreement or through a prepaid account.

How much does it cost to drive from San José to Jacó/Manuel Antonio?

Expect CRC 4,000–4,500 (approximately USD$7.65–8.60) in total toll charges via Route 27 from San José to Caldera, then onwards on toll-free Route 34 to Pacific destinations.

Useful Links & Resources

• CONAVI official website: conavi.go.cr
• MOPT (Ministry of Public Works & Transport): mopt.go.cr
• Belize Toll - Toll-free northern neighbour
• Nicaragua Toll - Northern border toll information
• Guatemala Toll - Regional toll road information
• El Salvador Toll - Toll-free Central American network

Calculate Your Costa Rica Toll Cost

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