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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 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 effective January 2026 by operator Globalvía. Route 1 rates were reduced by ARESEP effective January 1, 2025, with significant cuts at both the Río Segundo and Naranjo stations. 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) — All 9 Toll Stations (Clase 1: Light Vehicles & Motorcycles)

Source: Globalvía — Tarifas Vigentes a Partir de Enero 2026

Toll Station	Clase 1 — Light Vehicle / Moto (CRC)	Approx. USD	Notes
Escazú	₡420	~$0.80	Main entrance from San José ring road
Ciudad Colón	₡210	~$0.40	Ramp/short section station
San Rafael	₡630	~$1.20
Guácima	₡470	~$0.90
Siquiares	₡490	~$0.95
Rampa Atenas	₡420	~$0.80	Ramp station
Atenas	₡830	~$1.60
Pozón	₡630	~$1.20	Near Caldera
Rampa Pozón	₡210	~$0.40	Ramp station
Full Route 27 (San José to Caldera) — Clase 1	₡4,310 total (all 9 stations)	~$8.30	Not all stations apply to every route segment

Clase 1 covers: motorcycles, light vehicles, and light cargo with a maximum of 4 supporting tyres on pavement (placa CL). Source: Globalvía, January 2026.

Route 1 (Panamericana) Toll Stations — Rates effective January 1, 2025 (ARESEP approved)

Station	Route Section	Light Vehicle (CRC)	Approx. USD	Change vs. Prior Rate
Río Segundo	Ruta 1B — General Cañas (San José northbound)	₡240	~$0.46	-₡35 (-12.7%) from prior ₡275
Naranjo	Ruta 1A — Bernardo Soto (toward Guanacaste/Nicaragua)	₡410	~$0.79	-₡140 (-25.5%) from prior ₡550

Source: ARESEP Bol. 91-2024, December 12, 2024. ARESEP approved reductions at both stations; Conavi had originally requested increases. Rates effective January 1, 2025 and remain unchanged for 2026.

Route 32 (San José–Caribbean) Toll Station

Highway	Route	Number of Booths	Light Vehicle Rate	Notes
Route 32 (Braulio Carrillo)	San José to Puerto Limón via Braulio Carrillo	1 toll booth	Unchanged (CONAVI desisted from tariff revision)	CONAVI withdrew its rate-change request in Dec 2024; prior rates remain in force

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 (2025–2026)

• Route 27 tariffs updated by Globalvía effective January 2026 across all 9 stations
• Route 1 (Río Segundo and Naranjo stations): ARESEP approved significant reductions effective January 1, 2025 — overriding CONAVI's increase requests. Light vehicles at Río Segundo dropped from ₡275 to ₡240; at Naranjo from ₡550 to ₡410
• Route 32 (Braulio Carrillo): CONAVI withdrew its tariff revision request in December 2024; rates remain unchanged
• Route 2 (Florencio del Castillo): also unchanged following CONAVI's withdrawal of tariff petition
• 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 210–830 per booth (Clase 1)	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?

Via Route 27, a Clase 1 light vehicle passes through up to 9 toll stations with a combined maximum of ₡4,310 (approximately USD $8.30) if paying all stations from San José to Caldera, then continuing on toll-free Route 34 to Pacific destinations. Not all stations apply to every segment of the journey.

Useful Links & Resources

• Globalvía Route 27 official tariffs: globalviaruta27.com/tarifas
• CONAVI official website: conavi.go.cr
• ARESEP (toll rate regulator): aresep.go.cr/peajes
• 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

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