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Costa Rica Toll Roads Complete Guide

System: Limited toll network (Routes 27, 1, 32)
Coverage: Major highways to/from San José and popular destinations
Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC) or US Dollar (USD)
Technology: QuickPass electronic, Manual booths, Credit card scanning
Operators: Globalvía (Route 27), CONAVI (Routes 1, 32)

Do I Need QuickPass for Costa Rica? 2025 Update

No, you don't need QuickPass to drive on Costa Rican toll roads - but it saves significant time on Route 27. Costa Rica has a limited toll network with only three major highways requiring toll payments.

Key Reality: QuickPass is mainly beneficial for Route 27 (San José-Caldera) which has multiple toll booths. Without QuickPass, expect 2-5 minutes per toll booth during peak travel times to Pacific coast destinations.

2025 Update: Route 27 tolls were reduced in January 2025 by ₡10 for light vehicles at San Rafael, Atenas, and Pozón stations. Credit card scanning now available on Route 27.

Costa Rica Toll Costs: Current Rates

Costa Rica operates tolls on only three major routes, with costs varying by vehicle class and location. Most tolls cost under ₡500 ($1 USD) except on Route 27.

Current Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2025)

Vehicle Class	Description	Route 27 Range	Routes 1 & 32
Class 1	Motorcycles, light vehicles (max 4 tires)	₡200-810	₡75-250
Class 2	Microbuses, buses (9+ passengers)	₡410-1630	₡150-500
Class 3	Heavy vehicles (2-3 axles)	₡510-2040	₡200-600
Class 4	Heavy trucks (4+ axles)	₡900-3600	₡300-800
Class 5	Heaviest vehicles (5+ axles)	₡1290-5160	₡400-1000

Major Route Costs (Current Rates)

Route 27 (San José - Caldera/Manuel Antonio):

• Total journey cost for cars: ₡1,700-2,100 ($3-4 USD)
• Individual tolls: Escazú, San Rafael, Atenas, Pozón
• Each toll: ₡410-810 for light vehicles

Route 1 (Interamerican Highway):

• Río Segundo (Alajuela): ₡200 for cars (increasing to ₡200+)
• Naranjo: ₡400 for cars (projected increases planned)

How to Pay Costa Rican Tolls

You can use the following toll payment methods to pay toll in Costa Rica:

1. Electronic Systems:

• QuickPass: Transponder device for dedicated lanes (mainly Route 27)
• Credit card scanning: Available on Route 27 toll booths
• Rental car companies: Some offer QuickPass with additional fees

2. Manual Payment:

• Cash (Colones): Most widely accepted, change given in colones
• US Dollars: Small bills ($1, $5, $10) accepted, change in colones
• "Manual" lanes: Standard payment lanes with attendant
• "Tarjeta" lanes: Credit card payment lanes on Route 27

To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across Costa Rican toll roads, use TollGuru Costa Rica toll calculator

Costa Rica Toll Calculator

Recent Changes (2025)

Route 27 Updates:

• January 2025: Toll reductions of ₡10 at San Rafael, Atenas, and Pozón for light vehicles
• Credit card scanning technology expanded to all Route 27 toll booths
• Globalvía continues concession management through 2030s

Route 1 Developments:

• Fideicomiso Ruta Uno (FRU) manages toll collection at Río Segundo and Naranjo
• Planned toll increases: Río Segundo ₡75→₡200+, Naranjo ₡150→₡400+
• Highway widening projects continue with potential new toll points

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Lane Selection Errors:

• Never enter "QuickPass" lanes without transponder device
• Choose "Manual" lanes for cash payment or "Tarjeta" for credit cards
• Reversing out of wrong lanes can cause traffic and safety issues

Payment Preparation:

• Don't pay large tolls with big bills (avoid ₡20,000 notes for ₡250 toll)
• Have small denominations ready for faster service
• Ensure credit cards work in Costa Rica before using toll booths
• Toll evasion carries serious fines - always pay at every booth

Planning Your Journey

Cost Considerations

• San José to Manuel Antonio: ₡1,700-2,100 ($3-4 USD) via Route 27
• San José to Guanacaste: ₡200-600 via Route 1
• San José to Caribbean coast: ₡75-250 via Route 32
• Budget ₡100-500 per toll booth for typical car journeys

Toll-Free Alternatives

• Route 3: Scenic alternative to Route 27 (slower but no tolls)
• Secondary roads: Available but significantly slower and less maintained
• Most rural and provincial roads: Toll-free throughout Costa Rica

Toll Road Coverage

Route 27 (Autopista del Sol):

• San José to Caldera (76.8 km)
• Primary route to Pacific coast beaches (Jacó, Manuel Antonio)
• Four toll stations: Escazú, San Rafael, Atenas, Pozón
• Most advanced toll system with QuickPass and credit card options

Route 1 (Interamerican Highway):

• Main north-south corridor through Central Valley
• Two toll stations: Río Segundo (Alajuela), Naranjo
• Connects to Nicaragua border and Guanacaste province
• Cash-only payment at most booths

Route 32 (Braulio Carrillo Highway):

• San José to Caribbean coast (Puerto Limón)
• One toll station between San José and Cartago
• Lower toll rates than other routes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid Costa Rican tolls completely?

Yes, using Route 3 instead of Route 27 to reach the Pacific coast, and secondary roads instead of Routes 1 and 32. However, expect 1.5-3x longer travel times and less maintained road conditions.

What happens if I don't pay Costa Rican tolls?

Toll evasion carries serious fines in Costa Rica. Camera systems track vehicles that pass without payment, leading to substantial penalties and potential legal consequences.

Do motorcycles pay tolls in Costa Rica?

Yes, motorcycles pay Class 1 rates (same as cars). Look for "Motocicletas" pricing on toll booth signs.

Can I get QuickPass as a tourist?

QuickPass requires a Costa Rican bank account with participating banks (BAC San José, LAFISE, Cathay, Banco Nacional). Some rental companies offer QuickPass-enabled vehicles for additional fees.

Do tourists get different rates?

No, all vehicles pay the same rates regardless of nationality. Rental car companies may charge additional processing fees for toll services.

Costa Rica vs. Regional Countries

Country	System Type	Typical Cost	Coverage
Costa Rica	Limited toll roads	₡200-810 per booth	3 major routes only
Nicaragua	Minimal tolls	Very limited	Few roads
Guatemala	Concession tolls	GTQ 5-25 per section	Major highways
El Salvador	Highway tolls	$0.35-1.50 USD	Key routes
Mexico	Extensive autopistas	MX$25-150 per section	5,000+ km network

Useful Links & Resources

Official Toll Operators:

• Globalvía Route 27: globalviaruta27.com - Current rates and QuickPass information
• CONAVI: conavi.go.cr - National road authority
• QuickPass banks: BAC San José, LAFISE, Cathay, Banco Nacional

Travel Resources:

• Emergency: 911 (police, medical, fire)
• Tourist Police: 2511-9439
• Road Conditions: CONAVI traffic updates

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