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Costa Rica Toll Roads Complete Guide

System: Limited toll network on 3 main highways (Routes 27, 1, 32)
Coverage: San Jose to Pacific coast, northbound Guanacaste, Caribbean access
Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC); US Dollars (USD) accepted at some booths
Technology: QuickPass/Telepase RFID transponders, credit card scanning (Route 27), manual cash booths
Operators: Globalvia (Route 27, a 76.8 km concession operating since 2008); CONAVI, under ARESEP regulatory oversight (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 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 Jose-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. Route 1 (Panamericana Norte) has two toll stations, but one important exception applies - see the 2026 Update below.

2026 Update - two important confirmations: First toll collection remains suspended on the San Jose-San Ramon corridor (the section of Route 1 covered by the General Canas and Bernardo Soto stations) - per an April 29, 2026 CONAVI administrative decision, this suspension continues "hasta que se cuente con las estaciones definitivas conforme a lo dispuesto en la Ley N°10899" (until permanent stations are installed per Law N°10899). ARESEP still publishes reference rates for these two stations, but active collection there is currently suspended - do not assume you will be charged at General Canas or Bernardo Soto until this is confirmed to have changed. Second, Globalvia's confirms new rates "Vigentes a Partir de Julio 2026" (in effect from July 2026) that are slightly lower than the previous schedule across all 9 plazas - the table below reflects these confirmed current figures. CONAVI-administered rates (Routes 1 and 32) took effect July 1, 2026 under ARESEP resolution RE-0071-IT-2026 (June 22, 2026), published in La Gaceta N°115.

Costa Rica Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)

Route 27 (San Jose-Caldera) Toll Stations - Effective July 2026

Confirmed directly against Globalvia's own official rate table. Vehicle classes: Class 1 = motorcycles and light vehicles up to 4 tires (plate CL-); Class 2 = microbuses/buses with 9+ passenger capacity; Class 3 = 2-3 axle heavy vehicles, 4-6 tires (plate C-); Class 4 = 4-axle heavy vehicles, 6-8 tires; Class 5 = 5+ axle heavy trucks (tractor with trailer).

Toll Station	Class 1 (Light)	Class 2	Class 3	Class 4	Class 5
Escazu	CRC 380	760	950	1,690	2,420
Ciudad Colon	CRC 190	380	480	840	1,210
San Rafael	CRC 580	1,160	1,450	2,560	3,660
Guacima	CRC 430	860	1,080	1,910	2,730
Siquiares	CRC 450	900	1,130	1,990	2,860
Rampa Atenas	CRC 380	760	950	1,690	2,420
Atenas	CRC 760	1,530	1,910	3,380	4,840
Pozon	CRC 580	1,160	1,450	2,560	3,660
Rampa Pozon	CRC 190	380	480	840	1,210
Full Route 27 (San Jose to Caldera)	Approximately CRC 3,900-4,300 total for Class 1 depending on entry/exit points - confirm exact total for your specific route via the calculator below

Routes 1 & 32 Toll Stations - CONAVI, Effective July 1, 2026

Confirmed directly against ARESEP's official tariff page (resolution RE-0071-IT-2026).

Highway	Station	Light Vehicle (CRC)	Status
Route 1 (Panamericana Norte)	General Canas (Rio Segundo)	c240	Collection suspended on the San Jose-San Ramon corridor pending permanent stations (Law N.10899)
Route 1 (Panamericana Norte)	Bernardo Soto (Naranjo)	c410	Collection suspended on the San Jose-San Ramon corridor pending permanent stations (Law N.10899)
Route 32 (San Jose-Caribbean)	Braulio Carrillo (Zurqui, a Limon)	c250	Active
Route 32 (San Jose-Caribbean)	Florencio del Castillo (Tres Rios, a Cartago)	c70	Active - corrects a previous c75 figure

Important: ARESEP explicitly notes that collection remains suspended on General Canas and Bernardo Soto pending the installation of permanent toll stations required by Law N.10899 for the San Jose-San Ramon corridor. The rates shown are the officially published reference rates, but do not assume you will actually be charged at these two stations - confirm current collection status before your trip.

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

Costa Rica Toll Calculator

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 Globalvia offices and select HSBC branches

2. Credit/Debit Card:

• 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

Recent Changes (2026)

• Confirmed directly via ARESEP: toll collection remains suspended on the San Jose-San Ramon corridor (General Canas and Bernardo Soto stations), pending permanent stations required under Law N.10899 - per a CONAVI administrative decision dated April 29, 2026
• CONAVI rates (Routes 1, 32) took effect July 1, 2026 under ARESEP resolution RE-0071-IT-2026 (June 22, 2026), published in La Gaceta N.115
• Globalvia Route 27 rates decreased slightly, effective July 2026 across all 9 plazas - confirmed directly on the operator's own current homepage
• Credit card scanning remains available at all Route 27 toll booths
• MOPT continues its 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 70-760 per booth (Class 1)	Routes 27, 1 (partly suspended), 32
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 + VAS+ + cash	Q10-Q15.25 per crossing	Palin-Escuintla + 3 VAS tramos
El Salvador	None - toll-free	$0.00	All roads free

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the toll still being collected on the San Jose-San Ramon corridor?

No, not currently. Collection has been suspended on this stretch of Route 1 (covered by the General Canas and Bernardo Soto stations) since a CONAVI decision on April 29, 2026, pending installation of permanent toll stations required by Law N.10899. Published reference rates still exist, but active collection is on hold - confirm current status before assuming you will be charged there.

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 Jose to Jaco/Manuel Antonio?

Expect approximately CRC 3,900-4,300 (roughly USD$7.50-8.20) in total toll charges via Route 27 from San Jose to Caldera, then onwards on toll-free Route 34 to Pacific destinations.

Useful Links & Resources

• ARESEP - Tarifas Peajes - official current rate schedule for CONAVI-administered routes, including collection suspension notices
• Globalvia Ruta 27 - Tarifas - official current Route 27 rate table by plaza and vehicle class
• Globalvia QuickPass - electronic transponder account setup
• CONAVI official website
• MOPT (Ministry of Public Works & Transport)
• 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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