The contraflow reversible lane on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast Route 27 will go into effect Sunday, February 2, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced.


Route 27 is one of Costa Rica’s busiest highways, linking the capital region with the Pacific provinces of Puntarenas and Guanacaste. 

The contraflow lanes are designed to alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow for drivers heading back to San José from the coast, due to the last school break weekend.

The public school year is set to begin on Wednesday, February 5, with approximately 1.2 million students from 5,000 public schools across the country, according to the Ministry of Public Education.

The contraflow will be implemented between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., allowing all available lanes between the Pozon Canton toll station in Alajuela Province and the Ciudad Colón toll station in San José Province to flow toward the capital.

Highway closures will begin one hour before and end one hour after the contraflow schedule, running from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The maximum speed permitted during the contraflow will be 37 mph.

 

Drivers traveling westbound, from San José to the Pacific Coast, during the contraflow hours must use one of three alternate routes:

• Route 1: From Río Segundo Canton in Alajuela Province to Esparza Canton in Puntarenas Province, where drivers can rejoin Route 27.

• Route 3: Through the Alajuela Province cantons of Atenas and Orotina, connecting back to Route 27 in Puntarenas Province.

• Route 239: From Ciudad Colón District in San José Province to La Palma District in Parrita Canton, Puntarenas Province.

Authorities urge drivers to factor in the contraflow schedule when planning their trips and to drive with caution.

For real-time updates on route conditions or to request assistance, travelers can contact Globalvia Group, the concessionaire company managing the Route 27 project, at (+506) 2588-4000.

Officials reported that Costa Rica recorded 505 traffic-related deaths in 2024.

Traffic fines were reduced this year after the Court Superior Council approved adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) is a government agency responsible for planning and managing roads, airports, and maritime ports. It also oversees public transportation regulations.