Published on Saturday, July 19, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The contraflow lane system on Route 27 will be activated Sunday afternoon to ease congestion during the final weekend of the country’s mid-year school break, announced the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT).

The mid-year vacation, held from July 7 to 18, gives nearly one million students from public schools, high schools, universities, and academies time off.

This annual break significantly increases travel along Route 27, one of Costa Rica’s busiest highways linking the capital with the Pacific provinces of Puntarenas and Guanacaste.

To accommodate the heavy return traffic toward San José, officials will reverse traffic flow on a key stretch of the highway. From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., all lanes between the Pozon toll station in Alajuela Province and the Ciudad Colón toll station in San José Province will be directed exclusively toward the capital.

Closures will begin one hour earlier at 1 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m., one hour after the contraflow ends. A maximum speed limit of 37 mph (60 kph) will be enforced during this period.

During contraflow hours, westbound drivers (from San José to the Pacific coast) must use one of the following alternative routes:

• Route 1: From Río Segundo canton in Alajuela to Esparza canton in Puntarenas, rejoining Route 27.

• Route 3: Through Atenas canton to Orotina canton in Alajuela, reconnecting with Route 27 in Puntarenas.

• Route 239: From the Ciudad Colón district in San José to La Palma district, in the Parrita canton of Puntarenas.

Authorities advise motorists to plan ahead, remain alert to contraflow schedules, and drive with caution.

For real-time traffic information or roadside assistance, travelers may contact Globalvia, the company that manages Route 27, at (+506) 2588-4000.

In addition, the San José vehicle restriction policy has been temporarily suspended from July 7 through July 18, 2025, to accommodate the increase in travel during the school holidays.

As of June 2025, Costa Rica has reported over 300 traffic-related fatalities, marking a sharp increase of 76 deaths compared to the 231 fatalities recorded during the same period in 2024.

Costa Rica recorded over 500 traffic-related deaths in 2024, with motorcyclists making up 53% of the victims.

Recently, the Traffic Police reported more than 4,500 citations to motorcyclists for a variety of traffic violations.

Authorities are urging the public to report reckless driving by calling the 911 emergency hotline.

The MOPT oversees Costa Rica’s road, port, and airport infrastructure, as well as national public transportation policy.

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Have you heard about expats facing difficulties traveling on Route 27 during contraflow days? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com