Published on Monday, October 6, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rica has completed major improvements to a highway linking the provinces of Alajuela and Puntarenas, providing better access between local cantons and the central Pacific coast. The project was carried out by the Rural Development Institute (Inder).

The upgraded 15.4-mile (24.8-kilometer) route starts in Orotina Canton, in Alajuela, along Route 3, passes through San Mateo Canton, and continues on Route 131 to Esparza Canton in Puntarenas.

Authorities said the $5 million project involved removing old, damaged asphalt, laying a new road surface, constructing culverts, and installing both painted and vertical traffic signs along the route.

Inder officials said the improvements aim to enhance mobility and support economic growth in local communities. Of the total cost, they contributed $3.7 million, with the remaining funds provided by the municipalities of the affected cantons.

The joint effort between Inder and local municipalities aims to improve road safety and boost the economic and social development of more than 15,000 residents in the area.

“These investments reflect the Institute’s strong commitment to supporting rural communities with projects that not only improve roads but also drive economic and social development across the region,” said Ricardo Quesada, President of Inder.

The highway upgrade is part of a broader push to improve infrastructure in Costa Rica’s rural areas. Recently, the Pacific Ports Institute (Incop) announced plans for a multimillion-dollar dock in Drake Bay, a remote community on the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas.

Inder is a state-owned agency responsible for rural infrastructure development nationwide.

Incop is the state-owned institute that oversees the country’s Pacific Coast ports.

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What roads in Costa Rica do you think need urgent upgrades? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com