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Published
on Tuesday, November 3, 2026
By
the A.M. Costa Rica
staff
More
than 2 million vehicle owners in Costa
Rica must pay their annual Marchamo fee
before Jan. 1, 2027, to avoid penalties,
according to the National Insurance
Institute (INS).
The Marchamo is a
mandatory annual payment required to
legally operate a vehicle in Costa Rica.
It is similar to the annual vehicle
registration fee in the United States.
Drivers must display the corresponding
sticker on the center portion of their
vehicle's windshield as proof of
payment.
For the first
time, Costa Rica has introduced a
digital Marchamo sticker equipped with a
chip. The new technology is connected to
a mobile application that will provide
drivers with updated information and
services, including alerts about severe
traffic congestion, alternative routes,
public parking locations and access to 911
emergency responders.
According to authorities, the chip will also serve as a tracking device, allowing traffic police to locate vehicles when necessary.
This
year, the INS has also added a checkbox
for an optional vehicle insurance policy
called "Más Protección
Seguro Vehicular," or
More Vehicle Insurance Protection. The
additional coverage costs $26 and is not
mandatory.
Vehicle
owners who do not want to purchase this
insurance must select the "Remove" option
to avoid the additional charge.
Vehicle
owners can check their outstanding
Marchamo balance through the "Consulta
Marchamo"
section of the INS website Consulta
Marchamo – INS By
entering a vehicle's license plate number,
users can view its appraised value and the
corresponding tax amount.
The Ministry of Finance determines vehicle valuations. Owners who believe their vehicle has been assessed at a value higher than its market price can request a review through the ministry's online "Solicitud de Revisión" service Solicitud de Revisión – Ministry of Finance.
To
dispute an assessment, owners must provide
supporting documentation, such as the
original purchase invoice, a sales
agreement or at
least three advertisements for comparable
vehicles of the same model, year and
style listed at prices below the
ministry's valuation. Responses to vehicle
valuation review requests may take several
weeks.
Marchamo
payments can be made at INS offices
nationwide or through any public or
private bank. The institute also offers
assistance through its toll-free customer
service number, 800-6272-4266, where
representatives can guide vehicle owners
through the payment process.
Authorities
warn that beginning Jan. 1, 2027, late
Marchamo payments will incur additional
charges. Drivers who fail to pay may also
face a $135 fine from traffic police.
In related
road-safety developments, Costa Rican
authorities arrested more than 1,370
drivers for drunk driving between
January and September.
Breathalyzer tests showed alcohol levels
above the legal threshold for a Level-A
offense.
Costa Rica also recorded more than 420 traffic-related deaths between January and August. Motorcyclists accounted for the largest share, representing 58% of all traffic fatalities during that period.
The
Ministry of Finance oversees the country's
fiscal policy and public resource
management, operating under principles of
economic efficiency and accountability.
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