Costa Rica’s Traffic Police headquarters in San José and offices nationwide are closed for in-person services during Holy Week, the Road Safety Council (Cosevi) announced.

The Catholic observance began Sunday, March 29, and continues through Sunday, April 5, commemorating the final days of Jesus Christ’s life, including his passion, death and resurrection.

All Cosevi offices were closed from Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3.

In Costa Rica, most public-sector employees in nonessential services take time off for Holy Week. Across the country, the period is marked by religious events and cultural traditions.

The school holiday also makes it one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, as many Costa Rican families head to beaches and rural destinations while international arrivals increase due to spring break travel.

Authorities warned that drivers needing to file claims or handle matters related to driver’s licenses, license plates or traffic fines must wait until offices reopen. However, claims may be submitted by email at recepcion-impugnaciones@csv.go.cr

Cosevi said drivers ticketed during the holiday period who have their vehicles impounded, license plates seized or licenses expired will not be able to recover them until offices resume operations Monday, April 6.

Under Costa Rica’s traffic law, vehicle owners must pay the original fine along with two additional charges: a towing fee and a daily custody fee. The towing fee depends on the distance from where the vehicle was seized to the police impound lot.

The base towing cost is about $15 for the first three miles, with an additional $8 charged for each extra mile. The custody fee is $10 per day for each day a vehicle is stored at a Cosevi impound lot.

Traffic fines remain valid for seven years. As a result, owners of impounded vehicles must pay any outstanding fines, towing charges, custody fees and other unexpired penalties to recover their vehicles or license plates.

To schedule a recovery appointment, drivers must submit a request through the Cosevi website.

In related developments, traffic fines were reduced by 0.22% this year, matching the same percentage decrease recorded in the Consumer Price Index.

Although traffic police facilities are closed, officers will continue nationwide patrols as part of a broader “Safe Holy Week” operation aimed at ensuring road safety.

Officials also confirmed there will be no vehicle restrictions in San José from Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3, in recognition of the holiday period.

The country’s passenger rail service has also been suspended for the holiday period, according to the Railway Institute.

Traffic deaths remain a major concern nationwide. As of February, Costa Rica had recorded more than 100 traffic-related deaths, authorities said.

In 2025, the country recorded more than 500 traffic-related deaths, a 13% increase compared with 2024.

Cosevi is a government agency under the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) and is responsible for enforcing Costa Rica’s traffic laws.

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How much does it cost to retrieve an impounded vehicle in your country?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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