Published on Saturday, May 2, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Authorities will implement a temporary one-way traffic system on Sunday on Route 27 to ease congestion following the long weekend, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced.

The measure comes as traffic volumes typically surge with travelers returning to the Central Valley from coastal and rural destinations after the Workers’ Day holiday on Friday.

During the holiday period, most government institutions and many private businesses either close or operate on reduced schedules, as required by law. The break traditionally leads to increased travel, with families heading to beaches and rural areas across the country.

The temporary traffic plan will be in effect on Sunday, May 3, when authorities expect a significant increase in vehicles traveling between the Pacific Coast and the Central Valley.

Route 27, one of the country’s busiest highways, connects San José with the Pacific provinces of Puntarenas and Guanacaste. Traffic volumes typically rise sharply during the weekend of the holiday as families return to the capital.

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 drivers 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 related developments, authorities recently announced that toll booths along National Route 1, the main highway linking the capital to Juan Santamaría International Airport, are undergoing demolition work. The project is affecting traffic traveling from San José to Alajuela, particularly for drivers heading to the airport.


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