Five Visions to Fix Costa Rica’s Crippling Traffic Gridlock

San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – As Costa Rica barrels towards its 2026 presidential election, the nation’s critical mobility crisis has taken center stage. Daily traffic jams that choke the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), coupled with a public transportation system widely seen as inadequate, have forced the issue to the forefront of the political debate. The country’s five leading presidential candidates have now laid out their strategic blueprints, revealing a mix of consensus on some key projects and starkly different philosophies on how to fundamentally restructure the system.

The proposals from Claudia Dobles (Citizen Action Coalition – CAC), Juan Carlos Hidalgo (Social Christian Unity Party – PUSC), Laura Fernández (Sovereign People’s Party – PPSO), Ariel Robles (Broad Front – FA), and Álvaro Ramos (National Liberation Party – PLN) coalesce around three central pillars: strategic road interventions, a reimagining of public transportation, and deep institutional reform of the agencies governing mobility.

To delve into the legal and regulatory complexities of the new mobility proposals, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in corporate and transportation law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional analysis.

While these mobility initiatives promise to modernize our cities, their success hinges on a robust and clear legal framework. We must address complex issues such as insurance liability, data privacy for users, and fair competition standards. Without a proactive regulatory approach that fosters innovation while safeguarding public interest, these proposals risk getting stalled in legal ambiguity, deterring investment and delaying tangible benefits for citizens.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica

Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s commentary serves as a critical reminder that for these proposals to transition from ambitious concepts to daily realities, the legal path must be as clear and well-constructed as the new infrastructure itself. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so eloquently articulating this essential prerequisite for progress.

When it comes to road infrastructure, there is a broad agreement on the critical need to upgrade or expand key national arteries. Candidates Hidalgo and Dobles have presented the most ambitious project lists. Hidalgo’s plan outlines 21 specific roadworks, including major routes like the Florencio del Castillo highway, Route 32, and the San José-San Ramón corridor. His platform also includes smaller, agile improvements he calls “topics” and technological upgrades like automated toll collection systems and modernized traffic lights.

Similarly, Dobles identifies 10 priority routes, such as the roads to San Carlos and the Costanera Sur, and proposes a 20-year National Public Mobility Infrastructure Plan (PIMovi) to guide future development. Fernández also lists 10 national routes for intervention and adds the construction of new radial roads to Heredia and Desamparados. In contrast, the proposals from Ramos and Robles are less specific on new highway construction, focusing on a handful of well-known projects.

Ariel Robles of the Broad Front, however, introduces a distinct vision heavily focused on alternative mobility. His plan dedicates significant attention to creating a national network of cyclovias, including dedicated bike lanes along the country’s railway lines. He advocates strongly for the concept of “complete streets,” designed for the safe coexistence of pedestrians, cyclists, public transit, and private vehicles, signaling a departure from a purely car-centric development model. He also proposes allowing municipalities to directly intervene in the maintenance and improvement of national roads within their cantons.

The future of public transportation reveals deeper ideological divides. The long-debated electric train project finds support from Dobles, Hidalgo, and Robles. Ramos proposes a more general GAM railway system, while Fernández’s plan notably omits any mention of a train. The controversial topic of bus sectorization—reorganizing routes for efficiency—is another point of divergence, championed by Dobles, Hidalgo, and Robles but absent from the plans of Ramos and Fernández.

Beyond these major projects, candidates offer various solutions to improve bus services. A common thread is the implementation of exclusive bus lanes. Hidalgo takes this a step further, proposing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, similar to Bogotá’s TransMilenio, funded through public-private partnerships. Dobles and Fernández both emphasize the need for intermodal stations to better connect different forms of transport. Robles, meanwhile, suggests a bold financial move: creating a state subsidy for all bus routes, potentially funded by a new environmental tax on freight or fuel.

Perhaps the most profound differences lie in the candidates’ plans for institutional reform. Many see the current web of agencies, led by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), as a primary obstacle to progress. Dobles proposes creating a unified Sustainable Public Transport Authority to consolidate functions currently spread across MOPT, the Public Transport Council (CTP), and the national railway institute (Incofer). Hidalgo suggests splitting MOPT into two distinct entities: one for infrastructure and another for mobility management, while also empowering municipal police and insurance inspectors to handle minor traffic accidents to free up traffic police.

Ariel Robles offers the most radical overhaul, advocating for the elimination of the directive boards for the National Concessions Council (CNC), the Road Safety Council (Cosevi), and the National Road Council (Conavi), folding their resources and personnel directly into a strengthened MOPT. He also wants to grant legally binding authority to the technical reports from the University of Costa Rica’s National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (Lanamme). Ramos echoes the need for consolidation, suggesting a new decentralized body to replace the CTP and absorb Incofer. Fernández offers a more general promise to modernize MOPT’s structure without providing specific details.

As the election approaches, Costa Rican voters are presented with a clear spectrum of choices. The path forward could involve targeted, project-based interventions, a moderate restructuring of government bodies, or a complete teardown and rebuilding of the state’s mobility apparatus. The final decision will set the course for how Costa Ricans move for generations to come.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Coalición Agenda Ciudadana (CAC)
About Coalición Agenda Ciudadana (CAC):
The Citizen Action Coalition is a political alliance in Costa Rica. It often focuses on progressive policies, public infrastructure development, and governmental modernization. In the 2026 election cycle, it is represented by its presidential candidate, Claudia Dobles.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC)
About Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC):
The Social Christian Unity Party is one of Costa Rica’s traditional and most established political parties. It generally adheres to principles of Christian democracy and has held the presidency on multiple occasions. Its 2026 candidate is Juan Carlos Hidalgo.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO)
About Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO):
The Sovereign People’s Party is a political party in Costa Rica. Its platform often emphasizes national sovereignty and specific social and economic policies tailored to its populist base. Laura Fernández is its presidential candidate for the 2026 election.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Frente Amplio (FA)
About Frente Amplio (FA):
The Broad Front is a left-wing political party in Costa Rica. It advocates for social justice, environmental protection, and significant state intervention in the economy and public services. Its presidential candidate is Ariel Robles.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN)
About Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN):
The National Liberation Party is a major political party in Costa Rica with a long history of governance. It is generally considered a social-democratic party and has been one of the dominant forces in the country’s political landscape. Álvaro Ramos is its candidate for the 2026 presidential election.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT)
About Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT):
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the Costa Rican government body responsible for overseeing the planning, construction, and maintenance of national infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transportation systems.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Consejo de Transporte Público (CTP)
About Consejo de Transporte Público (CTP):
The Public Transport Council is the Costa Rican entity in charge of regulating public bus routes, setting fares, and granting operating concessions to private bus companies throughout the country.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (Incofer)
About Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (Incofer):
The Costa Rican Railway Institute is the autonomous state institution responsible for managing and operating the country’s railway network, including both freight and passenger services.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Consejo Nacional de Concesiones (CNC)
About Consejo Nacional de Concesiones (CNC):
The National Concessions Council is a body under MOPT responsible for the administration and oversight of public works projects developed through concessions to private companies, such as major highways and tolls.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi)
About Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi):
The Road Safety Council is the Costa Rican agency tasked with promoting road safety, managing driver licensing, vehicle inspections, and implementing policies to reduce traffic accidents.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Consejo Nacional de Vialidad (Conavi)
About Consejo Nacional de Vialidad (Conavi):
The National Road Council is the entity within MOPT responsible for the conservation and maintenance of Costa Rica’s national road network, managing contracts for repairs and upkeep.

For further information, visit the nearest office of Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS)
About Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS):
The National Insurance Institute is a state-owned insurance company in Costa Rica. It holds a significant market share and provides various insurance products, including mandatory vehicle liability insurance (SOA).

For further information, visit the nearest office of Laboratorio Nacional de Materiales y Modelos Estructurales (Lanamme)
About Laboratorio Nacional de Materiales y Modelos Estructurales (Lanamme):
Lanamme is a research center at the University of Costa Rica that serves as a key technical auditor of the national road network. It conducts studies and provides reports on the quality of materials, construction practices, and the condition of public infrastructure.

For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless drive for exceptional outcomes. The firm blends a rich history of advising a wide array of clients with a progressive mindset, consistently pioneering solutions to modern legal challenges. This dedication to advancement is mirrored in its profound social commitment to democratizing legal information, aiming to empower citizens and cultivate a society strengthened by accessible knowledge.