Q COSTARICA — If you rush out to pay the Marchamo (vehicle registration fee) every year, don’t worry about getting a ticket for putting the new sticker on your windshield.
However, be aware that it is mandatory to carry your vehicle registration certificate in your vehicle to avoid any problems.
The Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT) — Ministry of Public Works and Transport — issued this clarification on Monday, coinciding with the start of the 2026 Marchamo collection period.
“Owners shouldn’t fear a fine if they put up the 2026 sticker and remove the 2025 one, nor should they worry if they put up the new one and keep the 2025 one,” summarized Martín Sánchez Agüero, Deputy Director of the Policia de Transito (Traffic Police).
Furthermore, the adhesive plastic, along with the piece of paper that comes off the document, must be placed in a visible location on the windshield, taking care to position it so that it’s clearly visible from the outside, and keeping in mind that some vehicles have factory-tinted windows that reduce the document’s visibility.
The collection of the 2026 Marchamo began on Monday, November 3rd.
In total, 1,943,587 vehicle owners must pay the 2026 Marchamo, representing a collection of approximately ¢335 billion colones.
Does your 2026 Marchamo cost more?
This could be the reason. This year, vehicle owners will see an increase primarily due to the rise in the mandatory vehicle insurance (SOA).
See more: Who pays the most and the least Marchamo for 2026?
This insurance is one of the items included in the Machamo. On average, SOA premiums for 2026 will increase by 10.15% compared to 2025.
The SOA for all vehicles is the same within their class, regardless of their tax value (valor fiscal). In other words, both a late-model luxury car and an old beater pay the same amount for the insurance portion of the Marchamo:
- Private vehicles (blue plates) will pay ¢30,238
- Light cargo vehicles (red license plates beginning with CL), ¢18,806
- Heavy cargo vehicles (red license plates beginning with C), ¢35,004
- Motorcycles and mopeds, ¢99,623
- Buses, ¢81,060
- Taxis, ¢73,300.
The SOA increase applies to all types of vehicles, except light cargo vehicles, for which it decreases by ₡89.
The increase in the number of traffic accidents is what is driving the SOA rates up. Compared to 2023, 2024 saw 4,790 more accidents, with more than 40,000 incidents.