Q COSTA RICA — At 12:01 am Thursday, August 6, 2026, significant price reductions for fuels went into effect in Costa Rica, following approval from the regulatory authority (ARESEP) and publication in the official gazette, La Gaceta.
This price adjustment benefits families and businesses, marking a significant reduction in the prices of diesel, premium gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Diesel leads the largest decrease of the period with a reduction of ¢79 per liter, which significantly alleviates the operating costs of public transportation and freight vehicles.
Meanwhile, premium gasoline decreased by ¢55 per liter, and the 25-pound commercial gas cylinder fell by ¢451.
Unusual phenomenon: Super is cheaper than Regular
One of the most notable aspects of this price adjustment is that super gasoline is now ¢54 cheaper per liter than regular gasoline (Plus 91).
The RECOPE (the Costa Rican refinery that refines nothing) explained that during the calculation period used to set this price, no new shipments of regular gasoline were required, as reserves at domestic facilities were sufficient to supply the Costa Rican market. With no recent purchase invoices available, the price of Plus 91 remained frozen at ¢755.
With many drivers thinking about filling up with Super instead of the Regular fuel their car makers recommend, RECOPE President Karla Montero stepped in to clear things up. She explained that both types of fuel meet the same strict international quality standards and advised drivers to check their vehicle’s owner’s manual to make sure they’re using the exact octane rating the manufacturer suggests before making a switch.
Current prices:
- Super gasoline: ¢755 colones per liter
- Regular gasoline: ¢701 colones per liter
- Diesel: ¢604 colones per liter