Q COSTARICA — This week, the new fuel price adjustment will take effect in Costa Rica.
The increase, approved last Thursday by the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep)—regulator of public services, is most likely to be published on Tuesday or Wednesday, with the increase applied the day (at 12:01 am) the day after its publication.
The new prices at the pumps will be:
- ¢748 for regular (up from ¢625)
- ¢733 for super (up from ¢630)
- ¢716 for diesel (up from ¢564)
Given these changes, the question many drivers will consider is whether or not it’s advisable to switch between regular and premium gasoline. In other words, can cars that previously used regular gasoline now use premium to save a few colones?
According to the Cámara de Empresarios del Combustible, the key factor is not the price, but the octane rating and its impact on vehicle performance.
Octane rating measures the fuel’s ability to resist premature detonation within the engine, a phenomenon known as “knocking.” The higher the octane rating, the more stable the combustion.
In Costa Rica, 91-octane regular gasoline is suitable for most everyday vehicles.
Meanwhile, 95-octane premium gasoline is designed for higher-performance engines that operate at higher pressures and require more controlled combustion.
Using a higher octane rating than recommended does not improve power or reduce fuel consumption.
The recommendation is clear: consult your vehicle’s manual and use the octane rating indicated by the manufacturer.
In a context where every colón counts, choosing the right fuel is not a luxury, but an informed decision.