gasoline prices in Costa Rica
 

Hi,
We are trying to decide how much cash we should take with us on our trip to Costa Rica. We are renting a "Pathfinder" 4x4 and I am wondering how much gasoline is a gallon in CR now? Also, do most of the gas stations take credit cards? Thanks for any help. Carol

A friend just came back fomr Costa Rica and reported that gas was about $2.80. Cheaper than where we are paying in California at $2.89

Per liter (the most common measurement in CR) or per gallon? Better check - 2.80 per liter would not surprise me. Any other recent travellers?

Hi David. I seem to recall a post not too many weeks back that mentioned gas beging in the $3.50 range. It is measured by the liter there, but $2.80 per liter doesn't make sense either. Aren't there roughly 4 liters to a gallon? I'd like to know as well.

Also, I don't know about using a credit card. We always pay for gas in cash. Stand by, watch which pump is used, and have your currency converter handy or some rough estimate in your head. If you are taking a restroom break, wait until after gasing up to do it. Paying for gas is much easier done in colones, I believe.

The thing about gas prices is that you actually don't use that much! You are driving relatively short distances all over the place--it just seems like long distances because of the time it takes to get there. And you save on gas at the slower speeds you will be driving. At least, it seems that way to us.

According to a January 26, 2005 article in the Tico Times, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Costa Rica was $2.71. It has probably gone up a bit since then, but not significantly.
http://www.ticotimes.net/dailyarchiv..._05.htm#story3

Wow thats amazing if its that cheap, but then gas has been more expensive there for years, maybe now we are just catching up with them (and the rest of the world!) Shillmac, four liters makes just a little bit more than a gallon, and yes, most of the gas stations take cash only. You are right, a tank of gas goes further, the distances involved aren't so great, they may just seem that way when you spend all day dodging potholes!

At present, the price of gasoline in CR is 424 colones per liter for super, 405 colones for regular, 305 colones for diesel. Doing the conversion to gallons (and USD), that's $3.40/gallon super, $3.25/regular, $2.44 diesel. (OUCH!!) A price decrease is being requested today. Here's an interesting article in the Tico Times today.

http://www.ticotimes.net/daily.htm#story3

Lisa in Manuel Antonio

The prices go down this week. 398 Colones for super, 381 Colones for regular and 285 Colones for diesel.
Saludos
costaklaus - www.costaricaweb.de