No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica ends Central Valley business closures

Costa Rica ends Central Valley business closures

Costa Rica on Monday ended the business closures that had impacted the Central Valley throughout the previous week.  

However, until May 31, a weekday driving restriction will continue to be enforced in the Central Valley, the country’s most populated region.

The government also suggested it could soon introduce new coronavirus-related measures in context of record hospitalizations. The Social Security System (Caja), which runs the public health system, says hospital saturation has reached “critical” levels.

For now, the driving restrictions are as follows: 

The weekday driving restrictions in the Central Region will continue until May 31:

  • Monday: Vehicles with plates ending in 1 and 2 cannot circulate.
  • Tuesday: Vehicles with plates ending in 3 and 4 cannot circulate.
  • Wednesday: Vehicles with plates ending in 5 and 6 cannot circulate.
  • Thursday: Vehicles with plates ending in 7 and 8 cannot circulate.
  • Friday: Vehicles with plates ending in 9 and 0 cannot circulate.

The nationwide weekend daytime (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.) restrictions also continue in May:

  • Saturday: Vehicles with plates ending in odd numbers cannot circulate.
  • Sunday: Vehicles with plates ending in even numbers (including 0) cannot circulate.

The nationwide nighttime driving ban remains from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The standard list of exceptions to the driving restrictions will continue to apply. This includes those driving to/from the airport, to/from a hotel reservation, to/from work, and rental cars.

Most commercial businesses must close at 9 p.m. each night in coordination with the nighttime driving ban. The vast majority of commercial businesses can operate, with the exception of certain mass-gathering events (including nightclubs, amusement parks, and some others).

For the official list of measures and exceptions, visit the Presidency’s website.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Travel Bookings Rise as U.S. Flyers Act Before Costs Climb

Travel demand to Costa Rica is rising right now in a way that reflects more than seasonal patterns. It also shows how travelers are...

Gauff Storms Into Miami Open Final With Dominant Display

Coco Gauff powered into the Miami Open final on Thursday with one of her sharpest performances of the tournament, overwhelming Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-1...

Costa Rica Expands Traffic Monitoring Ahead of Holy Week

Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport is expanding traffic monitoring and enforcement ahead of Semana Santa 2026, as one of the year’s...

Costa Rica Becomes a Migration Hub for U.S. Deportations Again

Costa Rica has signed a new agreement with the United States that could make the Central American nation a regular stopover for migrants being...

Costa Rica Court Orders Urgent Action on Illegal Mining in Crucitas

Costa Rica's Constitutional Chamber, known as Sala IV, has condemned the government's repeated failure to act against illegal mining in Crucitas, a remote area...

Israel Defends Blocked Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Sepulchre

Netanyahu stating there was “no bad intention” after preventing a Catholic Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre enters Costa Rica’s public conversation...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica