Motorists traveling between the capital and the Caribbean coast need to adjust their plans this week. Route 32, the key highway linking San José to Limón, will experience full temporary closures starting today as workers install aerial wildlife crossings at several locations. The installations form part of ongoing efforts to safeguard animals in Braulio Carrillo National Park and surrounding areas.
These overhead passages allow creatures like monkeys and sloths to cross the road without risk from vehicles. The project addresses long-standing concerns about habitat fragmentation caused by the highway. According to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), the closures run from today, January 8, through Monday, January 12. Each day, operations begin at 8:30 a.m., with complete traffic halts lasting up to 35 minutes per session. Multiple stops may occur as crews move between sites.
Work kicks off at Quebrada San Rafael in Guápiles. It then shifts to Río Peje in Siquirres, followed by Río Hondo, the Búfalo weigh station, the heart of the Búfalo community, and concludes at Río Blanco. These points span the route’s most ecologically sensitive zones.
Route 32 handles heavy daily flow, serving as the main path for commuters, freight trucks heading to Moín port, and visitors en route to popular spots like Tortuguero’s turtle nesting beaches or Puerto Viejo’s relaxed shores. Cargo operations at Limón’s ports could also face disruptions, potentially affecting supply chains.
Authorities suggest drivers build in extra time for trips. For those with flexible schedules, leaving earlier or later in the day might help avoid peak closure periods. While no official detours exist for the full route, local roads in some sections could offer partial alternatives, though they often prove slower and less maintained.
This work stems from the broader Route 32 expansion, completed late last year, which widened the road to four lanes from Río Frío to Limón. The upgrade improved travel times but drew criticism for initial delays in environmental protections. A Constitutional Court ruling in July 2025 sanctioned road officials for slow progress on wildlife measures, prompting accelerated action.
The full plan calls for 28 underground passages and 20 aerial ones. As of November 2025, crews had finished most underground structures but only two aerial crossings. These current installations push toward completing the aerial set, improving safety for both wildlife and drivers.
Travelers can check the MOPT website or CONAVI updates for real-time alerts. With rainy season effects lingering from recent landslides that closed the route in December, caution remains key even outside closure times.
Officials stress that these short-term interruptions support long-term gains. By reducing animal-vehicle collisions, the crossings protect Costa Rica’s biodiversity while maintaining road efficiency. For anyone planning Caribbean travel this weekend, patience will pay off. The installations wrap up early next week, restoring normal flow to this essential corridor.
