Drivers heading to Limón faced another roadblock Saturday night when a landslide closed Route 32 at kilometer 28 near the Zurquí sector in Braulio Carrillo National Park. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) halted all traffic in both directions around 8 p.m. to protect travelers from falling rocks, soil and branches.
This marks the second big closure on the route this month. The highway linking San José to Limón stayed shut from February 7 to 10 after similar slides triggered by heavy rains. Wet weather persists, with fog blanketing the mountains and soaked slopes that keep shedding debris.
MOPT crews planned to move in heavy equipment this morning to clear the mess and check the road’s stability. Officials say the reopening hinges on how fast they finish the job and what the inspections show. No firm timeline exists yet, though lighter rain could speed things up. Crews face spotty showers in the forecast.
The shutdown strands thousands of daily users. Commuters from the Caribbean side lose their quickest path to the capital. Freight haulers, especially those carrying bananas and shipping containers to Limón’s port, face backups that drive up delivery times and costs. Goods could hit stores in San José later and pricier. One trucker stuck nearby called the route a “regular headache this rainy season.”
MOPT urges detours based on vehicle type. Light cars and vans can take the Vara Blanca-Poás road, which tacks on about two hours. Trucks and buses should stick to Bajos de Chilamate or the Turrialba-Siquirres path—both longer hauls with tight turns that demand extra care. Travelers should pull up real-time alerts from MOPT’s official channels or traffic apps before starting out.
Route 32 cuts through some of Costa Rica’s toughest terrain, with sharp climbs and spots prone to earth shifts. The agency keeps watch around the clock and teams up with the National Meteorological Institute to track the lingering cold front stirring up the trouble. So far, no one got hurt in Saturday’s slide, and damage stays limited to the road.
Limón residents and Guápiles workers adjust Sunday plans, turning to flights or sea routes for must-do trips. MOPT stresses staying off the closed stretch—no shortcuts allowed. As cleanup rolls on, the focus stays on getting the highway safe again for the commerce and connections it carries.
