Traffic on Costa Rica’s Route 27 remains heavily disrupted after a large sinkhole opened near Coyolar in Orotina, forcing the full closure of the highway at kilometer 56 and creating major delays for drivers traveling between San José and the Central Pacific. The collapse occurred Wednesday afternoon after heavy rains hit the area.
Authorities said the failure was linked to a culvert system beneath the highway, where a surge of water and debris caused part of the road to give way. Images shared by drivers showed a deep crater cutting across the road near Las Fruteras, in the canton of Orotina. The affected stretch is one of our country’s busiest corridors, connecting the Central Valley with Caldera, Puntarenas, Jacó, and other Pacific destinations. The closure quickly caused long lines in both directions and forced transportation officials to activate alternate routes.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport said the road would remain closed Thursday while crews worked at the site. MOPT now expects to open a temporary regulated lane by tomorrow, but only for light vehicles. Traffic Police will control the flow, allowing cars to move in one direction at a time.
The measure is meant to ease pressure on alternate roads while Globalvia, the highway concessionaire, continues emergency work. A modular Bailey bridge is expected to be installed early next week, possibly Monday or Tuesday, to allow a more stable temporary crossing while the permanent repair is completed.
Authorities said regular traffic through the damaged section could take about two weeks to restore. The work will include removing debris, repairing or replacing the affected culvert, filling the damaged area, repaving the roadway, and restoring lane markings.
For now, heavy vehicles are being redirected through Route 1 in the Cambronero sector. Light vehicles are being sent through Route 757, the old road to Orotina, passing through the Pozón roundabout before reconnecting with Route 27 where possible. Officials warned that those alternate routes are also under pressure and asked drivers to follow Traffic Police instructions.
MOPT also suspended roadwork that had been scheduled to begin Wednesday night in the Cambronero area. That route is now needed as an emergency alternative for heavy vehicles, making additional closures there impractical while Route 27 remains blocked. Globalvia said technical teams were already at the site and that resources were being mobilized for immediate repairs. The company said the closure was necessary to protect drivers and crews while the damaged area is stabilized.
Because Route 27 is a concessioned highway, the repair costs are expected to be covered by the concessionaire. MOPT officials have also said they are reviewing the case to determine what contractual actions may apply, since the damaged section was already under intervention before the collapse.
The incident is another reminder of how vulnerable Costa Rica’s main roads can become during periods of heavy rain. Route 27 is especially important for tourism, freight transport, weekend beach travel, and daily movement between the Central Valley and the Pacific coast. Even a partial closure can quickly affect hotels, tour operators, delivery routes, and residents who depend on the highway.
Drivers heading toward Puntarenas, Jacó, Herradura, Esterillos, Quepos, or other Central Pacific destinations should plan for delays and check official updates before leaving. Those returning to San José from the coast should also expect congestion near Orotina, Pozón, and the alternate routes being used during the emergency.
Authorities said CONAVI will continue monitoring the alternate routes to keep them open while repairs continue. Traffic Police will remain in the area to regulate movement and prevent additional backups near the closure.
At this point, the most important thing to note is that Route 27 is not operating normally, heavy vehicles must avoid the damaged section, and light vehicles should not expect regular traffic until at least after the temporary lane is opened.
