Costa Rica’s consumer prices rose again in June, with higher gasoline prices, bus fares, airfares and travel packages putting pressure on households, commuters and businesses. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.71% in June, up from a 0.27% monthly increase in May. It was the second straight month of rising prices after a long stretch in which inflation had remained low, flat or negative.
For the first half of 2026, accumulated inflation stood at 0.08%. Annual inflation remained negative at -0.32%, meaning the overall price index was still slightly lower than a year earlier. But that headline number does not tell the full story for people who live and work in Costa Rica. Several costs that affect daily routines moved sharply higher in June.
Transportation was the main source of pressure. Gasoline rose 4.80%, bus transportation increased 4.76%, airfares climbed 8.67%, and taxi transportation rose 1.22%. The broader transport category rose 2.98% for the month, making it the largest driver of June’s increase.
Those changes are felt across the economy. Higher gasoline prices affect private drivers, delivery workers, small businesses, taxi operators and anyone who depends on a car or motorcycle for work. Higher bus fares hit workers and students who rely on public transportation, especially in households where several people commute every day.
Travel-related costs also moved higher. Packages for travel abroad rose 8.60%, one of the largest increases in the June report. Airfare increases can affect families planning school-break trips, workers traveling for business, and Costa Ricans with relatives abroad. Food prices were mixed. Tomatoes rose 11.70%, onions increased 4.57%, and rice rose 1.12%. At the same time, eggs fell 12.40%, chicken breast dropped 2.06%, fresh cheese fell 1.23%, sugar declined 1.16%, and cooking oil slipped 1.18%.
That uneven picture helps explain why many households may feel that prices are rising even while annual inflation remains negative. Inflation is measured across a basket of 289 goods and services. In June, 51% of those goods and services rose in price, 31% fell, and 18% did not change.
Housing costs also edged upward. Residential rent rose 0.65% in June, while the broader housing and services category increased 0.40%. New automobiles rose 2.24%, adding another upward push to the monthly index. The June report does not suggest a return to the sharp inflation Costa Rica experienced in 2022, when annual inflation reached double digits. But it does show that some of the country’s most visible costs are moving up again.
For workers, the pressure is most direct in transportation. For families, it shows up in weekly shopping and school-break planning. For small businesses, fuel and transport costs can quickly affect delivery expenses, service prices and margins.
Costa Rica still has low inflation by regional standards, and the annual rate remains below the Central Bank’s target range. But June’s numbers show a clear month-to-month shift. We are not facing broad price spikes across every category, but the costs tied to moving people, goods and services are rising again
