If you planned to drive from San José to the Caribbean coast today, check the road before you leave. Route 32, the main highway between the capital and Limón, closed last night after rocks and earth slid onto the road in the Zurquí area. The slide came down at kilometer 33, on the mountain stretch that crosses Braulio Carrillo National Park. Crews were set to drive the highway at first light Tuesday to inspect the damage and clear debris.
Only after that inspection will the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT) decide when traffic can move again. As of early this morning, no reopening time had been announced. Until the road reopens, you cannot drive straight through from the Central Valley to Guápiles, Siquirres, Limón or the southern Caribbean beaches. That includes Puerto Viejo and Cahuita.
Many shuttles and tour transfers to Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo and Cahuita use this highway. If you have a tour today, contact your operator and ask whether your pickup time or route has changed. There are two ways around the closure, and both take longer. The southern option is Route 10 through Cartago and Turrialba, which meets Route 32 again near Siquirres.
The northern option runs from Heredia through Vara Blanca and down to Sarapiquí, where you pick up Route 4 toward Guápiles. Both detours also cross mountains where heavy rain brings down slopes. Drive them in daylight, and do not try to save time by pushing through after dark.
Even once Route 32 reopens, it may not stay open. The Zurquí stretch cuts across steep slopes, and when the soil is soaked, more material can come down hours after a cleanup. That has already happened this rainy season as in early July, the highway reopened on a Friday afternoon and was ordered closed again a little over six hours later. In August, crews had to clear debris at six different kilometer points before traffic could pass.
Today’s forecast raises the risk again. The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) expects a muggy morning, followed by afternoon downpours concentrated over the mountains, including the Caribbean slope. If the road reopens this morning and you need to cross, aim to get through Zurquí before the afternoon rain builds. On the coast itself, the IMN expects mostly partly cloudy skies, with highs around 29 °C (84 °F) in Limón and 30 °C (86 °F) in Guápiles.
Before you set out, check the MOPT’s official social media accounts for the latest status. Navigation apps usually reflect closures, but they can lag behind official updates. Route 32 is the main link between the Central Valley and the Caribbean, carrying commuters, cargo trucks and travelers alike. Each closure leaves people waiting on both sides of the mountain until the slope is cleared and judged safe.
