Costa Rica’s biggest auto fair of the year is in full swing, and this edition is one for the record books. Expomóvil 2026 started Thursday, and runs through Sunday at the Centro de Eventos Pedregal in Belén, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Association of Vehicle and Machinery Importers (AIVEMA), the trade group that organizes the event each year.
This year’s edition brings together 79 brands and roughly 350 different models in one space, ranging from basic urban vehicles to extreme-luxury offerings. The fair spans more than 33,000 square meters of exhibition space.
A market in transition
Costa Rica now has 115 registered vehicle brands — a 35% jump from pre-pandemic levels, driven primarily by the aggressive entry of Chinese manufacturers and an accelerated transition toward electric and hybrid models. The shift is visible throughout the fair, where traditional brands share the floor with newer arrivals.
Brands on display include Toyota, Lexus, Subaru, Mercedes Benz, BYD, BAIC, Honda, Land Rover, Audi, Nissan and Volvo, among others. Porsche returns to the event this year, and Leap, Wuling and NIO are making their debut. Motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis and accessories are also part of the lineup.
The cheapest and most expensive cars on the floor
For budget-minded buyers, the entry point this year is the Suzuki Alto K10, priced at $13,990 — a compact hatchback with a 1,000cc engine, 66 horsepower, manual transmission and seating for five.
At the other extreme, the fair has become a luxury showcase. More than 30 models on display carry price tags above $100,000. The most expensive vehicle at the fair is the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS at $280,000, a sports model capable of reaching 312 km/h. The top three are all priced above $250,000.
Financing is the real draw
Six banks and financial institutions have set up shop at the fair — Davivienda (the official sponsor), Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular, BAC and DAVIbank — along with the dealers’ own financing arms.
The Banco Nacional is offering approvals in as little as 24 hours, financing of up to 90% of the vehicle’s value, terms of up to 96 months, and grace periods of up to six months on capital payments. BCR’s fixed rates for combustion vehicles start at 8.80% in colones and 7.80% in dollars, with even lower rates for hybrids and electric vehicles — 8.55% in colones and 7.70% in dollars.
Practical details
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets cost ₡3,500 and are on sale at www.expomovilcr.com. Children under 12 and senior citizens enter free. Parking is ₡4,000.
AIVEMA is also running a raffle for three new vehicles — visitors can enter by registering at the official website and scanning QR codes at all participating dealer stands.
