Although the Public Services Regulatory Authority last week announced a price decrease, Costa Rica still has the most expensive gas in Central America, according to the latest consumer report by the Central American Committee for Cooperation on Hydrocarbons.
The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) on Monday confirmed that there will be a reduction of per-liter prices of gasoline, diesel and liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
A ₡5 increase in the per-liter price of fuels approved in July will take effect in coming days, but a recent drop in international oil prices could mean gas prices will go down in September.
A change in the dollar exchange rate has prompted the Public Services Regulatory Authority to approve a decrease in per-liter prices of Costa Rican fuel. But don't celebrate just yet – fuel prices are going back up next month.
President Luis Guillermo Solís tried to walk a fine line between the economic and political implications of joining the Venezuelan-led Petrocaribe oil-buying scheme, which some lawmakers have advocated as a solution to curb Costa Rica’s rising gasoline prices, during a press conference Tuesday.
The high fuel prices are due in part to Costa Rica's 29 percent gas tax, which goes directly to the National Roadway Council (CONAVI) for roadwork, but the tax revenue hasn't been able to improve the country's roads.
Per-liter prices of super and plus gasoline will increase this week by ₡17 and ₡29, respectively, following approval last Friday of a hike by the Public Services Regulatory Authority.
