I was driving home last night when I noticed cars clustered around the gas station nearest my home (cars don't line-up in Costa Rica ... they cluster and wedge).  Mentally checking the day and date I couldn't figure out why so many drivers were waiting for gas at the same time - after all, it wasn't a traditional Costa Rica pay day.

This morning I read in the newspaper that gas prices had been raised in Costa Rica overnight.  This move in gas prices was planned and announced well in advance of the actual increase.  Just one more reason to learn the language and plug into the local news medias when living here in Costa Rica!

Many foreigners would ask; "How is it that changes in gas prices are planned?"  Simple, here in Costa Rica gas prices are set by the government - which may actually save gas as people don't drive out of their way looking for that one station offering the equivalent of a $.01 per gallon savings over a closer stop.

As U.S. nationwide gas prices remain close to the $4.00 a gallon threshold; Costa Rica gas prices remain higher than $5.00 a gallon (see current prices below).

Costa Rica bus services have also raised fares to reflect the increase in fuel costs, but still remain very affordable to the masses that use them as their main mode of transportation.  The bus route to my own home from the nearest town just increased its fare ¢10 colónes ($.02) for a new one-way ride of ¢185 colónes or $0.34 USD.

Beat high gas prices - ride a Costa Rica Ox Cart!

The real concern in the U.S., Costa Rica and most of the world is the increase in food and other costs due to the higher production and transportation expenses directly linked to higher fuel prices.  Right now I'm pretty happy our fruit trees are always ripe for picking, the local farmers market is a year round inexpensive source of fresh produce and fresh fish is brought to shore daily here at 9° North of the Equator ;o)

!Pura Gasolina!

UPDATE:  June 12, 2008 the Costa Rica government held an emergency 4 hour meeting regarding the negative effects rising fuel costs continue to have on the small Costa Rica economy.  Recognizing that diesel fuel is most vital for public transportation and agriculture, the Costa Rica government halted a planned ¢85 colón per liter ($.65/gallon) increase in diesel pump prices to be offset by increased taxes on other types of fuels. 

The goal is to protect industry, food prices and those that rely or use public transportation while encouraging individual drivers to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles, diesel vehicles proven to get better fuel mileage while emitting cleaner emissions and the wider use of hybrid or alternative energy vehicles.

!Viva Diesel!

UPDATE: Effective October 14, 2008 the Costa Rica's Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo or RECOPE gas prices were lowered as follows; ¢708 colónes per liter for Regular ($5.15/gal.), ¢722/ltr. for Premium ($5.25/gal.) and ¢650/ltr. for Diesel ($4.73/gal.).

goto: RECOPE for current Costa Rica gas prices.

Blog posts similar in topic:  Buying or Importing a Car in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Car Security, How to Get a Costa Rica Drivers License, How to Navigate Costa Rica by Car, Driving In Costa Rica