Gas Stations in Costa Rica: How Fueling Works (and What It Costs)

Filling up in Costa Rica is easy once you know the routine — and there’s one big difference from home: you don’t pump your own gas.

How it works at the pump

1. Pull up and turn off the engine. An attendant (pistero) comes to your window.
2. Say what you want: “Lleno con súper” (full, premium), “lleno con regular”, or an amount: “veinte mil de regular” (₡20,000 of regular). Rental cars usually take regular unless the agency says otherwise; diesel is diésel.
3. Check the pump shows zero before they start.
4. Pay: cards are accepted almost everywhere; the attendant brings a card terminal to your window. Tipping isn’t expected.

Why prices are the same everywhere

Costa Rica’s fuel prices are regulated nationally and adjusted periodically by the regulator (ARESEP), based on the state refiner RECOPE’s costs. That means no price-shopping: fill up whenever it’s convenient. Fuel is sold by the liter (1 US gallon ≈ 3.8 liters), and prices are typically higher than in the US.

Estimate your trip’s fuel budget with our fuel and rental cost calculators.

Where stations get scarce

• Around Lake Arenal between Tilarán and the dam.
• On the gravel roads to Monteverde from Tilarán, Nosara and Tortuguero’s La Pavona dock.
• South of Cóbano toward Santa Teresa and Mal País (only small stations).
• The Osa Peninsula beyond Puerto Jiménez.

Returning the rental car

Most agencies use full-to-full. There are stations close to both SJO and LIR rental offices; keep the receipt in case they ask.

Bottom line

Pull in, say “lleno con regular”, pay by card, and go. Prices are identical everywhere, so the only planning you need is not to run low before remote stretches.