Here is a guide to the legal aspects of owning a vehicle in Costa Rica, with important information for those who intend to purchase a car.
Blog Posts
The National Registry of Costa Rica
The National Registry of Costa Rica is the central clearinghouse for all types of property registration in Costa Rica. This article explains history and key functions.
Marchamo Costa Rica 2026 Explained
The Marchamo, established in 1961 as a vehicle tax in Costa Rica, has transformed from a wheel tax into a circulation permit. It funds infrastructure and healthcare related to road incidents, combining several fees including property tax and insurance. For 2026, it requires an annual payment determined by a vehicle’s fiscal value.
EVs Reach Parity in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, buyers looking for a compact urban car can decide between old-fashioned gasoline power and modern electric mobility. We compare one option of each: the BYD Seagull and the Suzuki Celerio. Both hatchbacks target budget-conscious buyers, the two models are priced at $19,900 including all taxes and dealer fees.
Electric Vehicle Market 2025 – Costa Rica
EVs in Costa Rica continue to enjoy significant tax benefits, to help them compete with internal combustion engine vehicles. In June of 2025 a new phase went into effect, while the exemption on taxes was 100% in 2022, the exonerations now phase out over time. But there are still significant benefits.
An Incredible Service (twice)
This is my second car bought with Russ and Chris. It's an incredible service. Starts with great advice pre shopping...
Toyota Fortuner For Sale Costa Rica
The Toyota Fortuner is a 7 passenger SUV perfect for road conditions in Costa Rica, here you can find out why the model is preferred by clients in coastal and rural areas. See differences between model years and overall performance and options.
Law 10,209 – Green Transportation Incentives
The original incentives for Electric Mobility Law (number 9518) was updated in 2022 by this law. Important phases...
Charging Infrastructure – Myths and Arguments About EVs
This post provides real world information from Costa Rica, the current myths and truths about owning an EV in Costa Rica










