Costa Rica faces serious road congestion problems. Outdated infrastructure, inadequate road safety training, few public transportation options and political apathy make it difficult for thousands of Costa Ricans to leave their homes. Costa Rica has some of the slowest traffic in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In terms of vehicle density, it ranks third in Latin America (231 cars per 1,000 people), behind Mexico (278 per 1,000 people) and Argentina (316 per 1,000 people).

Approximately one million cars a day roam the streets of Costa Rica, and that number continues to grow. Bus use is decreasing and more motorcycles are appearing, making the situation worse traffic jam and increases traffic accidents. While road infrastructure projects are being carried out, they are inadequate. Some projects have taken up to 60 years to complete, which is clearly unsustainable in terms of Costa Rica’s traffic demands.

Costa Rica is small and distances are relatively short; however, the trip between Alajuela and San José can take up to two hours one way, depending on traffic conditions. These problems come to a head in December. Areas such as Escazú near shopping malls experience severe traffic congestion, causing people to spend hours traveling by car.

Spending hours in traffic aggravates many health problems, from sleep disorders to depression and anxiety. The feeling of helplessness caused by road congestion also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also associated with decreased productivity in the workplace, affecting the overall performance of employees.

This traffic also creates environmental problems; pollution Asthma in Costa Rica is closely linked to health problems such as allergic rhinitis and noise-related problems. Public transportation is essential in Costa Rica for tourism and economic growth. Millions of visitors have few options other than car rentals, ride-hailing apps or taxis.

To reduce Costa Rica’s traffic chaos, the country needs to implement an integrated public transportation system that includes a network of buses and trains that provide efficient travel options. Many avoid public transport due to the perception that it is inconvenient, unsafe and poorly maintained. Due to current traffic challenges and lack of remote working policies, people are getting stuck in traffic and their quality of life is affected. The government should accept the urgency of the national train project as a necessity