Election Day in Costa Rica: A Celebration of Democracy

Today, Sunday February 1, 2026, Costa Rica is experiencing one of its most important civic moments: the general elections. More than 3,731,000 registered voters have been heading to the polls to choose the country’s next president, two vice presidents, and the 57 members of the Legislative Assembly, who will serve for the next four years and help define the nation’s political direction for the 2026 to 2030 period. 

The presidential race has been intense and has revealed a clear division between those seeking to continue the current administration’s direction and those advocating for a change in political course and institutional approach. At the center of the debate are two clearly defined fronts, visible in both polling and public discourse. One represents continuity under the ruling party, while the other brings together a range of traditional and emerging opposition forces proposing alternative visions for the country.

While there are twenty candidates running for the presidency, four main parties have emerged as leading voices within the opposition, shaping the national political conversation and earning the support of many voters seeking an alternative to the current administration. Their proposals have largely focused on education, security, economic development, sustainability, institutional strengthening, and the protection of rights and democratic guarantees. Campaigns have been diverse, with notable involvement from young voters and independent civic movements encouraging citizens of all ages to exercise their right to vote.

A detail many could find interesting is that voting in Costa Rica takes place primarily in public schools and high schools, turning classrooms into polling stations for the day and reinforcing the close link between education, civic values, and democratic life.

The central region of the country and the Greater Metropolitan Area have taken on the atmosphere of a true electoral celebration, felt especially strongly in recent days. Streets, homes, and cars decorated with flags, the sound of celebratory horns, and groups of people gathered around polling locations all reflect the warmth of the Costa Rican people and a democratic spirit that brings communities together. Polling stations are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., allowing voters across the country to take part in this democratic process.

The first official results update will be released by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal at 8:45 p.m. and will stop at 10:00 p.m where it will be clear whether a president has been elected for the next four year term. If no candidate reaches the required majority of at least forty percent of the vote, a second round election will take place in April, where the two leading candidates will face each other.

We join Costa Rica in celebrating this democratic moment, one where freedom of choice is protected, every vote matters, and a diversity of ideas strengthens national dialogue. We wish the very best for a country known for its remarkable landscapes, its openness to citizens, visitors, and newcomers alike, and for values that extend beyond the monetary, rooted instead in its people, its cultural diversity, and its extraordinary natural richness.