It is estimated that the lack of competition among wholesale suppliers and the over-regulation of fuel prices generate an estimated annual cost of about $830 million to the Costa Rican society.
According to a study carried out as part of Costa Rica's accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), over-regulation hinders competition between service stations and does not allow consumers to take advantage of lower prices.
In order to adjust to new rules coming into effect in 2015 to improve services to consumers, gas stations will have to invest about $30 million.
Since in Costa Rica fuel prices are set administratively, business operators must focus on delivering better complementary automotive services and convenience stores.
In an article Nacion.com, José Miguel Masís, executive director of the Fuel Business Chamber, which brings together 234 branches in the country, said that "in the next four years alone 150 pumps will all together invest around $30 million for the replacement of storage tanks and supply lines. "