SAN JOSE, Feb. 1, 2026 -- Laura Fernandez of the ruling Sovereign People's Party prepares to cast her vote at a polling station in Cartago, Costa Rica, Feb. 1, 2026. Costa Ricans head to the polls on Sunday in presidential elections, as more than 7,000 polling stations opened nationwide. Polls opened at 6 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) and will close at 6 p.m. (0000 GMT). About 3.7 million registered voters leer más are eligible to cast ballots, including over 67,000 Costa Ricans registered to vote abroad. leer menos