Early results from Costa Rica's presidential election show candidate Laura Fernandez holding a decisive lead with 53.01% of counted votes as of February 2, 2026. Alvaro Ramos trails at 30.05%, while Claudia Dobles follows with 3.9%, according to partial results from 31.14% of processed ballots.
Under Costa Rican election rules, Fernandez must secure at least 40% of votes to avoid an April 5 runoff. While current numbers suggest potential for a first-round victory, analysts caution that remaining uncounted votes from urban centers could shift margins. The election outcome carries regional significance as Costa Rica remains a key player in Central American economic and environmental policy.
