Who’s Leading the Race for Costa Rica’s Presidency? A look at the candidates gaining ground in recent opinion polls.

On January 21, the Center for Political Research and Studies of the University of Costa Rica (CIEP-UCR) published a report showing Costa Ricans’ voting intentions for the February 2026 presidential elections. These are the featured profiles:

Laura Fernández, candidate for the Sovereign People’s Party (PPSO), leads the polls with 40% of the vote. Fernández is the successor to the political project of President Rodrigo Chaves, a controversial figure known for his confrontational and authoritarian style.

Fernández has worked in public administration for 19 years and was part of Cháves’ cabinet in 2022. Her agenda includes a hardline security policy and streamlining the state. Her participation in the presidential debates has been criticized for a lack of concrete proposals.

Álvaro Ramos is an economist and candidate for the National Liberation Party (PLN). He is second in the polls with 8% of the vote.

Ramos proposes adding 6,000 new police officers, strengthening border security, and modernizing security management. He says his government seeks to reinstate traditional policies in health, education, and security.

Claudia Dobles is an architect and candidate for the Citizen Agenda Coalition (CAC). She was the First Lady of the Republic from 2018 to 2022, and according to the CIEP poll, her voter support is around 5%.

Dobles believes it is important to strengthen Costa Rican democracy and institutions. Her proposal calls for improving public services, transportation, and urban planning, along with security policies that address the social causes of crime.

Ariel Robles is an educator by profession and a member of the Legislative Assembly for the Broad Front. He has 4% of the intended vote and is appealing to undecided voters to stop the ruling party.

Robles believes the national economy has strengthened at the expense of reduced social investment. He considers a security plan crucial, one that is both punitive and preventative. He also proposes plans to address housing and the informal economy.

The general elections will take place on Sunday, February 1st, and the undecided vote remains crucial in shaping the electoral contest.