| Any foreign visitor aged 18 or older with a valid driver's license from
his or her country can drive a car in Costa Rica for 90 days. Proof of
entry to the country is required for a police officer to accept a foreign
license, so always carry your passport when you drive. |
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| Costa Rica uses the metric system, and all road signs showing distances
are in kilometers (1.6 km = 1 mile). |
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| The speed limit on a highway is 100 km/h. In urban areas the maximum
speed varies from 40 to 60 km/h. |
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| Safety belts are required by law. |
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| Road conditions vary, but are normally bad by international standards.
Bumps and holes are often present with no adequate warning. |
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| Traffic in San José during weekdays is heavy. Streets in downtown are
narrow. |
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| Gas stations with 24 hour service, tire repair and snacks are widely
present in urban areas. Rural areas normally have adequate gas supplies,
although not on a 24 hour schedule. |
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| Unleaded gasoline is available, it is called "Super". Normal
gasoline is leaded. |
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| Many destinations require off-road vehicles, especially during the rainy
season. Road conditions vary, so always ask your car rental agency about
current conditions. |
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| Always buy insurance. All circulating vehicles must be insured against
personal injury to third parties by law, but there is no need to insure
against material damages to other cars. This means there are lots of
drivers out there without insurance to cover the cost of a crash. Not
having insurance can be a very expensive decision, even if it's not your
fault. |
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| Drive defensively, relax... enjoy the ride. Driving is the best way to
enjoy beautiful Costa Rica. |
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