Driving in Costa Rica
 "There is no better way to know Costa Rica then driving through its winding roads. If you don’t like to be driven around by a tour bus or by a taxi and you prefer marking your own pace and enjoy better freedom of movement, rent a car.
If you just want to visit the capital city, I would not suggest you to rent a car.
San Josè has too much traffic, roads are crowded and driving can only result in a frustrating
experience. In town let a red taxi do the driving for you. Use a car or get a rental car delivered to your hotel the day you leave the capital city for the provinces. Your driving license and a copy of your passport must be carried at all times. You will also need a credit card in order to rent a car.
Driving in Costa Rica is good fun and
practical too. It’s good to be able to visit that remote village or beach where time hasn’t left its scars
yet. Costa Rica offers so many magical secluded beaches, rivers, waterfalls and scenic remote spots that can only be
reached, explored and better enjoyed with your personal vehicle.
Think of a 4 wheel drive for peace of mind.
(Ox driven carts are the best 4 by 4 by far if time is on your side, otherwise check out our list of car rentals).
You’ll never know. Some of the roads you will be driving may present unexpected surprises. Prepare yourself
then for a journey full of excitement. Some of the dangers (here politely translated as “aspects of Costa Rica road system”) can be easily diminished once we learn the rules of the game... the game is called: the
Costa Rica road system.
Once in front of a steering wheel most people change their attitude.
In Costa
Rica we are no exception. We think we are bigger and more important than others thus not respecting signals and courtesy
are literally thrown off the window.
If the vehicle coming towards you on a narrow road is bigger than yours do not
expect him to pull aside. Relax, slow down and let him through.
Careful at that traffic light! Traffic
light colors are meant for subjective interpretation!
Drive slowly; drive for your safety and for that of your
family. Drive thinking of what the driver in front of you might suddenly do without signaling.
Ask about road conditions before you start your journey and allow for extra time when planning for your trip. During the rainy season
(may to nov.) you should enquire more frequently on road conditions. Gas stations are often a good information source.
Let’s
keep talking about driving in Costa Rica...
At times you might come across people who, when asked
for directions, will give you any answer simply for politeness sake. Like that poor farmer that never left his
village except for those long horse rides spent looking after his cattle. His notion of distance and time are not related to any exact science but rather to the time taken on the back of his horse to cover a certain distance. (Ask the horse
then!!!)
Ask him for waterfall, or local natural spots, instead. He will probably be a great source of information.
One sure thing is that his horse, the beloved servant, will take you home if you had too many drinks. Your car won’
t, so please, ask someone else to drive for you! Don’t drink and drive! The law is very severe in Costa
Rica.
Buy a good road map, or confront those you find in your bookstore. Some maps may differ in “
grading” Costa Rican roads. Since most roads are unpaved their condition may vary at any time. Few days of
continuous rain can put any road under severe tests, Costa Rica is no exception.
Due to the nature of our
territory, roads can be affected by landslides, floods, fog, mudslides or heavy rainfalls that don’t leave you with much choice than stopping and wait for that heavy downpour to finish.
Driving in Costa Rica also means being alert
at all times, a child, an animal, or a reckless driver might be around that bend. Also, careful when you pull over on
dirt road, don’t get too close to the edge, there might be a ditch hidden under the foliage. Many bridges are
narrow, one way and without railings, respect the “Ceda” (give way) sign accordingly, but always check for
on-coming traffic before crossing.
One complete chapter must be dedicated to a typical aspect of driving in
Costa Rica. Our government is so proud of its continuous creation and evolution that talks are under way to declare some
of them as “National Protected Heritage”.
We were so happy and successful of their past use in
volcanoes that we had the brilliant idea to apply the same concept to our roads too. (Thus making driving
in Costa Rica an exceptional teaching ground for improving your zigzagging
skills).
Yes, you guessed it! I’m talking about “craters”.(potholes) Their number
is proudly recorded on the Guinness book of records along with that of butterflies, insects, orchids and
other animal species. Watch out also for missing drain covers on paved roads, some poor sods steal them for a “
pachita de Guaro” (small bottle of sugar cane distillation).
In the “doing business in Costa Rica” section find out all the details on how to get into the shock absorber business! (Or road paving if you prefer)
Signaling is...not to be.
Don’t expect to find a road sign that will take you to your
destination. Chances are that… you will find yourself in the place you want to be with no road sign to
confirm it. Since some road signs display Spanish words I suggest you to become familiar with their meaning
before you start driving.
You might even find yourself driving on a one way street in the opposite direction. The road sign could either been removed, vandalized or never been installed in the first place.
When you see that all cars are parked facing towards you…think twice. You’ll better scratch your head than
have a scratch on your car.
If this happens, then stop your vehicle. If you move your vehicle you might
have difficulties with the authorities when reporting the accident. Call 991 and wait for “Polic
ía de Transito” (Highway Patrol or Traffic Police) or INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) inspectors to
arrive. Patience and politeness will help you along.
(Traffic Police dept., phone: (506) 222 9330 - Accident Reports, phone: 800-800-8000)
In Costa Rica a “light” accident like a
small scratch or a broken light reflector are often solved on the spot.
It takes so long for the authorities
to come to the place of an accident that drivers often come to a "monetary arrangement ".
Be careful!
If pulled over by Traffic Police don’t let them scare you into paying a fine on the
spot, they are forbidden to receive money so insist on being given a ticket.
Avoid driving at night unless
necessary, most roads are poorly illuminated and all craters (potholes) become invisible, so do people and animals!!!
Now that you have read this, entire have fun driving in Costa Rica, it is part of the Pura Vida Experience!!!
But... not before you have learned these few easy words:
Road Signs
Curva Peligrosa= Dangerous Curve
Derrumbes= Landslides
Despacio= Slow
No Adelantar= No Passing
Una Via=One Way
Autopista=-Freeway
No Hay Paso = No Thoroughfare
Ceda = Give Way
Alto = Stop
Conducir Despacio = Drive Slowly
Paso Cerrado = Road Closed To Traffic
Salida De Vehiculos Pesados = Exit Of Heavy Vehicles (Beware!)
Carril Derecho/Izquierdo = Right/Left Lane
Carretera Cerrada/Abierta = Closed/Open Road
Limite De Velocidad = Speed Limit
Calle Sin Salida = Dead End Road
Peaje = Toll
Deme El Parte = Give Me The Ticket (The Fine)
Velocidad Máxima = Top Speed (Limit)
Reductores De Velocidad = Speed Breakers
Autopista = Highway
Escuela= School
Con Escolares Presentes = When School Kids Are Present
Please note that the word “road” can be translated in different ways: CARRETERA, CAMINO or CALLE
All car rental companies will do pickup service at the airport or deliver your car to your hotel.
Coupon Available
Dollar Rent-a-Car
Phone (506) 443 2950 /
443 2736
Fax (506) 440 1401
Toll free 1-866-746 7765 or 1-877-767 8651
Rent A 4x4 In Costa Rica
Phone USA Phone: 906-420-5181
Toll-free (U.S. and Canada) 1-866-906-4294
Alamo Rent-a-Car
Phone (506) 242 7733
Fax (506) 2427745
4x4 Rent A Car
Phone(506) 430-9106
(506) 430-9107
Europcar
Phone (506) 257 7158
Fax (506) 255 4492
Economy Rent-a-Car
Phone (506) 442 5100
Hola! Rent-a-Car
Phone
(506) 231 5666
National Rent-a-Car
Phone (506) 800-CAR-RENT
Fax (506) 290 0431
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