Driving in Argentina vs. Costa Rica: Key Differences
When embarking on a journey through Argentina or Costa Rica, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is crucial for a secure driving experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. While Argentina features dedicated bus and cycle lanes, Costa Rica emphasizes shared roadways, ensuring travelers are well-prepared for their adventures.
Lanes
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
argentina:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Annual inspection required; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot