Driving in Bangladesh vs. Costa Rica: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Costa Rica, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact travel safety. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and alcohol regulations, this comparison reveals critical contrasts that every traveler should consider for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
costa rica:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
costa rica:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Annual inspection required; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
costa rica:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
costa rica:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay