Driving in Barbados vs. Costa Rica: Key Differences
When driving in Barbados or Costa Rica, understanding local road regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Notable distinctions include driving on the left in Barbados versus the right in Costa Rica, and differing speed limits and traffic signal practices. Discover these vital nuances to navigate both countries confidently.
Lanes
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | 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: Usage | N/A | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
costa rica:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
costa rica:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
barbados:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | 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: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Barbados | 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 | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual inspection required; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
costa rica:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
costa rica:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
costa rica:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
costa rica:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
barbados:
211 or 911
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay