Driving Safety: Brazil vs. Costa Rica Explained
When navigating the roads of Brazil and Costa Rica, drivers encounter notable contrasts that can impact their travel experience. From lane usage regulations to speed limits and enforcement practices, understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison highlights essential distinctions, helping travelers adapt and drive safely in both vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | 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. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
costa rica:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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
brazil:
40-60 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
brazil:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | 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 | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Annual inspection required; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
costa rica:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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 | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay