Driving Differences: Chile vs. Costa Rica Explained
Discover the essential distinctions in driving regulations between Chile and Costa Rica, two vibrant Latin American countries. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol limits and emergency contacts, understanding these crucial variations will enhance your travel safety and ensure a smoother journey on unfamiliar roads. Explore how these nations prioritize road safety and etiquette differently.
Lanes
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked 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 sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
chile:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual inspection required; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | 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
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
costa rica:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Roundabouts
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay