Driving in Colombia vs. Costa Rica: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations in Colombia and Costa Rica, two vibrant countries with distinct driving cultures. From bus lane usage to speed limits and alcohol tolerance, this comparison highlights essential factors that affect motorists’ safety and experience. Understand these crucial distinctions to navigate the roads more confidently.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Speed limits are generally static. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
costa rica:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Colombia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | 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
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Colombia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | 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
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Colombia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
costa rica:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
costa rica:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | 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 | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot