Driving in Costa Rica vs. Croatia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Costa Rica and Croatia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key highlights include Costa Rica's flexible overtaking rules on multi-lane roads, contrasting with Croatia's structured bus lane system. Understanding these disparities is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
croatia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
croatia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
croatia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
croatia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
croatia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
croatia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
croatia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
croatia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
croatia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
croatia:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Croatian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
croatia:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
croatia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
croatia:
Triangle with red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
croatia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
croatia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
croatia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
croatia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
croatia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
croatia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 92 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | 188 or check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
croatia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
croatia:
92
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
croatia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; significant fines possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes, often |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; stated at the time of fine |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
croatia:
Significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
croatia:
Yes, often
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine