Driving in Costa Rica vs. Cyprus: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Cyprus, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a secure journey. From driving sides and lane usage to speed limits and penalties, this comparison reveals significant disparities. Familiarizing yourself with these driving norms will enhance your road experience and minimize risks in both countries.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the road. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Usually reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
cyprus:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
cyprus:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
cyprus:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 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
cyprus:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
cyprus:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
cyprus:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
cyprus:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Cyprus |
| 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 | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
cyprus:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits without additional permits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial and strict |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
cyprus:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay