Driving in Costa Rica vs. Ecuador: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Ecuador, understanding their unique traffic regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Notable distinctions include Ecuador's designated bus lanes and stricter speed limits, compared to Costa Rica's more relaxed approach. This comparison serves as a valuable guide for travelers seeking to drive responsibly in these vibrant countries.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in costa-rica is the Right Side of the road
54
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in costa-rica is 54
1.327 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for costa-rica is 1.327 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 with 'BUS' in some areas. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
ecuador:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
ecuador:
N/A
Speeds Limits
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 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; often applied for traffic violations. |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
ecuador:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
ecuador:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ecuador:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
ecuador:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
ecuador:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
ecuador:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
Signals
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Ecuador | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard. | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
costa rica:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
costa rica:
Fines may apply for misuse
ecuador:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
Turns
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
Documentation
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspection is mandatory | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the 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
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
ecuador:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. | |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. | |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. | |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Frequent use in urban areas. | |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
costa rica:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
costa rica:
Discouraged, fines may apply
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
costa rica:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
costa rica:
Discouraged and may be penalized
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
costa rica:
Only in emergency situations
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
Pedestrians Priority
costa rica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
costa rica:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Ecuador, understanding their unique traffic regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Notable distinctions include Ecuador's designated bus lanes and stricter speed limits, compared to Costa Rica's more relaxed approach. This comparison serves as a valuable guide for travelers seeking to drive responsibly in these vibrant countries.
Alcohol
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% | |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; significant fines imposed. | |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
ecuador:
0.03%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
costa rica:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
costa rica:
Check if medication affects driving ability
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
costa rica:
Possible for severe offenses
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. | |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. | |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
costa rica:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
costa rica:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
costa rica:
Use for first exit or straight
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
costa rica:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 911 or 112 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Use general emergency numbers. | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
ecuador:
911 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
ecuador:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
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| Costa rica | Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Hefty fines for violations. | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes; often required. | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. | |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
costa rica:
Same as residents; must be paid
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
costa rica:
Possible if fines are not paid
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.