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.
Lanes
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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.
Alcohol
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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.