Driving in Costa Rica vs Estonia: Key Differences Unveiled
Discover the intriguing contrasts between driving in Costa Rica and Estonia, where unique regulations and road practices shape the experience behind the wheel. From varied speed limits and lane usage to distinct traffic signals and enforcement measures, this comparison highlights essential insights for travelers to navigate safely and confidently in both countries.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
estonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
estonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| 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
estonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
estonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
estonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
estonia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
estonia:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Estonia |
| 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 | Estonian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
costa rica:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Required every year; proof must be carried |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
estonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
estonia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties