Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs. Fiji Explained
When exploring the roads of Costa Rica and Fiji, distinct driving practices emerge that every traveler should know. Key contrasts include driving on different sides of the road, varying speed limits, and unique traffic regulations. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in both stunning locations.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
fiji:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
costa rica:
Yes
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
fiji:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
fiji:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
fiji:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| 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; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
costa rica:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
fiji:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Fiji |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
| 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
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
fiji:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
fiji:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply; obey signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days