Driving in Costa Rica vs. Greece: Key Differences Revealed
When exploring the roads of Costa Rica and Greece, understanding their unique regulations is vital for safe travel. Key distinctions, such as the presence of dedicated bus lanes in Greece versus a more relaxed approach in Costa Rica, can significantly impact your journey. Familiarize yourself with speed limits, traffic signals, and documentation requirements to stay secure on your adventure.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not applicable |
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
greece:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
greece:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
greece:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
greece:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or 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
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay