Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs. Guatemala
Exploring the nuances of driving in Costa Rica and Guatemala reveals significant contrasts that are crucial for ensuring road safety. From differing speed limits and lane usage to varied enforcement of penalties, understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure journey. Equip yourself with vital knowledge to navigate these Central American roads with confidence.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Guatemala |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Turns
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 110 |
| 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
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities