Driving in Costa Rica vs. Iceland: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Costa Rica and Iceland, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals, with Costa Rica allowing right turns on red and Iceland emphasizing bus lanes. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey in these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
costa rica:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
iceland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
iceland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
costa rica:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
costa rica:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspection required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame