Driving in Costa Rica vs. Italy: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Italy, distinct variations in traffic regulations and practices emerge. From the presence of bus lanes to speed limits, these disparities can significantly impact your travel experience. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey across these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
italy:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
italy:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
italy:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 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: 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
italy:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
italy:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
italy:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
italy:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| 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 | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| 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
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
italy:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | 116 (ACI) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
italy:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
italy:
116 (ACI)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days