Driving in Costa Rica vs. Jamaica: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Jamaica, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. From the contrasting sides of the road—right in Costa Rica and left in Jamaica—to varying speed limits and overtaking rules, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a safe journey in either country.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
costa rica:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
costa rica:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
jamaica:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
costa rica:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
costa rica:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
costa rica:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
costa rica:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
costa rica:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
costa rica:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
costa rica:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
costa rica:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
costa rica:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
costa rica:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
costa rica:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
costa rica:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
costa rica:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
costa rica:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
costa rica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
costa rica:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
costa rica:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
costa rica:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
costa rica:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
costa rica:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
costa rica:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
costa rica:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
costa rica:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
costa rica:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
costa rica:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines