Driving in Costa Rica vs. Jordan: Key Safety Differences
Explore the unique nuances of roadway regulations and vehicular conduct in Costa Rica and Jordan. From speed limits to lane usage, this comparison reveals significant contrasts, such as Costa Rica's lower urban speed thresholds and Jordan's structured traffic signage. Stay informed to enhance your travel safety and ensure a smooth driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
jordan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
jordan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
jordan:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
costa rica:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
jordan:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay