Driving in Costa Rica vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences
Understanding the nuances of motoring in Costa Rica and Kazakhstan is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Notable contrasts include bus lane regulations, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. While Costa Rica emphasizes a more relaxed approach, Kazakhstan enforces stricter measures. Dive into this insightful comparison to enhance your travel experience and prioritize safety on the roads.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
kazakhstan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| 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 | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks