Driving in Costa Rica vs. Liechtenstein: Key Differences
Costa Rica and Liechtenstein present intriguing contrasts in their road regulations and traffic norms. While Costa Rica boasts flexible speed limits and unique road markings, Liechtenstein enforces stricter rules, including electronic speed displays and mandatory reflective vests. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and informed experience behind the wheel in each country.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
liechtenstein:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
liechtenstein:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
liechtenstein:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 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 | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
liechtenstein:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
liechtenstein:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| 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 | German; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
liechtenstein:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Turns
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
liechtenstein:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
liechtenstein:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| 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 for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
liechtenstein:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately