Driving in Costa Rica vs. Maldives: Key Differences
When exploring the open roads of Costa Rica and the Maldives, understanding the distinct variations in their driving regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key differences include the driving side—right in Costa Rica versus left in the Maldives—and diverging speed limits. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts ensures a safer and more enjoyable travel experience.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| 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 legal. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
costa rica:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 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 | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| 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 | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
costa rica:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
costa rica:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
costa rica:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Lane Usage: Right
costa rica:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
costa rica:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines for use without hands-free |
| 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 for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time