Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs. Oman Explained
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Oman, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key variations include speed limits, road markings, and the enforcement of traffic laws, all crucial for ensuring safety abroad. Understanding these nuances can enhance your driving confidence in either destination.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | N/A |
| 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
oman:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
oman:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 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 | 80-100 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
oman:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
oman:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
oman:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
oman:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Oman |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
oman:
Not used in Oman
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Turns
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Regular inspection required |
| 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
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
oman:
Regular inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
oman:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Use more frequent compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 9999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment