Driving in Costa Rica vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
The road regulations in Costa Rica and Panama reveal significant distinctions that every traveler should be aware of. From varying speed limits to the presence of bus and cycle lanes, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey across borders. Dive into our comparison to drive smart and safe in Central America!
Lanes
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 25-30 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 | 70-80 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 | 70-90 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 | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
panama:
Common
Signals
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| 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
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| 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
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; $50 to $150, 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 | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations