Driving in Costa Rica vs. Paraguay: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Costa Rica and Paraguay, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated bus lanes. With varying enforcement practices and road etiquette, it's essential to familiarize yourself with these driving nuances before hitting the streets.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
paraguay:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Paraguay |
| 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 | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
paraguay:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
costa rica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days