Driving in Costa Rica vs. Peru: Key Safety Differences
Costa Rica and Peru present intriguing contrasts in their road regulations and practices. While Peru boasts dedicated bus and cycle lanes, Costa Rica emphasizes shared road usage. Speed limits vary significantly between urban and rural areas, with distinct enforcement strategies. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure travel experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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: Presence
costa rica:
No
peru:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
peru:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 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; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
peru:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
peru:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
peru:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Peru |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
costa rica:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
peru:
Not used in Peru
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Often used more compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; fines can be significant |
| 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, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
peru:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay