Driving in Costa Rica vs. Philippines: Key Differences
Costa Rica and the Philippines showcase distinct road regulations and driving customs that travelers should be aware of. Key differences include overtaking rules, speed limits, and lane usage, which can significantly impact safety on the road. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
philippines:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
costa rica:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
philippines:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used |
| 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 | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
philippines:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Insurance
costa rica:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance