Driving in Costa Rica vs. Portugal: Key Differences
When comparing the driving landscapes of Costa Rica and Portugal, several noteworthy distinctions emerge. From varying speed limits to unique lane usage rules, each country presents its own set of regulations. Understanding these nuances not only enhances travel experiences but also ensures safer journeys while exploring these vibrant destinations.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 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 | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
portugal:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Portugal |
| 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; €60 to €2,500, 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 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
portugal:
Possible