Driving in Costa Rica vs Samoa: Key Differences Explained
When comparing road rules between Costa Rica and Samoa, distinct variations emerge that impact travelers' experiences. Notably, Costa Rica drives on the right while Samoa favors the left. Speed limits differ, with urban areas allowing 25 km/h in Costa Rica versus 20 km/h in Samoa. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
costa rica:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
samoa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Samoa |
| 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 Samoan; symbols are standard |
| 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; ST$50 to ST$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 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards