Driving in Costa Rica vs. South Korea: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and South Korea, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol enforcement and emergency services, understanding these variations is essential for safe adventures abroad. Discover the key contrasts to ensure your journey remains smooth and secure.
Lanes
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
south korea:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in South Korea |
| 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 | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
south korea:
Yes