Driving in Costa Rica vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Costa Rica and Spain. From lane usage to speed limits, this comparison unveils significant disparities that can impact your travel experience. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey while navigating the diverse driving environments of these two captivating nations.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Spain |
| 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 | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.