Driving in Costa Rica vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
When comparing the road rules of Costa Rica and Switzerland, distinct contrasts emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. From lane markings and speed regulations to alcohol limits and emergency contacts, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Dive into our detailed analysis to navigate these unique driving landscapes effectively.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
switzerland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
costa rica:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay