Costa Rica vs. Tonga: Driving Differences Unveiled
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Tonga, it's essential to understand the contrasting regulations and customs that govern their streets. From driving on opposite sides to varied speed limits and unique traffic signals, this comparison highlights crucial distinctions that can impact your journey and ensure a safer driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| 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 Tongan; 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
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Required; proof may be 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
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Contact local police |
| 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
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred