Driving in Costa Rica vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates, understanding their unique regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions, with Costa Rica allowing higher limits and more flexible overtaking rules, while the UAE emphasizes strict zero-tolerance for drinking and advanced traffic management systems.
Lanes
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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, in some areas |
| 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, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
costa rica:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 25-40 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 | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay