Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs. Vanuatu Explained
When exploring road regulations in Costa Rica and Vanuatu, drivers will find notable contrasts in traffic norms and enforcement measures. From speed limits to emergency protocols, understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Stay informed to navigate the unique driving landscapes of these two captivating nations.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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; 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Insurance
costa rica:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations