Driving in Costa Rica vs. Venezuela: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Venezuela, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for your safety. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption guidelines, which can vary significantly. Prepare for your journey by familiarizing yourself with these essential driving contrasts to ensure a secure experience abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| 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 | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
venezuela:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
venezuela:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
venezuela:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-60 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 | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
venezuela:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
venezuela:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
venezuela:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
venezuela:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
venezuela:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
venezuela:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
venezuela:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspection required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
venezuela:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
venezuela:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes, sometimes possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
venezuela:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible