Driving in Guatemala vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Guatemala and Panama, understanding their distinctive driving norms is crucial for ensuring safety. Key contrasts include the presence of bus lanes and speed limits, with Panama adopting a more structured approach. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your travel experience and promote secure navigation in both countries.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | 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, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
panama:
Common
Signals
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Generally not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
panama:
Generally not allowed
Documentation
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay