A Traveler's Guide to Driving in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, especially for those who love the beach and want to get back to nature. You can take a trip to the Arenal Volcano, visit the Foundation Jaguar Rescue Center, La Fortuna Falls, Cahuita National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and much more. There are things to see and do.
Select a rental car to see more
There is so much to see and do in Costa Rica, and the best way to make the most of your vacation is to rent a car. You can visit areas at your own pace rather than following a tour or public transportation schedule.
Road conditions and safety
Major roads and highways are in good condition and easy to drive through without worrying about potholes or potholes in the road. However, there are also many rural parts of Costa Rica that you might want to visit. There will be gravel and dirt roads, and traveling in a regular car is not easy. Think about the places you want to visit and then decide if renting a XNUMXWD car suits your interests. When you are driving, watch out for animals crossing the road as well as slow vehicles and vehicles broken down on the side of the road.
You should avoid driving at night and never park in poorly lit areas. Always keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed. Traffic rules in Costa Rica are very strict. The police are always on the lookout for illegal U-turns, speeding, talking on a cell phone and improper overtaking. Children under the age of 12 must be in a child seat or car seat, which you can obtain from the car rental agency.
If you get a receipt, the police may try to make you pay them instead of getting a receipt. However, this is a scam. You can pick up a ticket and then pay for it when you leave at the car rental agency. Make sure you have the car rental agency's phone number and emergency contact number in case you run into any problems.
Signage
In Costa Rica, road signs are in Spanish. It is a good idea to know what the Stop, Winding Road and Danger signs look like before you start your journey.
Paid lanes
There are three types of toll lanes in Costa Rica.
The manual lanes are the regular lanes that you will drive in, pay your tolls, and get your change.
Voluntary lanes will only accept coins of 100 colones. There are no changes to these tolls, but they allow you to go faster.
The Quick Pass lanes are for those who have a transponder in their car that allows you to pass the toll with a short stop.
Never go through tolls without paying, otherwise you will have to pay a fine.
Costa Rica is a fascinating country and the best way to see it while on vacation is by renting a car.
