Costa Rica – Driving

Is Costa Rica safe to drive in?

Driving in Costa Rica demands a level of alertness that many visitors and new residents may not initially expect. In 2021, the country recorded a road mortality rate of 13.7 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, and figures have continued to climb since then. The Costa Rica Red Cross documented 1,731 on-site fatalities in 2023, representing an increase of 213 deaths compared to the previous year. Excessive speed, alcohol at the wheel, and aggressive manoeuvring were the main contributing factors.

For context, Western European nations typically record road fatality rates well below 5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Among countries featured in the IRTAD dataset, only three — the United States, Colombia, and Costa Rica — exceeded 10 per 100,000 inhabitants. For anyone relocating from a country with robust traffic enforcement and well-maintained infrastructure, this difference in risk is worth taking seriously.

Major highways and the principal roads through cities such as San José are predominantly paved, though they still present challenges in the form of potholes, narrow lanes, and sparse signage. During peak hours, urban congestion can be severe. Roads leading to coastal and rural destinations are frequently unpaved, and in many cases a four-wheel-drive vehicle is the only practical option.

Research from the National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LANAMME-UCR) found that approximately 35% of Costa Rica’s national roads have surfaces classified as “highly slippery,” representing a genuine hazard for drivers. Roads in the provinces of Alajuela, San José, and Puntarenas are among those rated as slippery to very slippery. These risks intensify sharply during the rainy season, which runs from May through November.

Beyond the main roads, rural routes are typically unpaved single-lane tracks with no footpaths or road markings. Drivers must routinely share these roads with livestock, poultry, children, cyclists, and pedestrians. Night driving outside of populated areas is strongly discouraged, given the near-absence of street lighting and the high likelihood of encountering animals on the roadway.

The body responsible for road safety in Costa Rica is COSEVI (Consejo de Seguridad Vial), which operates under the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT). COSEVI develops road safety policy and oversees the funding and delivery of safety improvement programmes. For the latest data and active safety campaigns, visit cosevi.go.cr.

What side of the road do you drive on in Costa Rica?

Traffic in Costa Rica flows on the right-hand side of the road, as it does in the United States. If you are arriving from a country where vehicles drive on the left — such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, or India — you will need to make a conscious and deliberate adjustment, particularly at intersections, roundabouts, and when leaving parking areas or driveways.

The errors most likely to occur when switching sides typically happen at low speeds: drifting to the wrong side when turning left at a junction, misjudging priority at unmarked rural crossroads, or losing orientation after stopping. Many experienced expats advise hiring an automatic vehicle for the initial weeks, as it eliminates one source of distraction and allows more mental focus on road positioning.

Roundabouts exist in San José but can be disorienting — painted lane markings inside them are often absent, and many drivers proceed whenever a gap appears without yielding or signalling. The atmosphere can feel chaotic. The best approach is to enter these junctions slowly and with full attention, particularly while you are still acclimatising to driving on the right.

What are the main driving rules in Costa Rica?

Road use in Costa Rica is regulated primarily by the Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres y Seguridad Vial (Traffic Law No. 9078). This law addresses everything from permissible speeds to restrictions on handheld devices, and enforcement has tightened considerably in recent years. Anyone operating under the assumption that traffic rules in Costa Rica are loosely applied is mistaken — compliance is expected and the authorities take it seriously.

Speed limits (as of 2024)

Major highways typically carry speed limits of 90–120 km/h. Within cities such as San José, the standard urban limit is 60 km/h, while rural roads generally permit up to 80 km/h. In the vicinity of schools, hospitals, and clinics, the limit drops to 25 km/h. Posted signs take precedence and limits can shift considerably within short distances. Travelling in excess of 120 km/h is treated as a class-A infraction under Costa Rican law.

Drink-driving

Costa Rica enforces a strict alcohol limit for drivers. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ceiling is 0.05%, and consequences for exceeding it can include substantial fines, disqualification from driving, or imprisonment. As of 2024, surpassing the 0.05% threshold may result in a fine of approximately $410 or a minimum custodial sentence of three years, depending on the circumstances. Always verify current penalties through COSEVI or the Traffic Police (Policía de Tránsito).

Seatbelts and child safety

Under Traffic Law No. 9078, every occupant of a vehicle must wear a seatbelt. Children aged under 12 or below 1.45 metres in height are required to travel in the rear of the vehicle and must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system. Failure to use a suitable child seat or booster can attract a fine of around $650 per infringement as of 2024 — always verify the latest figures with the relevant authorities.

Mobile phone use

Using a handheld phone or any other handheld electronic device while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted. While this rule is common across many countries, the fines applicable in Costa Rica for violations are considerable — always use a phone mount or Bluetooth connection when navigating.

Right of way and stop signs

At stop signs, the rule applied in Costa Rica is straightforward: the first vehicle to arrive is the first to proceed. This differs from systems where the vehicle approaching from the right takes priority. In practice, not every driver follows this convention consistently, so it is wise to approach stop-controlled junctions with care regardless.

Headlights and other requirements

Headlights must be used when driving at night, specifically between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., regardless of ambient lighting. Driving on beaches is prohibited throughout the country except where a beach route forms the only practical connection between two settlements. Under no circumstances should you offer money to a police officer or traffic official — doing so is treated as bribery with serious legal consequences.

What equipment are you legally required to carry in your car in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica’s Traffic Law sets out a list of items that all vehicles using public roads must carry at all times. While some countries, such as France, require drivers to keep a breathalyser in their vehicle, Costa Rica has no such rule — though this in no way diminishes the severity of its drink-driving penalties.

The items legally required in every vehicle in Costa Rica are:

• Warning triangles — a minimum of two reflective warning triangles must be available to place around the vehicle if it breaks down or is involved in a collision
• Fire extinguisher — a working fire extinguisher of an appropriate rating must be kept inside the vehicle
• First aid kit — a basic first aid kit is a legal requirement
• Spare tyre — a usable spare tyre along with the necessary tools to fit it must be carried
• Vehicle documents — your driver’s licence, vehicle registration (marchamo), and valid proof of insurance (INS policy) must be on your person or in the vehicle at all times

Your personal documents and the vehicle’s registration papers are considered private property. Police officers may examine them, but they are not permitted to confiscate or retain them for any reason.

All vehicles registered in Costa Rica must also pass a compulsory annual technical inspection known as the Revisión Técnica Vehicular (RTV). Driving without a current RTV certificate displayed can lead to significant fines. The RTV official website lists current inspection requirements and booking arrangements. If you are a non-resident driving a foreign-registered vehicle, carry your home-country registration and insurance documentation at all times, and confirm with COSEVI and your insurer that your coverage extends to Costa Rica.

What are the most important road signs in Costa Rica?

All road signs in Costa Rica are written in Spanish. That said, the country’s sign system broadly mirrors the North American model in terms of shapes and colours, which means even drivers with limited Spanish can usually interpret the meaning of a sign correctly. Red octagons indicate STOP (Alto), red and white triangles signal yield (Ceda el Paso), yellow diamonds alert to hazards ahead, and white rectangles carry regulatory information.

Several features of Costa Rica’s roads regularly take foreign drivers by surprise:

• Speed bumps (reductor de velocidad) — these are widespread but are not always accompanied by reflective markings or advance warning signs, making them easy to miss, especially after dark.
• Road-painted speed limits — speed limits are frequently stencilled in large digits directly onto the road surface, either in addition to or in place of roadside signage. These markings are legally enforceable.
• No-passing zones — an unbroken yellow centre line means overtaking is forbidden. Enforcement in these zones has intensified in response to head-on collision fatalities, which remain a leading cause of road deaths.
• Landmark-based addresses — street names and numbering are often absent outside city centres. Directions are commonly given relative to a well-known local point such as a church, cemetery, or major business. A GPS device or navigation app is indispensable.

Traffic lights

Traffic lights throughout Costa Rica operate on the standard international sequence: red (halt), amber (prepare to stop or proceed with care), and green (go). However, once you leave the capital, signalised junctions become progressively rarer. In smaller towns and rural areas, uncontrolled intersections are the norm, and how vehicles proceed depends on right-of-way conventions or informal give-and-take between drivers. Always reduce speed when approaching any unmarked junction and be ready for other vehicles to fail to yield.

Flashing headlights is widely used as an informal communication tool among drivers on Costa Rican roads. An oncoming driver flashing their lights often signals a police presence, a speed check, or a traffic stop ahead. It can also indicate a road hazard, an accident, or an animal crossing — warnings that are especially valuable on poorly lit rural roads at night.

What must you do if you have a road accident in Costa Rica?

Should you be involved in a road collision in Costa Rica, there is a clear set of legal obligations to follow. Handling the situation correctly protects your legal position and ensures the incident is properly recorded for any subsequent insurance claim.

1. Leave your vehicle in position. If a collision occurs, do not move your vehicle until a police officer has arrived and completed their assessment. Repositioning the vehicle before law enforcement attends — even if it is obstructing traffic — can complicate your insurance claim and may create legal difficulties.
2. Contact the emergency services. Call 911 or 800-800-8000 to report the incident. The 911 service coordinates police, fire, and Red Cross ambulance response. If there are any injuries, request emergency assistance without delay.
3. Notify your insurer or rental company. Alongside calling 911, contact your rental car company immediately if you are driving a hire vehicle. For privately owned vehicles, get in touch with the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS), which manages compulsory third-party vehicle insurance in Costa Rica.
4. Gather the other party’s details. Record the other driver’s full name, vehicle registration number, identity document number, and insurance details. Avoid signing anything or making any statements that could be construed as an admission of fault.
5. Never offer money to officers. Offering any payment to a traffic police officer or other official at the scene constitutes bribery and carries severe legal consequences.
6. Secure a copy of the police report. The Policía de Tránsito will produce a formal accident report (parte policial). Make sure you receive a copy before leaving the scene, as your insurer will need this document to process any claim.

Road incidents fall under the jurisdiction of the Policía de Tránsito, a division of the Ministry of Public Security. The national emergency number is 911, and the traffic authority is also reachable on 800-800-8000 (as of 2024 — confirm current contact details via the MOPT website). For insurance matters, contact the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros).

Where can you find up-to-date road traffic information for Costa Rica?

Keeping track of road conditions is particularly critical during the rainy season (May to November), when landslides, flooding, and sudden closures can make previously passable routes impassable with very little warning. The wet season regularly causes disruption to Costa Rica’s road network through erosion and washouts as well as flooding.

The following resources are most useful for accessing real-time traffic and road condition updates:

• Waze and Google Maps — both applications function well in Costa Rica. Waze in particular benefits from a large and active local user community that logs accidents, police checkpoints, road hazards, and congestion in real time. For day-to-day driving, it is widely regarded as the most practical navigation tool available.
• MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes) — the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation posts road condition updates and major closure notices on its website. Visit mopt.go.cr for official announcements.
• COSEVI — the national road safety authority publishes safety alerts and enforcement campaign information at cosevi.go.cr.
• The Tico Times — Costa Rica’s principal English-language news outlet regularly reports on significant road incidents, infrastructure developments, and route closures: ticotimes.net.
• Radio traffic bulletins — Spanish-language stations including Radio Columbia (98.7 FM) and Monumental (93.5 FM) broadcast regular traffic updates during peak commuting periods across the Greater San José area.
• Social media community groups — a number of active expat and local Facebook groups provide rapid updates on road closures and conditions, especially for rural routes and popular coastal roads where official sources may lag behind.

When following any website or link for official information, note that all Costa Rican government web addresses end in .go.cr — use this as a quick way to verify whether a source is genuinely official.

How does parking work in Costa Rica?

Parking in Costa Rica operates quite differently from countries where metered street bays and formal enforcement are the norm. In many parts of San José and other urban centres, you will encounter informal parking attendants known as cuidacarros — literally “car-watchers” — who position themselves on streets and in car parks and offer to keep an eye on your vehicle in exchange for a small gratuity, typically 500–1,000 CRC (as of 2024; check current rates locally). This arrangement is not part of any official system, but it is deeply embedded in local practice and paying is generally sensible for the assurance it provides.

Formal paid car parks (parqueos) operate across major urban areas and tourist destinations. Rates differ by location and length of stay, so always confirm the cost before leaving your vehicle. Parking on the street in city centres is inadvisable — always opt for a secure, enclosed car park. Do not leave valuables visible inside the vehicle. Vehicle theft and opportunistic break-ins remain a genuine concern in city centres and popular tourist areas.

Yellow kerb markings and Spanish-language signage indicate no-parking zones on public streets. In residential neighbourhoods, on-street parking is often unregulated, but local signs should always be checked. Municipal parking rules vary between San José, Heredia, Alajuela, and elsewhere — contact the relevant municipalidad (local council) for area-specific rules and to enquire about resident parking permits.

Disabled parking permits

Disabled parking bays (espacios para personas con discapacidad) are marked in blue and are legally set aside for those holding a valid Costa Rican disability parking permit. Foreign disability permits are not automatically recognised within Costa Rica. Residents who require disabled parking access should contact COSEVI and their local municipal authority to apply for a Costa Rican permit. Applications typically require medical documentation confirming the nature of the disability, a valid residency credential, and a passport-sized photograph. Contact COSEVI directly for current application procedures, as requirements and fees are subject to change.

Can you drive in Costa Rica on a foreign or international licence?

The regulations governing the use of foreign driving licences in Costa Rica were substantially updated in 2024, making the position clearer and more favourable for both tourists and longer-term residents. The reform of Article 91 of the Ley de Tránsito (Ley 9078) through Ley 10.591 now ties the validity of a foreign licence directly to the duration of the holder’s lawfully authorised stay. If you enter Costa Rica as a tourist and immigration officers stamp your passport for a stay of up to 180 days, your foreign licence is recognised as valid for that same period.

Under this updated framework, nationals of any country may drive in Costa Rica using their home-country licence for the entire length of the stay permitted at their port of entry — whether that is 30, 90, or 180 days, depending on nationality. This reform resolved a longstanding inconsistency in which immigration law granted longer stays than the previous traffic legislation allowed for foreign licence holders.

The 2024 update also formally recognises digital driver’s licences where these have been issued by the driver’s country of origin — a welcome development for nationals of countries that have moved to digital-only formats.

When driving, always keep your valid foreign licence and passport with a current entry stamp on your person. Foreign drivers in Costa Rica must carry the original of both documents — copies are not an acceptable substitute.

How to convert to a Costa Rican licence (homologation)

Once you obtain residency in Costa Rica, you will be required to exchange your foreign licence for a locally issued one through a procedure known as homologación. The 2024 reform also simplified this process by removing the former requirement to have resided in the country for a minimum uninterrupted period before applying. Residents may now begin homologation as soon as their immigration status is formally approved, without any waiting period.

The homologation process runs as follows:

1. Confirm eligibility. You must hold a valid foreign driver’s licence and an approved immigration status in Costa Rica — whether temporary or permanent residency, or documented evidence that your application is actively in progress.
2. Book an appointment with COSEVI. Homologation appointments are arranged through COSEVI in conjunction with the Bank of Costa Rica (BCR). Visit cosevi.go.cr to check the current booking process.
3. Complete a medical examination. You must undergo a medical assessment covering vision, hearing, and general fitness. This examination can be carried out at accredited clinics prior to your COSEVI appointment.
4. Gather your documents. Bring your medical examination results, current passport, residency cédula or temporary residence permit, and a copy of your foreign driver’s licence. If your licence is not in Spanish, a certified translation will likely be required.
5. Attend your COSEVI appointment. Present all documentation at your scheduled appointment. Provided your foreign licence remains valid, a new driving test will generally not be required.
6. Pay the fee and collect your licence. As of 2023–2024, the initial Costa Rican licence costs approximately 4,000 CRC (around $8), with renewals priced at 10,000 CRC (around $20). Verify current fees with COSEVI before attending. The licence issued is valid for three years.

The previous stipulation requiring a minimum uninterrupted 90-day stay before homologation could begin has been removed under the 2024 reforms. For the most current and accurate information, always consult COSEVI directly before initiating the process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Driving in Costa Rica

Do I need insurance to drive in Costa Rica?

Yes. Every vehicle on Costa Rica’s roads must carry at minimum the compulsory third-party liability insurance called the Seguro Obligatorio de Automóviles (SOA), which is administered by the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS). For locally registered vehicles, this cover is generally bundled into the annual registration fee. If you are hiring a car, confirm that valid SOA insurance is included in your rental agreement. Taking out additional comprehensive cover is strongly advisable. For current policy details, visit portal.ins-cr.com.

Are there toll roads in Costa Rica?

A number of Costa Rica’s highways are subject to tolls. It is worth carrying sufficient colones to cover toll fees, as US dollars are only accepted in small denominations. Credit card payment is available, but only on Route 27. Toll collection is handled at staffed booths — there is no electronic-only tag system on most routes — so a brief stop to pay is a routine part of travel on major highways linking San José with destinations such as Caldera (Route 27) and the international airport.

Is it safe to drive at night in Costa Rica?

Night driving is permitted but is generally discouraged, particularly outside urban areas. Street lighting is sparse or entirely absent on many rural roads, and the risk of encountering animals — including cattle, horses, and wildlife — on the carriageway increases considerably after dark. If night driving cannot be avoided, proceed with heightened caution and reduce your speed accordingly.

Do I need a 4×4 vehicle to drive in Costa Rica?

It depends entirely on where you intend to travel. If you are keeping to major cities and primary highways, a standard car is perfectly adequate. However, roads leading to beach communities, national parks, and mountain villages are frequently unpaved and can be impassable for low-clearance vehicles. This is especially true during the rainy season from May to November. For anyone planning to explore areas such as the Osa Peninsula or remote highland villages, a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended.

What are the penalties for drink-driving in Costa Rica?

The legal BAC threshold is 0.05%. Consequences for exceeding this limit are severe and can include heavy fines, suspension of driving privileges, and imprisonment. For foreign nationals, drink-driving convictions can also result in deportation. The authorities treat enforcement seriously. If you intend to drink, arrange a designated driver, take a taxi, or use a ride-hailing service such as Uber.

Can I use my home country’s GPS or mapping app in Costa Rica?

Yes — and doing so is highly recommended. Street names, numbering systems, and signage are frequently absent outside the main city centres. Directions in Costa Rica are commonly given relative to local landmarks such as a church, cemetery, or well-known business. Both Waze and Google Maps perform well in Costa Rica, and both have active local user bases feeding in live hazard and traffic data. Before heading into remote areas with limited mobile coverage, download offline maps as a precaution.

What should I do if I am stopped at a police checkpoint in Costa Rica?

Pull over promptly and calmly if an officer signals you to stop. Remain courteous and present your licence, passport, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance when requested. Officers are entitled to inspect these documents but may not confiscate or retain them — they are your private property and must be returned to you immediately. Never attempt to resolve the situation with a cash payment, as this constitutes bribery and carries serious criminal penalties.

Does Costa Rica have specific driving restrictions for different days or times?

Costa Rica does not operate a broad vehicle restriction scheme based on number plates for ordinary road use, unlike some other Latin American capitals. However, San José does apply circulation restrictions during peak hours on certain main arterial roads, and these rules can change. Check with the MOPT or the relevant local municipality for the rules currently in force. As a general guideline, avoiding city driving during rush hour — broadly 5:00–8:00 a.m. and 3:00–6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday — will save considerable time and stress.