Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:  While in Costa Rica, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  The information below concerning Costa Rica is provided for general reference only, and may not apply to a particular location or circumstance.

Roads are often in poor condition.  Large potholes with the potential to cause significant damage to vehicles are common.  Traffic signs, even on major highways, are inadequate and few roads have clearly marked lanes.  Except for the principal highways, few roads have names, making it difficult to find addresses.  Shoulders are narrow or consist of drainage ditches.  Visibility at intersections is often limited by hedges or other obstacles.  Bridges, even on heavily traveled roads, may be only a single lane requiring vehicles traveling in one direction to cede the right of way to oncoming vehicles.  Pedestrians, cyclists, and farm animals are common sights along or on main roads, creating additional potential driving hazards.  Buses and cars frequently stop in travel lanes, even on expressways. 

Traffic laws and speed limits are often ignored, turn signals are rarely used, passing on dangerous stretches of highway is common, and pedestrians are not given the right of way.  The abundant motorcyclists, in particular, drive without respect to rules of the road, often passing on the right, weaving in and out without warning, and creating lanes where none officially exist.  As a result, the fatality rate for pedestrians and those riding bicycles and motorcycles is disproportionately high.  All of the above, in addition to poor visibility due to heavy fog or rain, can make driving treacherous.  

Landslides are common in the rainy season.  Main highways and principal roads in the major cities are paved, but some roads to beaches and other rural locations are not.  Additionally, rural roads sometimes lack bridges, and motorists are compelled to ford waterways; you should exercise extreme caution in driving across moving water, as a small trickle in the dry season may become a strong torrent after a heavy rain upstream.  Even a few inches of moving water may be sufficient to float your vehicle, and the riverbed may not be stable.

In order to drive in Costa Rica, drivers need to show a valid U.S. driver’s license or an international driving permit.  Traffic is heavy in the San Jose metropolitan area and traffic jams common.  Drunk driving is illegal in Costa Rica, as is driving while using a cell phone.  Visitors contemplating driving in Costa Rica should carefully consider the implications of not being allowed to depart the country for many months or longer in the event of a vehicular accident.  Additionally, fines for routine traffic violations can be upwards of 500 USD.  U.S. citizens have occasionally reported to the Embassy that charges for unpaid traffic tickets have appeared on the credit card that was on file with the rental car company.  The Embassy cannot intervene in such cases and can generally only refer citizens to the rental car company representatives and to a list of attorneys maintained on the U.S. Embassy’s website.

Many destinations are accessible only with four-wheel drive vehicles with high ground clearance.  When staying outside of urban areas, travelers should call ahead to their hotels to ask about the current status of access roads.  Travelers should also minimize driving at night, especially outside of urban areas.

Costa Rica has a 911 system for reporting emergencies.  In the event of a traffic accident, vehicles must be left where they are and should not be moved from where the accident occurred.  Both the traffic police and an insurance investigator must make accident reports before the vehicles are moved.

In the case of a traffic fatality, a judge must arrive at the scene to pronounce a person dead, which could take several hours.  In the meantime, roads can be closed until the judge and insurance investigator have completed their work.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.  Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Costa Rica’s national tourist office for additional driving tips.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Costa Rica’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Costa Rica’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA website.