Costa Rica Travel By Car

There’s so much to do here, so much to explore. Tours are easy but limiting.

For me, driving is so much more fun.

I love to drive back roads or go out to a restaurant a few miles away.

I know I'm far more likely to see a jaguarandi crossing a little dirt road than on the much traveled highway.

If you like to drive, you know what I mean.

Your Costa Rica car rental can be the front-row to paradise.

New! Current Road Condtions

AA Emergencia

If you are involved in an accident or have an emergency while in Costa Rica, the Red Cross (they provide ambulance and emergency services) may need to contact your family or someone of your choice.

1. IF YOU BRING A CELULAR PHONE add a contact with this designation: "AA Emergencia" followed by the name and telephone number.

2. IF YOU DO NOT BRING A CELULAR PHONE write "AA Emergencia" on something in your wallet or purse.

Costa Rica Car Rentals

You cannot avoid the tax but you might be able to save hundreds of dollars on your Costa Rica car rental with this:

Costa Rica Travel: Your Car, Your License, and Your Passport

Transit police and, yes, immigration authorities sometimes pull over foreigners to ensure that they are not overstaying, or driving beyond, the 90-day tourist visa (your passport acts as your visa in Costa Rica).

If your Costa Rica travel includes driving, be sure you carry your passport. It contains the date stamp of your most recent arrival and lots of these guys (who could put you in a Pura Vida Pokey) don’t accept photocopies.

International Driving Permit. You may never have heard of it but an International Driving Permit (IDP) can be obtained to supplement your driver’s license.

It functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver’s license in 10 languages and may come in handy if a transit cop can’t figure out your driver’s license (I can't imagine that happening since there are so many Americans here).

But, if you want to be extra cautious, you can obtain the IDP through either AAA or National Auto Club. AAA has an application available on line. You need to be at least 18 and the fee is $20.00.

Tourists can use their U.S. or European license for up to three months, except for driver's licenses obtained in Colombia or Central America, which are valid for only one month.

Want to Get a Costa Rica Driver's License?

My "medical exam" was done in a little walk-in office near the motor vehicles office in La Uruca (just outside San Jose).

The examiner asked me to read the bottom line of a standard eye chart from maybe 6 feet away. When I recited the letters aloud without having a heart seizure, I automatically passed the eye, ear, and heart exam.

After a quick prick of blood to determine my blood type and payment of $11.00, I was sent on my way to motor vehicles (foreigners can only get Costa Rica licenses in La Uruca), where they looked at my passport and my foreign driver's license, confirmed that I had entered Costa Rica within the previous 30 days (that's the only rule), took my pic (for the license) and issued me my license which doesn't have to be renewed for four years.

You don't need to take a written or driving test.

Why get a Costa Rica license? Because when you buy something on your Costa Rica travel with your credit or debit card, many merchants will use it to confirm who you are (so you don't have to drag around your passport unnecessarily---but have a photocopy just in case!).

Don’t Expect Many Street Signs or Addresses on Buildings

Oh yea. That's the same address as my next door neighbors and those across the street.

I have other addresses as well. Depends if the arbitrary starting point is a tree, a store. Lots of addresses.

Be prepared when you take a trip to Costa Rica. There are very few road signs here. Some maps have street names but the streets don’t have signs and the buildings have no address numbers. Very peculiar.

Highways are a bit better but be prepared to get lost once you hit a city. The best thing to do is have a map with landmarks, like a church, or whatever.

For some reason, Ticos are very, very resistant to street signs and house numbers. It's pretty odd but makes for some interesting Costa Rica travel.

If You Have a Car Accident, Stay Put

Not to mention huge trucks on very narrow roads and bridges. Take a look. Guess who always gets the right-of-way?

So really drive with care. But, if you're unlucky enough to have an accident, don’t move your car.

Don’t pull over to the curb to allow traffic to pass.

Don’t move your car at all.

It's against the law to move a car, even a few feet, after an accident until the police tell you to do so.

Every Tico will have a cell phone and call the transit police. Wait for them to arrive before you move your car. Have your license, passport, and car insurance available but don’t expect the transit police to speak English. They probably won’t.

Break Some Driving Laws and Pay Big $$$$$

1. Don't use a celular phone while driving;

2. Have your seat-belt fastened (passengers, too);

3. Don't pack your car with too many folks;

4. Don't speed on the highways around San Jose (there are now traffic cameras).

because

The country has enacted STIFF FINES.

For example, if you are foolish enough to be stopped while on the phone, wearing no seat belt, and have too many people in the car, be prepared to pay $750.

Or, scoot ahead of the traffic in a bus-only lane and expect a ticket of $600!

Sure, there are so many things to do by car: look at the volcanoes, nature, beautiful girls, and lost cities to explore by car.

Just don't drive like a Tico!

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