1. Road Conditions & Vehicle Choice
- Some roads are only accessible with a 4x4 vehicle, especially in rural or mountainous areas.
- Dirt roads can be rough, with potholes and uneven terrain.
- Check Waze instead of Google Maps before heading out, as some roads may be impassable during heavy rains. WAZE seems to be preferred in Costa Rica
2. Safety Tips
- Avoid driving at night – Many roads are poorly lit, making it harder to spot obstacles, pedestrians, or wildlife.
- Avoid driving in heavy rain – Roads can flood quickly, and landslides may occur in hilly areas.
- Drive defensively – Many drivers do not strictly follow traffic rules, so stay alert.
- Use the Lower gears when going downhill rather than constant breaking to save your brakes.
3. Driving rules on slopes
When driving on a sloped and narrow road, there is a courtesy rule in Costa Rica: the vehicle going downhill should stop and yield to the one going uphill. This is because the car going uphill has momentum, and if it stops, it could slip, especially on gravel roads.
4. Traffic Laws & Licensing
- Speed limits are strictly enforced with cameras in some areas.
- Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.
- Foreign driver’s licenses are valid for up to 180 days for tourists.
- If staying long-term, you need a Costa Rican driver’s license, which requires residency or you will need to do a border run to get a new visa stamp in your passport.
5. Traffic signs
Notification from US Embassy
Please avoid driving the road next to DHL for travelling at late night hours.
