Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rental rates fluctuate wildly, so shop around. Some agencies offer discounts for exten-
ded rentals. Note that rental offices at the airport charge a 12% fee in addition to regular
rates.
Thieves can easily recognize rental cars. Never leave anything in sight in a parked car -
nothing! - and remove all luggage from the trunk overnight. If possible, park the car in a
guarded parking lot rather than on the street.
Motorcycles (including Harleys) can be rented in San José and Escazú.
Road Conditions & Hazards
The quality of roads varies from the quite smoothly paved Interamericana to the barely
passable rural back roads. Any can suffer from landslides, sudden flooding and fog.
Most roads are single lane and winding, lacking hard shoulders; others are dirt-and-mud
affairs that climb mountains and traverse rivers.
Drive defensively and expect a variety of obstructions in the roadway - from cyclists and
pedestrians to broken-down cars and cattle. Unsigned speed bumps are placed on some
stretches of road without warning.
Roads around major tourist areas are adequately marked; all others are not.
Always ask about road conditions before setting out, especially in the rainy season - a
number of roads become impassable during this time.
Road Rules
There are speed limits of 100km/h or less on all primary roads and 60km/h or less on
secondary roads.
Traffic police use radar, and speed limits are enforced with speeding tickets.
Tickets are issued to drivers operating vehicles without a seat belt.
It's illegal to stop in an intersection or make a right turn on a red.
At unmarked intersections, yield to the car on your right.
Drive on the right. Passing is allowed only on the left.
If you are issued with a ticket, you have to pay the fine at a bank; instructions are given
on the ticket. If you are driving a rental car, the rental company may be able to arrange
your payment for you - the amount of the fine should be on the ticket. A portion of the
money from these fines goes to a children's charity.
Police have no right to ask for money, and they shouldn't confiscate a car, unless the
driver cannot produce a license and ownership papers, the car lacks license plates, the
driver is drunk or the driver has been involved in an accident causing serious injury.
