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DRIVING IN COSTA RICA. The
Facts! |
Driving in Costa
Rica is not like driving in the U.S., Canada or Europe.
Road conditions will vary from good double-lane highways
to dirt roads that go through rivers.
Potholes, although there has
been an improvement over the
years, can be found on any road.
And the insurance offered by most rental car
companies does not cover damage to tires or rims.
Most roads in Costa Rica are single-lane, without
shoulders and are winding. You must always anticipate a
cow, horse, oxcart, slow moving truck, cyclist or a
broken down vehicle around every bend when driving
outside of San José.
Certain roads have the
reputation of being particularly
dangerous, like the Ruta 32, the
main road to Limón or the Cerro
de la Muerte on the
Interamericana.
A few roads still have a whitish
asphalt surface. The road from Guápiles goes
through the Brauilo Carrillo National Park and is famous
for landslides and heavy fog.
Driving in downtown San José – this is something you
want to avoid. The streets are very narrow, the one-way
streets are poorly marked, there are virtually no street
signs and the traffic is very heavy.
If you must drive
through downtown San José do so with your windows most
of the way up and with the doors locked, particularly if
luggage is visible. Don’t hang your arm out of the
window if you are wearing a watch.
Be also aware of the vehicular
restrictions of San José, as
vehicles are banned between 6am
and 7pm weekdays depending of
the last digit of the license
plate.
Driving at night – this is something you want to avoid.
On coming vehicles will blind you with there poorly
aligned headlights and you will probably not see the
slow moving truck without tail lights in front of you
until you hit it.
Costa Rican drivers often consider stop signs (ALTO) and
traffic lights as colorful decorations to be ignored,
particularly at night.
Darkness falls in Costa Rica about 6pm all year ‘round.
If you must drive at night, drive slowly and stop if you
are blinded by oncoming headlights or the fog is too
thick.
As of March 1, 2010, the
new Ley de Transito
went into effect that includes
fines up to ˘293.400 colones,
plus court costs that can be
well over us$600. Although
foreigners who do not pay the
traffic fines can still leave
Costa Rica, that charge will be
passed on to your rental car
company, that will most likely
tack on additional charges to
your credit card deposit.
However, drunk drivers - anyone
driving over a blood alcohol
limit of 0.75 will be led off in
handcuffs to the nearest
criminal court and exposed to
years in jail. Driving between
0.50 and 0.75 will incur a fine
(˘293.400) and confiscation of
the vehicle, which will add to
the cost of your rental.
Of course, do not drive drunk.
Or take a limo.
Of you insist on driving
yourself, renting a car, with or
without a driver, Avanti can
arrange for a rental vehicle and
driver.
However, if you choose to rent a
car to drive yourself, apart
from the foregoing, here are a
few additional tips:
1. Book your car rental ahead of
time, especially in the high
season.
2. Be sure to get a written
confirmation.
3. Check your rental car for all
damages, like dents and
scratches.
4. Be certain you understand
fully the insurance coverage.
5. Understand fully the return
location and policy. A late
return can mean higher costs.
6. Always carry a
cellular phone for
emergencies.
7. In the event of an emergency
dial 911.
8. If you are involved in an
accident, not matter how minor,
never move the vehicle until the
traffic police show up on the
scene, which can take an hour or
more, depending on the time and
location of the accident.
9. Watch the speed limit.
Speeding in Costa Rica is
costly. Driving 21 kilometres of
more over the posted speed limit
is subject to a fine. Travelling
at over 120 km/h you will be
pulled off the road and at over
150 km/h is a criminal offence.
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Reservations:
Toll free US/Canada:
800 769 7137
In
Costa Rica:
(506)
8399 9642
E-Mail Reservations:
info@avanticostarica.com
Have A Question?
Feel free to
contact
us
with
any questions or comments you might
have. |
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