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also renting in Costa Rica
Only
about 14% of Costa Rican roads are paved. Roads are slowly being
improved. Outside San Jose, roads are mainly 2-lane, often with
potholes, and for some popular destinations such as Monteverde
unpaved for considerable distances. To a patchy road network add
a chronic shortage of signs, a rainy season to test everything,
and an abysmal driving culture: welcome to driving in Costa Rica!
Costa
Rica has a high accident rate. To quote the Costa Rica Handbook:
"(many) Costa Ricans are appalling drivers capable of truly
unbelievable recklessness. They drive at warp speed, flaunt traffic
laws, hold traffic lights in total disdain, and love to crawl
up your tailpipe at 100 kph.... (and) overtake at the slightest
chance.."
Despite
all this, almost half of Costa Rica`s visitors rent a car!
Why? Simply because the advantages easily outweigh the disadvantages.
The country is small, a rental car brings so much flexibility
compared with buses or fixed transfers, and with due care the
negatives can be addressed. The one exception is San José, where
heavy traffic, and a network of narrow one-way streets make driving
a rental car something to be avoided unless you are transiting.
Traffic
Regulations
You must be at least 21 years old and hold a driving license.
Foreign licenses are valid for three months after arrival. Seat
belt use is mandatory. It is illegal to 1) enter an intersection
unless you can exit; 2) make a right turn on a red light unless
indicated by a white arrow; and 3) overtake on the right (although
this rule is regularly flouted). Cars coming uphill have the right
of way. If you see a speed sign ahead, slow down immediately.
Driving
tips
»
Ask directions frequently if in doubt (pointing &
English do work)
»
Use your horn regularly to warn (everybody does, and it is
important)
»
Keep your speed down (especially on rural roads)
»
Park your car where it will be watched (pay 100 colones if
necessary)
»
Never leave anything of value in your car
»
Gas stations are not always round the bend - keep your tank
topped up
»
Be particularly wary at night (for pedestrians and livestock)
»
Treat mountain roads with extra caution (fog, floods, and
landslides)
»
Watch out for branches or boulders at the roadside - a broken-down
car is ahead
»
Slow down when you see signs for speed bumps
»
Anticipate bad driving by others, give everyone else on the
road plenty of room
Accidents
and Breakdowns
You must carry fluorescent triangles in case of breakdown,
and these are supplied by all rental agencies. Locals, however,
will probably put small branches at the roadside to warn approaching
drivers of a car in trouble. If you breakdown, call the rental
agency to arrange a tow unless the repair is simple.
After
an accident, never move the vehicles until the police and an inspector
of INS, the state insurance company, arrive. Get the names, license
plate numbers, and cedulas (legal identification numbers) of any
witnesses. Make a sketch of the accident.
Call
the following:-
a) your rental car agency
b) traffic police, tel 222-9330
c) INS at tel 800-800-8000
Do
not offer statements to anyone other than the police. In case
of injury, call the Red Cross ambulance, tel 128 or 911 for emergency
rescue. Try not to leave the accident scene, or at least keep
an eye on your car: the other party may tamper with the evidence.
The
traffic police will want to see your license and vehicle registration.
Note that they are not allowed to keep any documents unless you've
been drinking (if you suspect the other driver has been drinking,
ask the traffic police to make a test). Nor can the traffic police
charge you a fine on the spot. They will issue you a green ticket
or 'summons." You must present this to the nearest municipal
office (alcaldia) or traffic court within eight days to
make your declaration about the accident. Wait a few days so that
the police report is on record. Don't skip this! The driver who
doesn't show is often found at blame by default, and you may even
have difficulties leaving the airport. Car rental companies will
take then care of the subsequent process.
Gasoline
Rental cars usually use regular gasoline although some may
use super. Both are widely available around the country. Service
stations (bombas or gasolineras) are far apart in country areas.
Many are open 24 hours; away from towns and national highways
they're usually open dawn to dusk only. When you are in an isolated
area, there's usually someone nearby selling by the jerry-can,
and you will pay a premium price.
Maps
and directions
In the past few years more signposts have been erected in
major cities and along major highways, but don't expect a sign
when you need it. Many signs are located where you'd never think
of looking, or are otherwise obscured. If in doubt, stop and ask
frequently: even if you don`t speak Spanish, just mentioning your
desired destination will elicit pointing which may be all you
need. There are a number of good maps available, whether
you buy before arrival, or at shops and larger gas stations in
Costa Rica.
Traffic
police
Traffic police patrol the highways to control speeding drivers.
They pull people over at random to cheek documentation. They are
present on most national highways, less so on other roads. Often
drivers coming towards you will flash their lights as a warning.
If
you're stopped, the police will request to see your license, passport,
and rental contract. Traffic police use radar guns and you do
not receive special treatment as a tourist. Speeding fines
are paid at a bank; the ticket provides instructions. You probably
cannot avoid paying a fine. Delinquent fines are reported to the
immigration authorities and sometimes people have been refused
exit from the country. Normally, though, you leave the country
before the fines are due, in which case the car rental agency
handles the tickets, although you remain responsible for paying
the fine.
It's
important you know you never need to pay a fine to police on the
road. They cannot legally request payment on site. At any point
you have the right to note the policeman's name and number from
his MOPT badge (he is legally required to show his carnet upon
request), and report any incident to the Asesoria Legal de Transito
of MOPT in San Jose, Calle 2, Avenida 20, tel 227-2188 or 257-7798.
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