What is it like to drive in Costa Rica? Exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, maybe dangerous, but never boring. At times you might feel like you’re on a roller coaster or in a video game. While driving in Costa Rica can be intimidating for new residents and visitors, it gives you the freedom you wouldn’t have when riding a bus.
This guide covers everything you need to know about driving in Costa Rica, from driver’s license requirements and road rules to safety tips, plus information and advice for buying a car and the types available, including initiatives for buying electric.
Costa Rica Driver’s License Requirements & Safety Tips
Just like in the United States, the legal driving age In Costa Rica is 18 years old, while the age requirement for renting a car is 21 years old (with an additional fee for those under age 25). If you’re of legal age, all you need to drive in Costa Rica is a valid driver’s license from your home country – just be sure to always have your passport or a copy handy in case you get pulled over.
There’s also no need for an international driver’s license, as long as your stay is less than six months, so be sure to check your passport entry stamp for the exact date. If you plan on staying longer or are considering moving to Costa Rica, you’ll need to obtain a Costa Rica driver’s license (more on obtaining one below).
The Rules of the Road
Costa Rica also has similar road rules to the United States – we drive on the right-hand side of the road and seatbelts are required. Speed limits are also posted but in kilometers per hour. That said, rules are not enforced much. As a result, they’re not obeyed much, either. For example, seatbelts commonly go unused in rural areas, as a parent’s lap is the child’s seat, and passenger limits are often exceeded. Police checkpoints are common but generally only check your passport, license, and registration.
Road conditions vary from well-paved, two-lane roads and multi-lane highways to pothole-filled dirt roads commonly crossing rivers. For this reason, a four-wheel drive is recommended if you plan to visit remote areas.
When it comes to gassing up, the good news is all gasoline stations in Costa Rica are also full-service, and the price per liter is set by the government so there is no need to shop around for the lowest price. Gas stations take cash or credit cards, but make sure to check the charge on your printed receipt against the amount on the pump before you sign it just in case the attendant decides to include a generous tip.
Tips for Driving Safely
Driving in Costa Rica may seem challenging since roads and highways are not well-marked. They have numbers according to the map or GPS, but signage is almost non-existent unless you’re on major highways. Therefore, we highly recommend using GPS or the wifi on your phone to connect to a mapping program. The app Waze is excellent and quite popular here because it calculates route transit times based on traffic and construction, plus it includes helpful notes from fellow travelers about current road conditions. Downloading and setting up the app is super easy, as well. Using GPS and/or mapping out your destination ahead of time will be especially helpful when it comes to the following tips for driving safely in Costa Rica.
Watch Out for Pedestrians
Pedestrians are extremely comfortable walking alongside the road – or even down the middle of it! Beware of kids walking to school, mothers pushing strollers, and the family dog walking abreast (not single file) alongside a busy highway. It is especially dangerous at night when people are wearing dark clothes as they feel confident because they can see you with your bright headlights just fine. But, they have no idea how invisible they are to you as you are blinded by the glare of an oncoming car while hurtling along at 50 mph.
Watch Out for Motorcycles
There are also a lot of motorcycles on the road in Costa Rica since they are more economical and aren’t impeded by heavy traffic. Be aware, though, that motorcyclists seem to believe they are above the law and possibly even immortal – especially in the busy traffic environment of San Jose where you need to be on alert to motorcycle behavior. They often weave and squeeze between cars, so thoroughly check your side mirrors before changing lanes.
Watch Out for Hazard Lights & Turn Signals
Hazard lights are kind of a get-out-of-jail-free card here. If a driver wants to stop in the middle of the road and talk to a friend in the other lane, they just put on their hazard lights and you can’t complain (“Hey! Didn’t you see my hazards?”). They may also use them to let you know there is a problem up ahead, which is more helpful.
Turn signals are sometimes used by someone in front of you to let you know you can pass them, but that could also be a dangerous misunderstanding! Unsafe passing is a national pastime here. NEVER think someone won’t pass because of a solid line or zero visibility. There is nothing you can do about it except stay alert and cautious. And never assume it can’t happen.
In the event of an accident, call 911 and your rental car company. Be sure to not move the car, even if it is blocking traffic. The police will arrive and record all pertinent information, and your rental car company will bring you a replacement.
If you’re planning on moving to Costa Rica or visiting for longer than six months, then read on for some tips on getting your Costa Rica driver’s license and buying a car.
Getting Your Costa Rica Driver’s License
You have made the move to Costa Rica, and you are all excited about starting a new life in a beautiful country. It is your new home! However, before you get to “Pura Vida” there is one thing you need to do: It’s time to get your Costa Rica driver’s license. The steps for getting your driver’s license in Costa Rica haven’t changed too much but there are some things to keep in mind as of Feb 9, 2022.
Making the Appointment
You will have to schedule an appointment for the homologation of your license. Homologation of your license essentially means validating a foreign license to receive a Costa Rican license. The homologation process saves you the hassle of taking local written and driving tests to receive a Costa Rican driver’s license. Appointments can be scheduled on the MOPT/COSEVI website. If you need help scheduling your appointment online, includes step-by-step instructions.
It’s important to keep in mind that the appointments are released slowly and only at certain times. Just because you fill out the necessary information online doesn’t guarantee you will receive an appointment. Oftentimes it will take a few attempts. Appointments are usually released between 7:45 am and 8:00 am on Thursdays, so be sure to be ready and on your computer at that time.
What to Bring With You
Below is a list of items you will need to obtain your Costa Rica driver’s license. If you don’t have them all, you will be denied and have to go back again. I know, I went through this process.
- Your present license must be up-to-date and in good shape. Meaning it is not torn and everything can be clearly read on it.
- You will need two copies of both sides of your license. They won’t make copies for you!
- You will need a medical check-up form. This can be obtained from one of the many local area doctors who have been certified to perform the check-up. Heck, there is even a doctor’s office right across the street from the location in Liberia. But I advise doing it a day or so ahead of your appointment.
- You will need your present resident card or a work permit that is still valid and not expired.
- You will need two copies of your resident card or your work permit, both sides.
- You will need to present your current valid passport showing you have been in the country legally for 91 days.
- You will need copies of your passport that is issued from the same country as your foreign driver’s license, along with copies of the last immigration stamp in your passport.
- You will need to have the required fee amount in the local currency of colones ready to go. Since the fee changes often, be prepared to spend anywhere between 5,000 to 10,000 colones ($10 to $20 USD.
How Long Does it Take?
With all the proper paperwork, your photo will be taken and a new Costa Rica driver’s license will be issued on the spot. Well, on the spot is a relative term – you may have to wait an hour. Remember “Pura Vida”!
When I first got my Costa Rica license, I had to go to Central Valley to the licensing department which is part of COSEVI located in La Uruca. This was a bit of a hassle, however, it is getting easier thanks to the General Directorate of Road Safety which provides the service. There are now 13 different locations throughout the country and you do not need an appointment. These include Limon, Perez Zeledon, San Carlos, Liberia, Nicoya, Puntarenas, Rico Claro, Alajuela, Sam Ramon, Guapiles and, of course, La Uruca.
You may be thinking “HMMM, I do not have a residency card – It hasn’t been issued yet.” Well, unfortunately, to keep your current foreign license valid, you will need to leave the country and come back to get a new 180-day stamp on your passport. Unfortunately, the Immigration laws and the transit law never took foreigners and this process into consideration.
Getting your Costa Rica driver’s license can be frustrating, but it is just part of moving to another country and getting to know their laws and customs.
Buying a Car in Costa Rica
Now that you know how to go about getting your Costa Rica driver’s license, you might be wondering what the process is like for buying a car and the types available. While some expats choose to ship their cars from their home countries, others decide to buy a vehicle better suited to the road conditions in Costa Rica. So, if you need to find something to get you around the country you now call home, you’ve got options!
Types of Cars Driven in Costa Rica
Asian brands like Toyota, Suzuki, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi are some of the most popular vehicles on the roads of Costa Rica. Spare parts and qualified mechanics are also readily available, making them some of the least expensive cars to repair. Honda and Subaru are great brands but parts are harder to find and generally pricier.
There are a few models of vehicles never sold in the U.S. that are great vehicles for use in Costa Rica. They include the Hyundai Terracan and Galloper, the Toyota Fortuner, which I have one, the Daihatsu Terios, or the Mitsubishi Montero Sport Turbo Diesel Intercooler. Keep in mind that four-wheel drive is not a necessity unless you live in an isolated area or have a steep, ungraded driveway. However, an SUV’s tougher, higher suspension is helpful when navigating rougher roads.
There are many affordable used cars in Costa Rica from a variety of sources. CRAutos.com is the number one online clearinghouse for used cars. Craigslist Costa Rica is also a great resource, especially for fellow expats looking to sell their cars before moving back home. Other sites with classified ads include Encuentra24 and Facebook Marketplace. The car lots in and around San José have the biggest inventory. Alternatively, the small town of Grecia is famous for its used car lots that line the road from the Pan American highway into the center of town.
Many of the vehicles at the used car lots have been imported from the U.S. These are an advantageous choice because they have not yet been beaten to death on Costa Rica’s potholed back roads. Check any car’s history by looking up the VIN number on Carfax or similar online services. Many used car dealers buy vehicles at auction in southern states like Texas (no rust from road salt) for resale here.
Buying a Car Privately
Buying from a private owner can get you a better deal. Get to know the expats in your area and let them know you are in the market for a vehicle. As far as buying from Ticos goes, it is the same as anywhere else – there are honest people and there are scam artists. You need to be discerning and do your due diligence the same as you would anywhere else. Also, be sure to have a trusted mechanic give it a go over before laying out any cash.
It’s also important to make sure that the registration (marchamo) and vehicle safety inspection (RITEVE) are current. Both stickers are located in the upper right-hand corner of the windshield. The marchamo is paid toward the end of each calendar year. The month the annual inspection is due coincides with the last number of the license plate (1–January, 2–February, etc). Check out our guide for more on paying fees and taxes in Costa Rica.
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Used
Once you’ve decided on a used vehicle, hire a lawyer. “But I didn’t commit a crime!” you exclaim. There, there, relax. A lawyer is required by law for a valid transfer of title. They search the government database to make sure there are no liens or fines on the car from the previous owner and they write the bill of sale. Usually, the buyer pays for this service, but it can sometimes be split between the buyer and seller. The lawyer’s fee is set by the government based on the value of the car.
If you are just too nervous to buy a car from a used car dealer or a private party, you can also buy a new car at a dealership. Check online for the location of the dealer who sells the make of vehicle you are interested in. When buying a new car, the registration and inspection are taken care of by the dealership and are included in the price. They also get the license plates for you.
In Liberia where I purchased my car, there were dealerships for Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Chevrolet, and Ford, along with a few Asian and European imports I had never heard of before. All dealerships carry their brand names, while some carry more than one brand.
The great news about buying cars in Costa Rica is that they hold their value. If you get a good deal up front and take good care of the vehicle, you may be able to sell it for the same price you paid or only slightly less a few years later. Another advantage in Costa Rica is that cars are cheaper to maintain. Repairs that would cost thousands back in the U.S. will only be in the hundreds here.
Are There Electric Cars in Costa Rica?
Ninety percent of Costa Rica’s energy comes from renewable sources: water, wind, solar, and geothermal, but there is a strange-colored haze resting over Costa Rica’s Central Valley that didn’t use to be there. It is smog. How can that be in a country that doesn’t burn fossil fuels for energy? It’s from all the cars, trucks and buses.
Vehicle ownership in Costa Rica has increased to the point that there are twice as many cars registered each year as babies born. Depending on how you look at that, it could almost be a good thing. One thing to know is that most of the population of the country lives in the central valley of Costa Rica, often referred to as San Jose.
In 2016 Costa Rica signed the Paris Agreement, agreeing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The goal is to be carbon neutral by 2050. Experts report that the country keeps a clean electrical grid, but in the area of transportation, we are still under-performing. So what’s the answer to the problem? Electric cars in Costa Rica – plus an extra incentive to help the country reach its goal of carbon neutrality.
Incentives for Buying Electric Vehicles in Costa Rica
The Electric Transportation Bill was approved in December 2017 by Costa Rica’s Congress and signed into law in January by President Luis Guillermo Solis. It provides incentives for owning vehicles that operate 100% on electricity. The bill passed with 37 in favor and only one against. The law makes electric vehicles more affordable by granting total exoneration of sales, customs, and circulation taxes. Cars with a cost of under $30,000 will benefit from 100% exemption, while vehicles with a higher cost will have their tax rates reduced considerably.
The tax exemption applies to electric cars up to one year old, while replacement parts and assembly systems have a 10-year tax exemption. Currently, there are over 2.6 million vehicles registered in Costa Rica, with an estimated 17,903 being electric, including cars, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, cargo trucks, and light-duty vehicles. The goal is for Costa Rica to have 100,000 electric vehicles traveling its roads by 2035.
How Available are Electric Cars in Costa Rica?
Four car agencies are ready to bring more electric cars into the country: Grupo Q will import the Hyundai Ioniq, Chevrolet will bring in the Bolt, Datsun- Nissan will offer the Nissan Leaf; BMW will import the 13, and Grupo Automatriz will import the Ford Focus. You can also import your own electric car if it is less than a year old.
Charging stations have also been popping up in different parts of the country over the last several years. According to electromaps.com, there are currently 246 charging stations in Costa Rica, with the majority in the areas of San Jose and Provincia de Puntarenas. The goal is to have a charging station every 80 kilometers.
Keep in mind, however, that 90% of car owners have a carport or garage where they can plug their car in. An average 30-kilowatt sedan can travel 250 kilometers on a single charge. Since Costa Rica is geographically a small country, that range is adequate. Recharging takes 2-4 hours, with 3 hours being enough to reach 80% charge capacity.
From a “Luxury” to a Must-Have
As is often the case, the biggest barriers to this initiative are price and perception. To that end, in addition to the 100% tax exoneration, electric vehicles will not be subject to vehicular restrictions nor pay parking meters. Special priority spaces called “blue parking” will be designated. But let me tell you, you most likely will never find one available as the concept of special parking for cars is not at the forefront of the average Tico. Perception may be harder to change since electric cars have been considered a luxury item until now. And people (Ticos are no exception) take a long time to learn a new trick. Kind of like driving, it can be an adventure here.
The switch to zero-emission vehicles also applies to public transportation, including buses, taxis, and trains. The bus fleet may take time to modernize because the bus company owners sit on the bus regulatory board and are reluctant to make changes unless fiscally advantageous.
Time will tell how much change will actually take place, but the intentions are noble. We would love for that greenish-gray cloud to dissipate over San Jose! Until that time, think Guanacaste – still pure and clean with no traffic jams to deal with (except maybe the cattle crossing the road).
No matter which way you choose to get around Costa Rica, you’ll find that you have plenty of options for any style or budget. Whether or not you ship or buy a vehicle, or decide to walk everywhere, the important thing is to get out and start exploring this beautiful country you call home!
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