Driving in Costa Rica is legal on your home-country license for as long as the immigration officer stamped in your passport, up to 180 days, and no international permit is required. The rules that catch visitors are one-lane bridges with yield signs, low speed limits enforced by radar, steep fines that reach about ₡363,000 (roughly $700) for the most serious violations, and a strict accident routine: don’t move the cars, call 911 and the insurer, and wait for the traffic police and the insurance inspector. Drive in daylight, use Waze, and never leave anything visible in a parked car.
This guide is for visitors and new residents planning to drive in Costa Rica. It covers who can drive, the road rules that differ from home, what happens at a traffic stop, current fine categories, exactly what to do after an accident, and habits that keep you out of trouble.
| Driving in Costa Rica | At a glance |
|---|---|
| License | Valid foreign license, for as long as your entry stamp allows (up to 180 days) |
| Carry | License, passport with entry stamp, and rental papers |
| Speed limits | Mostly 60–80 km/h; 90–100 on main highways; 40 in towns; 25 in school zones |
| Over 120 km/h | A criminal offense, beyond a fine |
| Fines | Five categories, A to E; about ₡26,000 to ₡363,000 in 2026 |
| Paying fines | At banks or online, never in cash to an officer |
| Accident | Don’t move the cars; call 911, INS (800-800-8000) and your rental company |
| Navigation | Waze is widely used and tracks closures well |
License
Who Can Drive in Costa Rica
Tourists can drive with a valid license from home for exactly as long as their permitted stay, which the immigration officer writes into the passport at entry. The maximum is 180 days, but many visitors get less, so check your stamp. An international driving permit isn’t required. Carry your license and passport together, because police check your entry date against your license. See our passport and entry guide.
Rental companies generally require drivers to be at least 21, sometimes 25 for certain vehicles, with a credit card in the driver’s name. Mandatory liability insurance applies to every rental; see our guides to renting a car in Costa Rica and rental car insurance. Residents eventually need a Costa Rican license; see how to get a Costa Rican driver’s license.
Road rules
Costa Rica Road Rules Visitors Need to Know
One-lane bridges and “Ceda el Paso”
Outside the Central Valley, many bridges have a single lane shared by both directions. A Ceda el Paso (yield) sign on your side means oncoming traffic has priority, so stop and wait. If there’s no sign on your side, you have the right of way, but proceed carefully.
Speed limits
Most main highways are 90 to 100 km/h, secondary roads 60 to 80 km/h, towns 40 km/h and school zones 25 km/h. Radar checks are common, and driving over 120 km/h is a criminal offense. Posted signs override the general limits.
Passing and turning
Don’t pass on solid lines, curves or bridges; overtaking on curves or bridges is in the most serious fine category. Watch for posted no-left-turn and no-U-turn signs in towns.
Motorcycles, pedestrians and animals
Motorcycles weave between lanes and pass on both sides, so check mirrors before every move. On rural roads, expect pedestrians, cyclists, dogs, horses and cattle around blind curves, especially at dawn and dusk. Drivers often flash hazard lights to warn of a hazard or checkpoint ahead.
Required equipment and car seats
Vehicles must carry reflective triangles and a fire extinguisher; check that your rental has them. Children under 12 who are shorter than 1.45 meters must ride in an appropriate car seat or booster.
Traffic stops
What Happens at a Traffic Stop
Traffic police (Policía de Tránsito) run checkpoints on highways and near beach towns. When waved over, pull off safely, stay in the car and hand over your license, passport and rental documents. Officers in tourist areas often speak some English.
If a ticket arrives after you leave, the rental company will usually pay it and charge your card, often with an administrative fee.
Fines
Costa Rica Traffic Fines by Category
Fines are set by Costa Rica’s traffic law and adjusted every January. These are the 2026 amounts:
| Category | 2026 fine | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | ₡362,839 (about $700) | Drunk driving, over 120 km/h, driving on a suspended license, overtaking on curves or bridges, refusing a breath test |
| B | ₡245,195 (about $475) | No car seat for a child under 12 and under 1.45 m, running a red light or stop sign, speeding more than 40 km/h over the limit, fake plates |
| C | ₡122,598 (about $235) | Phone without hands-free, no seat belt, speeding more than 30 km/h over the limit, no headlights at night |
| D | ₡60,680 (about $115) | Ignoring traffic signs or officers’ instructions, improper use of roundabouts, driving without valid circulation rights or mandatory insurance |
| E | ₡26,006 (about $50) | Driving without required documents, an expired license, skipping tolls, improper horn use |
Dollar figures are approximate and move with the exchange rate. Serious offenses can also mean license points, vehicle impoundment or criminal charges.
Accidents
What to Do After a Car Accident in Costa Rica
Insurance claims in Costa Rica depend on the scene being documented by the authorities. Follow these steps in order:
- Check for injuries and call 911. The dispatcher sends police, ambulance or fire as needed. Don’t move anyone who is seriously hurt.
- Don’t move the vehicles unless they create an immediate danger. The traffic police and insurance inspector use their positions to assess the crash.
- Set out your triangles and turn on your hazard lights.
- Call INS at 800-800-8000 if the car is insured through INS, and call your rental company’s 24-hour number. An insurance inspector usually comes to the scene.
- Wait for the traffic police and get a copy of the report or its reference number.
- Document everything: photos of the vehicles, plates, road and surroundings, plus the other driver’s name, ID number, phone and insurance details.
- Don’t admit fault, sign anything you don’t understand or accept a cash settlement at the scene.
Save 911, INS and your rental company’s number before you start driving. See our list of Costa Rica emergency numbers.
Habits
Driving Tips That Keep Visitors Out of Trouble
- Drive in daylight. Rural roads are often unlit, without shoulders or lane markings, and potholes are hard to see at night. The sun sets between about 5 and 6:15 p.m. year-round.
- Plan for slow travel. Mountain roads, trucks and towns make trips longer than maps suggest. See our guide to Costa Rica road trips.
- Keep your tank above half in remote regions. Most stations are full-service; see our gas station guide.
- Use Waze. It’s widely used in Costa Rica and handles closures and slowdowns well. Download offline maps as a backup.
- Carry small colones for highway tolls and parking.
- Leave nothing visible in the car. Break-ins at beaches and trailheads are common. See our parking tips.
- If you hit an animal or anything else, stop and follow the accident steps above.
Not keen to drive? Shuttles and public buses cover most tourist routes.
FAQ
Driving in Costa Rica: FAQ
Can I drive in Costa Rica with a U.S. license?
Yes. A valid foreign license works for as long as the stay stamped in your passport, up to 180 days. You don’t need an international driving permit.
Is driving in Costa Rica safe for tourists?
Generally yes, if you drive in daylight, slow down on rural roads, watch for motorcycles and animals, and follow the one-lane bridge rules.
How much is a speeding ticket in Costa Rica?
It depends on how far over the limit you are. In 2026, more than 30 km/h over is a category C fine (about ₡122,600), more than 40 km/h over is category B (about ₡245,200), and over 120 km/h is category A (about ₡362,800) and a criminal offense.
Can police collect fines on the spot?
No. Officers issue a written ticket that you pay at a bank or online. Never hand over cash.
What should I do after a car accident in Costa Rica?
Call 911, don’t move the vehicles, set out triangles, call INS (800-800-8000) and your rental company, wait for the traffic police and insurance inspector, and document everything.
Do I need a 4×4 in Costa Rica?
Not for main routes. A 4×4 with good clearance helps on dirt roads, river crossings and some routes to remote beaches and lodges, especially in the rainy season.
The short version
Your home license works for as long as your entry stamp; carry it with your passport.
Respect yield signs on one-lane bridges and speed limits; fines reach about $700.
After a crash, don’t move the cars and call 911, INS and your rental company.