Why rent a car in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica offers incredible and accessible natural beauty─ waterfalls, secluded beaches, rainforests, cloud forests; the list goes on and on… To find the beaches off the beaten track, to discover hidden beauty spots which remain out of guide books and to have the freedom to arrive and depart from destinations as it suits you; renting a car or four wheel drive vehicle (4x4) is the only option.
Costa Rican Roads
While the majority of Costa Rica’s main roads are paved, they are generally in a bad state of repair. In 2008 many roads were repaired and greatly improved up and down the country, but flooding in some areas of the country and the recent earthquake have again left a number of roads damaged. Even in the country’s major highways, potholes are common and can be difficult to see when they are full of water or on a poorly lit road.
Potholes are not from the only road hazard. Some areas are prone to landslides and others to flooding. Don’t always expect to see official hazard signs. A branch placed in the middle of the road is a common indication of an obstruction in the road ahead, such as a particularly large pothole ahead, but any large container, such as an oil drum, may also be used to give warning to approaching traffic. Oncoming cars flashing their lights are another sign for the driver to slow down and be alert for a problem ahead.
Approach bridges with caution to establish who has the right of way and be prepared to wait for oncoming traffic to pass. In recent years, the least stable of bridges on main routes have been replaced, but quieter routes may still have very narrow, rickety bridges. In some places, the only route may be to cross the shallowest section of a river to rejoin the road on the opposite bank.
Within the Central Valley (San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela etc), a sedan car is sufficient, but if you plan to drive in the rest of the country, a 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended.

Other road users
Costa Rican drivers are normally less cautious road users than their American or European counterparts. Over-taking on bends, turning without signaling, little braking distance between vehicles and speeding should be anticipated. On the positive side, local drivers are usually far more forthcoming with offers of assistance than drivers in other countries should you require it on your journey. Cyclists are common road users in rural areas and care should be taken at night as few bicycles have lights. Poorly lit roads can hamper your ability to see pedestrians and wildlife on the road, so be alert to the possibility of other road users. The careful driver might have the good fortune to see a sloth, a pack of raccoons or even a boa constrictor crossing their path.

Finding your way
You will receive a complimentary road map with your rental documents. Our knowledgeable bi-lingual staff will ensure that you have sound directions to your first destination.
Main tourist destinations are marked with road signs; however, signs may not always be clearly visible. Addresses are given by distance from landmarks (for example 300 meters north of the city hall). Bear in mind that when following directions, 100 meters is a block, not necessarily an accurate measurement.
A compass may be beneficial. As a rule of thumb, almost all church entrances face east, making it easier to get your bearings. The center of San Jose is clearly divided into numbered streets: calles running north/south and avenidas east/west, however, most Costa Ricans are more familiar with directions given with reference to landmarks rather than street numbers. Other parts of the Central Valley and the country as a whole have very few street names or numbers and those that have are rarely signposted.
Outside of the capital, the most reliable way of finding directions appears to be winding down your car window and asking a passer-by for the way to the next town on your map, simply ‘¿Para San Jose?’ and then heading in that direction. Don’t be discouraged if you do get lost. Generally, Ticos are friendly towards travelers and will be more than pleased to help you find your way again.
Allow yourself plenty of time for your journey. Many first time travelers to Costa Rica are caught out by assuming that a journey will take a similar length of time as it would in their own country, whereas it is best to calculate your journey’s length on the condition of the road rather than the distance it is from start to finish in kilometers. For example, the drive from San Jose to Puerto Viejo, approximately 200 kilometers, usually takes four hours, but this is dependent on the weather, current road condition and amount of traffic at the time. A safe estimate would be to allow an hour to drive 60 kilometers.
Keep your camera handy while you drive as you will have plenty of opportunity to snap breathtaking views, nature and local people as you travel.
You can always call us with the supplied cell phone (free of charge) to ask for directions!
Weather Conditions
Hopefully, your journeys will be blessed by sunshine or at the worst, a few clouds. Usually there is no reason to stop driving in the rain, although you should drive more slowly and with more caution as you would in your own country. However, if you should find yourself in a tropical rain storm, it is better to pull over and wait for the strongest rains to ease before continuing your journey. You will soon understand should you find yourself in such rain as the sheer force of it makes visibility a near impossibility and has been known to send the man-hole covers shooting upwards from the road due to the pressure of the rain pouring into the drains. Sit and enjoy the spectacle rather than trying to fight your way through it!

Fortunately, snow and ice are not problems you will have to face here, unlike home! Fog and rain are the worst weather that the mountains here can offer. The fog can be very thick and while driving for long distances at night is ill-advised, driving through mountainous conditions at night is simply terrifying if you encounter fog. There are times that the fog is so impenetrable that the bus drivers have to have somebody walking in front of the bus to prevent the bus from leaving the road, but daytime driving through the mountains provides you with spectacular views.

Basic road rules

You may drive using the driver's license issued by your home country and should have this and your passport or passport copy whenever you are driving. Your passenger(s) should also carry identification with them.
Speed Limits:
• On highways: 90 k.p.h. / 54 MPH
• In urban areas: 40 k.p.h. / 24 MPH
• Near schools and hospitals: 25 k.p.h. / 15 MPH
Please note, these are general speed-limits guidelines. The actual speed limit is posted on signs.
Driving and the Law
The legal driving age in Costa Rica is 18.
As you would expect, it is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol and laws in the country have recently been tightened in an attempt to reduce accidents. It is against the law to drive on beaches and this or drink driving will void all insurance. You and your passengers are legally required to wear seatbelts. Maintain a safe braking distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you at all times.
Pull over if a police officer signals you to do so. Police officers may ask you to stop if there is an accident ahead, a checkpoint, or if you are violating the law for example, by not carrying a license plate or exceeding the speed limit.
Your personal documents, as well as the vehicle's registration papers, are private property and may not be retained by police officers for any reason. If you are given a ticket, please pay it at the nearest state owned bank and present a copy of the receipt to our car staff when you return the rented vehicle. If you fail to do so, your credit card will be charged the amount of the fine, plus a $15 administrative fee.
If a police officer insists on stopping you or retaining your documents for no apparent reason, ask him to escort you to the nearest police station to sort out the problem.
If you believe a traffic police officer or any other law enforcement official has acted inappropriately or you have questions regarding their behavior, call 2257-7798, ext. 2506, and ask to be referred to the nearest police station.

Accidents

If you are involved in an accident, you should stay with the car and DO NOT MOVE IT, unless ordered by a police officer. Costa Rican law states that you must wait until the police arrive at the scene. Contact us immediately for further assistance. You may also report the accident by calling 911 or 800-800-8000.
Fuel (Gasolina)
Fuel stations (called 'Bombas" or "Gasolineras”) are fairly widespread across Costa Rica, although in rural areas it is wise to find a gas station before the tank is close to empty.
Regular-, Super-, and Diesel fuel are readily available at all gas stations.
Fuel prices are regulated by the government and are the same at all gas-stations!
Service at gas stations is provided by attendants, who will come to the car window for your fuel tank key and your instructions. Attendants will usually clean your windscreen too. Tipping is at your discretion

Gas stations usually have fairly clean restrooms. Ask the gas attendant for the washroom key.

At the time of writing (December 12, 2008), the price of regular gas is approximately ₡432.15 Colones or $0.78 per liter ($2.97 per US gallon (exchange rate ₡551 Colones per USD)

Other driving tips
We would suggest that if you are arriving to the country on a late flight that you book into a hotel for the night and allow us to deliver your hired car the following day, when you are refreshed and can begin your vacation in daylight. We can provide you with a list of hotels close to Juan Santa Maria Airport.
Driving at night should be avoided unless you have visited Costa Rica and are familiar with the road conditions.
Use common sense when you are driving in Costa Rica, just as you would at home. Obviously you should never stop for people making signals or hitchhikers. Park your car in a secure parking lot, rather than on the street and remove your belongings from the car so they do not attract thieves. If an area looks poorly lit, do not drive through it.
Most of the information provided here is common sense for the experienced and responsible driver. For the majority of rental car drivers, touring Costa Rica this way is a fantastic experience which provides many opportunities to meet new people, see new places and wildlife and to relax and unwind away from the stress of the everyday western world.

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