Costa Rica (CR)
Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy — a small, lush republic that abolished its army in 1948 and instead invested in education, healthcare, and the environment.
Driving in Costa Rica
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Costa Rica drives on the right. The road network ranges from excellent multi-lane highways (Route 27 San José–Quepos, Route 1 Pan-American Highway) to single-lane dirt tracks in rural areas. Four-wheel drive is strongly recommended for mountain and beach areas, especially in rainy season (May–November). San José GAM has severe congestion during peak hours (6:30–8:30am and 4–7pm weekdays). COSEVI (Consejo de Seguridad Vial) is the road safety and licensing authority. All vehicles must have: current Marchamo (annual tax + SOAT insurance), valid RTV/Inspección Técnica Vehicular certificate from the authorised operator, and COSEVI registration. Emergency: 911; Transit Police: 800-876-7486.
Driving Licence Exchange
Tourists may drive on their valid home-country licence for the duration of their authorised stay; first-group visitors can be admitted for up to 180 calendar days, but the stamped period in the passport controls. Once you receive your DIMEX (legal resident), you must exchange your foreign licence for a Costa Rican carné de conducir within 30 days — driving on a foreign licence after becoming a resident beyond this period may void insurance coverage. Exchange is done through Educación Vial/MOPT and COSEVI-linked offices. Most foreign licences from major countries (USA, Canada, EU, UK, Australia) can be directly homologated without a written driving test — the medical exam remains required.
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan
Present current valid foreign driving licence + DIMEX + passport + 2 passport photos at COSEVI. Pass COSEVI medical exam (vision, reflexes, general health — conducted on-site, fee ₡8,000–₡15,000). No written or practical driving test required for standard passenger car (B1) licence exchange. Receive Costa Rican B1 licence: valid 8 years (under 65) or 3 years (over 65).
If your foreign licence is expired, you must take the full COSEVI written test (prueba teórica) and practical driving test. If your licence is from a country not on the direct-exchange list, verify with COSEVI — requirements vary.
EU driving licences are accepted for direct exchange at COSEVI following the same process as other recognised countries: medical exam + document submission. No written or practical test required. Costa Rica is not bound by EU mutual recognition rules but accepts major EU licences for direct exchange in practice.
Bring an IDP (International Driving Permit) alongside your EU licence for the transition period while your Costa Rican licence is processed.
Full COSEVI process required for countries not on the direct-exchange list: written theory test (prueba teórica) in Spanish covering Costa Rican traffic regulations, road signs, and the Ley de Tránsito; practical driving test (prueba práctica); medical exam. Theory test study materials available at COSEVI offices and online (cosevi.go.cr). Tests are in Spanish only.
Contact COSEVI to confirm whether your country qualifies for the simplified exchange or requires the full test.
Road Rules
40–60 km/h in urban and residential areas (specific limits posted). 80 km/h on single-carriageway rural roads. 100–120 km/h on designated autopistas (highways with divided carriageway). School zones and hospital zones: 25 km/h when signs indicate. Speed cameras (radares de velocidad) are installed on major highways and some urban roads — fines are issued by mail.
0.50 g/L (0.05%) — same as most EU countries. Zero tolerance for professional drivers, motorcyclists, and drivers under 25. Field sobriety tests (pruebas de alcohol) are conducted at roadside checkpoints (operativos policiales) — particularly on weekends and holidays. Refusing a breathalyser test is treated as a positive result.
Handheld phone use while driving is prohibited. Hands-free use (Bluetooth, speakerphone in a holder) is permitted. Fine for handheld use: ₡115,000+ and points on your licence. Waze (mounted, hands-free) is widely used and legal.
Mandatory for all vehicle occupants including rear passengers. Fine: ₡45,000+ per unseatbelted occupant.
Children under 12 years or under 145 cm in height must use an approved child restraint system appropriate for their weight/height. Children under 12 cannot travel in the front seat. Fine for non-compliance: ₡115,000+.
No formal low-emission zone entry restrictions exist in Costa Rica as of 2026. San José operates a Restricción Vehicular (vehicle circulation restriction) based on licence plate number during weekday peak hours (6–8am and 4–7pm): the last digit of the plate determines which day the vehicle cannot circulate within the defined restricted zone. This is a traffic-reduction measure, not emissions-based. Restriction map and plate rules: cosevi.go.cr. Exemptions: electric vehicles, hybrids, vehicles older than 1994 (with registration), emergency vehicles, and certain disabled persons vehicles.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Traffic fines in Costa Rica are issued by transit police (policía de tránsito) officers and automated speed cameras. Fines are paid at any BCR or BNCR bank branch, or online at hacienda.go.cr. Unpaid fines lead to points on your driving record and, at accumulation, licence suspension. Points system: driving licence has a maximum of 18 points; losing all 18 results in suspension. Fine amounts are set in "unidades de tránsito" — adjusted annually.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (1–20 km/h over limit) | ₡45,000–₡90,000 | 3 points |
| Speeding (21–40 km/h over limit) | ₡90,000–₡180,000 | 6 points |
| Speeding (41+ km/h over limit) | ₡180,000+ | 12 points + vehicle impound |
| Drink driving (0.05–0.09 g/L) | ₡230,000+ | 6 points + licence suspension |
| Drink driving (0.10+ g/L) | ₡345,000+ criminal charge | 18 points + licence suspension + criminal prosecution |
| Mobile phone use while driving | ₡115,000 | 3 points |
| No seatbelt | ₡45,000 per occupant | 2 points per occupant |
| Expired RTV technical inspection | ₡60,000+ | Vehicle impound until passed |
| No Marchamo (expired) | ₡85,000+ | Vehicle impound |
| Running a red light | ₡115,000 | 6 points |
Buying a Car
Buying a used vehicle locally is usually more cost-effective than importing. The local market is extensive — most vehicles are Japanese makes (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) with widely available parts. New vehicles cost 30–50% more than equivalent North American prices due to import duties. Popular models for expats: Toyota Corolla/Yaris (economy city use), Honda CR-V (mid-range SUV), Toyota Fortuner/Land Cruiser (4WD mountain and beach access).
- 1.Search at encuentra24.com, Mercado Libre CR, OLX CR, or expat Facebook groups for listings
- 2.Run plate and chassis number through COSEVI (cosevi.go.cr) and Registro Nacional for title and lien (prenda) checks — a prenda means the seller has an outstanding loan against the vehicle
- 3.Check that Marchamo is current (no outstanding arrears) at hacienda.go.cr
- 4.Verify RTV/DEKRA technical inspection status and last inspection result before purchase
- 5.Arrange an independent mechanical inspection with a trusted taller (garage) — cost USD $50–$100
- 6.Agree on price; never pay without a complete notarial transfer act (traspaso notarial)
- 7.Execute the transfer at the Registro Nacional de Vehículos through a licensed notary — both buyer and seller must be present or send a representative with poder notarial
- •COSEVI vehicle registration check — confirms current registered owner and no reported theft
- •Registro Nacional prenda (lien) check — any outstanding loans against the vehicle title
- •Marchamo payment status — confirm all years are paid (hacienda.go.cr)
- •RTV technical inspection — current certificate required for registration transfer
- •Chassis and plate number physical verification against registration documents
Budget used car (5–8 year old economy): ₡3,500,000–₡6,000,000 (USD $6,500–$12,000). Mid-range used SUV: ₡6,000,000–₡15,000,000 (USD $12,000–$30,000). Transfer tax: 2.5% of the Registro Nacional fiscal value. Notary transfer fee: USD $100–$200. Financing through Costa Rican banks: 12–18% annual interest in CRC or 7–10% in USD.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
All vehicles must be registered at the Registro Nacional de Vehículos. New vehicles: the dealer handles registration. Used vehicle transfer: a licensed notary executes the traspaso and files it with the Registro Nacional. Processing time: 5–15 business days. Required for transfer: current registration (hoja de circulación), Marchamo payment proof, RTV certificate, buyer and seller DIMEX, and notarial transfer deed. Transfer tax: 2.5% of the fiscal value. Imported vehicles require additional process through MOPT and Aduanas (customs) — total import duties can reach 52–79% of CIF value. Pensionados and Rentistas: one-time vehicle import duty exemption for one vehicle under 5 years old.
SOAT (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito) is mandatory basic third-party bodily injury insurance, operated by INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros). SOAT is included in the annual Marchamo payment — vehicles without current Marchamo are uninsured. SOAT covers bodily injury and death to third parties and passengers only — it does NOT cover vehicle damage, theft, or property damage. Comprehensive vehicle insurance (seguro todo riesgo or seguro de daños) is strongly recommended and available from INS and private insurers (Qualitas, AXA). Cost for comprehensive: USD $400–$1,500/year depending on vehicle value.
Marchamo — annual vehicle tax + SOAT insurance combined. Due December 31 each year. Calculated as 1.2% of the vehicle's fiscal value (set by Hacienda annually) plus a fixed SOAT premium. Typical cost for a mid-range vehicle (USD $20,000 fiscal value): approximately USD $250–$350/year. Payment: online at marchamo.hacienda.go.cr or at any BCR/BNCR/BPOP branch. Driving with unpaid Marchamo: vehicle subject to impound and fine ₡85,000+.
RTV / Inspección Técnica Vehicular — mandatory periodic technical inspection through the current authorised operator (DEKRA has operated the service in recent years). Private vehicles over 3 years old: annual inspection. Commercial vehicles and taxis: every 6 months. New vehicles (0–2 years): inspection cycle varies by category. Inspects: brakes, lights, tyres, emissions, steering, chassis. Failing RTV: short repair/re-inspection window applies. Driving with expired RTV: ₡60,000+ fine and vehicle impound. Book appointments through the current operator and allow 2–6 weeks in busy periods.
Cycling
Cycling infrastructure in Costa Rica is limited outside of specific areas. San José's GAM has poor cycling conditions — heavy traffic, few dedicated lanes, and aggressive driving make urban cycling challenging and dangerous. Exceptions: the La Sabana to Hatillo ciclovia in San José, the Liberia and Cartago main boulevard cycleways, and beach town flat roads (Nosara, Tamarindo). Mountain biking is popular in rural and volcanic areas — world-class trails exist at Arenal, Monteverde, and Rincón de la Vieja.
- •Cyclists must ride on the right side of the road with traffic
- •Helmets are legally required for all cyclists under 18 and strongly recommended for adults
- •Front white light and rear red reflector/light are required when cycling after dark
- •Cyclists may use road shoulders (bermas) where available — do not obstruct vehicle traffic
- •Riding on footpaths (aceras) is prohibited where cycling lanes exist
- •Mobile phone use while cycling is prohibited
- •In San José: avoid cycling on major arterials (Route 1, Circunvalación) — use parallel streets and the dedicated ciclovia where available
- •Mountain biking: Arenal, Monteverde, and Poás Volcano areas have excellent trail networks. Ruta de los Conquistadores (annual race across Costa Rica) is a world-famous challenge for experienced cyclists
- •Beach cycling: Nosara, Montezuma, and Puerto Viejo are the most cycle-friendly beach communities — flat roads and low car volumes
- •Anti-theft: quality locks essential in any urban area — bicycle theft is common in San José