Driving in Costa Rica

Imagine the wind in your hair as you discover Costa Rica’s lush landscapes and coastal roads at your own pace, with adventure waiting just around the next bend.

A self-drive tour in Costa Rica gives you the complete freedom to explore the country’s breathtaking national parks, incredible wildlife, and exotic beaches entirely on your own terms.

Below, we answer all of your questions about driving in Costa Rica.

Advantages of exploring Costa Rica by car

Travelling by car on one of our self-drive tours in Costa Rica offers you greater flexibility to take spontaneous stops at beautiful waterfalls, seek out hidden beaches, and discover local restaurants along your route to your next destination.

With a hire car, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in some of Costa Rica’s extraordinary landscapes at precisely the pace you prefer.

Frequently asked questions about driving in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a popular country for self-drive tours. All you need is your passport and a valid driving licence.

That said, while exploring this Central American gem by car is a fantastic way to travel, setting off on foreign roads can of course raise a few questions. We’re here to make sure you are thoroughly prepared.

Below, you’ll find answers to the questions we’ve most frequently been asked by our guests.

Do I need an international driving licence to drive in Costa Rica?

No. As long as your licence is written in Latin letters (such as A, B, C), you can use your UK driving licence (you’ll need the physical card, not a digital one).

If not, you’ll need to arrange for an international driving licence, which you can present alongside your original licence.

Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica?

Yes. Costa Rica is a safe country for tourists exploring at their own pace by car.

It’s important to respect local regulations and rely on your common sense behind the wheel—just as you would at home.

What are the roads like in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica’s roads are generally well maintained, particularly around the big cities and in main tourist hubs.

If you take a self-drive tour in Costa Rica, you will, however, come across some narrow mountain roads and gravel tracks once you get into the countryside. The rainy season can be tough on the roads and often leaves large potholes, especially outside of town. While these usually get fixed fairly promptly, do keep an eye out, as not all potholes are marked.

An app like WAZE can be invaluable. Find it here.

What is the traffic like in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a relatively easy self-drive country. Whether the traffic is busy depends to a large extent on where you are used to driving.

The traffic is busiest on its way in and out of the larger cities such as San Jose. But other than that, the traffic is pretty reliable.

Some may find it nerve-racking to drive in mountainous areas because the roads twist, and there can be sharp bends. In our experience, people automatically drive slower here, partly due to the road conditions, and also because the countryside is magnificent here, where it is occasionally necessary to stop to let families of animals cross the road.

Both animals and pedestrians crossing the roads are something you should be aware of throughout Costa Rica.

Is it easy to refuel the car?

Yes. Petrol stations (known locally as ‘bombas’) are plentiful throughout Costa Rica—and staff will fill up your car for you.

Just make sure the attendant resets the meter before filling up the tank.

Be sure to top up on fuel before heading off into rural areas, as petrol stations can be few and far between once you’re out in the countryside.

Is it easy to find parking?

At the sights you’ll visit by car on our tours, it’s usually easy to find a place to park. All hotels and many national parks offer private parking. A parking fee may apply.

In many places, people are employed to keep an eye on the cars in return for a small tip.

What’s included when you hire a car?

Our self-drive tours include a car hire with perks such as unlimited mileage, one-way rental, a local SIM card with data, and insurance policies including third-party liability (SLC) and zero-excess comprehensive cover (LDW). You can find the full details of what’s included with your hire car over on our practical information page.

Please note that you must be at least 21 years old to hire a car in Costa Rica.

Why choose TourCompass?

When you book a self-drive tour with TourCompass, you really do get the best of both worlds.

You can travel independently, free to stop spontaneously along your planned route – yet you also enjoy the added peace of mind that comes from touring with us. Throughout your journey, both our team and our local partners are only ever a call away via our 24-hour emergency hotline should you need any assistance.

This means you can feel safe and well-supported every step of your self-drive adventure in Costa Rica.

10 things you should be aware of in traffic

Some of the following things are very specific to Costa Rica – others could just as well apply here at home.

1) In Costa Rica, they drive on the right, so on the other side of the road to us.

2) There are fewer road signs in Costa Rica than we’re used to. You’ll find more signs in the cities than in the countryside, where they can be few and far between. That’s why it’s a good idea to use navigation apps like Google Maps or WAZE. All the signs are in Spanish, but they usually look similar to the ones we’re familiar with.

3) The metric system is used in Costa Rica, and all speed limits are in kilometres.

4) There are a lot of speed bumps in Costa Rica.
Be aware of signs that say “reductor”. It’s important to slow down here. The signs are typically found close to schools and when you drive in and out of a town or city. The speed bumps are not always that visible, but believe us, they can be felt in the car if you don’t slow down!

5) Only drive when it’s light
Street lighting is only found in the towns and cities, and with Costa Rica’s rich wildlife, potholes and the aforementioned speed bumps, we don’t recommend driving after dark. It gets dark at around 6 pm all year round.

6) Be aware of overtaking
It’s very normal for the locals to overtake on the inside or in situations that are not necessarily safe, e.g. when there may be oncoming cars. Overtaking on the inside is not legal, and we don’t recommend it! Keep a good distance from the vehicle in front of you and obey the speed limits. It’s normal practice to overtake slower vehicles on double tracks uphill in mountainous areas. Be aware that the double tracks often stop quite abruptly with a line across the road that says “Ceda el paso”.

7) The locals often use their hazard warning lights or flash their headlights to signal that something is happening further ahead, e.g. roadworks or an accident.

8) Do not leave valuables (or other things) in your car, and lock the car, even when you’re driving.

9) Costa Rica has a zero tolerance policy to drink driving. The limit is 0.05% (BAC – blood alcohol percentage).

10) Should you be unlucky enough to be involved in an accident, do not move your car until the police have arrived – even if you block the road. Call 911 and our partner/the car rental company.

Book your self-drive adventure in Costa Rica with TourCompass

Exploring Costa Rica at your own pace by car is a fantastic way to travel – letting you discover places that might not otherwise be part of your itinerary.

We currently offer two self-drive tours, but in fact, all our tours to Costa Rica can be arranged as self-drive holidays.

Read about the difference between a shuttle transfer and self-drive, or listen to our travel expert, Christina, tell the story of the first time she drove in Costa Rica in her travelogue.

Ready for your next big adventure? Contact our travel specialists today and get started on your journey to unforgettable experiences.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller