Tips for traveling Costa Rica by Car

We personally are using two car rental companies - Enterprise and National. The reason for that being that our Car Rental experience is riddled with many emotional highs and lows throughout the years. We use Credit Cards that offer Car rental insurance.

Not every Car Rental will allow you to wave their insurance coverage and that can end up being extremely costly. We experienced extremely poor customer with Europcar. Always keep in mind that going with a budget option you might not only be provided with inferior models but some of these vehicles in our experience where older and poorly maintained.

(Side Note: You might have to buy a liability protection plan with an independent provider which you can do online for your trip)

• Car Rental Agencies – There are several major Car Rental Agencies that are located within proximity of Casa Aloha if you decide to skip the journey by road and ferry and travel by air from San Jose to Tambor or Cobano.

• Tickets (Speeding, parking etc.) - that you might be issued will have to be paid with your Car Rental Agency.

• Accidents – If you are involved in an accident you must call 911 and your insurance company. The accident site has to be preserved, cars can not be moved unless agreed upon by both parties involved. Do not trust a third party or any random individual that you don’t know. Wait for the police!

• Car break ins are common. Do not leave any valuables behind!

• Flash floods and Crossing Rivers – Always remember any water damage to the car will not be covered by the insurance.

• Traffic Stops/Control – when a police officer stops you have your drivers license, visa and passport ready. Traffic stops are common and most of the time police officers are looking for alcohol and drugs. If during a stop you feel like you are being bribed by a police officer make sure to take his name and badge number.

• Your Drivers License - As a tourist you are allowed to drive with a valid drivers license that was issued by your country, state, county of residence/origin. You must have your passport on you. You are only allowed to drive in Costa Rica with your foreign Drivers licences ID for as long as your Travel Visa is valid.

• Traffic - in Costa Rica can get a bit crazy. Drivers are impatient by nature, take your time, don’t let yourself be rushed. Cautious driving is key. Recalling from our own experience, we needed almost a full day to cover just a few appointments, moving slowly through the San Jose traffic madness, witnessing just about a dozen 'fender benders' some that happened right in front of us. So, again budget time generously when running errants in San Jose in particular and try to avoid 'Rush Hour' altogether.

• Getting around: Apps like Waze and Google Maps are widely used in Costa Rica and provide real-time updates on traffic and alternative routes.

• Stay Updated on the Pico y Placa System: San José has a vehicle restriction system (*Pico y Placa*), which limits cars based on the last digit of the license plate on certain weekdays: - Monday: Plates ending in 1 & 2 - Tuesday: Plates ending in 3 & 4 - Wednesday: Plates ending in 5 & 6 - Thursday: Plates ending in 7 & 8 - Friday: Plates ending in 9 & 0 Restrictions typically apply from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Important Note: The Pico y Placa System does not apply to Rental Cars.

• Parking Can Be Tricky: Use secured parking lots (**parqueos**) rather than street parking to avoid fines or theft. Check availability ahead of time when heading downtown.

• Mopeds/Motorcycles - are the unofficial rulers of traffic. They will come from your left, right, mid center and squeeze through the smallest openings. The is no fighting this. A general mindset of ‘right of way’ should be applied.

• Driving Costa Rica Country side has been overall a good experience. We have had our share of adventurous driving through rivers, roads filled with potholes that during the rainy period look like little ponds. Mud laced hills where you have to practice the most caution.

• Use your Emergency lights – one common practice I came to appreciate was the use of the Emergency blinkers. This is a common practice you will notice in traffic which is to warn everyone of a possible dangerous situations ahead. This is a great warning system.

• Be aware of large potholes. They are common and they have the potential to ‘break your car’!

• Thinking of doing drugs or drinking while driving?! Think again! Besides extremely high fines if caught you could be spending some time in prison! Remember to leave a small footprint when traveling Costa Rica.

• Lock your doors while driving. Be aware of your surroundings while stopping for gas or groceries. While Costa Rica is generally safe to travel, crimes of opportunity are common place. Random individuals will approach the car in a rather quick fashion. They open the door or reach through the window for a fast ‘grab and run’.

We wish you safe travels!

Your Casa Aloha Ohana