| So for those of you considering driving in Costa Rica. | | | | sections have perilous drop-offs unseen to the visitor's |
| Is it a good idea or not? In my opinion if you are an | | | | eye. This writer has once been on the bus downhill |
| experienced driver and maintain some caution on the | | | | from Monteverde which had to make a quick stop in |
| roads you should manage to avoid trouble. If you are a | | | | order to help out a car full of Ticos balancing with one |
| bit of a nervous driver you may be better off hiring | | | | wheel hanging off a cliff. They were winched to |
| transfers if only to save yourself the stress and allow | | | | safety and rather sheepishly carried on their way - at |
| yourself to fully enjoy your vacation. Below are some | | | | a rather more sedate speed. |
| points to bear in mind: | | | | If you're not comfortable don't overtake |
| La Nacion, February 2006 | | | | The highway is only 2 lanes in most places which |
| (Translated from the Costa Rican daily newspaper) | | | | means that if you didn't know how to overtake before |
| 'Nicoya: An unusual incident occurred yesterday at 3.30 | | | | you arrived in Costa Rica you will have to learn pretty |
| pm, when a taxi fell completely into a pothole that was | | | | quick. |
| 2 meters deep and 3 meters in diameter, in a suburb | | | | You can frequently get stuck behind 5 or 6 trucks on |
| of Los Angeles. ......... The taxi, license 287, weighed | | | | a not so straight road resulting in much 'backseat |
| nearly 2 tones and was left on its side totally | | | | driving' from your co-travelers. 'You totally could have |
| submerged in the road. ......... In better times, (the road) | | | | gone then!' and such like mutterings coming from the |
| was made of asphalt, however, the rains in the area | | | | comfort of the passenger seat. |
| eroded the ground and this 'obstacle' appeared.' | | | | At night it's almost impossible if you don't know the |
| The driver thankfully got away with only minor cuts | | | | road. |
| and bruises and was left scratching his head and | | | | Road Potholes |
| pondering the task of extricating his car from its not so | | | | Road potholing may become a new Costa Rican |
| shallow and somewhat premature grave. | | | | sport before too long if they get much deeper! O.K. |
| This story while an amusing anecdote provides an | | | | possibly a slight exaggeration, still, don't take your eye |
| extreme example of the road conditions in Costa Rica. | | | | of the road unless you want to do some serious |
| The endless debate among Costa Ricans about the | | | | damage to your car. |
| appalling roads is one that has not appeared to be | | | | Additionally, a car up ahead, swerving to avoid a |
| getting any closer to a resolution until recently. Sadly it | | | | pothole does not always accompany this with a check |
| seems that only the influx of foreign investors in the | | | | on whether anyone is coming up on the inside. In fact |
| Papagayo region may galvanize the government into | | | | using mirrors at all, seems to be viewed with a |
| action, and not the idea that it may benefit Costa | | | | somewhat 'take it or leave it' attitude, so be careful. |
| Ricans themselves. At a Tourism Investment Summit | | | | 4x4 or not? |
| organized by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute in | | | | You can get away with a standard car if you want to. |
| March 2006, the man in charge of roads, Minister | | | | There are a few roads which can only be traversed in |
| Quiros, was belatedly added to the list of speakers | | | | a 4x4 but these are very localized. However, if you |
| due to the demand by attendees that their concerns | | | | don't want to travel at a snail's pace on certain roads |
| be addressed. It is possible that something may be | | | | or to have your internal organs rearranged we would |
| done in order to placate those bringing money into the | | | | suggest a 4x4 as being a more comfortable mode of |
| country although when that might be is anyone's | | | | travel. |
| guess. | | | | Speed Limits and the Costa Rican Traffic Police |
| Some top tips | | | | Take note of the speed limit wherever you are as the |
| Drive Slower | | | | traffic police are usually out in force with their radar. |
| Drive slower than usual as the roads will be unfamiliar | | | | If cars are flashing you from the opposite direction it is |
| to you. | | | | usually a warning that the traffic police are up ahead. If |
| Avoid night driving | | | | you are stopped accept the ticket that the policeman |
| Avoid driving at night as you will find that most roads, | | | | gives you. If he tries to charge you on the spot this is |
| even along the panamerican highway, are unlit as soon | | | | illegal, as he well knows that you are supposed to pay |
| as you leave any built-up area. | | | | the fine at a State Bank such as Banco Nacional or |
| As well as this many roads have unmarked lanes. | | | | Banco de Costa Rica. Any money that you give him is |
| Reflectors warning of bends are non-existent. | | | | going straight into his pocket and is consequently |
| Drink driving is fairly common in Costa Rica and there | | | | against the law. Frequently, if you continue to insist on |
| is more likelihood of coming up against one of these | | | | being given the proper ticket he will wave you on to |
| reprobates at night time. | | | | save himself the hassle of a bit of ticket writing. |
| Yet another time to avoid driving at night is if you are | | | | A traffic infringement could cost anywhere from $4 - |
| are heading up into the hills, for example to the | | | | $50 US depending on the violation. |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where certain | | | | |