typical driving hours

1 hour Liberia to Tamarindo
3 hours Alajuela-SJO to Manuel Antonio
3 hours Liberia to Arenal
3.5 hours Monteverde to Samara
4 hours Arenal to Tamarindo
4.5 hours Alajuela-SJO to Monteverde
5 hours Alajuela-SJO to Puerto Viejo, Limón
5-6 hours Alajuela-SJO to Mal País

Driving and traffic 
Gas stations – called bombas or gasolineras – are available throughout Costa Rica. Gasoline is sold as “regular” and “super,” both of which are unleaded. Super has higher octane than regular, and diesel is usually sold as well. Most rented cars take super, but ask someone at the rental office to make sure. Gas stations are full-service; attendants fill up your tank for you. Gas is more expensive than in the U.S. – a gallon (3.8 liters) usually goes for around $6 USD.
Gas stations are found in nearly every town, but there are parts of the country where they are sparser. These include the south Pacific, south Caribbean, Nicoya Peninsula, and areas near the border with Nicaragua. If you’re going to be traveling to any of these areas, fill your tank at the start of the day. Most GPS devices have applications that show you nearby gas stations. In the off chance that you find yourself running low in an area that lacks a gas station, look for small, local operations. Usually these will be out of someone’s home or business and have hand-written signs that say gasolina.
Familiarizing yourself with Costa Rica’s traffic laws will save you time, money, and a painfully slow legal process. Many of Costa Rica’s driving laws are similar to the U.S. and are easy to follow. However, there are a few that travelers should be aware of. For example, cameras that take photos of speeding cars have recently been placed along highways. The cameras automatically issue tickets that range from $300-$600 USD. When you return your car, the rental car company holds your deposit until they have verified you have no pending tickets. If you do have a ticket, you will lose a portion of your deposit. For this reason, we recommend that potential drivers read over our section on Costa Rican driving laws, which follows.
Your road trip should be fun. Stop to take pictures and eat at roadside restaurants. Find new roads to the coast or go exploring along a rural road. There is definitely a lot to think about while driving in Costa Rica, but don’t let it overshadow the reason why you rented a car in the first place: to have the freedom to encounter new places and people along the way.

Traffic fines
Drivers and passengers are required to wear a seatbelt and motorcyclists must wear helmets. The fine for not doing so is approximately $185.
  • Driving faster than 120 km/h (75 mph) or 20 km/h (12 mph) over the speed limit is considered speeding. In addition to highway police with radar, there are cameras positioned around the country that report license plate numbers to police/rental car agencies. The fine is approximately $617. A speed of over 150 km/h (93 mph) can result in prison.
  • Talking or texting on your cell phone is not allowed while driving. The fine is approximately $550.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is taken seriously. Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between 0.50 and 0.74 is considered under the influence. The fine is approximately $550. Driving with a BAC higher than 0.75 will result in prison.
  • Making a U-turn where one is not allowed can result in a fine of approximately $550.
  • Running a red light or stop sign can result in a fine of approximately $372.
  • A current driver’s license from your home country is required and you can only drive with a foreign driver’s license for three months. Driving without your driver’s license (or with one for longer than three months) can result in a fine of approximately $93.
  • Yellow lines denote areas where you are not allowed to pass. Passing in such areas (or along curves) can result in a fine of approximately $550.
  • Passing on the right is not allowed. The fine is approximately $200.
  • Child’s seats are required for children under 12 or smaller than 1.45 meters (4’9”). Children not using a child seat can result in a fine of approximately $372.
  • Carrying excess passengers can result in a fine of approximately $160.
  • Driving on the beach is not allowed. The fine is approximately $200.
  • San José has a rotating ban on rush-hour traffic, with the goal of reducing congestion and fuel consumption. The ban bars certain license plate numbers from driving during certain times of the day – Monday through Friday from 7 to 8:30 AM and from 4 to 5:30 PM. Cars with license plates ending in the digits 1 or 2 are banned on Monday; 3 or 4 on Tuesday; 5 or 6 on Wednesday; 7 or 8 on Thursday; and 9 or 0 on Friday. If you are caught driving a car with a banned license plate within the central part of San José on these days/hours, you will be ticketed.