{"componentChunkName":"component---templates-blog-post-js","path":"/blog/how-to-drive-in-costa-rica","result":{"data":{"sanityPost":{"title":"How to drive in Costa Rica","slug":{"current":"how-to-drive-in-costa-rica"},"mainImage":{"alt":"How to Drive in Costa Rica!","asset":null},"publishedAt":"February 12th, 2026","_rawExcerpt":[{"_key":"175aabdac8ef","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"2a3e442c7642","_type":"span","marks":["strong","em"],"text":"Many newcomers to Costa Rica aren’t aware of the special delights that await them on the country’s superb roads, so as a veteran road warrior I am pleased to set down the following usages, rules, and helpful hints for drivers."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3a60b58da853","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"79c9cbed9a620","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":""}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"_rawBody":[{"_key":"df7f2f5e4a43","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ac2a24a94412","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When in need of directions, remember that most locals are very knowledgeable, even if they’ve never been to or heard of your destination. The charming custom is to point out all the roads that lead to dead ends."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"06c866f030c9","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"927bf8228e2a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Again, when asking directions, remember that there are no street addresses in Costa Rica. All directions take you three hundred meters from the third "},{"_key":"927bf8228e2a1","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"tienda"},{"_key":"927bf8228e2a2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" after the fourth left turn."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"685a4e1ae4e5","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"0c26c794892e0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"If your way is blocked when a driver in front stops to chat with a pedestrian or fellow driver, do not be frustrated. He or she likely has important business to transact."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0e555de8253e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e02549a0dc650","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"It is against the law to back into a parking space. Leave your rear end sticking out."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ed4d32d46a61","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b16fd7f1a20a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The preferred method of parking is halfway onto a sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, your car is must straddle the driving lane. On no account should you move it onto the shoulder."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e8e3f4b93d2b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6a55858c644d0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"A right-turn signal generally signifies a left turn."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"4332986150fc","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"acc6df3b18380","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"A hand signal, however, never indicates a turn. The driver is either waving to a friend, depositing an empty beer can, or merely airing out his hand."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"80c6a8f67dfd","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f2d526a70c520","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The horn is to be used only at night in quiet residential areas."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"897529618bbc","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b3dbd3b7c2960","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The accepted way to prevent a vehicle from overtaking you is to speed up."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fceb3930bd3f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"8dd52a743f070","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When a vehicle does overtake you, it must do so on a curve just as a fully loaded gravel truck advances around the next bend."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f16accf3eea1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"92ebc74093940","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When driving in heavy traffic at night always keep your brights on."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"943e8ba47172","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"0aa509e449510","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When a single headlight approaches, it is not on a motorcycle."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"8e8bced77bf3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"29b0120b53590","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Mufflers are prohibited on most motorcycles."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"b8f606e4705a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6963bf5d88c60","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Highway construction crews are always on lunch break."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"91cdca920f2c","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f9f72c84a2c30","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Contrary to common belief, potholes do not occur naturally. They are engineered at strategic locations to thwart those who insist on driving at the speed limit."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0e29cb486698","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e83bbe6aeda90","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"A series of triangles or a pile of tree branches on the highway means it is okay to speed up."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e7809fe200b6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c01f8578ec4f0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When you are behind a long line of traffic, the rule is that the car just in front of you must always have a faulty exhaust system."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"72cefbeb68fd","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"602763e206920","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Motorists are advised to obstruct windshields with dingle balls and other decorations in order to have something to look at other than the road."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d7e59b88db9a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f193c9f651b60","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When stopped by a "},{"_key":"f193c9f651b61","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"traffico"},{"_key":"f193c9f651b62","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" for an infraction, the right procedure is to ask if today is his birthday. Invariably he will say yes. A gift of 5,000 colones is appropriate."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"858cd73edbbd","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"0b5b51093e920","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When picking up a hitchhiker always remember to wait for the other three to come from behind the nearby billboard."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"9f90cb3c8ca3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e19ac06a37f20","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When you are on a road trip and stopping for a bite, remember that it is insulting to many locals to lock your doors and trunk."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"efa4d43fe9a8","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"40c9890c55680","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Always buy the most expensive vehicle you can afford. They are less likely to be stolen."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"384f9d33540a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"091d58cc6dd10","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When a tire on your rented Subaru goes flat, not to worry. The car following will almost always stop, and three large men will get out to take care of your luggage while you wait for the next bus."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f2b8dc05811d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"4a6d7e406d090","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"None of the above really matters because in the next few decades the world’s oil resources will be so depleted that vehicles will become planters and lawn ornaments."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}},"pageContext":{"id":"-ebe970b6-6bc2-5d81-a6f5-c8f75572d588"}},"staticQueryHashes":[]}