Driving in Costa Rica is like driving in Vietnam… Slow drivers drive on the passing lane of highways, stop signs and traffic lights are only a suggestion, people stopping in the middle of the street to talk to their neighbors, garbage trucks blocking entire street to pick up their garbage, but the best part is lane splitting with motorcycles…
I will be coming down and will be checking out a few locations which will require a car rental which will be my 2nd time using a rental and yes the single lane roads are filled with slow moving trucks and not easy to pass since the roads have a lot of curves.
Hey. I’d highly recommend to pay in cash at any gas station. Don’t hand over your credit card to pay even if you are close enough and watching, cause your credit card number could be stolen. In Costa Rica is common practice that they ask your card as some businesses don’t have wireless machines. It is not very common, but happens . On the other hand, you have to have a nerve to drive in Costa Rica if it is your first time, specially in the metropolitan area. As a Costarican living in Canada, it takes me 2 days to get my old (bad) driving habits back every time I go down and feel like “home” again.
This could be helpful to some, cash is king! Thanks so much for your insight - it's pretty funny that you kind of have to switch between driving styles when you come back here, haha! It is crazy how different it is.
Great advice and very accurate. One thing that I was just informed of is that you can not take a rental car out of the country, no visiting Panama or Nicaragua.
Hi Emma great video great tips about renting a car and driving in Costa Rica. I prefer taking the buses to get around or taxis . I find the driving in Costa Rica to be too nerve racking for me , how`s the baby coming along ?
You're right. It's an education problem. Yield means that merging drivers have to slow down, speed up, or when necessary, stop in order to (merge) safely. Also, merge means your lane ends, not the other way around. It's a courtesy when the driver on the main road doesn't have any other drivers or obstacles and changes lane to let you merge easily. I find your videos are informative, but on this one, I had to correct you. I'll be going next month for a couple of weeks to fish and sightseeing around the country. Good luck with your channel!
I'm not quite sure what you are "correcting" me on, when I talk about people not yielding, I am talking about the people trying to merge when their lane is ending who don't yield! They just barge right through! Or even more, they will continue driving when the lane is already closed and basically non-existant and try to cut into the main open lane when they are finally forced to merge, it's a nightmare! 😅. Thanks for enjoying my videos, I hope you have a great time in CR!
@EmmainCostaRica Maybe I misunderstood what you said or how you said it. I'm hoping that I can enjoy my two weeks there! Also, renting a car shouldn't be so crazy for what I see in other videos. Thanks, and keep up the good work
Maybe, I also have pretty bad "pregnant brain" lately too, so maybe I'm not the best explainer these days! I am sure you will enjoy! Ah, if you stay closer to the quiet towns driving isn't so bad! It's the city driving that gets ya 😝
Great info! Thorough and well presented
Thanks!
I'm staying in Quepos next month! I cant wait. Thank you for all you're videos. It's help alot with planning
You are so welcome! I hope you have a great time!!
Driving in Costa Rica is like driving in Vietnam…
Slow drivers drive on the passing lane of highways, stop signs and traffic lights are only a suggestion, people stopping in the middle of the street to talk to their neighbors, garbage trucks blocking entire street to pick up their garbage, but the best part is lane splitting with motorcycles…
Thanks for the information, it's very helpful
You're super welcome!
Thank you very much for all your advices.
Thank you!
I will be coming down and will be checking out a few locations which will require a car rental which will be my 2nd time using a rental and yes the single lane roads are filled with slow moving trucks and not easy to pass since the roads have a lot of curves.
Hey. I’d highly recommend to pay in cash at any gas station. Don’t hand over your credit card to pay even if you are close enough and watching, cause your credit card number could be stolen. In Costa Rica is common practice that they ask your card as some businesses don’t have wireless machines. It is not very common, but happens . On the other hand, you have to have a nerve to drive in Costa Rica if it is your first time, specially in the metropolitan area. As a Costarican living in Canada, it takes me 2 days to get my old (bad) driving habits back every time I go down and feel like “home” again.
This could be helpful to some, cash is king! Thanks so much for your insight - it's pretty funny that you kind of have to switch between driving styles when you come back here, haha! It is crazy how different it is.
Great advice and very accurate. One thing that I was just informed of is that you can not take a rental car out of the country, no visiting Panama or Nicaragua.
Thanks for enjoying, and for your insight! Yeah, rental cars I believe are a complicated situation when dealing with borders unfortunately!
Make sure the gas tape attendant zeros out the pump before they start and I would recommend never say fill it up
Hi Emma great video great tips about renting a car and driving in Costa Rica. I prefer taking the buses to get around or taxis . I find the driving in Costa Rica to be too nerve racking for me , how`s the baby coming along ?
Thanks for enjoying Lindsay! Yes, I think many people feel similar to you! Baby is all good, keeping me hungry! :)
You're right. It's an education problem. Yield means that merging drivers have to slow down, speed up, or when necessary, stop in order to (merge) safely. Also, merge means your lane ends, not the other way around. It's a courtesy when the driver on the main road doesn't have any other drivers or obstacles and changes lane to let you merge easily. I find your videos are informative, but on this one, I had to correct you. I'll be going next month for a couple of weeks to fish and sightseeing around the country. Good luck with your channel!
I'm not quite sure what you are "correcting" me on, when I talk about people not yielding, I am talking about the people trying to merge when their lane is ending who don't yield! They just barge right through! Or even more, they will continue driving when the lane is already closed and basically non-existant and try to cut into the main open lane when they are finally forced to merge, it's a nightmare! 😅. Thanks for enjoying my videos, I hope you have a great time in CR!
@EmmainCostaRica Maybe I misunderstood what you said or how you said it. I'm hoping that I can enjoy my two weeks there! Also, renting a car shouldn't be so crazy for what I see in other videos. Thanks, and keep up the good work
Maybe, I also have pretty bad "pregnant brain" lately too, so maybe I'm not the best explainer these days! I am sure you will enjoy! Ah, if you stay closer to the quiet towns driving isn't so bad! It's the city driving that gets ya 😝
During your video, it looks like there’s a black cat or dog behind your back while you’re talking on your bed…?
Do you have a pet?
haha, yes, I have a small dog
If u guys want to tip gas station people in Costa Ruca do it! Dnt have to be greedy in life like the pero en making this video
Lol I am so greedy!