Should your flight arrive in Costa Rica too late in the day to get to your luxury vacation rental home before dark, you may consider spending the night at a hotel near the airport and getting a fresh start in the morning. Because of its proximity to the equator it typically gets dark around 5:45 P.M. year round. Driving at night in an unfamiliar country can be stressful. Besides, Costa Rica is beautiful and the journey getting to your vacation villa is half the fun! If you're from the U.S. you can be thankful for one thing right off, Costa Ricans (Ticos) drive on the right side of the street. Below are some handy and in some cases, unusual tips for the road.
1- Keep to the Speed Limit Especially when Passing Through School Zones
Pay close attention to signs. Sometimes the speed limit will be 80 kilometers per hour then suddenly drop to 25 kilometers when approaching a school.
2 - Watch for Passing Vehicles
Ticos are never in hurry until they get behind the wheel of a car. Someone will always try to pass you on the open road. It's best to move over a little to the right and let them pass. They most often pass on the left but will also occasionally pass on the right if you're waiting to make a left-hand turn. Be prepared for drivers passing on curves. If a car passing on a curve is approaching you, slow down and pull over to the right as far as safely possible. Oncoming passing cars expect the right of way. Better to let them have it.
3- Everyone in Your Car Must Wear a Seat Belt
As in many countries, wearing your seat belt is a law in Costa Rica. A traffic officer may stop and ticket you if he sees you or one of your passengers without one.
4 - Police and Traffic Tickets
Just because you're in a foreign country for a sort period of time never try to bribe your way out of a ticket. Take the ticket politely and pass it along to your car rental agency. Many car rental agencies are able to charge your credit card and pay tickets on your behalf.
5 - Watch for Pedestrians Crossing the Highway
You're never sure what you'll see on the highway - horses, joggers or bicycles. Pedestrians regularly run across the busiest highways - it isn't illegal, so be on the lookout!
6 - What Painted Hearts on the Street Mean
Sadly, painted hearts mark the spot where someone was killed.
7 - Watch for Sloths Crossing
If you're renting a luxury vacation rental home in a rain forest area such as Manuel Antonio, sloths sometimes crawl across the road on their bellies pulling themselves along slowly with their claws. If you pull up behind a stopped car and can't figure out what the holdup is, it might just be a sloth taking his sweet time getting to the other side. Ticos are very protective of crossing sloths and will wait patiently, cautioning others to keep his path clear. It's best to wait until he crosses so someone else doesn't come along and inadvertently run over him. Besides you'll get a close up view of a sloth!
Be alert while making your way from the airport to your Costa Rica luxury vacation rental home and while driving throughout your vacation. To maximize your safety and the safety of others, watch carefully for passing cars, wear your seat belt, never try to bribe your way out of a traffic ticket, slow down when you see a pedestrian running across the highway/freeway so he doesn't turn into one of those painted hearts, and watch out for crossing sloths.
Was this article helpful? Want to know about blunders to avoid when renting a luxury vacation home? Get your Free Report, "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Travelers Make when Planning a Luxury Vacation Rental" at DiscoveryBeachouse.com DiscoveryBeachouse.com
Evelyn Gallardo is a vacation rental home specialist who provides a serene and private nature reserve experience in Costa Rica in a beachfront luxury villa setting where guests feel relaxed, relief from their stress-filled lives and pampered with 6-Star Customized Service. See what recent guests have to say in her guest newsletter at ParadiseAwaits.me ParadiseAwaits.me
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