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Costa Rica Driving Tips!
Make sure you and your passengers are always buckled up when riding in your rental car. Remember, safety belts are required by law! Costa Rica uses the metric system, and all road signs showing distances are in kilometers (1.6 km = 1 mile). The speed limit on a highway is 100 km/h. In urban areas the maximum speed varies from 40 to 60 km/h. Gas stations (bomba or gasolinera in Spanish) with 24 hour service, tire repair and snacks are widely available in the larger cities and towns. Rural areas normally have adequate gas supplies, although not on a 24 hour schedule. Unleaded gasoline is available, it is called "Super". Regular gasoline is leaded. Driving in and around the capitol city, San Jose can be hectic! Please use caution and drive defensively! Don't be alarmed if buses or trucks pull out in front of your car from side streets. Slow down and let them in! Be cautious, many drivers use excessive speed in the city even on narrow roadways. 
Many roads and streets have bumps or "pot holes", so be constantly on the look out! This is another good reason to rent an SUV while on your Costa Rica vacation.If you are driving to any Costa Rica beaches be advised that the highways are narrow and winding, especially through the mountains. If you get behind a slow truck on a steep, twisting stretch of road, be patient and don't be anxious to pass. Driving rental cars in Costa Rica at night can be particularly challenging! Some roads and highways are not well marked. Always be on the look out for pedestrians on the narrow shoulders or children crossing the roadways. Be extra cautious in or near small towns! When you have arrived at your destination do not leave any valuables in your rental car; not even locked in the trunk! This is especially true at the beaches. Don't even leave wet beach towels in your vehicle! By driving safely and patiently you can help make your vacation all that more exciting as your explore the beaches, mountains, forests, cities and towns of this tropical Central American paradise.
Rental Car in Costa Rica
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