North America > Costa Rica > Public Transportation, Driving License Requirements, Road Safety and Conditions

International Driving License (IDP) Information

International Driving Permits (IDP's) are honored in Costa Rica. Note that a US driving permit must be carried along with the IDP at all times. Costa Rica honors the Inter-American Driving Permits (IADP's). Note that a US driving permit must be carried along with the IADP at all times.

How to get an IDP: Mail or bring this application

to the AAA office nearest you. Digital photographs must be of a certain quality. Please read this article

for guidelines.

Why you should get an International Driving Permit: 1. The IDP serves as a translation document for a U.S. license in countries where English is not the primary language. 2) In the event of an accident, some insurance companies will insist on seeing one. 3) In the event of a traffic infraction, the police may insist on seeing one. 3) It's only $15 and could save you a lot of time and far more money.

Learn More: read about International Driving Permits at Wikipedia

or the U.S. State Department's Road Safety Page

Links of Interest for Costa Rica

Getting there and around pages at
Lonely Planet

If available, review the Wiki Article
Transportation in Costa Rica

If available, review the Wiki Article
Rail Transport in Costa Rica

Subway Navigator

gives you direct access to the world's subways with maps, timetable and fares.

Review the CIA World Factbook:
Transporation Statistics for Costa Rica

Road Snippets for Costa Rica :

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Costa Rica is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location ... Read this Article

...Carjacking, thefts, and assault. All criminals should be considered armed with firearms or knives. The criminals, if challenged or threatened, will quickly use their weapons. Credit card fraud or ‘numbers skimming’ is common. ‘Numbers skimming’ is the theft of the information contained in the magnetic strip on the backside of ... Read this Article

... road. At this point the criminals, posing as “good Samaritans” approach the vehicle to replace the tire and in the process steal the personal effects of the tourist. Tourists who rent vehicles have been victims of carjacking, thefts, and assault. All criminals should be considered armed with firearms or knives. ... Read this Article

An estimated 1.17 million deaths occur each year worldwide due to road accidents. The majority of these deaths, about 70 percent, occur in developing countries. Sixty-five percent of deaths involve pedestrians and 35 percent of pedestrian deaths are children. 10 million people are... Read this Article

Car Rental Companies in Costa Rica

		Current Travel Warnings: