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• 8/9/2009 8:25 PM Alex wrote:
  I am completely opposed to these means of “so called reform”. The only ones who will benefit from these changes will be the policia de transito and the crooked cops that will be getting large amounts of money by means of extortion. It is a known fact and common practice in Costa Rica. Cops are for sale.
  
  It is ridiculous the fines levied for moving infractions, I mean they are bigger fines than most in the US. No one in the US with common sense would allow a speeding ticket to almost equal a month’s salary.
  
  I agree that drivers in general are out of control but like most Government instituted laws and programs, they never solve the problems that the new regulations meant to decrease or eliminate in the first place.
  
  Instead the Government ought to allow the free market to solve the problem. Government never solves problems, they only make them worse. As a matter of fact by instituting such sources of revenue for the state it will only encourages unethical and wrongful practice of ticketing drivers to reduce cash shortfalls of Gov departments.
  
  I encourage effective changes by creation of accountability and responsibility, but when you rely on Gov., all it will sum up to be is just another way to steal from the people.
  Reply to this
  1. 8/10/2009 8:25 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Alex,
     
     Your concerns are valid and well stated.
     
     That said, drivers in Costa Rica are currently out of control.  The problem has been allowed to go on too long and now the government is clamping down - Big Time!
     
     Bottom Line:  If a person wants to keep their Costa Rica driving privileges while not having to pay some of the highest traffic fines per income capita worldwide, now is time to start driving like a responsible adult.  I personally see very little downside to this being as the life saved may be your own.
     
     Reply to this
     1. 8/10/2009 5:09 PM alex wrote:
        Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
        
        Benjamin Franklin
        
        This problem has an answer but it's not Government.
        Reply to this
        1. 10/4/2009 1:33 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
           Alex,
           
           Here are a couple of pictures from the Costa Rica roadways this past week.  These examples are not an aberration  ... too many Costa Rica drivers demonstrate a constant disregard for any rule of law, common courtesy or safety of others:
           
           
           
           Costa Rica driver: disregarding lane-control marking, improper passing on left, disregarding traffic-control signal.
           
           
           
           
           
           Costa Rica driver: disregarding lane-control marking, improper turn, reckless driving
           
           
           Are these the 'Essential Liberties' that need protection from the big bad government?!  Or is this the personal "accountability and responsibility" Costa Rica can be proud of from allowing the "free market" to determine acceptable driving practices that you speak of.
           
           There is a failure here; a government failure to protect its citizens from a public safety standpoint.  This is not a "free market" vs. government issue - public safety never is.
           
           Seriously ... how can anybody defend this type of juvenile behavior when it involves the piloting of a 3,500lb missile with a 10 gallon gasoline warhead?  Think I'm being overly dramatic?  Let me know how you feel if one of these a**holes kills or maims somebody close to you.
           
           The new traffic laws cannot be enforced soon enough.  Saving lives is paramount!
           
           
           Reply to this
           1. 10/27/2009 7:31 PM alex wrote:
              I believe that Government has no role in people’s lives except for the protection of individual’s right to life, liberty, property and pursuit of happiness. That’s it! Government is a servant not a master.
              
              Government was created by the people to serve the people not the other way around. This is NO longer the case.
              
              Now when it comes to traveling by any means the individual elects to utilize, (car, motorcycle, bike, by foot, etc.) I believe people cannot infringe on other people’s rights either.
              
              Traffic orders, statues or laws, I believe should be geared towards compensating or finding a remedy for the injured party (Government is not an injured party and by injured party I don’t mean a physical injury to someone but a legal term of lawful remedy), not a fine or ticket that benefits the Government. And if a fine is issued it should benefit the injured party (ies), not the Government……….
              
              All Government funding should be collected through lawful taxation with representation. Governments are not businesses. If people want more cops then let Government levy taxes to fulfill public safety needs but the hiring of public official should be approved by the voting public citizens. (Simple Concept --- You want more Government Services; it is going to cost you through equal taxation to all citizens.)
              
              Let the tickets and fines imposed on law breakers go to the injured parties not the Government. This would be a true system of checks and balances. It would take away the conflict of interest to a self serving Government and it would teach and promote people to be responsible for their actions. This is an essential part of any civil society for no amount of tickets or laws will ever prevent a traffic accident. People’s sense of responsibility, values, motives, understanding, compassion and actions will help reduce traffic accidents in my view, NOT Government extortion.
              
              I’ll use your example of the tour bus making an illegal U turn. I belief that indeed the driver violated other people’s right to travel when his actions stalled traffic and therefore infringing on other people’s right to travel freely without unlawfully restriction of public roads. In this situation he broke the law in my view.
              
              Now if he performs the u-turn when no passing traffic is anywhere to be seen, therefore not causing some one to have to stop or impede their merry way, I then would say that he has not broken the any laws for there is no injured party. (Natural Law Principles and Philosophy)
              
              The problem I see in today’s societies is that we no longer have representative Governments.
              
              We no longer have “rule of law”, we have Democratic Governments (Mob rule), instead of Republic form of Governments (rule of law). BIG difference between these two forms of Government.
              
              “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” Thomas Jefferson.
              Reply to this
           2. 10/27/2009 7:34 PM alex wrote:
              I am a gun’s rights advocate and I believe you are as well. Let me ask you this?
              
              Do you think that for the common good, welfare and safety of the public, all citizens should be stripped of their guns and weapons?  Should the safety and fears of the general public trump your rights to own a gun?
              
              All property rights bring about individual responsibility but this concept has been lost due to nanny States!!
              
              Government’s role to its citizens from a public safety view ends for me at protecting all of us from foreign and domestic threads to individual’s right to life, liberty, property and pursuit of happiness.
              
              In the end, I would never ever want any one whether a family member, friend, or foe of mine to ever suffer any kind of injury in a car involved accident whether caused by unlawful means or simply by mere mishap or misfortune. I too want safer, courteous thoughtful drivers but I beg to defer from which means to achieve such goals. I don’t see Government as my friend; I see it as a necessary EVIL. One that we can never take our eye off from, for power always corrupts and history is proof of that!!!!!
              Reply to this
              1. 10/27/2009 8:59 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
                 Alex,
                 
                 I've read your points of view, think I have a full understanding of it & have this simple question:  What is your solution to Costa Rica's traffic problems?
                 
                 No philosophy. No U.S. Constitutional quotes. No filler ... just a REAL solution to the failed Costa Rica traffic system where drivers have developed a lack of respect their fellow citizens, for property and for life.
                 
                 It seems to me the Government has tried it your way, maintaining a hands-off approach with little or no consequences. The results have been a disaster ... literally; over & over & over again - which each successive traffic injury and death.
                 
                 I'm curious to see how your philosophy can be turned into REAL results!
                 Reply to this
                 1. 10/28/2009 1:28 PM alex wrote:
                    I believe we both want the same results but we part ways in the implementation of the system to achieve the best results based on individual responsibility. I don’t try to pretend that I have all the answers but I don’t believe that the answers to most of our problems are resolved by the strong hand of the Government!!!
                    Now obviously a system must apply to every one in order to make it enforceable. Personally for me I think any system regardless of goals has to be lawful and the criteria to consider must;
                    1. Protect and preserve the individual’s right to life, liberty, property and pursuit of happiness and never implement laws where the principles come from the collective common good arguments.
                    Individual rights though can be restricted or revoked if and when someone violates other people’s rights.
                    2. All laws and penalties must always have an injured party (Not the Government of course) to be lawful.
                    3. A driver’s record kept up to date with proven unlawful infarctions for the private industry’s use to determine insurance rates. This would create an incentive to individual drivers to be responsible. The riskier your driving pattern is, the higher your premiums will be. This would be implemented once the industry is decentralized from government’s control. . This is one of the private market’s implementation of self regulation.
                    4.. Encourage, promote and teach driver courses on subjects like driver’s etiquette, courtesy, right of way.
                    5. Encourage the use of such methods to lower insurance premium rates when driver’s enrolled in courses that teach and promote driver’s etiquette.
                    6. Improve road conditions.
                    7. Under penalty of perjury, allow individual people to initiate the proceeding of a civil traffic court trial by presenting evidence of infringement to their rights. One way that might help evidence could be presented by implementation of video equipment mounted on cars to those that choose to install and pay for such equipment as concrete evidence of a violation of a traffic law where the injured party is trying to find recourse and/or remedy in a court of law.
                    8. Take away the financial incentive of Government to collect any money or compensation from traffic laws that are broken by offenders.
                    This will motivate a system of checks and balances based on a true sense for public safety and enforcement. Since money will not be a motivator for any public official they will base their ideas and laws on protecting the individual’s safety and not how to improve the bottom line at some Government office.
                    (This is an example to why I believe money is the motivator when issuing citations; I will use a speed trap scenario to explain my point. If you place a police officer in a visible point of reference on a public road where he is checking for speeders, the fact that he is visible to all drivers will deter people from speeding. This in return creates a safe environment for all on the public road.
                    ------Continue ---
                    Reply to this
                 2. 10/28/2009 1:29 PM alex wrote:
                    But the reason why this practice is not common is because the practice does not bring in any revenue. Cops today are effectively tax collectors, they stopped being peace officers a long time ago….. so, hiding and clocking a speeder does not create a safer road but instead only a violation that will bring in some dough)
                    9. Start in school; teach the concept of individual freedom. The principle of how we are all free to do as we please but must never violate other’s rights. This concept will drive home the point that we are responsible for our own actions and damages that we may cause to others if we violate other’s rights are punishable by law.. (Life and Property) If we start with our young, by the time they are thinking adults they will remember the essence of respecting themselves and their fellow man but also demand that their rights not be violated! This will help prevent some of today’s problems in the future when they will join the rest of us drivers.
                    Having or applying for a driver’s license does not make any one a better driver. A license can expire but that does not mean that it makes me or someone else a worse driver then my next door neighbor.
                    A license is a legal contract between the individual and the State. It is a means from which the State can dictate the terms of the contract by which you have no participation in but to obey. But any how that is entirely another subject!!!
                    
                    Here is some food for thought; What if the your driver’s license and license plate on your motor vehicle was issued by an insurance company, they hold the liability of your risk and if you become too high of a risk to them, then they take the license plate (Sponsored plate base on an yearly insurance premium) and cancel your drivers license, rendering your car useless until you find a new insurance carrier that is willing to sign you onboard. This would take Government out of the picture and would force responsibility on the owner of the car. You get out of hand; you are on your own!!!
                    No license plate, no driving on public roads….. Just a thought!!!!!
                    Reply to this
• 8/10/2009 8:06 PM michael alan wrote:
  I gotta say Bill, I think the folks in and around San Jose will be feeling this more than MOST. In the little towns, these won't be enforced, or at least most of the 'new' laws won't. Costa Rica is known for it's, 'bark is worse than its bite' mentality. I also think GRINGO's will be hit the hardest. It's going to be interesting,,, but you might want to keep a couple hundred in cash just in case... 'gifts' to the police will RULE the day.
  Reply to this
  1. 8/10/2009 8:20 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Unfortunately this will probably be true ... so I guess us Gringo's will have to lead by example in driving like human beings that care about life and property as if our wallets depended on it!
     
     Additionally, I'm thinking of investing in a Canadian bumper sticker ... being as 'Canadian Gringos' are often looked upon differently than just plain "Gringos" :o(
     

     My Dad's Canadian, Eh!  ... My Son's Costarricense!

     
     
     Reply to this
• 8/10/2009 9:34 PM Kimberly wrote:
  The whole point system sucks and I still don't see if they renew your points fresh each year or this is for the rest of your life or what? Do you know?
  Reply to this
  1. 8/10/2009 9:37 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
     I do not know about the point system ... but I do have the translated English version so I will look into it to see if there is a clear answer.
     
     However, some things will remain a mystery - possibly forever.
     
     According to the new law you must have a 'basic tool kit' in your car.  But the new law doesn't specify what tools it should include ... so I'm going with a "Bob The Builder" plastic set that won't rust ;o)
     Reply to this
  2. 8/11/2009 3:14 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Kimberly,
     
     According to " Shorty's Guide to the 2009 Nueva Ley de Tránsito ":
     
     THE COSTA RICA POINTS SYSTEM, STEP-BY-STEP:
     
     1) Each driver begins with 50 points accredited to their Costa Rican license
     2) When a Transito Official stops a driver for infringing the law, they will issue the corresponding monetary fine, and deduct the license points that correspond to the violation.
     3) The Consejo de Segurdad Vial (COSEVI) brings up an electronic file for each driver issued a violation, and will deduct the corresponding license points for infractions committed.
     4) If the driver is stopped again, the roadway Official consults with Central de Transito to see how many points remain on the driver’s license.
     5) If the infraction committed leaves the license with zero points, the Transito Official may confiscate the driver’s license on site.
     6) The first time a driver loses all the license points, their license is suspended for TWO YEARS.
     
     The deductions of the points will occur when the sanction is firm and no appeal is filed.
     
     APPEALING A TRANSIT CITATION: Anyone who receives a sanction will have the right to appeal.  The appeal must be presented at the Unidad de Impugnaciones de Boletas de Citacion (Unit of Challenges for Tickets of Citacion) in the delegation office where the ticket was drawn up, no more than 10 working days after receiving a transit sanction. (See ... Read More directory of Delegations of Transito included in this guide.) The ten days begins the day after the issuance of the sanction. The driver appealing a sanction must present any arguments or evidence they deem important (testimony, documentation, etc). If there is no evidence to review, the Unidad de Impugnaciones will resolve the case within a maximum of 10 working days. Once resolved, if the driver loses their appeal, the points will immediately be deducted from their electronic file.
     
     RECOVERING LOST LICENSE POINTS: The driver who loses less than 30 license points, but then maintains 4 consecutive years without any infractions, may recover the totality of their points without any additional requirements. The driver who has lost 30 points or more, can take drivers... Read More ’ education and sensibility courses (“cursos de educacion vial y sensibilizacion”) to recover 80% of their lost points. In order to enroll in the courses, the driver must complete at least one year without committing any new infractions. Not only must they complete the courses, they must then pass an evaluation exam set by COSEVI. The courses will cover roadway safety, reckless driving, defensive driving, control of violent conduct, and drug and alcohol treatment. If a driver is trying to recover a suspended license (total loss of the 50 points), the courses will cost c80,000. If the driver has not lost their total points, but rather a percentage, the courses will cost c40,000. The cost of the evaluation exam at the completion of the courses will cost c7,850. In all cases, if the driver fails the evaluation exam, they must repeat the respective courses as many times as is necessary to pass the exam.
     
     LICENSE SUSPENSIONS: The first time a driver loses all their points, the license is suspended for a period of two years, and upon recovery of the license, is only accredited 30 points to their electronic file. To recover the other 20 points they must comply with driver... Read More ’s education courses 13 and exams. The second time a license is suspended, it will be for a term of four years, and when that term is up the license may be recovered with only 20 points, the rest of which must be earned through the aforementioned courses and exams. The third time a driver has their license suspended, it will be for a term of 10 years, and they will be accredited only 15 points when the license is recovered.
     
     EARNING BONUS LICENSE POINTS: Article 71 of the new reform establishes that any driver who maintains their total 50 points for the first three years the new system is in place, will receive 5 bonus points on their license. For each additional year that no infractions are committed, 3 more points will be added to the license of those model drivers.
     
     Clear as Costa Rica river mud after a downpour?!
     
     For all the answers to your questions, I highly recommend the $9.95, 181 page eBook "Shorty's Guide to the 2009 Nueva Ley de Tránsito" available at http://www.NewLeyDeTransit o.com
     
     Reply to this
• 8/16/2009 7:45 PM Speedy Gonzales wrote:
  Having driven for over 40 years and untold miles, I've seen about every kind of driver. California traffic is where I learned that ANYTHING can happen. Even when drivers are following the rules, machinery and the things loaded on them don't. Critters (including a camel outside of Barstow) can suddenly appear in front of you and change everything. From driving all over the US, in Bangkok and Paris and Peru, I've seen stuff that you just can't make up.
  
  Costa Rica is populated with people blinded by windshields with their common sense knowledge of physics wiped from their minds with the twist of an ignition key. But if you want to see a total disconnect from reality, forget CR, Peru is utterly without description. When you see another car near you, just think, pissed-off escaping homicidal felon with a death wish, amped out on crack, ether, and Jack Daniels, rushing to his former job at the Post Office.
  
  I hope CR pulls off a successful change in the (stunningly stupid) driving habits of an otherwise intelligent people. The revenue they'll generate from tickets in a week will put them in a position to loan the US enough to cure the national debt. I hope other Latin American countries follow suit, (ESPECIALLY PERU!!!).
  Reply to this
• 8/21/2009 9:31 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
  Just ANOTHER A.M. Costa Rica School Bus Crash
  
  Another morning taking my son to school, another Costa Rica school bus crash.
  
  Unfortunately, this is a daily occurrence in Costa Rica where too many private school bus drivers run the roads in a reckless manner - unchecked.
  
  In the following situation the school bus driver illegally passed a stopped vehicle on the right in a busy intersection. The vehicle the school bus was passing without regard for safety was stopped for a reason ... they were trying to allow a taxi to pass in front of them through an extremely busy intersection.
  
  The following pictures are the result of this school bus drivers actions:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  This is NOT an isolated incident. Almost daily while taking my son to school I witness Costa Rica school bus drivers weaving through traffic, making U-turns in heavy traffic, cutting-off other cars while talking and/or texting on cell phones, etc. ,etc. All while packed with innocent uniformed private school students sitting obediently in their seats holding onto their backpacks and bracing for the next sharp turn, sudden stop or inevitable collision.
  
  It's absolutely nutz and the main reason my son's life is no longer entrusted with the friendly neighborhood school bus driver - a wave, a smile & then let the reckless driving begin with my son in the van ... No Thanks!
  
  Parents if you love your kids, anonymously follow their school bus once in awhile to check the drivers habits!!!
  
  Non-parents take some initiative to follow such drivers to their final destinations and report their dangerous driving to school administrators to avert future disasters.
  
  New Costa Rica traffic laws have been written, passed through legislation and will soon take effect in efforts to curtail this crazyness ... but without real enforcement, the desired reforms will more than likely have little effect on the culture of chaos that is currently Costa Rica's roadways.
  
  
  ¡Pura Seguridad de Niños en el Tráfico!
  
  Reply to this
• 8/21/2009 7:35 PM Kattia wrote:
  I used to go to Nacion.com to read the "bad" news from Costa Rica... now I just check your blog
  Reply to this
  1. 8/21/2009 7:50 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Ha!
     
     Guess I mean it when I say; "Honest" information on Costa Rica.
     
     If you want just the fluff or the 'Costa Rica is Utopia' stuff ... there are an almost unlimited number of such redundant and sometimes just plain ridiculous resources. It's amazing to me that people buy what these sites and sources are selling (ie: you won't see any less than positively stellar information about beautiful vista views, playful monkeys, colorful birds and ocean lots from real estate developers, investment sales and tourism company web sites or literature).
     
     That said, I do love Costa Rica.  I chose to live here for this reason - just keep'n it REAL, even in the rainforest ;o)
     
     
     "Costa Rica, No Artificial Ingredients"
     (sin ingredientes artificiales)
     
     
     Costa Rica Blogger …
     …No Sugar Coating (sin azúcar).
     
     Reply to this
     1. 8/21/2009 9:15 PM Kattia wrote:
        yeah well, remember in each history are many points of view... just as you refering on the horrobable way of driving on Costa Rica (were you are living by choice now), just to mentioned also the fact the many months ago was a Law pased in Canada and many states of U.S. where is penalty talk in the cell... how many people still doing it?, causing thousands of accidents and deaths ocurred every day...And are many, many other examples I could refer to without any real interest to trash any country...
        
        In my long journey on this life... few things I have learned sometimes " isn't what we said it's just how we said it"...N " sometimes when we don't have nothing nice to say, it's better not to say anything"...
        
        I believe more in the positive of things instead of concentrating on the negative.
        
        And I don't agree neither on what you said about those "web sites", they are not trying to sale anythig more than the beauty and the great place that you are calling home now.
        
        You can take a one "Tico" of Costa Rica... but you can't take a Costa Rica out of a "Tico" ;- )
        Reply to this
        1. 8/21/2009 9:28 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
           Kattia,
           
           
           I agree with what you say overall ... but my position is and always will be improving my immediate surroundings.
           
           There is an endemic problem with drivers here in Costa Rica..  Even Costa Rica President Oscar Arias is quoted as likening Costa Ricans to 'Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde', in reference to the widespread recklessness encountered on the the roadways of a nation recognized for peace and natural beauty.   This is the reason for the new and strict Costa Rica traffic laws outlined above in the original blog post.
           
           Saying something in an effort to hold private school bus drivers accountable for risking the lives of innocent children is not trashing a country, it is being a responsible resident. If I were still in Chicago, I would be doing the same (as I did in the past as both a police officer and a private citizen with a video tape I provided for a court conviction).
           
           I hope that you continue to enjoy my future blogs and information as hopefully they represent all aspects of life in Costa Rica; the beauty, the great culture and those things that need attention.
           
           
           -Bill
           Reply to this
           1. 10/4/2009 2:31 PM Kattia wrote:
              I love very much my country and that's it's why I'm very annoyed with all this situation, I have read some things on this Blog which I don't like and agreed as I think they are a only "personal opinion base only".
              
              In the other hand I think also should be some type of office or intitution which regulates (or should) what it's post on this so call sites/blogs/o whatever else's are call. And I will be searching on this asap.
              Reply to this
• 8/24/2009 10:17 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
  Costa Rica Tránsito Director Answers Questions Regarding New Traffic Laws
  
  Discloses 40 Corrupt Traffic Officials Fired In The Last Three Years
  
  August 24, 2009
  
  A total of 40 corrupt "tránsitos" (traffic officials) have been fired during the current government according to the director of the Tránsito police force, Germán Marín, during an online chat on www.aldia.cr.
  
  Marín was answering a question by a man who expressed concern of the "chorizos" (bribes) that may be demanded by Tránsitos once the new Ley de Tránsito takes effect starting September 23, when traffic fines multiply up to 20 times or more from the current.
  
  The concern by many, expressed during the chat, centred on the requirement of a first aid kit that has to be included in every vehicle. Another concern by chatters is the requirement under the new law that a vehicle must have seatbelts for every passenger even if the vehicle does not come equipped with such.
  
  When the new law takes effect next month, all vehicles with the license plate ending with a 9 will be the first to have to meet the requirements as the first series of vehicles that will be going through the inspection.
  
  Marín answered some of the queries by saying that all vehicles must have seatbelts in the front seats and recommendable to have them installed in the rear as well if the vehicle is not equipped with such, not answering the direct question if that they are required to pass inspection or not.
  
  As to the first aid kit, the Tránsito director replied with a we will see, as the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Tránsportes (MOPT) is analyzing the situation, especially in the area of the type of medication that will be required to be included.
  
  Other questions by chatters referred to the use of "hands free" for cellular phones. Director Marín reconfirmed that the use of hands free devices are permitted.
  
  Although the use of a cellular phone - that is holding the cellular phone with one hand to the ear - is currently prohibited, the fine is only ¢10.000 colones at present, while in September that fine goes to ¢170.250 and 20 points. Using a fixed in car "hands free" kit, an earphone or "bluetooth" device is totally permitted, Marín assures.
  
  On the subject of the new fines, many chatters expressed disconcern for the amount of the new fines, some saying that the fines are just another way of the government getting more money from the people.
  
  Marín responded by saying that the new fines are not there for people to pay up, but something for a driver to consider before making an illegal maneuvre. The director defended the high fines not so much so that the driver pays up, but rather that he or she respects the rules of the road.
  
  source: InsideCostaRica.com
  
  Reply to this
• 9/18/2009 12:09 PM Eileen wrote:
  We'll be traveling in Costa Rica next February. I've read all about driving a rented car and crime in CR. I'm a little freaked out, but understand all of the safety tips. Does an economy car "blend" better than a mid-sized car? Any safety suggestions? Where can I find out about renting a cell phone while there?
  Thanks very much.
  Reply to this
  1. 9/19/2009 5:26 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Eileen,
     
     Car Rental
     As you've probably read on Costa Rica Blogger, I'm not an advocate of renting a car while on vacation here in Costa Rica.  In my many years of traveling to Costa Rica, I never drove a car here.  Only after moving to Costa Rica did I buy a car and take to the roadways.  Instead, I always relied on inexpensive and reliable public transportation (ie: taxi, bus, hired driver, in-country flights, etc.).
     
     Any vehicle being driven by Gringos are easily spotted by the few bad people that make a living preying on such drivers.  That said, if you do enjoy adventure and driving in unique places ... Costa Rica offers a fun driving experience with proper precautions and luck - not just from the bad guys, but from the other drivers that often times lose all value for life or property once behind the wheel.
     
     I cannot make a car rental company recommendation - perhaps somebody else will offer such information.
     
     Cell Phone Rental
     As for cell phone rentals, I always purchased an inexpensive calling card once in Costa Rica that could be used from any of the readily available public phones. 
     
     A new cell phone program being offered by the Costa Rica national telephone company "ICE" (pronounced: e - say) now allows the owners of most any unlocked GSM phone the ability to purchase rechargeable SIM cards that allow for quick conversion of existing foreign phones into Costa Rica usable units.  Simply buy the inexpensive SIM cards from ICE at the Juan Santamaria Airport or other offices, place the card in your unlocked phone and your live ... with your own Costa Rica phone number for return calls!  For more details goto: GrupoICE.com
     
     My advice; if you don't already have one, buy an inexpensive unlocked GSM phone that takes a SIM card on eBay or elsewhere and you'll save money over a rental - even if you only use it for one vacation.
     

     List of compatible ICE GSM phones by brand: Teléfonos Homologados
     

     As for cell phone rental options, I suggest you pose this question on the English language Yahoo! forum Costa Rica Living .
     
     IMPORTANT: I have no first-hand knowledge of the new ICE program but a friend recently did purchase the SIM card for his unlocked iPhone with good results.  Please let me know your own results or what you end-up successfully doing so that I can insure my information is up-to-date and accurate for future Costa Rica visitors.
     
     -Bill
     
     Reply to this
• 9/19/2009 6:45 PM Eileen wrote:
  Bill,
  Thank you very much for getting back to me.
  
  I've read a lot about Costa Rica and have been looking at various websites. Someone I ran across did support renting a car. My husband and I won't use a car in San Jose. But we are planning a three week adventure, driving up and down the pacific coast.
  
  I do appreciate the information you have given me and I plan to look on ebay for that phone. If you have any advice in the future, please do contact me.
  
  Thanks so much.
  Eileen
  Reply to this
  1. 9/25/2009 2:51 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Ellen,
     
     I have an update on the Costa Rica cell phone pre-paid SIM cards ... yesterday I was in a Costa Rica ICE office and was informed they have suspended all prepaid SIM card sales (along with issuing any new cell phone numbers) until further notice.  It has something to do with the new Costa Rica cell phone system that they switched over to 2 weeks ago.
     
     So my advice at this point is to line up a cell phone rental source as well as bring an unlocked, approved ICE GSM cell phone ... this way you are prepared for the best possible deal based on the situation of the Costa Rica cell phone system when you visit.
     
     You will find most things in Costa Rica are similar ... always be prepared to be flexible and you will never be too put out ;o)  Welcome to the adventure that is Costa Rica!
     
     Reply to this
     1. 1/9/2010 1:31 AM Eileen wrote:
        Hi Bill,
        
        Happy New Year. It's been a couple of months since I last contacted you. After looking at what kind of hotel room I could get for $35 a night,I kind-of panicked and decided to commit and set up reservations for our trip. In looking for hotels, I really loved going to tripadvisor.com--got lots of great information from tourists' own experiences.
        
        I would like to ask you, what is the latest on bringing a cell phone with us. You last recommended getting one here and getting a card when we arrive in Costa Rica. But things were threatening to change. What's the latest?
        
        Also, I would like to bring some small inexpensive things to hand out to children...like from the dollar store, i.e., little race cars, bracelets, pencils, pens, crayons. Any suggestions?
        
        Thanks very much Bill.
        Eileen
        Reply to this
• 9/26/2009 10:36 AM Eileen wrote:
  Hi Bill,
  
  Thanks so much for the update. We have plenty of time to deal with the cell phone issue (trip in February). Maybe we'll have more info before then.
  
  This trip keeps me up at night. I have a long list of questions for you--do you mind?
  
  I'll start with this one, what are all of your reasons for not recommending a rental car? I've read plenty. I know we need to "blend", i.e. no jewelry. I know about the bad roads, thefts, etc. What would you suggest for a three week trip, just driving along the coast, stopping anywhere that looks interesting?
  
  Thank you Bill.
  Eileen
  Reply to this
  1. 9/28/2009 9:34 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Eileen,
     
     Just to be clear, I love driving in rural Costa Rica - most anywhere outside of the San Jose/Central Valley area.  But I cannot with good conscience recommend that others do the same due to the inherent dangers involved.
     
     I never drove a car in Costa Rica until I moved here and it certainly did not impede my ability to get around and enjoy the country.  But if you insist on driving as part of your exploration, I'm sure you will be satisfied with your choice as it does offer more freedom of movement and less itinerary restrictions.
     
     Personally, I like to 'get lost' when driving in Costa Rica.  I did this as recently as the weekend before last on a venture through the mountains around the Central Valley over to Cartago.  On three separate occasions I had to turn my car around and try a different route either because the road ended or I was no longer able to navigate the chosen road because of ground clearance, etc.
     
     I started doing this with paper maps and a compass but have since graduated to a GPS and digital Costa Rica map*.
     

     *see " How to Navigate Costa Rica by Car - with a GPS Device and Costa Rica Digital Map of Course! " (note: the NavSat EzFind Costa Rica map only works with Garmin GPS devices).
     

     I guess my other piece of advise is to stick to a certain region for day trips and move to different regions before adventuring out for new day trips.  Too many people look at maps of Costa Rica and assume they can travel 60 miles in 1-2 hours.  It doesn't work that way here with the terrain and roads.  A short drive on the map can take you 5 hours just to get there, not allowing for allot of time to enjoy the sites before you must begin the return to your base hotel while trying to beat our early 6pm sundown (please don't drive on Costa Rica roads after dark - they are unfamiliar, curvy, without proper signage and lacking many safety devices such as guardrails at the edges of sheer cliffs).
     
     Have a basic plan, stop at what looks interesting, abandon your original plan for a new one, discover all that Costa Rica has to offer and enjoy!!!
     
     Reply to this
• 9/26/2009 11:27 AM Eileen wrote:
  Bill,
  One more thing, we are planning to attend the ARCR two-day seminar in February. Is it worth it to join the organization? I've sent then a couple of questions and I don't hear back from them, except for one answer that stated I needed to be a member for a response. Your opinion?
  
  Thanks.
  Eileen
  Reply to this
  1. 9/28/2009 9:55 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Eileen,
     
     I was a member of the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR) for one year in order to utilize all their resources during my move to Costa Rica.  They offer a wealth of information all in one location.
     
     That said, the ARCR is a for-profit company.  Their advise is good but certainly not impartial.  The costs for their services do include a premium.  Even if the ARCR appears to be referring you to an outside company (ie: attorney, shipping, etc.) there is definitely a business 'arrangement' that can sometimes involve a substantial increase in costs.
     
     Many people stay with the ARCR because they like the one-stop-shopping, support and accountability of services they offer and recommend.  Others like myself prefer to find the best Costa Rica deals available and pay Tico prices - as opposed to "Gringo prices".
     
     My advice is to plug-in to the ARCR program for information.  The ARCR annual membership is relatively inexpensive and Costa Rica will be a more familiar market for you after time, allowing for more effective shopping before buying anything in the future. 
     
     Reply to this
• 10/2/2009 9:02 PM Eileen wrote:
  Hi Bill,
  
  More questions.....
  
  Is a 4-wheel drive SUV necessary in February? (It'a a lot more expensive to rent.)
  
  Also, about money--I think you recommended not bringing a lot of cash. Credit cards charge for their use in foreign countries and businesses may charge extra too. I've been thinking about money belts. Are travlers' checks useful in CR? What's your take?
  
  Thanks very much Bill. You have been really great at answering my questions--the best I've found!
  
  Have a great weekend.
  Eileen
  Reply to this
  1. 10/6/2009 8:40 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Hello again Eileen,
     
     Short answers:
     
     • Is a 4-wheel drive SUV necessary:  No
     • Are travelers' checks useful:  No
     Roads in Costa Rica are notorious for having large pot holes but main routes have been much improved in recent years.  The main reason an SUV can prove useful is for ground clearance, not necessarily 4-wheel drive.  Most every taxi in Costa Rica is a compact 4-door front-wheel drive sedan ... and they go everywhere!  I personally drive a Mazda 323 sedan.  If you don't plan on doing any off-roading a car or two-wheel drive SUV should be fine.  Also, you will blend-in much more driving a car because rental companies generally recommend the SUVs to tourists and the bad guys know that.
     
     As for money, when visiting Costa Rica I always wore an in-the-pants money pouch (belt) that held my main cash, passport, etc.  I would move money to my pockets at a time of convenience in order to avoid having to access the 'hidden' pocket in public.  Having enough disposable cash in your pockets to satisfy any potential robber is always a good idea - no matter where you are in the world.
     
     Most Costa Rica chain stores and even many smaller shops now have credit/debit card machines.  However, in Costa Rica there are two prices for everything; cash price ("en efectivo") and charge price ("con tarjeta").  Unlike the U.S. and other countries, Costa Rica does allow merchants to add-on their charge card costs to the consumer and this amount can be 13-20%.  So once again, 'Cash is King'.
     
     I highly suggest using local Costa Rica currency during your stay even though U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere because your 'exchange' rate will vary widely when a vendor sees a tourist holding out foreign currency.
     
     When traveling to Costa Rica I always liked using a  Debit Card that had a set amount of money sitting on the other end instead of a credit card with a $15,000 line of credit for the taking.  I would have a credit card or two available as backups and never in the same location as my debit card and cash.
     
     A Visa or Mastercard Debit Card tied to your bank's savings account is usable in most any Costa Rica ATM ('cajero automatico") and your bank charge for withdrawal is generally about 5% or $5.00 per $100.00.  I found this to be a tolerable expense.  Check with your bank or competing banks for terms as they do vary widely.  Also, be sure to have your bank's account denoted that you will be in Costa Rica for your dates of travel so your bank doesn't suspend your account for 'suspicious activity' when your on the road.  You should also be able to set a daily limit as another safeguard.
     
     It will feel weird withdrawing 100.000,00 colones in order to realize $171.86 in equivalent spendable cash - but you'll get used to it.  Be sure to check your exchange rates daily on CostaRicaBlogger.com to have a better idea of what your true costs are.
     
     Hope this helps in your planning!
     
     -Bill
     

     
     

     
     Reply to this
• 10/3/2009 9:28 AM MaeCR wrote:
  Be careful driving in Costa Rica - there are some scary drivers out there! If you're going to rent a car, get insurance!
  Reply to this
  1. 10/3/2009 9:32 AM Cathelen Trejos wrote:
     jajajajajajaja.... that so true!! We are not scary drivers... we are actually more skilled, this is why foreigners need insurance... they just cannot keep up!
     Reply to this
     1. 10/3/2009 9:35 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
        If you're visiting Costa Rica I don't recommend renting a car for many reasons ...
        
        #1: You will like the country much better if somebody else goes to battle on the roads while you enjoy the scenery!
        
        ...now ya got me started...... Read More
        
        • http://tinyurl.com/Driving InCostaRica
        • http://tinyurl.com/CostaRi caDriving
        • http://tinyurl.com/CostaRi caTrafficSigns
        • http://tinyurl.com/CostaRi caSchoolBusDriving
          
        Obviously a 'lil pet peeve of mine :o)
        Reply to this
        1. 10/3/2009 9:37 AM Rolando wrote:
           Exactly, We are very skilled drivers, almost like F1 drivers!
           Reply to this
           1. 10/3/2009 9:40 AM Pamela Cordova wrote:
              CRAZY drivers... i now drive just like you all... parking on the wrong side of the road..passing on double yellow... and mtns...LOL..
              Reply to this
              1. 10/3/2009 9:43 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
                 @Rolando - I'll give you NASCAR due to drafting, bumper rubbing, passing on both the right and left side at the same time, spin-outs on and off roadways, frequent crashes, car parts left on the roads, etc.
                 
                 But Formula 1 might be a little 'classy' for what I witness daily ;o)
                 Reply to this
• 10/17/2009 3:21 PM Eileen wrote:
  Hi Bill,
  
  Hope you and your adorable boy are doing well.
  
  Three questions:
  
  While traveling up and down the Pacific Coast during the month of February, is it necessary to have motel reservations ahead of time? We’d like to be “free spirits” and not be locked into a certain destination on a specific date. (One reason for the cell phone—make a call down the road, for accommodations.)
  
  Number two; I’ve read about the bank at the airport. Is this bank open 24/7? I thought this would be a good place to change the currency, but we arrive in the early evening.
  
  Lastly, we are not big spenders. We like to eat where the locals eat. I think our accommodations will cost around $35 a night. I have the Tico Times “Exploring Costa Rica”. Including buying a few fun things here and there, can you give me a ballpark figure on how much cash we’ll need per day?
  
  Thanks for your insight—it’s so nice to have someone to email when a question is hanging over me.
  
  Best wishes,
  Eileen
  Reply to this
  1. 10/25/2009 6:27 PM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Eileen,
     
     I too like to travel as a "free spirit" without hotel reservations.  You should be fine in doing this in February, which is after the Christmas rush when hotels have been known to overbook and it can be first-come, first-served situation.  My only advice on this is to find a place before dark because you won't be familiar with the area, roads and hotels can be hard to spot due to inadequate signage & lighting.
     

     FYI:  You innocently wrote "motel".  In Costa Rica a Motel is an establishment for sex only where people can anonymously; enter the Motel parking lot, pull their car into one of the open garage doors, close the garage door behind them and enter the attached room.  Guests pay for use of the room with cash only via a small sliding slot.  This is not a dirty thing in Costa Rica with many Motels offering first-class amenities such as anonymous room service, Jacuzzi tubs, saunas and even private swimming pools.  Motels in Costa Rica are a cultural necessity with 'kids' living at home until they are married or never moving out of the family compound regardless of marital status.
     

     The bank at Juan Santamaria International Airport is not open 24/7 ... however, there is an ATM (Cajero Automatico) outside, just off the escalator on the upper level that will take most Visa/MasterCard credit or debit cards.  I'm not sure about this particular ATM, but most shut down after 10pm due to a request by the Costa Rica Security Ministry in an effort to thwart past criminal practices of people being kidnapped and driven around to different ATM's by the bad guys for successive cash withdrawals. 
     
     If you cannot get money exchanged this first night, it is really not a problem.  The U.S. dollar is Costa Rica's second currency and accepted everywhere.  Just be sure of your exchange rate, negotiate costs in Colones and do the math to make sure your change is correct (I used to make a paper cheat-sheet for quick reference & if my change was close, I was happy).
     
     When traveling to Costa Rica I used to bring-in an 11 day trip at $1,000 for 2 adults and 1 child.  This did not include rental car/gas.  I used public transportation and we always ate the basic foods at tipico restaurants in non-tourist areas.  My wife was Tica and knew where to go.  Now I do too ;o)
     
     Reply to this
• 10/30/2009 7:30 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
  Another WONDERFUL morning driving experience in Costa Rica:
  
  A tailgater on my butt for several kilometers shoots around me as I get stopped in my lane by another vehicle blocking traffic to enter the roadway.
  
  The tailgater gets SMACKED broadside by the lane-blocker after they both hit the gas trying to beat each other...
  
  
  UH, and another 2 bite the dust, UH!
  
  It was kinda like being a football quarterback in the pocket … allot of action, speed and then a big crunch right in front of me; but I waited patiently and stepped-out when I had an opening ;o)
  
  I drove around the accident, went home, showered, got dressed and returned to the area over an hour later - both vehicles were still blocking the roadway.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I guess neither driver is now in a hurry ... kind a makes ya go; "hmmmmmm"
  
  ¡Pura Tráfico de Costa Rica!
  Reply to this
• 3/7/2010 11:39 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
  It's reported that Costa Rican drivers accumulated ¢200 million colones ($369,000) in fines within the first five days of the new traffic laws.
  
  One driver is facing more than ¢800.000 colones ($1,476) in fines for multiple tickets during a routine traffic stop. The driver did not have is drivers license, his vehicle did not have the required 2010 Marchamo (vehicle tax) or up to date Riteve (annual vehicle inspection). In addition to the fines, the vehicle's license plates were confiscated so that it could no longer be driven.
  
  In the days prior to March 1, when the new traffic law took effect, a driver in such a situation would more than likely received only one ticket instead of three at a fine of ¢20.000 ($37) and allowed to drive off.
  
  Demonstrating tipico "Tico time"; many drivers caught on television cameras covering the new enforcement said they were not aware of the new rules ... even though Costa Ricans have had more than a year of being told that the traffic laws where going into effect and fines were going up.
  
  In addition to the much needed monies flowing into government coffers, the roadways are also much less congested as so many illegal drivers and vehicles are staying off the roads.
  
  Denial no longer appears to be an option in Ticolandia.
  Reply to this
• 6/13/2010 9:16 AM Newton Snookers wrote:
  {wow. the website ate my post before I could hit Submit Comment, again.}
  
  Bill -
  
  You're a former Chicago cop? Really. Well, remember in the 50's and 60's when almost everyone kept a 5 or 10 dollar bill folded up on top of their driver's license so that when pulled over, they could pass the bribe to the officer when handing over their license? That seems to be the situation in CR, now. Remember what fixed Illinois? No more corrupt cops were tolerated. Not only was it suddenly oppressively illegal to offer a bribe but an officer was in a world of hurt if he was credibly accused of accepting a bribe. As I recall, it took about 2 years for the problem to clean itself up. There were stings and both sides of the equation/problem were genuinely afraid of getting caught ... problem solved.
  
  In my opinion, this needs to happen in CR before you're ever going to see sensible traffic laws and behaviors happen. You cannot have one without the other.
  
  There is another problem which is endemic in CR -- extremely slow vehicles moving along 2 lane roads and busses stopping in the middle of roadways every half kilometer with no legal place to pass them. Even old guys like me get fed up and look for a place to pass (illegally, if necessary.) This is a complicated fix involving both pull-off roadway designs (AND LAWS -- ex., California) along with truck inspections involving minimal performance levels.
  
  CR's traffic problems are complicated but there is no simple fix. A circumspect overall solution involving infrastructure, laws, law enforcement, and driver education must work together. People of influence in CR need to get vocal and get sensible.
  Reply to this

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