Ask four different expatriates what they think about driving in Costa Rica and you’ll get five different answers. One expat best summed it up when he said driving in Cost Rica was like playing a “video game.” The one thing everyone can agree on is that it’s different than most developed countries. Street signs and road markings are almost non-existent, drivers are pushy, roads are narrow and full of holes, and turn signals? What turn signals? On the other hand, drivers communicate with each other, requesting and granting space to merge. Honking horns mean “thank you,” “hello,” “please,” and “go ahead,” in addition to “go to hell.” And flexible traffic laws means you can do just about anything – U-turns, parking on the wrong side of the street, passing on the left – that you need to do to get where you want to go.

In short, driving in Costa Rica is a series of challenges that you’ll have to figure out on your own. As you’re doing so, watch out for the motorcycles that zip between cars. And make sure to carry a little disposable camera (with flash) in your glove compartment in case you get in an accident. Don’t move your car, and take detailed pictures of the scene. Your insurance agent will thank you.