Thank you for visiting Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is usually a safe place, but crime does exist. Please follow these simple guidelines for a safer, more pleasant stay.

• Always carry a copy of the photo/information page from your passport.
• Leave the original and other important documents/valuable belongings locked in your hotel safety deposit box.
• Write down the serial numbers of your traveler’s checks and account numbers on your credit cards. Leave copies of all important numbers at the safety deposit box.
• Change money only in the banks.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash and/or valuable jewelry when walking in the city. Be careful with important and expensive articles such as cameras, binoculars, notebooks, and video cameras.
• Carry your wallet in the front pocket and hang your purse crosswise.
• Ask your hotel receptionists to call a cab from a reputable company in case you are going out at night.

Please consider the following main traffic laws for driving in Costa Rica. Avoid accidents by driving carefully and defensively.

1. Speed Limits

• Highways: Minimum speed limit is 40 kph (25 miles). Speed limit varies and they are posted on the road.
• Highways and secondary roads: Speed limit is 60 kph (37 miles)
• School and hospital areas: Speed limit is 25 kph (15 miles)

2. Beaches: Driving on beaches is strictly prohibited everywhere, unless there is not other road connecting to towns.

3. Driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs or medications is strictly prohibited. Traffic officers are authorized by law to perform alcohol tests.

4. Seat belts are mandatory.

5. Pull your car over if a police officer signals you to stop.

6. Personal and/or vehicle’s documents are private property. Police officers cannot retain them by any reason.

7. If you get involved in an accident, always wait for the police officer to arrive. Do no move the vehicle. The police officer will file a report. You may also report the accident by calling to 911 or 800 800 8000. Important: You must submit the police officer report to King’s 4x4 Rent a Car. 8. If police officer insists on stopping you or retaining your documents for no apparent reason, ask him to escort you to the nearest police station to clear the problem.

9. In case of police officer's presumed misbehavior, call 257 77 78 Ext. 2506, and ask to be contacted to the nearest police station.

10. Do not drive or park the vehicle in poorly lit areas.

11. Park your car in a parking lot, not on the street.

12. Never leave valuables in the car.

13. Keep the car doors locked at all times. In San Jose downtown, keep the windows closed.

14. Before driving, check the vehicle. Make sure you are carrying all the required documents.

15. If you are given a ticket, pay it at the nearest state owned bank and submit a copy of the receipt to King’s 4x4 Rent a Car when returning the car.

16. If you use a taxi, be sure to verify it complies with the established requirements, that is, yellow triangles on the side doors and a taximeter in the front.