Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Central America and Mexico
Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Jan 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Traffic fines in Costa Rica?

I had a discussion today with local polices in Costa Rica (I passed few cars on double yellow...) and they mentioned that traffic fines in Costa Rica are extremely high. They do not give any warnings, fine immediately.
For passing few cars on double yellow, they said that the fine is $600 (USD)!

After around 30 minutes of discussion, we agreed that if I donate some money to their "coffee fund", they would forget my passing...

Have you had any fines in Costa Rica and are they really so filthy expensive?
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Jan 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica, CA
Posts: 27
Check this:

[url=http://www.nexiacostarica.com/multas-y-montos-de-la-nueva-ley-de-transito/]Multas y Montos de la Nueva Ley de Tránsito
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Jan 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Miami/Managua
Posts: 211
my friend from nicaragua had a business in san jose and commuted there weekly. on the way home he got busted for crossing a solid yellow. cost him $400 USD. this was several years ago, so maybe they raised their fines. they don't F around there.

consider yourself lucky for being able to "contribute"
__________________
'07 DL1000 '08 DR650
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Jan 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Posts: 16
Hello,
years ago I past a truck on a double yellow line. There was police with a radar pistol as well. So I did 2 mistakes, crossing the line and driving to fast.

They started to remove my number plate from my car. After 5 minuts discussions I went on after paying mor or less 30 USD. They are corrupt there as well like (nearly) everywhere in Latin America.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Jan 2015
Peter Bodtke's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 587
Nica / CR / MX

Got stopped after crossing over a double yellow line in Nica. Managed to talk my way out of it. Mostly by agreeing to pay a fine, which meant going to a bank, in my weak spanish. During the stop I produced all the proper documents, including an International Driver thingy when the validity of my US license was questioned. The cops were pulling over so many drivers, that it was a losing proposition to waste time on me. They let me go.

A few days later in northern Costa Rica I made the same mistake, crossed a freshly painted double yellow...and was stopped by a cop who spoke perfect english. He made it clear, pay him $40 USD or pay a ticket of $80 (this happened in 2012.) I coughed up the money. Looking back I wish I had kept my cool and negotiated the payment down to $20 or $10.

The most important thing is to keep your wits about you, move slowly, ask them to repeat themselves a few times. Keep smiling. Make some jokes. It is possible to wear some cops down...

In 2013 in Mexico I was pulled over for a minor infraction. Maybe it was following a truck too closely or changing lanes without signaling (yes, this happened in Mexico...) The transit cops tried to intimidate me, complaining that I didn't have a Mexican address, so I would have to come to the station, which was closed by that hour in the late afternoon...so I would have to spend the night. My reply, the papers are in order, I am legal to ride in Mexico. Spend the night, OK, I can do that, but come on, it was a minor issue, how about a warning?

Then the question came, "Do I have $100?" My firm and smiling answer, "I don't take care of these kinds of problems on the side of the road." My license was handed back and I offered/promised to drive carefully...
__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

Last edited by Peter Bodtke; 26 Jan 2015 at 03:40. Reason: fine tuning
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Mar 2015
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 87
You do see photo radar in CR. Word is they will make you pay on the way out of the country. It's not that big a place. Just follow their traffic laws. Dave
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
costa rica to nicaragua and back Maxdecoster Central America and Mexico 0 27 Aug 2014 12:02
Where to rent a (smaller) bike in Nicaragua or Costa Rica? cb160racer Central America and Mexico 16 26 Jan 2014 23:32
Texas to Costa Rica... by scooter. fintip Route Planning 17 25 Mar 2012 23:17

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:05.