Comments on: Costa Rica amongst 10 worst countries in which to drive: Waze

By: Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 13:26:00 +0000

The problem is not just the drivers is also the CR government they collect more taxes eve day but no money gets invested in the roads or infrastructure, when you drive out there is like a minefield full of potholes people have to dodge them all the time thus causes more accidents as well. CR government one of the most corrupt on planet earth.

By: zzzzz

zzzzz — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 16:40:00 +0000

this is one of those ideas that when you say it people automatically believe it although it is a full of shit thing.
Roads here are narrow and that pose dangers in all sorts of ways. When people who are used to large roads come here, they are mortified but the truth is people here are used to obstructions on the road and also for the most part show deference and care to many of the dangers that north Americans are slow to catch-on.
Motorcyclists here are particularly dangerous and there is a high risk of accident with them specifically at intersections. They disregard basic road conduct rules but are a great contribution to the organ donor program and i thank them for their service.
Driving in India, in one example, seemed far more dangerous to me than CR and i saw two trucks and a bus that had fallen down ravines while i was there in the Himalayas.
Traffic? you couldn’t do anything if a cow decided to sit and block the road.
Many of the larger vehicles there have a sign on their bumper that reads “horn please”, because when there is two way traffic on a curvy one lane road with a cliff on one side that has no guardrail, it seems that honking at every blind turn is a possible life saver. Especially if it is a super tired and hungry truck driver who has needed to pee for the last three hours barreling down.
Service stations in CR are fine, there might be missing a few here and there but In CR they fill your tank for you and it is still cheaper than Europe which, BTW, like in France, they drive like total super stressed-out assholes. It’s as though aliens landed there and sucked out all the Pura Vida out and replaced it with bitterness. When i was there, i saw tons of accidents, fender benders and traffic jams in and around Paris. Not so much outside of that. In Paris i actually saw a guy drive into a pedestrian then start yelling at him. I am not making this up.
Ever drive in New York city? You can’t possibly say it is better there. Just parking is a nightmare.
Here in CR, they do have their special brand of jerks but outside of the all too frequent murder-suicide “i have enough time to pass, oh no i don’t” people, mostly are what i call the ” Supositorio escondido” the people who butt-in from the right in various circumstances in such a rude fashion that, to this day, it is still jaw dropping. I am still in such disbelief how some can feel such a divine right of self-appropriation as I ponder life whilst i play chicken to the bitter end and hoping i don’t get shot.

By: Ken Morris

Ken Morris — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 02:00:00 +0000

Although I agree with the general remarks made, I believe that Michael C misses the mark by saying that “pura vida” goes out the window when Ticos drive. In my opinion, Tico driving habits are very much an aspect of “pura vida,” which also in my opinion is best translated along the lines of Alfred E. Newman’s, “What, me worry?” When used in everyday life, “pura vida” is frankly often used to mask all sorts of selfishness (with of course a smile).

And while I’m not a licensed shrink, Buffalo Bill, I do have a good bit of background in the area, and long ago concluded that Tico national character is narcissistic. This isn’t an altogether bad trait, since it makes for very happy people who are easy to get along with superficially, but at its core is fundamentally immature and selfish.

We don’t see this selfish core very often, since it is overlain by a genuine happiness and friendliness, but we do see it in areas like the tolerance for petty crime, pissing on the sidewalk, and so on.

Unfortunately, the two worst manifestations of this “pura vida” narcissism are a “might makes right” mentality and bratty rage when Ticos aren’t treated as special as they believe they are entitled to be treated.

We see both routinely among motorists. They drive as if because they are bigger and more powerful than pedestrians, this entitles them to drive as they want to. For instance, they insist upon the right both to turn and go straight at intersections, which prevents pedestrians from being able to cross the streets even with the light, as the law tells them they must. They also park and sometimes drive on sidewalks, turn left from the right lane, and so on.

But the bratty rage is most apparent with the horn honking. Very rarely do Tico motorists honk at others who have any control over their situation. Typically they honk just because they are in a traffic jam and are frustrated, even though those they are honking at are in the same traffic jam and just as frustrated. These are just Tico temper tantrums, and the flip side of “pura vida” narcissism.

As a PS, I feel compelled to add that I don’t believe that gringo national character is superior. I do though believe that it is different and has different strengths and weaknesses. As a gringo, I am just more apt to notice the differences in Tico national character, and while I prefer some of those differences, I don’t like all of them.

By: Derryl Hermanutz

Derryl Hermanutz — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 00:11:00 +0000

When I first came to Costa Rica in 1991 you could drive down Paseo Colon almost alone. Plenty of time to look around and see what’s there, see where you’re going. Driving up to Irazu was a drive through open countryside. The highways and roads were well marked and it was easy to find your way. When we moved here in 2012, traffic had increased by about 10-20 times, all on the same roads. Driving from the city to Irazu is virtually a drive through continuous city with no open country at all. It’s called “economic development”, folks. Ain’t it grand?

By: Roberto

Roberto — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 23:22:00 +0000

Costa Rica is one of the most dangerous countries in the world per capita to drive in. Plus every day there are an additional 8 vehicles on the roads that were designed in the 1950′s. Once I asked 2 traffic officers about the outrageous and illegal manner that motorcyles drive and they told me to just “let them do whatever they want to because we can’t control them. And if there are 2 riders on a bike, be VERY careful because they are probably armed.”

By: Michael C

Michael C — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 21:38:00 +0000

Thanks for your endorsement and your observations! One other Tico irritation: the level of ill mannered/uncultured people is staggering! I have many good Tico friends and I am happy to be here, but that happiness certainly comes with a price! All things said, I certainly would not return to USA! Gracias amigo!

By: Buffalo Bill

Buffalo Bill — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 21:31:00 +0000

You hit the nail on the head bro! I would like to add to that if I may.
Ticos feel powerful when behind the wheel and their true personalities/heart becomes apparent. They will actually try to hit you if you are a pedestrian.
I was in a taxi in downtown San Jose and watched as the driver camethisclose to some poor woman who was just trying to get across the intersection==along with many other pedestrians. She simply happened to be in his cross hairs. It;s a good thing he didn’t hit her because I was in the back seat and it would not have gone down well for him.
They honk at any car which happens to be in their path as you stated–why? I don;t know because I am not a shrink but I am pretty sure it is because they are cowards to whom this is the only chance they have to get their frustrations out and because they are truly a hateful people.
They get mighty brave when they feel you can’t get to them ( because they are in a vehicle)
And yes sir, they do believe that only they matter and everyone else is not important.
Beautiful country–if it were not for the people here.

By: Michael C

Michael C — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:47:00 +0000

“Pura Vida” goes out the window when Ticos get behind the wheel of a car, or worse, on top of a motorcycle! Absolutely no respect for traffic laws, safety of others (especially pedestrians!) and basically drive like each driver is the only one that matters! I have noted two favorite pastimes of Tico drivers: 1) honking the horn at every opportunity, 2) passing the vehicle in front of them, regardless of safety of such a move! For me…..I am sticking with public buses!