Hotel reservation will not work as an exception to driving restrictions this week [Updated] :

Update: After the press conference on Saturday afternoon, the Costa Rican government apparently changed its mind on the matter.

According to the Costa Rica Tourist Board, anyone currently in a hotel (or with a reservation starting Sunday, July 12) and with a reservation ending between July 12 and July 19 can return home, even on days they are booked. would otherwise have driving restrictions.

Drivers must carry a physical copy of their booking confirmation and cannot drive after 5pm.

Earlier on Saturday, the Department of Public Security said that a hotel reservation would not prevent drivers from passing midweek through orange alert zones.

Note that the exception is only for those who must return home from a hotel during the week; people residing in a canton under Orange Alert still cannot use a hotel reservation as a valid excuse to go to a hotel between Monday July 13 and Friday July 17.

Our original story follows …

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A hotel reservation will not exempt many drivers from weekday vehicle restrictions this week, Costa Rica’s public security ministry confirmed on Saturday.

For those residing in an area under orange alert, Costa Rica has an almost total vehicle restriction. While a hotel reservation served as an exception to previous driving bans, that will not be the case in Orange Alert townships from July 13 to 17, Public Safety Minister Michael Soto said.

“There remains one exception to vehicle restrictions to travel to and from hotels with the proper documentation,†Soto said. “But it’s for weekends only.

“On the weekend – this weekend and the next – there is that possibility, but during the week you don’t have that possibility.”

Drivers caught in the act of violating vehicle restrictions face a fine of 107,000 columns (approximately $ 185) and confiscation of their license plates.

Soto demanded that residents of Orange Alert Zones heed requests to stay home.

“The idea is that the most complex areas, those which are under Orange Alert – like the whole of the Great Metropolis – remain in a situation of non-mobilization”, he declared.

For areas of the country subject to a yellow alert, vehicle traffic is permitted on weekends from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. by maintaining the old license plate restrictions “and the list. full exceptions “, according to the Presidential House.

(Yes, this is all quite confusing. We recommend that you use The restriction to check your license plate before driving.)

Much of Costa Rica under Orange Alert

In regions subject to an orange alert, there is an almost total restriction of vehicles during the week. This applies 24 hours a day:

• On Monday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2 can only go to essential services (pharmacies, health centers, supermarkets). Vehicles whose license plates end with other numbers cannot be driven.
• Tuesday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4 can only drive to essential services. Vehicles whose license plates end with other numbers cannot be driven.
• Wednesday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6 can only drive to essential services. Vehicles whose license plates end with other numbers cannot be driven.
• Thusday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 and 8 can only drive to essential services. Vehicles whose license plates end with other numbers cannot be driven.
• Friday: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 and 0 can only drive to essential services. Vehicles whose license plates end with other numbers cannot be driven.
• Weekends: There is a total night restriction from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. During the day (5 a.m. to 5 p.m.):
  • Vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers can get to essential services on Saturday.
  • Vehicles with license plates ending in PAIR numbers can get to essential services on Sundays.

Workers are allowed to go to their place of work by car but must be provided with the appropriate documents. Public transport will continue to operate at 20% of its capacity; taxis can continue to operate without restrictions.

Click here for a full list of exceptions to this week’s driving restrictions.

Below is a list and map of all areas in Costa Rica that are subject to an orange alert: