Bringing awareness
I'm writing this blog to bring awareness that Costa Rica driving restrictions are not only effecting expats but also Ticos. As I write this blog it's Costa Rica's Independence Day. The locals down my street are not able to drive themselves to work. I'm not able to drive a sick animal to the vets. However, I have spent the last four days watching those who could afford to rent cars drive down the road. This has allowed them to flock to the beach for the holiday weekend so they can party and celebrate.
Control and money
I'm sick and tired of not being able to drive my personal vehicle. Once again I'm sitting here in an emergency. I need to get my dog to the vets, but I can't drive today because of my license plate number. Emergency health exceptions only apply to humans, not animals. I wish I could say I'm upset that I was not able to drive because the government is worried about the COVID-19 numbers. But that is not the case. This is about control and money. Man, I don't know about you but I'm getting sick and tired of it.
Costa Rica Driving restrictions have made invisible walls
It's against the law for the Costa Rican government to force its people to stay in their homes. It violates their constitutional rights. However, I would like to take a minute to say congratulations to Costa Rica. You have successfully locked your poor people in their zones and only made it so the rich can travel throughout your country.
Since the Costa Rica government could not force people to stay in their homes, they developed a creative way. They have established what they call zones, with colors based on infection rates. I call these zones "invisible walls", because depending on the day you cannot cross from one color to another. With these zones, they are telling people what days and hours they can drive. The government even went as far as telling people where they are allowed to drive on the days their vehicles are permitted on the roads. The color zones have further restricted circulation and made it extremely confusing as to when and where you can drive.
Costa Rica driving restrictions due to COVID-19
We were told these driving restrictions were put into place to slow the spread of COVID-19. I tried to be understanding, but this is a bunch of crap. The government decided that it's now safe enough to open airports but not personal vehicles on the roads. They also allow rental cars to travel seven days a week with no restrictions on the crossing of color zones.
Anyone who has owned a vehicle in Costa Rica will tell you it's not cheap. As a matter of fact, cars cost at least three times more to purchase here. Then you get to pay the Costa Rica government a lot of money in taxes and inspections every year. As a result, personal vehicles require large investments to own and operate.
What about the local Ticos?
This is just the feeling of one spoiled rotten gringo who can afford to stay at home all day. But what about the local Ticos who are all suffering because of the lockdown? When many of the locals make less than $4 an hour, it is a major investment to buy cars and motorcycles. The ones who can't afford cars buy motorcycles because they are cheaper. However, motorcycles are not exempt from the Costa Rica driving restrictions. Therefore, their great investment is rendered useless multiple times per week.
The driving restrictions have made it extremely hard for my local friends. As I said in the beginning, this is not about slowing the numbers of COVID-19, this is about control. If the Costa Rica government was worried about the numbers they would not be making me and the locals sit on a public bus for hours. Or spend considerably more for a taxi to get to places that we need to. Instead, they would be encouraging us to stay off public transportation and drive our personal vehicles. This would allow us to avoid contact with others and maintain social distancing.
Costa Rica Driving restrictions are hurting Ticos
This makes me sick to see. The locals and expats have paid the Costa Rica government to own and operate their personal vehicles but are being restricted. Meanwhile, vacationers are free to travel as they please. The wealthy are driving wherever they want because they can rent cars. However, the working class is forced to use public transportation.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy they are having a good time. But the numbers in the city have been high while the beaches have had little to no cases. That means that restrictions of days and color zones based on infection rates don't apply to those who can afford to rent a car. I watch the wealthy who can afford to be able to drive from the city to enjoy their long weekend at the beach. I find myself being very disappointed in the Costa Rica government for not caring about the locals who don't have deep pocketbooks.
