Car seat laws in Costa Rica

Hola Mottern,

As long as they are in a child car seat, strapped in, no one is going to say anything.  Unfortunately, child restraint laws are rarely if ever enforced here.

Common site, especially outside the cities:  3-4 people on motorcycles/no helmets, just the other day we saw a guy with a maybe 3 year old on the back of a motorcycle holding on for dear life with an adult helmet on - in Escazu.  Common to see small kids standing in the front and/or back seat of cars.  Sad to see.

- Expat Dave

Up to 5 years old in a child car seat, from 6 to 12 on a booster as far as I know.

I hope this article is helpful. The article gives guidance about what kind of car seat to use based on a child's height and weight. What is important vis a vis your question is that the article recommends that a backless booster only be used in a vehicle that has a head restraint. I would recommend, when you rent a car, that you make sure that the car you are going to get has a head restraint, even if you have to call the Costa Rica office of "Budget" or whatever and have the rep go out and check the specific car. If you are uncertain, bring full boosters (borrow from friend?). You can do it. By myself with three children, I flew from NY to Indiana with three booster seats. One of my petite slim daughters was still in her booster till age 16. Like Dave says, the CR drivers aren't the best. http://safeseats4kids.aaa.com/faqs/when … ster-seat/

Based on my experiences here, I'd say that best place is sitting on your lap so they can steer while you text.