TICO TALES
Pothole Slalom: Driving in Costa Rica
Dodging potholes at 10 km/h requires skill and solid back teeth
Driving in Costa Rica is always an adventure, even under the best of conditions. Mountain roads are steep and curvy, with abrupt drop-offs not protected by guard rails. Pedestrians, hoping to remain invisible, wear black when walking the streets at night. Fortunately, they can often be spotted by the light from their cell phones, which is the sole focus of their attention.
Yes, it’s the rainy season, also called the “green season.” This is the time of year when it rains every single day, usually in the afternoon, but sometimes — like most of November—the rain never stops, causing landslides, collapsed highways, fallen trees across roads and power lines, and, yes, the ubiquitous annual pothole infestation.
Before I go there — to current road conditions and two flat tires already this month — I should mention that potholes are almost friendly compared to routine daily driving hazards here.
One-lane bridges — just one example:
You’re driving up a steep mountain hill on a narrow two-lane track when a Jake-brake-screaming 18-wheeler comes barreling towards you, his trailer occupying most of your lane. He’s waving…
