To rent or not to rent? That is a question independent travelers face when planning a trip to Central America. Is it safe? Are the roads good? The answers vary by country and region, so we suggest doing some research before hand. Meanwhile, we offer some general tips.. Consider renting a car for at least part of your trip. Just strap on your sense of adventure, add a dash of humor and patience, and be prepared to have fun. Here are some unwritten rules of the road based on my personal experiences:

• DO buy all the insurance that is offered. In many cases full coverage is mandatory with the rental.
  
  
• DO reserve a jeep or 4-wheel drive vehicle if you plan to drive on back roads.

• DON'T drive at night. Ever. I have broken this personal rule several times and have always regretted it. If you find yourself on an unplanned night drive, keep in mind the following:
  
  - If you are on a country road and see a trash bag or some obstacle perched in the middle of the road, don't drive quickly around it, thinking some foolish person left it there. It may be a signal that a bathtub-sized pothole is dead ahead.
  
  - If you are driving behind a bus which stops in front of you, be alert to disembarking bus passengers who may dart in front of your car.
  
  - If, while driving on a major highway, you see the person in front of you immediately pull over to the next lane, without notice, and for no apparent reason, be immediately prepared to do the same. Chances are the lane ahead is missing or is under construction.
  
  
• DON'T exceed the speed limit. If you do, you may be asked to pay a fine on the spot. On our first trip to Costa Rica, while cruising along the Pan American Highway at 50 mph, we were stopped by a police officer with a radar gun. He pointed out we had exceeded the speed limit while driving through town. The "town" consisted of three small buildings. When it became evident we could not wiggle our way out of a ticket, I asked how much was the fine. Learning that it was the equivalent of $7, I paid it on the spot. I haven't had a ticket since, but I do slow down for all "towns."
  
  
• WATCH OUT for speed bumps. Each Central American country calls them by a different name and none have a consistent policy for putting up signs. It is not unusual for a town to mark the first three, but not the fourth, which is usually the most monstrous. Gotcha!
  
  
• BE PREPARED, when you pass a car on a wide busy road, to have another car pull alongside you in the passing lane. This is called double passing and is illegal. Just pull over to the right as soon as you can and the car on your left will pull in behind you.
  
  
• BE AWARE OF HEADLIGHT ETIQUETTE: - When a car flashes its headlights at oncoming traffic for no reason, it is a courtesy warning that there is a speed trap up ahead.
  
  - Central Americans do not use their headlights during the day, only to warn you to get out of the way if they are passing. If you put yours on, they will flash you to turn them off, unless you are passing.
  
  - Central Americans do not turn on their head lights at dusk. They often wait until the road is pitch black. One last reason to avoid driving at night.

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