Yes, Dashcams are legal in Costa Rica, but their use is constrained by privacy laws and traffic regulations enforced by the Dirección General de Tránsito (DGT). Recordings must not infringe on others’ privacy rights, and audio capture is prohibited without consent under the Ley de Protección de la Vida Privada (Law 8968). The Código de Tránsito (Law 9078) permits dashcam footage as evidence, provided it complies with data protection standards. Recent 2026 amendments to the Reglamento de Tránsito tighten restrictions on continuous recording in urban zones to mitigate surveillance concerns.
Key Regulations for Dashcams in Costa Rica
- Privacy Compliance: Audio recording is banned without explicit consent (Art. 22, Ley 8968). Video recording must avoid capturing identifiable individuals in private spaces (e.g., homes, workplaces).
- Evidentiary Use: Footage may be submitted to authorities or courts but must be timestamped and unaltered to meet Código Procesal Penal (Penal Procedure Code) standards for digital evidence.
- Traffic Enforcement: Dashcams cannot obstruct the driver’s view or interfere with vehicle operation (Art. 112, Reglamento de Tránsito). The DGT may confiscate improperly installed devices.
Violations risk fines up to ₡500,000 ($900 USD) for privacy breaches or obstruction charges. Local courts increasingly scrutinize dashcam evidence for compliance with Ley de Protección de Datos Personales (Law 9695), effective 2026, which mandates strict data retention and deletion protocols. Consult the Registro de Protección de Datos for updates on sector-specific restrictions.