Childseats – does my child need one?

• May 31, 2020
• MiWeb
• 0 comment

Child Seating

 

Traveling with children?

Check through our guidelines for the child seating regulations in place according to Costa Rican law—you may be surprised!

Make sure that your car rental agency is aware of the children in your party that require seating. Car rental agencies provide child and booster seats, usually at a daily fee, but these should be reserved at the time of rental confirmation, especially if arriving in high season.

Child seating regulations based on age, weight and height
Type of Seat	Group	Age	Weight	Height
Baby seat	0*	0 months to one year	Less than 10 kg/22 lbs.	Up to 75 cm/2.5 feet.
	0+		Less than 13 kg/29 lbs.
Child seat	I	1-4 years	Between 9 and 18 kg/20 and 40 lbs.	Between 75 and 110 cm/2.5 and 3.6 feet.
Booster seat (with back)	II	4-6 years	Between 15 and 25 kg/33 and 55 lbs.	Between 110 and 145 cm/3.6 feet and 4.8 feet.
Booster	III	6-12 years	Between 22 and 36 kg/49 and 79 lbs.

*0 is the smallest size but isn’t frequently used, as the 0+ is also rear-facing but can be used until the infant is older and heavier.

Calculating the correct child seat is based on three factors: age, height and weight of the child. This may appear confusing but the Ministry of Transport and Public Works confirms that the most important of these is the height of the child. Regulations stipulate that to travel without any type of seating, the child must be tall enough for their feet to touch the floor of the vehicle and for the seat belt to secure across the chest.

 

The following examples should clarify how to use the chart above:

Age	Weight	Height	Type of seating
13 months	29 lbs	2.3 feet	Baby seat
10 years	63 lbs	5 feet	No child seating required
5 years	45 lbs	4 feet	Booster with back
3 years	36 lbs	3.4 feet	Child seat

 

Note that child seating cannot be used in the front seat of a vehicle. A child may only sit in the front passenger seat at the age of 12 or older.

 

Seat placement

There are clear legal guidelines for the organization of child seating. The baby seat should be fitted into the center of the back seat. A child seat should be fitted behind the passenger seat, and in the case of three children, the biggest child should have their seating fitted behind the driver.

 

Bring your own child seating

Airlines permit that customers travel with child seating, although this is obviously bulky. Check that the child seating used by your children in your home country conforms to Costa Rican regulations.