Renting cars in Costa Rica is the best way to get around. You can go off the beaten track and have the freedom to explore new things. Driving in Costa Rica is easy. And the rental vehicle prices are low. Here we’ll share everything you need to know to about renting a car in Costa Rica, including where to go, how to get there, and how to get around once you have a car.
Why You Should Consider Renting Cars in Costa Rica
If you plan to visit different places, you should definitely consider renting a car for the duration of your trip. Renting a car gives you the flexibility to explore wherever you want, whenever you want. You also avoid public transportation with other people, and you get to see places you wouldn’t otherwise visit. The advantages of renting a vehicle in Costa Rica are obvious — go where you want, when, and how you want. You can also minimize the time spent waiting around for your transportation. Renting cars in Costa Rica will allow you to explore all the best spots around the country. Plus, you might not be comfortable with public transit or shuttles. When you rent a car, you are responsible for any damages caused by yourself or others while driving. Also, you must be aware of traffic laws and regulations. Driving in Costa Rica is very similar to driving in the United States. You don’t need special license plates or insurance, but you still need to follow all the rules. Additionally, having travel insurance is definitely a plus when you’re traveling and can certainly help if anything happens.
Requirements for Renting Cars in Costa Rica
You will need a valid passport, a valid tourist Visa stamp, and a valid original driver’s license from your home country to drive legally and rent a car in Costa Rica. You may need an International Driver’s License depending on what foreign country you come from and what language your driver’s license is in. If you are driving in Costa Rica with a U.S. driver’s license, you do not need to get an international driver’s license.
In Costa Rica, you must be at least 18 years old to drive a vehicle. Most rental car companies require a driver to be at least 23 years old. Some companies like Budget and Hertz will accept drivers as young as 21 but charge an additional fee. Be aware of your own country’s laws before renting a car in another country. Senior drivers may not need to pay additional insurance fees, but they must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Pricing for Renting Cars in Costa Rica
When you consider all of the costs associated with traveling within Costa Rica, it might seem like flying is the best option. However, there are many reasons why taking a flight isn’t always the best choice. First, when you compare the price of airfare versus other forms of travel, you will notice that flying is often expensive. Second, you may miss a lot of hidden gems if you decide to fly rather than drive. Third, if you are looking for a unique experience, then you may feel overwhelmed by the number of choices available to you. Fourth, if you want to visit multiple destinations, then you may end up paying more for each trip.
Renting a car becomes much more affordable when you consider the additional cost of hiring a private shuttle. A roundtrip taxi ride or private shuttle between San José and La Fortuna could come out to about $350 USD. So, if you rent a car in Costa Rica, you could save money.
Overall Costs of Renting Cars in Costa Rica
Car rentals vary greatly depending on what kind of vehicle you need. When looking at car rental rates, you should consider the following factors: Availability, insurance options, extra amenities, taxes, etc.
A mid-size SUV rental in San Jose, Costa Rica during “normal” times would cost around $200 USD a week. The same car could cost $600 a week during Christmas and New Year’s. However, the price does depend on availability and insurance coverage fees. You may receive an even lower price if you book directly with the rental car company.
If you plan on renting a car for several days, make sure you get a full coverage policy. A full-coverage policy covers damage to the vehicle, theft, collision, liability, damages to other vehicles, medical expenses, personal injury, legal fees, etc.
Expensive Times to Rent a Car in Costa Rica
Renting a car in Costa Rica during high season (late November to April) is not recommended. Prices will be higher, availability for renting cars will be lower and there may be long lines at every rental car company counter. You should plan your road trip around the low season when rental cars are available and cheaper.
Cheapest Times to Rent a Car in Costa Rica
Low season means fewer tourists, lower prices, and more cars available. If you’re looking to rent a car at a great price, we recommend booking your rental well ahead of time in the low season, which is also known as the rainy season and is in May, June, September – November.
Rental Insurance for Renting Cars in Costa Rica
You definitely should have some type of insurance when renting a car in Costa Rica because accidents do happen. You don’t want someone else to pay for damages if something happens to your vehicle. Plus, having rental insurance, whether it’s mandatory insurance or liability insurance, is actually required by Costa Rican law.
If you rent a car through an online booking engine, you will often see an additional charge for insurance. Insurance companies usually cover and protect the original driver under their own plans, however, they may not cover additional drivers. If you don’t purchase the insurance from the rental agency directly, you may not be fully insured. Others will charge extra for it. That’s what some people consider “hidden fees”.
If you’re unsure about whether or not you need rental car insurance, just ask the agent at the counter before you book your reservation.
Cost of Gas in Costa Rica
In March 2022, the gas prices of Costa Rican gas rose. Currently, the price of gas in Costa Rica is around 804 colones per liter, which is approximately $5 USD per gallon. Different grades of gas are obviously more expensive. The average cost of a trip in an SUV is around $80-$150 dollars depending on the distance traveled.
Additional Costs for Renting Cars in Costa Rica
If you rent a car in Costa Rica, there are a few additional fees that you should be aware of. You’ll have to pay a toll fee at different exits along the way. These range from 200 – 800 colones (about 20 cents to $1.50 USD), depending on the type of vehicle you drive.
If you’re driving a very dirty car, you might also need to bring it to the car wash. If you return the car extremely filthy, the agency will charge you around $100 USD for a cleaning fee. If caught smoking in the vehicle, you will get fined. Finally, there are some extra amenities that you need to consider before booking a rental. These include GPS, WiFi, and other items.
What Kind of Car Should I Rent in Costa Rica?
Cerro Pelado, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
The type and size of car you need will depend on what you plan to do while traveling in Costa Rica. If you are going to visit all the national parks with a group then you will need something bigger like an SUV or minivan. If you are planning on staying closer to San José, you could get away with a compact car.
For the cheapest price rentals in Costa Rica, opt for a sedan. You‘ll have options like a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, which are great for zip-zapping around. If you want a more equipped rental vehicle, ask your rental car agency for an adventure mobile. Something like a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or Geely Gx5 as it’s durable. There are many options when renting cars in Costa Rica. If you’d prefer something bigger, check out the Toyota 4Runner or Mitsubishi ASX.
Renting 4X4 Cars in Costa Rica – Is It Necessary?
Most of Costa Rica’s terrain does not require a 4WD vehicle. A high clearance car is more important than having a 4X4 car. If you plan to visit Monteverde, you will need a high clearance vehicle. There are some unpaved roads that are rough. A Four-Wheel Drive is recommended in the dry season, especially if visiting areas outside of the capital city, San Jose. The main roads are paved, but once you’re out of major cities and towns, the secondary road conditions get pretty rough. The road to Caracol is unpaved and has many potholes. Drake Bay has bad dirt roads and muddy rivers. Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, and Puerto Viejo don’t need a 4X4 car to get around, even though Puerto Viejo is on the opposite side of the country. For navigating through Uvita and the Osa Peninsula, you will definitely need a 4X4. To be on the safer side and have peace of mind, we do recommend getting a 4WD with high clearance.
Should I Get a Manual or Automatic Rental Car?
If you’re looking for an inexpensive option, renting a manual vehicle might be your best bet. These vehicles are often less expensive than automatic ones. However, you need to make sure that you’re comfortable with a manual as there are a lot of steep hills and uneven ground in Costa Rica.
Car Rental Companies in Costa Rica
One of the best ways to look for car rental companies is by utilizing Google or Google Maps to find a car rental company near you. Most car rental agencies do not accept debit cards, so make sure you have a major credit card or ask about the accepted payment methods beforehand.
Alamo Car Rental
Alamo is a popular car rental company in Costa Rica and Central America. Alamo’s rates are cheaper than those offered by other companies. However, if you go through their website, they do not offer insurance coverage. So, instead, you may decide to go through RentalCars.com, which allows you to rent a car without requiring any additional policies. It also made it easier to compare all the available options. For more information and reviews on Alamo Car Rental, specifically the branch at San José Airport, you can read more here!
Sixt
SIXT services offer a wide selection of vehicles including sedans, pickup trucks, passenger vans, and SUVs. You can add GPS to your rental to help you stay on course. If you need extra protection for your passengers, consider adding an extra driver or additional drivers. Child safety seats are available for children under 2 years old. Whether you’ve got a short-term rental or an extended stay planned, SIXT has something for everyone.
Enterprise
Enterprise Rent-A‑Car has many convenient car rental locations throughout Costa Rica and Central America including airports and city locations.
Adobe Rent-A-Car
Adobe Rent-A-Car has been delivering a complete car rental service at an affordable price, with no hidden charges, total protection, and zero-deductible insurance available since 1990. Adobe Rent-A-Car has a minimum renting age of 23. Adobe Rent-A-Car offers 3 types of insurance, including liability insurance, car protection, and extended protection. Adobe Rent-A-Car also offers shuttles that take you to and from their locations.
Vamos Rent-A-Car
Vamos Rent-A-Car is an independently owned, Costa Rican car rental company, serving since 2004. We offer affordable choices to everyone. They have an extensive collection of new and meticulously maintained cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs that are clean, reliable, and safe. You’ll also get free roadside assistance, 24-hour emergency service, and a warranty that covers everything except wear and tear. They also offer door-to-door delivery services to any location within Costa Rica for a nominal fee. They have friendly, English-speaking staff ready to assist you through the rental process.
Extra Tips for Renting Cars in Costa Rica
Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Renting a vehicle in Costa Rica should not be stressful. We’ve put together a few tips and suggestions to help you avoid any problems during your trip.
- Research is important when choosing a provider. You will want to consider cost, location, and reputation. Make sure that you choose a reputable company that offers mandatory insurance and roadside assistance. Also, check if there are any hidden fees or charges.
- You may think you understand what your online quote includes, but almost all online quotes do not always include mandatory insurance. Most often, when you book online, you will be asked to choose an option to add optional liability insurance coverage. However, when you get to the counter at the airport or at the rental office, ask about the total cost and check to see if there are is an additional cost before signing anything. You might be surprised to find out that it does not include mandatory car rental insurance!
- When you are booking a car through a third party, confirm the details of your reservation. Make sure that the car you reserve is indeed available and that the additional charges are included in the price. Be aware that there might be extra charges. Some car rental companies add on fees for things like an airport fee or airport tax, a license plate fee, or charge for additional miles. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before renting a vehicle. Watch out for things like license plates, airport fees, charges for unlimited mileage, or extra charges for additional drivers.
- Also note that it is not possible for you to pay the deposit (the rental fee) in cash, and you need to provide a credit card. Debit cards aren’t accepted either. You may be required to provide a credit card even if you rent for a short period of time. Make sure your credit card limit allows for that. Also, ensure that you have credit card insurance and quick access to your credit card company in case anything goes wrong.
- Always inspect the vehicle before signing the contract. Take photos of every single thing you see inside the car. You should also take photos of the exterior of the car, including the license plate number, and note any damages.
- Never forget to report any accidents or issues that occur while driving. No matter what type of auto insurance policies you have, you need to file a claim within 30 days after the incident occurred.
- Download the Google Maps app if you haven’t already to help you navigate the roads of Costa Rica. Usually, the information on Google Maps is accurate, especially when it comes to fundamental buildings and structures like San Jose Airport, Liberia Airport or other International Airports.
- Make sure you follow all the traffic laws in Costa Rica. Do not exceed the speed limit. Make sure you are familiar with all the road signs. Wear your seat belt at all times.
Where Will You Be Staying in Costa Rica?
Now that you’ve got your means of transportation, you may be wondering where you should be lodging. You can choose from various options ranging from hotels, all-inclusive resorts, homestays, or even AirBnbs. Here’s a great extensive article on the best all inclusive resorts in Costa Rica.
