Renting a Car in Costa Rica 2024: Complete Guide
Are you traveling to Costa Rica and thinking about renting a car? Renting a car in Costa Rica can seem expensive or daunting, but if you do a little research, it’s simple and safe.
Renting a car in Costa Rica is the best way to explore this beautiful country and visit its hidden gems or underrated destinations.
Discover the best places in Costa Rica on a fantastic 2-week Road Trip.
In our Costa Rica Travel Guide, you’ll find out where to rent a car, how much a rental car costs, whether you need a 4×4, and some driving tips.
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- Renting a Car in Costa Rica 2024: Complete Guide
- Is it Worth Renting a Car in Costa Rica?
- Is it Safe to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
- Why Should You Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
- Before Renting a Car in Costa Rica, You Need to Know
- What are the Requirements to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
- Do I Need to Rent a 4×4 in Costa Rica?
- Where to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
- How Much Does a Car Rental Cost in Costa Rica?
- Is it Safe to Drive in Costa Rica?
- Traffic and Road Conditions in Costa Rica
- Driving Tips for Costa Rica
- What Should I Do if I Have an Accident in Costa Rica?
- Travel Tips for Visiting Costa Rica
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Is it Worth Renting a Car in Costa Rica?
Absolutely! We did our 14-day Costa Rica Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.
Is it Safe to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
Yes! You can easily and safely rent a car in Costa Rica. Driving makes every trip to Costa Rica much easier and more flexible.
Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Costa Rica and apply for an e-visa online.
Why Should You Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
The best way to explore Costa Rica is by renting a car. Although public transport is cheap, travel time is long, and some places are not accessible by bus.
Renting a car in Costa Rica provides the freedom to explore at your own pace and visit hidden gems or get off the beaten path.
Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
If you have limited time to explore Costa Rica, save time and get the most out of your trip with a rental car.
There are no direct bus connections to the waterfalls. If you want to visit Rio Celeste Waterfall or Nauyaca Waterfalls independently, you should rent a car in Costa Rica.
Before Renting a Car in Costa Rica, You Need to Know
- Read the reviews of the car rental company and compare prices and conditions.
- You should check what is included in your reservation, such as insurance, free cancellation, airport transfers, taxes, young driver fees, etc.
- Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance is mandatory in Costa Rica! This is probably not included in the rental price or the car rental company will not accept any cover purchased from a third party website.
- Read about the conditions in which your car cannot be used. Driving crossing rivers or beaches is not covered by most insurance and is not recommended!
- During the high season (December to April), car rental prices can be extremely high! Therefore, we strongly recommend that you book your car in advance!
Renting a car in Costa Rica
- You don’t get your car at the airport. From San Jose Airport, a free shuttle will take you to car rental offices where you can pick up your car.
- Before you sign the rental terms and conditions, check the vehicle!
- Write any problems in the contract, and take photos and videos of scratches or dents on the car’s exterior!
- Check the inside to be sure everything works, such as air conditioning, windows, wipers, doors lock and unlock, trunk, etc.
- You should buy a Movistar or Kolbi SIM card with internet access and download an offline map.
- Plan your trip in advance, and check the location of gas stations.
- Use regular gasoline, not premium.
- Book accommodation with free parking, or ask your hotel where and how you can park safely.
- Toll roads are usually only paid in local cash, and petrol stations don’t always accept bank cards, so always carry colones.
- The rental cars cannot be taken across international borders to Panama or Nicaragua!
Recommended post → Best beaches in Costa Rica
What are the Requirements to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
There are only a few requirements for car rental in Costa Rica. You will need your original driver’s license, credit card, rental car insurance, and passport with a valid tourist visa stamp.
1. Passport and Driver’s License
Check your passport and driver’s license before you travel to Costa Rica, as they must be valid!
Good to know
In Costa Rica, you cannot use provisional driving licenses or photocopies!
Therefore, take care of your original documents and don’t lose them during your journey!
2. International Driving Permit (IDP)
Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Costa Rica? You don’t need an International driver’s license in Costa Rica unless your driver’s license from your home country is not in Roman script.
3. Credit Card
You cannot pay with cash, so you will need a bank card for the payment and hold the deposit. Most car rental companies in Costa Rica only accept credit cards!
Some car rental agencies accept debit cards but will pay a higher fee, so we recommend using a credit card!
Good to know
You can only use the driver’s credit or debit card for payment!
4. Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance
Liability Insurance is mandatory for driving in Costa Rica!
This is probably not included in the rental price, or the rental car company will not accept insurance purchased from a 3rd party website. But you can buy it when you pick up your car.
5. The minimum age to rent a car in Costa Rica is 21
Generally, you must be 25 years or older to rent a car from any car rental company in Costa Rica.
However, some car rental companies also allow drivers aged 18-24 to rent a car if they pay an extra of around 10-20 USD per day (young driver’s fee).
Keep reading → Costa Rica Itinerary for 7 Days
Do I Need to Rent a 4×4 in Costa Rica?
Not necessarily! But a car with higher ground clearance is worth booking for your Costa Rica Road Trip!
You don’t need to rent a four-wheel drive if you only plan to visit the main tourist places of Costa Rica, as you can reach them on highways and paved roads.
However, if you want to get off the beaten path or travel to rural areas, a 4WD is recommended. With a 4×4, you can get up steep mountains, reach jungle hotels in Uvita, and use the dirt and bumpy roads.
Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
You can reach popular destinations such as Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, and Manuel Antonio easily with a standard car.
But if you plan to visit Costa Rica in the rainy season, especially the area around Monteverde, 4WD is recommended.
Unfortunately, 4WDs are more expensive to rent but are well adapted to the terrain.
Good to know
Whether you rent a 4×4 or a regular car in Costa Rica depends on your preferences.
We rented a standard car for our 2-week trip to Costa Rica and had no problems with the road conditions.
Where to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
Wondering how to rent a car in Costa Rica? The best way is to book online, but you can also rent a car after you arrive at the airport.
Good to know
Some companies may run out of rental cars in high season, so you should book in advance!
There are many car rental companies in Costa Rica, with the best pick-up point at San Jose/Juan Santamaria International Airport (airport code SJO). But you can also pick up your car in Puerto Viejo, Tamarindo, Uvita, and Downtown San Jose.
We picked up our car in San Jose, the best place to start your Costa Rica Road Trip.
During our travels, we always use Discover Cars for car rentals. Because they always offer the best deals and provide free cancellation 48 hours before your reservation.
Read the reviews of the car rental company and compare prices and conditions. You should check what is included in your reservation, such as insurance, free cancellation, airport transfers, taxes, young driver fees, etc.
Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
How Much Does a Car Rental Cost in Costa Rica?
Renting a car in Costa Rica costs depend on the:
- Type of car (standard or 4×4)
- Manual or automatic vehicle
- Renting a car for a short or long-term
- Pick-up and drop-off locations are the same or different
- Type of coverage (Liability Insurance is required, but other insurance or protection is optional
- Renting a car in Costa Rica at peak or low season
- Will you rent extras such as GPS, surfboard roof racks, and child or baby seats
Most car rental companies require a deposit to cover any damage to your rental car in Costa Rica! The deposit varies between 500 and 2500 USD, depending on the selected cover and type of car. But if everything is fine with your car, you’ll get your money back within a few working days.
Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
Cheapest time to rent a car in Costa Rica
The cheapest time to visit Costa Rica is from May to November during the rainy (green) season when you can avoid the crowds and high prices.
Costa Rica car rental will cost around 40-50 USD in the low season with full coverage.
Liability Insurance is mandatory in Costa Rica, so if it is not included in your booking, you will have to pay an extra 15-20 USD per day.
The most expensive time to rent a car in Costa Rica
During the high season (December to April), car rental prices can be extremely high! Costa Rica car rental will cost around 50-70 USD in the peak season with full coverage.
The busiest times to visit Costa Rica are Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Easter, when car rental prices can double. Therefore, we strongly recommend you book your car in advance!
Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
Is it Safe to Drive in Costa Rica?
It is one of the most frequently asked questions about renting a car in Costa Rica. Driving in Costa Rica can be a challenge, especially for first-time visitors.
In Costa Rica, driving is more difficult in the rainy season (from May to November), and traffic in the capital is always chaotic.
Costa Rica has a lot of impatient drivers, and there can be animals and potholes on the roads. So drive carefully and obey speed limits and rules!
Good to know
Most bicycles don’t have lights, and many people walk on the road near beaches, so always drive carefully (especially in the dark)!
It is a bit more stressful for everyone to drive an unknown vehicle in a foreign country. But we have found driving in Costa Rica safe and easy, so we highly recommend renting a car.
We suggest defensive driving, planning your route, not driving at night, obeying speed limits, avoiding distractions while driving, and always setting off with a full tank!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Traffic and Road Conditions in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, as in the U.S. and most of Europe, you should drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Wondering what to expect when driving in Costa Rica? Road conditions in Costa Rica are very different depending on which part of the country you are driving in.
But in most areas, the roads are well-maintained and paved, but there are many potholes. However, there are some dirt and bumpy, unpaved roads where we don’t recommend driving without a 4×4.
When driving, be aware of some risks, such as potholes, one-lane bridges, narrow roads, bends, aggressive drivers, wild animals, and river crossings.
If you are driving in the wet season or after heavy rain, drive carefully! Driving crossing rivers or beaches is not covered by most insurance and is not recommended!
Good to know
Road signs are not always visible or simply missing!
In Costa Rica, parking is generally free everywhere! Except in some national parks, such as near Manuel Antonio National Park. Parking fees at the national parks range from 2000-4000 CRC (4-8 USD).
If you get any fines in Costa Rica, you don’t have to pay them to the traffic police on the scene but have to pay them at the car rental office after you drop off your car.
Good to know
The law prohibits you from leaving the country if you have unpaid fines, so pay them before you go to the airport.
Keep reading → Things to Do in La Fortuna
Driving Tips for Costa Rica
- Buy an eSIM and data package for Costa Rica.
- Waze is the best navigation app in Costa Rica. But you’ll also need an offline map if you don’t have an internet connection.
- As police check drivers routinely, always keep your documents and car rental agreement in your car.
- Don’t underestimate the distances and allow more time for travel.
- Beware of the potholes and speed bumps (topes)!
- Always wear your seat belt!
Read more → La Fortuna Waterfall Guide
- Don’t drive drunk!
- Avoid driving at night in Costa Rica!
- Don’t use your cell phone while driving in Costa Rica!
- Animals are often on the roads.
- Take care of your valuables! Always lock your car and keep your belongings in the car boot or your hotel room safe when parking.
- Obey the speed limits and rules!
What Should I Do if I Have an Accident in Costa Rica?
First, keep calm, and don’t move your car! Call 911 and report the accident, and they will send traffic police to your location, which can take up to a few hours, depending on traffic.
You cannot move the car or leave the scene until you receive a traffic ticket (accident report) from the police!
Contact your car rental company and your travel insurer as soon as possible!
TIP
To avoid problems, write down and give all information and take photos and videos.
Make sure you have travel insurance before you travel to Costa Rica.
Travel Tips for Visiting Costa Rica
- The best time to visit Costa Rica is usually from December to April during the dry season when the weather is pleasant and rainfall is rare.
- Tropical rains can occur at any time!
- Costa Rica is not a cheap country! It is also known as the Switzerland of Central America.
- Buy a Movistar or Kolbi SIM card with internet access.
Keep reading → Best Things to Do in Uvita
- You can drink tap water safely in most parts of Costa Rica but always ask at your accommodation.
- Wear closed hiking shoes and lightweight, quick-dry clothes, as the weather is always warm and humid. But you’ll also need warm clothes to visit the Monteverde area.
- Your packing list for Costa Rica should include mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a swimsuit, a hat, a light raincoat, a waterproof backpack, and a power bank.
- The best places to see sloths in Costa Rica are Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, La Fortuna, the Jaguar Rescue Center, and Manuel Antonio National Park.
TIP
Save money, avoid ATM transaction fees when going abroad, and pay in local currency with a Wise Card.
- Single-use plastic bottles are prohibited in Costa Rica national parks, so bring a refillable bottle!
- The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colones (CRC), but the US dollar is accepted almost everywhere.
- Always carry enough cash! During our travels, we found it cheaper to pay with local colones.
- It always gets dark early in Costa Rica (between 5:30 PM and 6 PM). We don’t recommend driving at night!
Recommended post → Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica
We hope our Costa Rica Car Rental Guide will help you plan your next trip. If you have any questions or thoughts about renting a car in Costa Rica, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM: – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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