Car Rental in Costa Rica – What You Should Know (2024)

Below you can find concise tips if you are looking for a car rental in Costa Rica

Requirements

The only requirements for to rent a car in Costa Rica:

• An original driver’s license valid for more than two consecutive years after its first issue date. Valid for 90 days from the date of entry to Costa Rica.
• A valid MasterCard, VISA, or American Express for vehicle security deposit.
•  Debit Cards ARE NOT ACCEPTED
• Valid Passport.

Minimum Age

The minimum age to rent a car is different for each car rental. Most then impose a fee for drivers at 18-24 years of age.

The minimum age and under-age rate are as follows:

• Avis – 21 years, 21-23 under-age: $10/day.
• Adobe – 23 years old, no under-age charge.
• Sixt – 21 years old, no under-age charge.
• Amigo – 24 years, 21-24 under-age fee: $20/day
• Economy – 18, under-ager 18 to 21: $10/day.
• Dollar – 21 years, no under-age charge.
• Hertz – Just a valid driver license.

Where to hire a car

The main points where you can rent a car are:

• Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO): Most car rentals are available in this terminal.
• Liberia, Daniel Oduber (LIB): Most car rentals are available in this terminal.
• Manuel Antonio:
  • Thrifty Car Rental https://thriftycr.com/en/
  • Alamo Rent a Car https://www.alamo.cr/
  • Economy Rent a Car https://www.economyrentacar.com/ Car rental
  • Adobe https://www.adobecar.com/es

• Tamarindo:
  • Europcar https://europcar.co.cr/
  • Economy https://www.economyrentacar.com/
  • Amigo https://www.amigorentacar.cr/
  • Alamo https://www.alamo.cr/
  • National https://www.nationalcar.com/en/car-rental/locations/cr.html
  • Enterprise https://www.enterprise.com/en/car-rental-locations.html
  • Sixt https://www.sixt.co.cr/
  • Adobe https://www.adobecar.com/es
  • Avis https://www.avis.cr/es

• La Fortuna
  • Mapache https://mapache.com/en-US/
  • Alamo https://www.alamo.cr/
  • Adobe https://www.adobecar.com/es
  • Avis https://www.avis.cr/es

• Puerto Viejo
  • Adobe https://www.adobecar.com/es
  • Alamo https://www.alamo.cr/
  • National https://www.nationalcar.com/en/car-rental/locations/cr.html
  • Enterprise https://www.enterprise.com/en/car-rental-locations.html

• Uvita
  • Solid https://www.solidcarrental.com/
  • Alamo https://www.alamo.cr/
  • National https://www.nationalcar.com/en/car-rental/locations/cr.html
  • ec https://ecrentacar.cr/
  • Herz https://hertz.cr/
  • Adobe https://www.adobecar.com/es

Car returns to a different location

There is an excellent rental car network in Costa Rica, you mostly can pick up the car at one location and make the drop-off at a different location. There is an extra fee from $50 to $100.

To see where you can return your rented car, use this complete rental map.

Car rental prices

For complete comparative prices and savings, a comparative price can help you save up to $700 on a two-week car rental.