If you’re thinking of renting a car in Costa Rica, you’ll likely have a lot of questions! Driving in a different country is always an adventure and it helps to be prepared with what to expect.
I’ve made 13 trips to Costa Rica in the past 3 years and now I live in Monteverde, Costa Rica. I know firsthand that driving in Costa Rica doesn’t have to be too stressful as long as you plan ahead.
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Pros Vs. Cons
The decision to rent a car in Costa Rica can be a biiiit stressful. Here are some pros and cons of both. Keep reading for all the details! In the end, the decision is of course up to you!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can plan to visit more towns in Costa Rica | The driving is a lot different from in the US. |
| Save money on taxis and shuttles. | It can be an expensive option. |
| Visit places off-the-beaten-path. | You’ll need to pay some fees. |
| Take adventures at your leisure. | Make sure you feel confident using technology. |
| Enjoy the company of only those in your party. |
Pros of renting a car in Costa Rica
Renting a car is the best way to go on excursions in Costa Rica without relying on bus schedules or paying hundreds of dollars for private shuttles.
Here are some of what I think are the advantages of renting a car in Costa Rica:
- You can plan to visit more towns in Costa Rica. Cutting out wait times for buses and shuttles means you can plan to visit more places if you rent a car. When you can leave early in the morning, you can get the drive done early and enjoy your next destination to the fullest.
- Save money on taxis and shuttles. At first, renting a car might seem expensive but once you factor in shuttles and taxis, expenses really start to add up when you don’t rent a car. Sometimes, renting a car in Costa Rica is the most economical especially when you have a lot of tours planned.
- Visit places off-the-beaten-path. Renting a car gives you the freedom to go anywhere, including places that aren’t as commonly visited by tourists. Places that are less touristy are also often not easily accessible without a car. Having a car gives you the opportunity to see the less-traveled spots.
- Take adventures at your leisure. You can be a little spontaneous if you decide to rent a car in Costa Rica. If you don’t rent a car, you’ll need to rely on transport services, which usually need to be arranged in advance. Plus when you rent a car, you’ll have the freedom to stop along the way if you see a cool fruit stand or someone needs to go to the bathroom.
- Enjoy the company of only those in your party. Shared shuttles and public transportation will require being in the company of strangers for lengthy periods of time. If you want a more private experience where you can enjoy the company of just your party, renting a car is the way to go.
Cons of renting a car in Costa Rica
There are also a few downsides to renting a car in Costa Rica that you should consider:
- The driving is a lot different from in the US. Often, the top concern tourists have when planning to rent a car in Costa Rica is whether or not it is safe to drive here. Driving in a different country with unfamiliar customs and laws can be an intimidating experience. That said, if you drive carefully and follow the rules of the road, you should have no problem driving in Costa Rica.
- It can be an expensive option. Renting a car is more expensive than taking public transportation in Costa Rica or taking shared shuttles (although these options can also start to add up if you have many destinations on your list). It’s important to do the math and take into account how important the convenience of a car is to you on your vacation.
- You’ll need to pay some fees. Aside from the fee for the car itself, you’ll need to pay for insurance coverage, gas, and any tolls on the road. These fees can start to add up, depending on the length of your vacation.
- Make sure you feel confident using technology. To safely get around Costa Rica by car, you’ll need to feel comfortable using navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze. It’s also very helpful to have a translation app available in the event you need to communicate in Spanish during your journey.
Car Rental Locations in Costa Rica
Although you will find smaller car rental locations throughout the county, the two post popular locations are near the San Jose and Liberia airports.
From San Jose Airport:
As you’re exiting the San Jose Airport, you’ll see a line of car rental kiosks for various rental car companies including Budget, Economy, and Alamo. Go to the counter on arrival to pick up your reserved vehicle or if the company isn’t at the counter, meet the rental car company driver outside in the pickup area. The company you book with should give you specific instructions on how to pick up your rental car.
From Liberia Airport:
There is a also rental car counter on your way out of the airport in Liberia (simply follow the signs for “car rental”) for major rental car companies like Enterprise and Budget car rentals.
Or, if you’ve made a reservation with a car rental company online, they should provide instructions for you to meet a driver to take you to get your car.
Car Rental Companies in Costa Rica
The number of available options for car rentals might seem overwhelming, so let’s take a look at what I think are some of the best car rental companies in Costa Rica
Alamo
I use Alamo every time I rent a car in Costa Rica because of their great customer service, reasonable pricing, and convenient airport pickup and drop-offs 24/7 from the San Jose airport. They have a fleet of various-sized cars available and I’ve always found them to be high quality and easy to drive.
They have a kiosk in the San Jose airport and upon arrival, you simply go to their counter and they will arrange transport for you to get your rental car 24/7. If you’re flying into Liberia, their website states their hours are 6 AM to 10 PM so be sure to plan in advance.
Adobe
Adobe is a very popular rental car company in Costa Rica that is often cheaper than Alamo and offers comparable service.
When you arrive at the San Jose airport, the representative from Adobe will be standing outside holding a sign with your name on it and they can take you to the Adobe office where you’ll get your car.
Similarly, at the Liberia airport, simply speak with an agent to give your flight details when you make your reservation and they can arrange for pick up with their free shuttle.
Adobe has locations all across Costa Rica so if you need help, you can contact their number at any time.
Vamos
Vamos is one of the cheaper rental car companies recommended by tourists for its great service. It’s worth noting that they only have offices in San Jose and Liberia, unlike the other two companies, which are more widespread across the country.
Also, they place a large hold on your credit card depending on the insurance plan you purchase. If there is no damage to the car, the entire deposit will be refunded to you when you return the car.
Requirements for Renting a Car in Costa Rica
| Form of Payment | Valid Driver’s License | Passport | 18+ |
To rent a car in Costa Rica, you need a form of payment, a valid driver’s license, and your passport. You also need to comply with the rental car company’s age requirements, which can be 18 and above in some cases but check with the company’s policy when you’re making the reservation. You will also be required to purchase an insurance plan (but more on that a little later).
Be sure to review the rental car company’s specific requirements for bookings and cancellations so you’re aware of how much flexibility you can build into your planning.
Price of Renting a Car in Costa Rica
| Daily Fees | ~$50-$150 per day |
| Rental Insurance | ~$40-$60 per day |
| Gas | ~$5 per gallon |
| Tolls | ~$1-$2 per toll |
Rental cars will have a daily fee anywhere from $50-150 per day depending on the company you book with. Also keep in mind that fees can be more expensive in the Costa Rica dry season between December and April when there are more tourists in the country and a higher demand for vehicles.
Rental insurance will also be mandatory, which is usually $40-60 per day.
Next you’ll want to look up gas prices in Costa Rica before your trip. Usually, prices are around $5 per gallon for regular fuel but this can change depending on the market. You can call the rental car company of your choice before your trip and ask them what prices are currently like in Costa Rica so you can be prepared.
Tolls are generally about $1-2. In general, it’s helpful to have about 5,000 colones in your car for road trips in case you need cash for the tolls.
Costa Rica Rental Car Insurance
You will be required to have car insurance when you rent a car in Costa Rica. This will range from mandatory third party liability coverage to coverage that is more complete and covers collision, theft, or damage to the vehicle.
Some car insurance companies also offer roadside assistance as an add on, so you should ask about that if you’d like to be able to call the rental car company for help in an emergency.
Tips for Driving in Costa Rica
Gas Stations in Costa Rica
You’ll find your experience at a Costa Rican gas station very similar to a gas station in the US although many of them are full service. It’s up to you if you’d like to tip for full service, but it would be appreciated by gas station staff for sure.
Tolls
Expect tolls in Costa Rica during road trips, similar to toll stations in the US. Your navigation apps will alert you to upcoming tolls. Having some cash on hand in the car to use for tolls is a good idea. Bring approximately 5,000 colones to cover the cost of tolls on the road in Costa Rica.
Navigation
The best apps for navigation in Costa Rica are Waze and Google Maps. Most businesses will recommend using Waze, but I’ve always found Waze a little confusing.
Google Maps has always worked just fine for me. That said, if you put your location into Google Maps and are having a hard time getting to your destination, try Waze instead.
It’s best to have both these apps downloaded in advance of your trip to Costa Rica!
Driving Tips From a Local
Driving in Costa Rica can be different from driving in the US. Some of the biggest differences are:
- Motorcycles. There are a very large number of motorcycles and scooters on the roads in Costa Rica. Be mindful at all times of who is around you and know that motorcyclists can come up on either side at any time
- Yielding to Pedestrians. In Costa Rica, it’s not common for drivers to yield to pedestrians like is the rule in the US. If you’re a pedestrian you need to wait for a walk signal in the crosswalk or allow cars to go by prior to crossing the street.
- Stop Signs. You should obey stop signs in Costa Rica. You may sometimes see drivers come to a rolling stop especially if there is clearly no one coming from the other direction, but I always obey stop signs to be on the safe side.
- Traffic Lights. Traffic lights in Costa Rica are sometimes not obeyed late at night when the roads are all but empty. During the day, drivers almost always obey traffic lights and I certainly obey them when I drive in Costa Rica.
- Merging onto the Highway. Be aware that you will often have a very short amount of space to merge so be aware of your surroundings and who is coming up behind you (especially motorcycle drivers).
- Avoid Rush Hour. Just like in the US, there is a rush hour in Costa Rica between approximately 8-9 AM and 4-6 PM. Especially when driving in and out of major cities, do your best to avoid driving within these times.
Money-Saving Tips for Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Renting a car can be expensive in Costa Rica, but it is sometimes the most economical option especially if you’re traveling in a group and splitting expenses. Even still, you may be interested in ways to save money on renting a car in Costa Rica.
If saving money is your biggest priority, choose a budget rental like Adobe or Vamos. Next, the insurance will be your second biggest expense depending on how much coverage you want. You can opt for basic coverage to save money but weigh that against how much risk you’re willing to take on in the event there is damage to the car.
It could be a good idea to check with your credit card company and find out what insurance coverages they might offer for car rentals. You will need to provide proof of coverage to the car rental company, so be sure to request documentation that your rental will be covered.
You can also save money by renting a smaller vehicle with better gas mileage. Of course, take into account the locations you are traveling to and whether or not you can safely arrive in a smaller car without four-wheel drive.
Costa Rica Rental Car FAQ’s
- Do I need 4-wheel Drive?
You may or may not need 4-wheel drive depending on the towns in Costa Rica you will be traveling to. If you are planning a trip to a mountainous region in Costa Rica and have accommodations somewhere rural, you might need 4-wheel drive (in Monteverde for example). Talk with the hotel staff or Airbnb host to learn if they think a 4-wheel drive vehicle will be necessary.
- When can I find the cheapest car rentals?
You’ll find the cheapest rental car options in Costa Rica during the country’s “slow season” from May until November. In particular, you will find the most reasonable prices from September through November. Keep in mind though that this is also the height of the Costa Rica rainy season. Expect tropical rains that could affect driving conditions.
- Is it safe to rent a car in Costa Rica?
Safe driving skills are important in any country and Costa Rica is no exception. It’s best to be prepared in advance with the proper navigation apps, knowledge of the driving conditions in Costa Rica, and proper insurance policies. If safety is your number one concern, consider getting the full insurance coverage and ask if you can include roadside assistance as an add-on.
Other ways to get around in Costa Rica
Renting a car in Costa Rica may not be the best choice for everyone. You may want to save money or experience a greater sense of adventure on your visit to Costa Rica by taking shuttles or public transportation. Let’s take a look at some other ways to get around Costa Rica if you decide not to rent a car.
Bus
Taking the bus in Costa Rica is a good choice for budget travelers and backpackers looking to save money. Generally bus tickets are $10 or so one-way, making this the most economical choice for most travelers. That said, take into account needing to take taxis and shuttles to tours and bus stations if you don’t rent a car.
Even though this may be the cheapest option, you need to be a savvy traveler to take the bus and it also helps to know Spanish. It’s a lot of work figuring out what buses to take and where the bus stations are, but if you’re willing and able to ask for help when you need it, you should be able to navigate the bussing system in Costa Rica.
Shuttles
Shared or private shuttles might be a good option for travelers who feel uncomfortable renting a car but also do not want to take the bus. Private shuttles offer the convenience of door-to-door pickup at the time that is most convenient for you, but this is the most expensive shuttle option.
Shared shuttles on the other hand have fixed pick-up and drop-off times and you need to go to a specific meeting place but are the cheaper choice.
Inquire in advance with tour companies when doing excursions to find out what kind of transportation options they have to get to and from the tour. Many tour operators will either provide free transportation or pick you up and drop you off for a small fee.
Taxis
Taxis can be a convenient way to get around if you decide not to rent a car. When you take a taxi in Costa Rica, make sure you only use licensed red taxis with a yellow triangle rather than unmarked cars. Uber is not legal in Costa Rica but the app is widely used, especially in the capital city of San Jose.
So, Should You Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
Your choice to rent a car in Costa Rica will depend on your budget, your preferences for convenience, and your desire for control over your time on vacation. Renting a car can be worth the price if you want to explore as much of Costa Rica as possible on your own timetable.
Driving in a different country is always an adventure so it’s totally normal to feel nervous! You have no reason to worry if you’ve done your homework in advance about what to expect when renting a car in Costa Rica.
Lindsay Gantz lives in Monteverde, Costa Rica with her husband who is Costa Rican. She helps visitors plan trips to Costa Rica and also organizes small group trips for solo female travelers. You can reach her on Instagram or by email at [email protected]
