Car rental in Costa Rica

Mandatory insurance: the biggest surprise in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a mandatory insurance required by law: third-party liability. It can't be declined and no credit card covers it, even if your card includes rental car insurance.

That's why many booking sites show very low prices that leave it out, and at the counter the price doubles or triples.

Our price already includes it. What we send you on WhatsApp is what you pay, with no surprises at the counter.

On top of that, the rental company blocks a security deposit on your credit card. The amount depends on the company and the coverage, and we tell you when we quote.

Picking up your car at the airport

Almost all our customers pick up at San José airport (SJO), in Alajuela, about 20 minutes from the capital. If you're heading straight to the Guanacaste beaches, Liberia airport (LIR) is the better choice.

At both airports most rental companies have their office outside, a few minutes away. When you leave arrivals, a rental company employee meets you and takes you on a free shuttle to the office, where you sign the contract and collect the car. Your voucher explains how to find them.

Pick up in daylight if you can. It gets dark around 5:30 pm all year, and many roads have no lighting. If your flight lands at night, the easiest option is to sleep near the airport and collect the car the next morning.

What you need to pick up the car

There are three things, and all three are mandatory. Without any of them the rental company won't hand over the car.

A credit card in the main driver's name. The deposit is blocked on it. Debit cards, cash and someone else's card are not accepted.

A physical, valid driver's license. Your home license works while you're there as a tourist. A license on your phone, photos or copies won't work.

A passport with your entry stamp. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver fee. That's why we ask your age before quoting.

If your license isn't in the Latin alphabet, such as an Israeli one, you also need an International Driving Permit.

Do I need a 4x4?

It depends on your route, and we tell you when we quote.

A regular car is enough for San José, Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo on the main road.

A 4x4 or a high-clearance SUV is recommended for Monteverde, Santa Teresa and Montezuma, the Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay, Río Celeste and mountain roads in the rainy season.

Almost all our customers in Costa Rica choose an SUV, because that's what the trip calls for. One important point: driving through a river voids the insurance, even in a 4x4.

When to travel and when to book

High season, or dry season, runs from mid-December to late April. Christmas, New Year and Easter week are the most expensive weeks, and SUVs sell out.

May to November is the green season: it usually rains in the afternoon and mornings are often nice. May, June and November are shoulder months, with better prices.

The Caribbean side works the other way round: September and October are its driest months.

If you travel over the holidays or in January, book early. If you can, pick up before December 20 or after January 3: there are more SUVs available and better prices.

Driving in Costa Rica: what to know

Use Waze or Google Maps. Many addresses have no street number and are given by landmarks, and both apps work very well across the country.

Allow more time than the map says. Roads have one lane each way, with curves, trucks and mountain stretches.

Gas stations are full service. Tell the attendant which fuel the car takes: "súper" or "regular" for gasoline, or diesel. Check the fuel cap before filling up.

There are few tolls, mostly on the roads out of San José. Carry some cash in case the booth doesn't take cards.

Don't leave anything visible inside the car when you park, not even for a short while.

Which category suits your trip

For two people staying on main roads, a midsize car is enough.

For most routes, the most popular choice is a midsize SUV: higher clearance, a bigger trunk and good on dirt roads.

For families or groups, the 7-seat SUV. If seven of you travel with large suitcases, tell us how many, because with the third row up the trunk is small.

We guarantee the category, not the exact model: the rental company assigns it at pickup.

The most common route

Most of our customers do a 7 to 14 day loop: San José, La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and back to San José. Others add the Guanacaste beaches or the Caribbean.

If you start or finish in Guanacaste, you can pick up at one airport and drop off at the other. The rental company usually charges a fee for this, and we include it in your quote.

The most expensive mistakes

Comparing prices without the mandatory insurance. The low price on a booking site is almost never what you pay at the counter.

Driving through a river. The insurance doesn't cover any damage, and water damage is among the most expensive.

Driving at night out of the airport. Unlit roads, curves and rain: better to pick up in daylight.

Signing without reading. Extras are sometimes offered at the desk, and they end up in the contract you sign. If something doesn't match your booking, message us before signing.