Car Rental at San Jose Airport
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:
Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Mini
Kia Picanto
or similar
$40.91
per day
Compact
Toyota Rush
or similar
$60.12
per day
Economy
Nissan March
or similar
$74.60
per day
Intermediate
Kia Rio
or similar
$76.63
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Standard
Toyota Corolla
or similar
$90.76
/ per day
Full-size
Toyota RAV4
or similar
$104.14
/ per day
Full-size Elite
Hyundai Creta
or similar
$104.14
/ per day
Luxury
Toyota Prado
or similar
$150.38
/ per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 15:42 on 2023-03-30. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2022
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2022
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2022
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Travel Information
Language
Spanish,
English
English
Currency
CRC
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
506
Average car rental price
$87.71 / per day
Average car rental length
12 days
Speed limit within town
40 km/h
25 mph
Speed limit out of town
40 - 60 km/h
25 - 37 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.02%
Average gasoline price
$1.60 / 1 liter
Highest gasoline price
$2.00 / 1 liter
Lowest gasoline price
$1.32 / 1 liter
Airport Car Rental
Arguably the most popular travel destination in Central America, Costa Rica is known for its pristine beaches, lush rainforest, and imposing volcanoes. Although sometimes overlooked for these natural riches, the national capital, San Jose, and the region that surrounds it also offer plenty of excitement and things to see and do. These are three of the most interesting experiences in and around San Jose:
- The Gold Museum. Also known as the Pre-Columbian Museum, this cultural institution features in practically every tourism booklet of San Jose, but that is only a testament to how interesting it is. Dedicated to the heritage of the many fascinating indigenous cultures that inhabited the area before the arrival of the Europeans, it has a special focus on their goldwork and jewelry.
- Cartago. The former capital of Costa Rica, Cartago has lost some of its political importance, but none of the charm. Home to fascinating colonial architecture, the jewel of which is the Our Lady of the Angels Basilica, the municipality is also home to the ruins of Ujarrás and natural sites like Tapantí National Park. The drive from San Jose to Cartago takes only about 40 minutes.
- Braulio Carrillo National Park. A stunning protected area of high peaks, crater lakes, and tropical forests, Braulio Carillo is only a short drive north of the capital. There are numerous hiking trails in its territory that range in difficulty from relaxing strolls to demanding multi-day adventures. Natives of the park include the solitary eagle, great green macaw, Northern tamandua anteater, and ocelot.
Top international routes
- Panama City
- Houston
- Miami
- San Salvador
- Mexico City
- Fort Lauderdale
Main airlines
Nature Air, Sansa Airlines, Volaris Costa Rica, Avianca Costa Rica, American Airlines, and Copa Airlines
Terminals
The Main Terminal (M) serves all international flights while Domestic Terminal, also known as Sansa Terminal, serves local flights. You can walk between them in less than five minutes.
Location
San Jose Airport is actually in the city of Alajuela, a suburb of San Jose. The airport is about 20 km (12 mi) west of San Jose city center. Radial Francisco J. Orlich and Route 1 are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.
Most popular types of rental car
- Large cars - from $107 per day
- Medium cars - from $98 per day
- Vans - from $152 per day
- Small cars - from $78 per day
- SUVs - from $128 per day
Car rental desks
Most are located in the international arrivals area.
Services and facilities
You’ll find many shops, six duty-free outlets, as well as restaurants and bars. There are also ATMs, two currency exchange offices, a Red Cross Station offering medical help, a pharmacy, and spa. There is no luggage storage service
Nearest gas station
A Delta gas station, located near the corner of Route 1/Pan American Highway and Route 3, can be reached in about 12 minutes and is open 24/7. It’s on the way to the city center. There are many other gas stations near San Jose Airport and in San Jose.
Popular one-way rentals
- Malpais (154 km / 95 mi)
- Liberia (199 km / 123 mi)
- Puerto Viejo (83 km / 51 mi)
- Guapiles (82 km / 50 mi)
- Managua (411 km / 255 mi)
- Rivas (310 km / 192 mi)
Airport info
Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)
- IATA: SJO
- ICAO: MROC
- Name: Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport) (SJO)
- Size: Medium Airport
- Aircraft movements (per year): 87,771
- Passengers (per year): 4,595,355
- Working hours: 24 hours a day
Top 3 Locations near Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)
-
Car Rental in San Jose San Pedro from $77.03 per day3.9 km / 2.4 miles away
-
Car Rental at Quepos La Managua Airport from $85.40 per day56.6 km / 35.2 miles away
-
Car Rental at Liberia Airport from $29.09 per day172.1 km / 106.9 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices cheapest at San Jose Airport?
The cost of renting a car at San Jose Airport depends on the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best deal.
Average Rental Price at San Jose Airport
The cheapest time of the year to rent a vehicle at San Jose Airport is October when prices for an Economy class start from $28.69. You can see that this is 48% cheaper than the yearly average and 68% cheaper than renting a car in December (when rental prices start at $91.04 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price. But remember that these are just average numbers. The exact cost of your rental will depend on your rental length and on how far in advance you book the car. Enter your travel dates at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers!
What’s the most frequent rental length at San Jose Airport?
Travel length differs from one month to another: in July the average rental period is 14 days, while in March, the average rental period is only 11 days.
Average Rental Length
Which is the busiest month for car rental at San Jose Airport?
Travelers are most likely to rent a car at San Jose Airport in February, while they are least likely to to rent in in October.
Popularity by Monthly Searches
Car Rental Information
| Popular suppliers | AmiGO Rent a Car, MEX RENT A CAR, Economy rent a car, Avis, Flexways |
| Popular car categories | SUVs, Small cars, Large cars, Medium cars |
| Lowest price | $41 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | NUCarrentals |
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis | Nissan Kicks | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Toyota RAV4 | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| AmiGO Rent a Car | Chevrolet Beat | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Suzuki Jimny | 3 | 1 | SUVs |
| AmiGO Rent a Car | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Suzuki Jimny | 2 | 1 | SUVs |
| AmiGO Rent a Car | Toyota Rush | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Toyota Rush | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Economy rent a car | Toyota RAV4 | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Flexways | Mitsubishi ASX | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
FAQ
Can I enter Nicaragua from Costa Rica for a day?
No, it is not possible to take a rental car from Costa Rica to Nicaragua. No rental company in Costa Rica allows this.
Is Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance included in the rental price in Costa Rica?
"If you are not a resident of the United States or Canada, third-party liability insurance is included in the rental price.
If you are a resident of the United States or Canada, whether third-party insurance is included or not depends on which rental company you choose. In particular, Economy Rent a Car and Mex do not have third-party liability insurance included in their rates.
If you are a resident of the United States or Canada, whether third-party insurance is included or not depends on which rental company you choose. In particular, Economy Rent a Car and Mex do not have third-party liability insurance included in their rates.
Our Customers' Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
SW
United States of America (USA)
Toyota RAV4
March 21, 2023
The Volcano Arenal and surrounding jungle are amazing.
MP
Canada
Toyota RAV4
March 6, 2023
Costa Rica was amazing. From beaches to hikes in mountains, and wildlife, nothing like it for us to date.
JF
United States of America (USA)
Mitsubishi ASX
March 6, 2023
Fishing in Quepos was amazing!
MZ
United States of America (USA)
Suzuki Jimny
March 2, 2023
We rented this car for 7 days, and put around 1.5k KM on it going around the country. Specifically we went to Uvita in the West and La Fortuna in the north. Car went smoothly without problems.
NS
Canada
Mitsubishi ASX
February 18, 2023
We travelled over 1000 km from San Jose to the Caribbean to Cloud forests and end up in Santa Teresa, where their agent met us at our hotel for car. Seamless.
FJ
Canada
Daihatsu Bego
February 10, 2023
beach,surf,restaurants excellent
RJ
Ireland
Chevrolet Beat
February 7, 2023
The roads in Costa Rica are really bad in particular in the area of montezuma and Santa Teresa . They always fish the roads the ferry is a nightmare and you have to book in advanced many thing other way you will not get engrance
FC
Romania
Suzuki Grand Vitara
January 10, 2023
I had a +1200km trip around Costa Rica: San Jose, Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo. The roads are good, I didn't use the 4x4 traction of the car. Average speed is low but not because of the asphalt quality.
JK
Denmark
Suzuki Jimny
January 5, 2023
Traveling by car in Costa Rica is no problem. Drive in daytime, where you see the holes in the road.
ZC
Canada
Toyota RAV4
January 3, 2023
Excellent car for the hilly road we had driven on across Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and Alejuelah. Apply Car Play was very helpful as well.
NF
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai Creta
December 31, 2022
Great nature, great activity
AG
Netherlands
Mitsubishi ASX
November 29, 2022
Rented a 4x4, so we could see a lot of nice places in nature. Definitely worth it!
HK
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Qashqai
November 2, 2022
Payment is no good.
JR
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Versa
May 20, 2022
We travelled from San Jose, Costa Rica to the west coast and visited beaches there. Also famous park with monkeys. We drove for a week and had no problem finding lodging on the way. It was very safe. You really need GPS because roads are complicated and drivers are fast. It’s better to drive outside San Jose. The capital is very difficult to drive: good luck yielding to traffic or going slower. We saw many accidents.
EV
Netherlands
Hyundai Creta
May 7, 2022
I honestly think that in Costa Rica you should only be able to rent 4X4 cars. The roads are really bad.
SF
Czech Republic
Chevrolet Beat
April 10, 2022
Overall a great experience
LG
United States of America (USA)
Chevrolet Beat
March 27, 2022
Learn Spanish. Convert US dollars to CR colones. Be prepared to travel for hours to various sightseeing places. Most all beaches (pacific coast) are brown 'muddy' type sand altho there are some with clear water and white ish sand-very crowded. Enjoyed the visit overall and will return.
IZ
Israel
Mitsubishi ASX 4WD Aut.
January 2, 2022
Should improve the return proccess such that clients dropping off the car would not have to wait in line with clients picking up .
DR
United States of America (USA)
Nissan X-Trail
October 26, 2021
Drove from San Jose to Quepos. Roads are in good condition but bikers, motorcyclists, and congestion can make the drive longer than expected. Plan extra time going back to San Jose, especially in the evening.
BV
Netherlands
Toyota Yaris Sedan
September 6, 2021
We hired a car in Costa Rica and some roads we could not take as they were only 4x4. Especially on the west coast this was an issue. We also visited the Blue Falls of Costa Rica and Catarata del Toro. The road was that steep that the car engine could hardly get us going. With only 20 km/h we drove upwards. Make sure you have a strong car in Costa Rica and preferably a 4x4.
Car Rental Statistics
Highest rated company
Adobe Rent a Car
9.27 / 10
Lowest rated company
Avis
7.2 / 10
Total number of reviews
57
Total rental companies
22
Average daily price
$87.41
Lowest daily price
$40.77
Total cars available
181
Top 22 Suppliers at San Jose Airport in 2023
+50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219
1.4 Km Al Este Alajuela 20109, Alajuela, Río Segundo
$98 - $168
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:00
Tue:05:00-22:00
Wed:05:00-22:00
Thu:05:00-22:00
Fri:05:00-22:00
Sat:05:00-22:00
Sun:05:00-22:00
22427733
La Asuncion De Belen
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
+50625424848 / +50624422422 / +50624412219
1.4 Km Al Este Alajuela 20109, Alajuela, Río Segundo
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:00
Tue:05:00-22:00
Wed:05:00-22:00
Thu:05:00-22:00
Fri:05:00-22:00
Sat:05:00-22:00
Sun:05:00-22:00
+50624313803
Oficentro Plaza aeropuerto C3
$116 - $329
National
+50622427911 / +50622427878
De Belen, C. Don Chico, Heredia, Belén, 40703
$116 - $341
+5491152599877
Aeropuerto Internacional Santamaría, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
$99 - $104
+50624428585
Autop. Bernardo Soto, Provincia De Alajuela, Alajuela
$104 - $188
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:00
Tue:05:00-22:00
Wed:05:00-22:00
Thu:05:00-22:00
Fri:05:00-22:00
Sat:05:00-22:00
Sun:05:00-22:00
Enterprise
22427800
La Asuncion De Belen
$117 - $347
Working hours
Mon:00:00-23:59
Tue:00:00-23:59
Wed:00:00-23:59
Thu:00:00-23:59
Fri:00:00-23:59
Sat:00:00-23:59
Sun:00:00-23:59
Hertz
50640020713
Juan Santamaria Intl Apto.
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:00
Tue:05:00-23:00
Wed:05:00-23:00
Thu:05:00-23:00
Fri:05:00-23:00
Sat:05:00-23:00
Sun:05:00-23:00
Europcar
+50650640023857
Carretera Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaria, Shuttle Service
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
Keddy
+50650640023857
Carretera Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaria, Shuttle Service
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
+50624300629
500 mts East from Casino Fiesta, Rio Segundo
$59 - $98
Working hours
Mon:06:30-20:00
Tue:06:30-20:00
Wed:06:30-20:00
Thu:06:30-20:00
Fri:06:30-20:00
Sat:06:30-20:00
Sun:06:30-20:00
York Car Rental
+50670040090
200 Meters East From Fiesta Casino
$77 - $164
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:59
Tue:06:00-23:59
Wed:06:00-23:59
Thu:06:00-23:59
Fri:06:00-23:59
Sat:06:00-23:59
Sun:06:00-23:59
+50624432950
Alajuela Province, Alajuela
$109 - $206
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
+50640367431 / +50640367400
3, Rio Segundo, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela, 20109
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
NUCarrentals
50624426000
FRONT OF HAMPTON INN & SUITES
$41 - $82
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
+50640367431
Juan Santamaría International Airport, Alajuela Province, Alajuela
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
+50624304647
Alajuela Province, Rio Segundo, San Jose
$177 - $177
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
+50624362010
Juan Santamaría International Airport, Alajuela CR 20101, Alajuela Province, Río Segundo
$120 - $228
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
+50622992000
Arrivals, Alajuela Province, Alajuela
$89 - $170
Working hours
Mon:00:01-23:59
Tue:00:01-23:59
Wed:00:01-23:59
Thu:00:01-23:59
Fri:00:01-23:59
Sat:00:01-23:59
Sun:00:01-23:59
+50687733000
500 meters East Casino Fiesta, Rio Segundo, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Working hours
Mon:06:30-19:30
Tue:06:30-19:30
Wed:06:30-19:30
Thu:06:30-19:30
Fri:06:30-19:30
Sat:06:30-19:30
Sun:06:30-19:30
+50622932222
Juan Santamaría International Airport Baggage reclaim area Alajuela Alajuela CR 20101, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
$75 - $146
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:30
Tue:05:00-22:30
Wed:05:00-22:30
Thu:05:00-22:30
Fri:05:00-22:30
Sat:05:00-22:30
Sun:05:00-22:30
Highly recommended by our customers
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