Car Rental in Costa Rica

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700+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Downtown
Economy
Suzuki Celerio or similar
Suzuki Celerio
  • 4
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Dollar
$14.87 per day
Downtown
Mini
Chevrolet Beat or similar
Chevrolet Beat
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
AmiGO Rent a Car
$18.04 per day
Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)
Compact
Geely Coolray 2WD or similar
Geely Coolray 2WD
  • 4
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$22.47 per day
Liberia Airport
Intermediate SUV
Geely GX3 or similar
Geely GX3
  • 5
  • 3
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Payless Car Rental
$28.35 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Downtown
Special SUV
Toyota Rush or similar
Toyota Rush
  • 7
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alamo
$39.42 per day
Juan Santamaria International Airport (San José Airport)
Standard SUV
Hyundai Tucson or similar
Hyundai Tucson
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
MEX RENT A CAR
$45.88 per day
San Jose San Rafael de Escazu
Full-size
Nissan Sentra or similar
Nissan Sentra
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Avis
$52.03 per day
Liberia Airport
Compact Elite
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Keddy
$58.67 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 10:03 AM on 12/1/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information

Languages
Spanish, English, Creole
Currency
CRC
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+506
Average car rental price
$35 per day
Average car rental length
11 days
Speed limit within town
25 - 50 km/h or 16 - 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
60 km/h or 37 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
8.9 / 10
Average gas price
$0.97 per liter or $3.67 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$0.89 per liter or $3.37 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.20 per liter or $4.54 per gallon

Why rent a car in Costa Rica?

Despite its relatively small size, Costa Rica ticks many boxes for why anyone should want to visit it – it is one of the most tourist-friendly countries in the Americas, has some of the most impressive biodiversity on the planet, and is also one of the most eco-friendly and innovative travel destinations. Whether you go for the volcanoes, the national parks, the beaches, or the hospitality of the Costa Rican people, you’re bound to have the time of your life. 

Costa Rica

Top ways to enter Costa Rica

  • Juan Santamaria Airport: Named after Costa Rica’s national hero, this airport is the largest in Costa Rica and among the busiest in Central America. The airport has flights to and from many destinations in the Americas, as well as some in Europe. Located less than 20km (12 miles) northwest of downtown San Jose, the airport can be reached in about 25 minutes.
  • Tobías Bolaños Airport: The other airport serving the capital region, Tobías Bolaños offers access to some of the more remote destinations of the country like Drake Bay and Tortuguero. 
  • Liberia Airport: Serving the northwestern city of the same name, Liberia Airport has flights to many destinations in the United States, as well as in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and neighboring Panama.

Top cities and places to visit

  • San Jose. Although Costa Rica’s capital can sometimes be overlooked due to all the natural riches that the country has to offer, it is a lovely place to visit. Noticeably more relaxed than some of its Latin American counterparts, the highlights of the capital include the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the Insect Museum at the University of Costa Rica.
  • Cartago. Located less than an hour from the capital and thus easy to visit on a day trip, the city of Cartago is arguably the best place in the country to see the remnants of colonial Spanish architecture. The most famous building is the Our Lady of Angels Basilica, but other gems include the ruins of St. James the Apostle Parish and nearby Orosi Valley.
  • Jacó. A resort town on the central Pacific coast, Jacó is known for its black sand beaches, many surfing camps, some of the nicest waves on the country’s Pacific coast, and a thoroughly relaxed vibe. With a rental car, you can also travel to nearby attractions like Jacó Ropes Adventure Park and Tarcoles River, which is known for its large population of crocodiles (getting a guide might be a good idea for this one). 
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. One of the country’s most famous, and most cherished, nature reserves, the cloud forests of Monteverde will likely be a highlight of any time spent in the country. Made up of virgin forests and six different ecological zones, the reserve is known for its stunning diversity of flora and fauna. Located in the northwestern highland of the country, the park is near the town of the same name.

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in Costa Rica is the Toyota Corolla, although many travelers also go for the Toyota Yaris and the Hyundai Accent. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact, and intermediate. While a smaller car is perfectly fine to explore the cities and travel on main highways, driving into the mountains or jungle might require a 4x4.

Driver's license requirements

  • Costa Rica recognizes foreign driver’s licenses if they are written in a Latin alphabet and if you’re visiting on a trip that’s shorter than three months. If you’re visiting on a longer trip or if you’re a permanent resident of Costa Rica, you need to acquire a local driver’s license.
  • If your driver’s license is in another alphabet (e.g., Cyrillic or Arabic), you need to have an International Driving Permit (IDP).
  • Even if you have an IDP, you still need to also provide your valid driver’s license from your country
  • You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
  • You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
  • Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
  • There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Costa Rica has two neighboring countries, Panama and Nicaragua. There are a few rental car suppliers that permit cross-border trips to the former, but practically none to the latter. You can find car rental companies that permit one-way rentals to Panama by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations when searching.

It is possible to cross the border with public transportation and pick up a rental car after arriving in the neighboring country. Do keep in mind, though, that each country has its own, unique visa policy. While people from most Western countries can visit both Costa Rica and its neighbors visa-free, the situation is different from visitors from other countries. If you plan to visit one of Costa Rica’s neighbors during your trip, do consult your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance.

Most popular types of rental car

There are many toll roads in Costa Rica, some of them starting or ending in San Jose.

Most toll roads have three types of lanes - manual, voluntary, and Quick Pass. The toll booths in the manual lanes only accept cash. It’s a good idea to have coins and lower denomination notes, otherwise getting change back might be an issue.

In the voluntary lanes, the fee is slightly higher than in the manual ones and the toll booths only accept exact change. The idea is that the voluntary lanes generally tend to move faster than the manual ones. For tourists, it’s only worth taking them if you are in a rush.

The cars that can use the Quick Pass lanes have to be equipped with the Quick Pass electronic transponder. The payment will be made automatically and the transponder will register it by beeping. Many rental cars will come pre-equipped with a Quick Pass transponder, and some rental car providers might charge an extra fee for this service. Contact your rental car provider in advance to find out more about Quick Pass or with any other questions regarding toll roads in Costa Rica.

Top driving routes

  • The Caribbean Coast: The Caribbean region of Costa Rica is made up of Limon Province which stretches all the way from the border with Nicaragua in the north to the Panamanian border in the south. Relatively unscathed by mass tourism, the region is home to sustainable tourism initiatives, large conversation areas, and the country’s Jamaican diaspora.
  • The inland North: Sparsely populated, Costa Rica’s inland northern parts are made up of a primal landscape of mountains and volcanoes, as well as cloud forests and hot springs between them. The largest town, Ciudad Quesada, is a popular vacation spot and can serve as a base for exploring the rest of the region, but you can also do it from San Jose as most of the region’s destinations are within a 2-3 hour drive from the capital.
  • The Southwest: This remote jungle corner is known as the greenest part of Costa Rica and is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Getting there takes time and, once you get off the main highways and into nature, getting around may require a tour guide, but those curious enough to plan ahead and make this trip will be richly rewarded.

Car rental prices

  • Large cars - from $17 per day
  • Medium cars - from $16 per day
  • Vans - from $50 per day
  • Premium cars - from $94 per day
  • Small cars - from $15 per day
  • SUVs - from $24 per day

Money-saving and other tips

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Costa Rica:

  • Compare rates of different rental car providers
  • Book your rental car well in advance
  • Plan your route before you go
  • Know your fuel and mileage requirements
  • Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Costa Rica is the cheapest in May when renting a car is about 41% cheaper than the yearly average, but this may vary each year.
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Yulia Saf
This article was reviewed and updated by Yulia, the spirited explorer behind Misstourist who has spent eight years traveling to over 70 countries, inspiring others with her passion and experiences. She founded Misstourist to empower fellow adventurers with invaluable resources and authentic storytelling. From bustling markets to breathtaking fjords, Yulia's adventures have created a thriving community of travel enthusiasts, making Misstourist an essential resource for uncovering the world's hidden gems.

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Costa Rica?

The cost of renting a car in Costa Rica varies by season. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Average rental costs per day in Costa Rica
$64.08
January
$67.34
February
$66.71
March
$35.97
April
$31.14
May
$29.50
June
$41.24
July
$33.89
August
$23.59
September
$22.77
October
$31.63
November
$80.41
December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in Costa Rica is October — when rental costs average $22.77 per day. This is 48% cheaper than the yearly average and 72% cheaper than renting a car in December (when prices average $80.41 per day).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the average rental length in Costa Rica?

How long renters typically keep their vehicle sometimes varies depending on the time of year. Travelers tend to keep their rental cars longer in July — an average of 14 days. They tend to keep them for a shorter time in March — an average of 10 days.
Average number of rental days in Costa Rica
12
January
11
February
10
March
11
April
10
May
11
June
14
July
12
August
12
September
13
October
13
November
11
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Costa Rica?

Based on how many customers search for a car in Costa Rica, the most popular month is December, while the least popular is October.
Monthly searches in Costa Rica by pick-up date relative to the average
163%
January
157%
February
123%
March
82%
April
60%
May
61%
June
98%
July
98%
August
47%
September
45%
October
88%
November
179%
December

Car rental information

Car rental locations 68
Airport locations 9
Popular suppliers Economy rent a car, MEX RENT A CAR, AmiGO Rent a Car, Alamo, EC Rent a Car
Popular car categories SUVs, Small cars, Large cars, Medium cars
Lowest price $15 per day
Cheapest supplier Dollar

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Economy rent a car Toyota RAV4 5 2 SUVs
MEX RENT A CAR Suzuki Jimny 3 1 SUVs
AmiGO Rent a Car Mitsubishi ASX 5 2 SUVs
AmiGO Rent a Car Toyota Yaris 4 1 Small cars
MEX RENT A CAR Hyundai Creta 4 2 SUVs
AmiGO Rent a Car Chevrolet Beat 4 2 Small cars
GreenMotion Hyundai Venue 5 2 SUVs
EC Rent a Car Mitsubishi ASX 5 3 SUVs
Economy rent a car Hyundai Elantra 4 2 Large cars
MEX RENT A CAR Toyota Rush 5 2 SUVs

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the 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.

Germany
Suzuki Jimny
9/27/24
I was about to see nature spots, beautiful beaches and forests.
United States of America (USA)
Suzuki Jimny
9/18/24
Bahía Drake is the best!
Photo by Markus M. about renting a Suzuki Jimny in Costa Rica (9/18/24)
Netherlands
Suzuki Vitara
7/28/24
Traveling around
Spain
Mitsubishi ASX
7/25/24
Great country. Bad roads.
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai Venue
7/11/24
The Fortuna area is amazing--lots of activities and restaurants. Getting there is a little harder than expected from San Jose--tourists need to get used to lots of windy roads! (they wind around a lot) The Costa Rican people are kind no matter where you are in the country.
Canada
Mitsubishi ASX
6/25/24
The trip was amazing, we stayed in both San Carlos and Santa Teresa. It’s so beautiful, so scenic. I would definitely go again! The people are so kind and there’s dogs everywhere to pet. If you don’t like bugs then maybe it’s not for you unless you can embrace being one with nature.
United States of America (USA)
Mitsubishi ASX
5/3/24
Having a rental car allowed us total freedom to go anywhere we desired, whenever we wanted. Maximum flexibility. 😊
United States of America (USA)
Mitsubishi Montero
4/2/24
We couldn’t have done it all without a 4xwheel drive! Loved having a car that held 6 people and luggage. We visited La Fortuna, Monteverde, Nosara, Tamarindo just to name a few!
Canada
Toyota RAV4
3/11/24
Really like the « mirador » point of view restaurants.
Canada
Hyundai Tucson
2/27/24
Beautiful people, beaches. Tons of restaurants and airb&b’s Great scenery
United Kingdom
Suzuki Jimny
2/19/24
Travelled around the country and really enjoyed it. Parque Manuel Antonio was a highlight. Stayed in Alajuela area for the last few nights and found it offered good eating and shopping options plus it was convenient for returning the rental car and travelling to the airport.
Canada
Toyota RAV4
2/19/24
We had a great time. La Fortuna was beautiful. Did lots of hikes. Seen lots of animals. Our hotels were great. Love Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Toyota Yaris
2/8/24
I went to limon
Canada
Nissan Kicks
1/24/24
Costa Rica is a beautiful country
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai Elantra
12/31/23
Costa Rica is a beautiful country and we got to see a good bit of it. People overall are very friendly. Loved downtown San Jose during Christmas rush and also La Piedra Del Indio waterfalls.
Canada
Nissan Qashqai
12/30/23
My trip was great; but I would never use DISCOVER CARS again. It's a total fraud.
France
Suzuki Jimny
12/19/23
Specially corcovado NP was great, magnificent and unforgettable.
Canada
Nissan Kicks
12/8/23
Great trip. Toyed around lots of beaches ,sunsets ,Resteraunt’s ,rainforest all were great
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai Tucson
11/23/23
We did a lot of driving on our trip in Costa Rica, from Liberia to Montezuma Beach which was almost a 4 hour drive. We had a 4x4 which was helpful as we were able to drive directly to our hotel which required a brief drive along the beach (in the sand). From there we had a another long drive to Samara Beach. Having an suv was also helpful as the rains can flood out roads quickly. With our extra ground clearance we were able to drive through some passages smaller cars were not. This was my 5th CR trip, but first time ever renting a car. I would 100% use Adobe again and will definitely recommend them to anyone I know. A plus which we did not know is they also provide booster/car seats with the rental as they are required by law which makes traveling with kids so much easier.
Canada
Toyota Yaris
11/15/23
The car saved us, we were in Monteverde and without it wouldn't have had the freedom to come and go from our hotel as it was on top of two massive hills to get into the downtown area and to get around to the different activities.
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Kicks
8/14/23
Costa Rica is wonderful but traffic is crazy. Plan on everything taking longer due to traffic, accidents, and construction
United Kingdom
Toyota Rush
7/30/23
Photo by Yulia N. about renting a Toyota Rush in Costa Rica (7/30/23)
Sweden
Toyota Yaris
7/23/23
Costa Rica is unique. Also uniquely expensive.
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai Tucson
7/20/23
friendly people wonderful beaches good eats
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Qashqai
7/12/23
We loved our time in CR, especially in Rincón.
Greece
Toyota Yaris
6/20/23
Outside san jose was excellent but in the city, oh my god. Its a mess.
United States of America (USA)
Toyota RAV4
6/19/23
We visited Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Uvita. Having a 4x4 was key. Costa truly is heaven on earth.
Israel
Geely Okavango 2WD Aut.
6/10/23
The nature was beautiful but the activities were very expensive
United Kingdom
Geely GX3
6/5/23
We went to Costa Rica. We should have bought a higher vehicle for the roads in Moneverde and one with a bigger engine size as we struggled on steep hills and in high altitudes!
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Qashqai
4/21/23
Our trip was wonderful, minus the rental car aspect.
Canada
Toyota RAV4
4/14/23
Quepos, Dominicalito etc.
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai H1
4/6/23
They cancelled our car rental because our flight was delayed and we were an hour late.
Costa Rica
Toyota Rush
3/29/23
Beautiful nature, adventure on the side roads.
Photo 1 by Petra A. about renting a Toyota Rush in Costa Rica (3/29/23) Photo 2 by Petra A. about renting a Toyota Rush in Costa Rica (3/29/23) Photo 3 by Petra A. about renting a Toyota Rush in Costa Rica (3/29/23) Photo 4 by Petra A. about renting a Toyota Rush in Costa Rica (3/29/23) Photo 5 by Petra A. about renting a Toyota Rush in Costa Rica (3/29/23) Photo 6 by Petra A. about renting a Toyota Rush in Costa Rica (3/29/23)
United States of America (USA)
Toyota RAV4
2/8/23
We had a great time in CR again.
United States of America (USA)
Chevrolet Beat
1/28/23
Weather, Playa Hermosa, the people. Many activities.
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai H1
1/2/23
Photo 1 by Sujay N. about renting a Hyundai H1 in Costa Rica (1/2/23) Photo 2 by Sujay N. about renting a Hyundai H1 in Costa Rica (1/2/23)
Canada
Nissan Kicks
12/30/22
I loved Dominical, very quiet and slow Jaco was also a very friendly place Tamarindo was bigger and more touristic but everywhere we stopped seems very safe and friendly people All restaurants had great fish and seafood Those are my favourite food Sunset was always extraordinary
United Kingdom
Toyota Rush
12/21/22
All Beach and mountain areas were perfect
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Qashqai
11/26/22
Thank you
Latvia
Hyundai Tucson
10/11/22
Photo by Anna M. about renting a Hyundai Tucson in Costa Rica (10/11/22)
Spain
Toyota Yaris
7/25/22
It is highly recommended to hire a 4*4 car because in many situations differents navigators leade your route through several ways in very bad conditions
Canada
Toyota RAV4
5/2/22
The main roads in Costa Rica are in good shape, but a lot of them are not. There is also a lot of steep hills to climb. So a decent AWD car will be my recommendation. If you can get your hands and on a real 4x4 car, you should do it since sometimes you will need to go through dirt roads.
Spain
Ssangyong Korando 4WD
2/13/22
Make sure you have a 4X4 for the roads in Costa Rica! Then you can access the beautiful areas. Costa Rica is very hilly!
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai Elantra
5/3/21
get a higher profile wheel base, many rocks and bumps to navigate
United States of America (USA)
Nissan X-Trail
4/29/21
Have everything you need
Canada
Toyota Yaris
11/22/20
Much nicer and safer than you might have been told. "Ticos" are friendly, hospitable people who live humbly, work hard and if treated with respect and kindness, will give it back in spades. I felt comfortable everywhere I went, even though it was new and unfamiliar. Amazing natural places also.
Sweden
Mitsubishi Mirage
2/7/19
Always rent a 4x4 car when in Costa Rica!

Car Rental Statistics

Highest-rated company
Adobe Rent a Car
9.2 / 10
)
Lowest-rated company
Keddy
5.9 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
104
Total rental companies
24
Average daily price
$34.97
Lowest daily price
$14.87
Total cars available
5751

Top 24 suppliers in Costa Rica in 2024

Adobe Rent a Car
Adobe Rent a Car
Exceptional 9.2 / 151 reviews
18 locations
$64 - $227
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Exceptional 9.2 / 247 reviews
3 locations
$41 - $53
Alamo
Alamo
Exceptional 9 / 226 reviews
48 locations
$39 - $323
EasyCar
EasyCar
Exceptional 9 / 222 reviews
18 locations
$58 - $181
Enterprise
Enterprise
Very good 8.8 / 43 reviews
42 locations
$54 - $370
EC Rent a Car
EC Rent a Car
Very good 8.6 / 139 reviews
4 locations
$50 - $114
National
National
Very good 8.6 / 34 reviews
49 locations
$53 - $349
SIXT
SIXT
Very good 8.5 / 121 reviews
6 locations
$22 - $401
MEX RENT A CAR
MEX RENT A CAR
Very good 8.2 / 519 reviews
2 locations
$41 - $46
Flexways
Flexways
Very good 8 / 190 reviews
3 locations
$61 - $165
Hertz
Hertz
Average 7.7 / 0 reviews
2 locations
$61 - $165
Dollar
Dollar
Average 7.7 / 90 reviews
4 locations
$15 - $99
Payless Car Rental
Payless Car Rental
Average 7.7 / 72 reviews
3 locations
$28 - $109
AmiGO Rent a Car
AmiGO Rent a Car
Average 7.6 / 680 reviews
5 locations
$18 - $141
RightCars
RightCars
Average 7.6 / 0 reviews
1 location
$18 - $141
FOX
FOX
Average 7.5 / 0 reviews
6 locations
$18 - $141
U-Save
U-Save
Average 7.3 / 19 reviews
2 locations
$52 - $84
Finalrentals
Finalrentals
Average 7.2 / 3 reviews
3 locations
$77 - $156
Routes Car Rental
Routes Car Rental
Average 7.1 / 95 reviews
2 locations
$58 - $80
NUCarrentals
NUCarrentals
Average 7.1 / 74 reviews
1 location
$368
Budget
Budget
Average 7 / 38 reviews
6 locations
$368
Europcar
Europcar
Below average 6.3 / 15 reviews
8 locations
$33 - $442
Avis
Avis
Below average 6.2 / 416 reviews
16 locations
$46 - $232
Keddy
Keddy
Poor 5.9 / 17 reviews
4 locations
$47 - $145
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