Renting a Car in Costa Rica: All Tips & Insurance (2026)
Renting a car in Costa Rica? Do it! Driving yourself is the best way to discover this country, and renting a car in Costa Rica is easier than you think. We drove for six weeks, first in an SUV and later in our 4×4 jeep ‘Jimmy’. Through dust, past potholes, along the beach and even through rivers. So in this blog you will read everything you need to know: insurance, deposit, driver’s license, the roads and our own experiences. A true ‘Let Us Stay For A Day’ recommendation…
This blog is also part of our 3 to 4 week Costa Rica itinerary. Want to know what everything costs? Then also read What does Costa Rica cost?.
Renting a car in Costa Rica: the short version
- Which car? An SUV with plenty of ground clearance, because the roads are bad. A real 4×4 if you are heading to Monteverde, Santa Teresa, Nosara or other remote places.
- Mandatory insurance: third-party liability insurance (SLI or TPL) is required by law, but it is often not included in the online price.
- Deposit: expect $1,026–2,052 on your credit card, sometimes up to $5,130.
- Driver’s license: your valid home-country driver’s license (ours were Dutch) is accepted as long as you are in the country as a tourist, up to a maximum of 90 days.
- Navigation: Waze is the best app.
- Price: a compact 4×4 costs around $74–114 per day in high season, plus insurance.
Our experience with the rental car
First we traveled for three weeks with our travel companions in an SUV. After that, Claudia and I took the shuttle to Tamarindo and picked up a 4×4 jeep at Alamo for the last two weeks. We called him Jimmy. Claudia could finally tick driving a jeep off her bucket list. In the end we returned Jimmy in San José at the end of the trip.
The most beautiful stretch, though, was the coastal route from Sámara to Santa Teresa. 52 miles, almost 3 hours of driving, unpaved roads and three rivers. Just before Santa Teresa you even drive a short stretch along the beach. Adventure!
Which car to rent in Costa Rica?
When renting a car in Costa Rica: don’t rent a small sedan. Asphalt is scarce on the Pacific coast. You will deal with dust, steep hills, unexpected speed bumps and big potholes.
- SUV (e.g. Hyundai Creta or Suzuki Vitara): fine for the Caribbean coast, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio and Uvita.
- 4×4: a must for Monteverde (unpaved roads), Santa Teresa, Nosara, San Gerardo de Dota, Drake Bay and in the rainy season.
Insurance when renting a car in Costa Rica
The price you see online is almost never what you pay, though. These are the insurances you will come across:
- Liability (SLI or TPL) – mandatory. Covers damage to others, for example. Required by law, you have to take it out in Costa Rica and it often costs around $13–21 per day. Your credit card or travel insurance does not replace it.
- Damage to your own rental car (CDW) – often mandatory with the rental company. Covers damage, theft and often a deductible. Some rental companies accept credit card coverage, but then you want an official letter from your credit card company stating that Costa Rica is covered. A leaflet is not enough. The deposit will be a lot higher as a result.
- Full coverage without a deductible – optional. More expensive, but it lets you drive with peace of mind. Also covers windows, tires and roadside assistance.
Our tip: book with a reliable rental company where the mandatory insurance is already included in the price, and compare the total price, for example via Economybookings. Book 4–6 weeks in advance. Last-minute in high season you pay 30–50% more.
What does renting a car in Costa Rica cost?
| Type of car (high season) | Price per day (excl. insurance) |
|---|---|
| Small sedan (not recommended) | $46–74 |
| Compact 4×4 | $74–114 |
| Mid-size 4×4 (e.g. RAV4) | $97–137 |
| Large 4×4 | $125–182 |
So the cheapest time to rent is in the rainy season (roughly July to November). It is most expensive from mid-December to the end of April, with Easter as the absolute peak. If you drop the car off at a different location, you often pay an extra fee.
Driver’s license and paperwork for renting a car in Costa Rica
- Driver’s license: a valid license from your home country is accepted (we used our Dutch ones). An international driving permit is therefore not needed. It must be valid for your entire trip. Many rental companies want you to have held it for at least 2 years.
- 90 days: as a tourist you may drive on your own license for a maximum of 90 days.
- Age: many rental companies have a minimum age of 23 or 25. Younger drivers often pay a surcharge as well.
- Credit card: in the name of the main driver, for the deposit.
- Passport: always carry it with you, with your entry stamp. The police check regularly, for example at the checkpoint north of Cahuita. Before you leave, also check your own government’s current travel advice, for example the Dutch travel advice for Costa Rica.
Renting a car in Costa Rica: pickup at the airport
At San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) the rental offices are usually outside the airport. An employee picks you up with a shuttle that drives 5 to 10 minutes. Ignore taxi drivers or people who say your rental company is closed. Also give your flight number, so they will wait if you are delayed.
Returning: allow 2 to 3 hours before your flight to return the car in San José. Also take photos and a video of the car at pickup and at drop-off.
Renting a car in Costa Rica: how to drive
Navigating with Waze
Waze is the best app for Costa Rica. Addresses are barely used; finding your way works by landmarks. Make sure you have mobile data via a local SIM card or an Airalo eSIM, which you install at home. Google Maps also often underestimates travel times.
Distances: think in hours, not miles
From La Fortuna to Monteverde it is just over 16 miles as the crow flies. But you drive almost 62 miles and are on the road for about 3.5 hours. From Sámara to Santa Teresa it took us almost 3 hours to cover 52 miles.
Fuel
All gas stations are full-service. So you stay in the car and say which fuel you want and how much. Prices are set by the government and are the same everywhere. We filled our jeep completely for around $46. You also get the car with a full tank and return it full.
Speed and traffic rules
- You drive on the right. Speeds are posted in km/h. On the highway the maximum is usually 90 km/h (about 56 mph), and limits often change with little warning.
- On the highways near San José you pay tolls. You can pay in colones or dollars. Pay the first toll with a $10 bill, then you get colones back as change.
- Do you get a fine? Never pay an officer in cash. You pay fines at a bank or through your rental company.
- Don’t park on yellow lines. In Manuel Antonio fines are handed out there and sometimes even license plates are removed.
- In case of an accident: don’t move the car, call 911, the traffic police and your rental company.
Ferry Paquera – Puntarenas
From Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio we took the ferry from Paquera. With a car that costs around 11,400 colones plus VAT one way, and about 810 colones per adult. So arrive on time, especially on weekends.
Dangers when renting a car in Costa Rica
Crossing rivers with your rental car
Between Sámara and Santa Teresa we drove through three rivers. In the dry season the water was low and it went fine. But be careful: with almost all rental companies your insurance is void if you get damage from water. In doubt? Then don’t drive through. Ask locals whether it is wise, check how deep the water is and take a detour if necessary. In the rainy season a river can become dangerous within a few hours.
Driving at night
A golden rule when renting a car in Costa Rica: try to be at your destination before sunset (around 5:30 pm). Roads are poorly lit, there are pedestrians and cyclists along the side and sometimes even a sloth crosses the road.
Break-ins
Never leave valuables in your car, not even in the trunk. So preferably park in a guarded parking lot or at your accommodation.
Roads
Watch out for unexpected speed bumps, one-lane bridges and big potholes. A flat tire is often not covered by the insurance, but a local garage usually fixes it for little money. Parking on the beach is also prohibited.
Renting a car in Costa Rica or taking a shuttle?
Don’t feel like driving yourself? Then shuttles are a great alternative. From San José to La Fortuna costs around $51–63 per person, to Manuel Antonio or Monteverde $46–57. We took a 6-hour shuttle from Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo, the minibus all to ourselves. But with your own car you are a lot freer: stopping at a little bakery, a deserted beach or a sloth along the road.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Costa Rica
Not everywhere. For the Caribbean coast, La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio an SUV with good ground clearance is enough. For Monteverde, Santa Teresa, Nosara, Drake Bay and in the rainy season a 4×4 is strongly recommended.
No, with a valid driver’s license from your home country you may drive as a tourist for up to 90 days. Always bring your passport with entry stamp.
Third-party liability insurance (SLI or TPL) is required by law and you have to take it out in Costa Rica. Your credit card or travel insurance does not replace it.
Usually $1,026 to $2,052 on your credit card. If you decline the rental company’s damage insurance, the deposit can rise to $5,130.
Yes, if you drive during the day, use Waze, don’t leave anything in the car and are careful at rivers and on unpaved roads. We drove for six weeks without problems.
Ready for your road trip?
Renting a car in Costa Rica is the best way to discover this country. In short: expensive, sometimes nerve-racking, but so much freedom. Plan your route with our Costa Rica itinerary or the shorter Costa Rica in 2 weeks. Pura Vida!
Sources: our own experience (March–April 2026) and current information from rental companies and travel blogs from 2026. Rules and prices may change; always check your rental company’s terms.
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