Is it safe to rent a car in Costa Rica? (Everything to know 2025)
Are you wondering whether it’s safe to rent a car in Costa Rica? You’ve come to the right article.
Costa Rica is a beautiful Central American country, with natural attractions packed in every corner. It’s the first place I’ve traveled solo internationally, and I made every mistake in the book, from getting the wrong car, to the wrong sim card.
This article will cover how to rent a car the right way in Costa Rica, including the best companies, potential scams, and important tips for driving in the country.
Here is everything you need to know before renting a car in Costa Rica.
How To Rent A Car In Costa Rica
Costa Rica is generally a cheap travel destination, but renting a car can significantly add to your costs if you’re not careful. When you rent a car in Costa Rica, you’ll have to pay a security deposit, and additional insurance coverage.
The prices online include liability insurance for other people/property, but you’re required to pay additional insurance for the vehicle itself when you pick up your vehicle.
This additional insurance is called the LDW (loss damage waiver), and costs around $15-$40/day. This insurance makes it so that you’re only liable for a specific amount of money (the deductible), if you return the car damaged.
The rental car companies offer cheap to high coverage LDW plans, with the cheap plans having the most expensive deductible. This means that if you buy the cheapest plan and wreck the car, you will have to pay the full deductible upon returning the car.
For the best experience, I recommend finding the cheapest car through Discover (free 48 hour cancellation), and purchasing the highest coverage LDW insurance when you arrive. The most reputable company to go with is Adobe, and you can filter out all of their available vehicles on Discover.
Tips for renting a car in Costa Rica
- Rent from Adobe for the best transparency
- Purchase the highest coverage LDW insurance
- Rent a 4×4 vehicle or SUV to handle potholes on the road
- Bring a valid ID, passport, and credit card for the security deposit
- Take pictures and videos of the car doing the inspection
My Experience Renting A Car In Costa Rica
I had one of the worst experiences renting a car in Costa Rica, but fortunately, all of my mistakes can easily be avoided. The first mistake I made was renting with an international company, without checking the reviews.
The customer service varies widely by brand, which is why it’s extra important to choose a reputable brand. Certain companies are known for confusing tourists with additional insurance (beyond the LDW), not returning security deposits, and charging fees for cosmetic flaws when returning the vehicle.
The next huge mistake I made was not inspecting the vehicle diligently when I picked it up. This vehicle was not in the best condition, from the hubcaps being tied on by zipties, to the small scratches all over the exterior.
By not taking pictures or videos, I could have easily been charged for one of these scratches! When you pick up your vehicle, set aside 5 minutes to take a video of you inspecting the outside of the car.
The last, and worst mistake I made was driving my rental car at night. I rented a small sedan, which was great for the first few nights. However, a week into the trip, I drove through the windy mountains in Guanacaste on the way to my hotel.
I unknowingly hit a pothole that damaged the bumper, and I brought the car in the next day, and was charged the full deductible (~$1,100)!
If I had purchased the high coverage insurance, I would have only paid a fraction of the cost. That said, if I rented an SUV capable of going over the occasional pothole (and didn’t drive at night), this likely would have never happened.
After returning the car to the rental company, they gave me a SUV to use for the rest of the trip. It was considerably more comfortable, and the four wheel drive came in handy for driving to Monteverde.
Driving Around Costa Rica
For the most part, Costa Rica is easy to drive around, and has well-paved roads and highways that connect the cities. I found driving around one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip, and it allows you to explore all of the natural attractions.
For directions, I used Waze, which is the preferred navigation app by locals.
In Costa Rica, you’ll encounter many single one-lane bridges, where you’ll yield to oncoming traffic. The country is extremely biodiverse, so it’s important to watch out for wildlife, and respect the speed limits in rural areas.
The speed limits in Costa Rica are posted in kilometers, and typically range from 90-100 km/h (~55-60mph) on highways, and around 40 km/h (25 mph) on secondary roads.
I spent over a week driving around, from San Jose to La Fortuna, Guanacaste, and Monteverde. Most of the roads are well-paved, but I’ve experienced huge potholes on the way to natural attractions like the Rio Celeste waterfall.
Additionally, the roads were very bumpy on the way up to Monteverde. If you plan on visiting the natural attractions, definitely rent a 4×4 vehicle.
The most important tip is to not drive in Costa Rica at night. The streets are not well lit in Costa Rica, and it can be extremely hard to get around if you’re unfamiliar with the area. It also makes it difficult to see potholes, and everything from collapsed trees to wildlife.
I recommend staying at a hotel within walking distance to restaurants, so you don’t have to worry about going out at night.
To refuel in Costa Rica, you’ll stop at a full-service gas station, where an attendant will fuel your gas for you. This makes getting gas easy, but always double check your bill.
There’s a common gas scam where tourists are unknowingly overcharged for gas, and unaware until they check their credit card bill. To avoid this, either pay with cash, or check your credit card statement before leaving the station.
Tips for driving around Costa Rica
- Don’t drive at night
- Drive extremely slow over potholes
- Use Waze for directions
- Double check your bill at the gas stations
Alternatives To Renting A Car
If you’re not comfortable with renting a car in Costa Rica, you can rely on public or private transportation to get around. Public buses are the cheapest and best form of public transportation in Costa Rica.
Regular buses connect San Jose to popular destinations like La Fortuna and Tamarindo. Besides the buses, you can hire a private shuttle to get from the airports (San Jose or Liberia) to your destination.
Private shuttles are the most expensive, but they’re the most convenient way to get to Monteverde, or beach towns in Guanacaste.
Once you’re in those cities, you can use Uber/taxis to get around, or join tours to visit the natural attractions. This is an excellent alternative if you’re only staying in one destination, or aren’t comfortable driving around.
Final Tips for Renting A Car In Costa Rica
Renting a car in Costa Rica is definitely worth it if you love an adventurous road trip, and want to see all the country has to offer. But it’s not the same as renting a car in the United States, and there’s several important considerations to make.
To have the best experience, rent with a reputable brand like Adobe, choose high coverage insurance, and diligently inspect your vehicle upon arrival.
And to drive safely in Costa Rica, avoid driving at night, obey the speed limits, and rent a 4×4 vehicle if you plan on visiting the natural attractions!
Costa Rica Car Rental FAQs
What are the minimum age requirements for renting a car?
The minimum age requirements vary from 18-24 years old, and there’s often additional fees for drivers below 23.
The minimum age to rent from Adobe is 23, whereas the minimum age to rent from most companies (Enterprise, Budget, Alamo, Hertz, SIXT, Toyota) is 21.
Do you need to rent a car if you’re staying in one location?
If you’re only staying in one location (ex: La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo), I wouldn’t recommend renting a car.
Instead, you can use public/private transportation to get from the airport to your hotel, and join tours to the natural attractions. This will be a much more relaxed way to travel in Costa Rica, and will likely be cheaper.
Is it worth renting a car for budget travelers?
If you’re traveling on a budget, it’s not worth renting a car in Costa Rica. Public buses connect San Jose to the popular destinations (La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio), and are by far the cheapest options.
Once you’re in the cities, you can rely on Uber/taxis to get around, or join private tours to the attractions.
Is it easy driving around Costa Rica?
It’s easy driving around Costa Rica on the major highways, and roads that connect cities. However, if you venture off the beaten path, you can encounter more potholes and bumpy, uneven roads.
Additionally, if you visit Costa Rica during the rainy season (May to October), landslides and floods can make it difficult to drive.
To have the smoothest experience, keep a flexible itinerary, and only reserve a few activities for each day. This will allow you to enjoy your vacation, and not worry about driving from place to place!
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