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Renting a car in Costa Rica is the best way to explore. You can get off the beaten path and have the freedom to do what you want. Surprisingly, driving in Costa Rica is easy and the rental car prices are reasonable. I'm sharing everything you need to know about renting a car in Costa Rica.
There are a handful of things we wish we would have known before purchasing a car rental in Costa Rica, so I’ve put together a complete guide with everything you need to know. This way you’ll be much more prepared than we were! I'm breaking down what to look out for when booking a rental car in Costa Rica, why it’s better (and easier!) than taking public transportation, plus our top tips to save you money and headaches.
Why You Should Rent a Car in Costa Rica
We’re so glad we made the decision to rent a car in Costa Rica, and I'm going to share why!
1. It’s relatively cheap
We expected renting a car to be expensive, but as we found out, it is actually cheaper than taking direct shuttles between popular destinations.
2. Appreciate the scenery
Costa Rica’s countryside is epically beautiful. If you’re on a bus or a shuttle, you’ll have to take it all in as you whip around the curves and turns. But if you’re driving, you can pull over at any time (when it’s safe to stop!) and take the scenery in the way it’s meant to be enjoyed. See a pretty waterfall? Pull over! It’s that simple.
3. Driving in Costa Rica is (mostly!) easy
There are some countries where the insane traffic and crazy driving etiquette would scare us away from renting a car. (Think of many major cities in Vietnam!) But most of Costa Rica is pretty laidback when it comes to driving, and people were mostly courteous. Aside from driving through San Jose, we didn’t encounter much traffic or difficult situations. Keep reading for some tips that will help you drive safely in Costa Rica!
4. It’s fun!
There just something about road trips that are so much fun! Stock up on snacks, crank some tunes and sing aloud, or listen to a podcast with your travel buddies. No headphones needed!
5. Parking is easy
We drove our rental car to a ton of different locations around Costa Rica, and finding parking was never an issue. All our hotels and Airbnbs were equipped with parking spots. And the couple times we had to pay a parking fee, it was cheap (between $2 – $5 USD).
Requirements for renting a car in Costa Rica
You must be 25 years or older
Passport
Driver’s license from your home country
Security deposit of $500 up to $5,000, a hold placed on your credit card
This hold is to make sure you return the card and if you have any damages, the card will be charged.
The amount of the hold varies depending on the companies you book with. In our experience, we had a $1,500 hold back in 2018, but we have read in other places the hold could be up to $5000. Make sure you have a large enough credit limit on our account.
Insurance that covers rental cars (that goes above and beyond the mandatory insurance): Your credit card or travel insurance usually covers this!
Tips for Driving in Costa Rica
There are a few things we learned about driving in Costa Rica specifically. I am sharing our top tips with you because we wished we had known these things before driving out of the parking lot for the first time!
1. Watch out for potholes
For being the wealthiest country in Central America, we were surprised by how many of the roads in the country are… how shall we say this… rough. Potholes are common, and they are BIG.
And throughout the country, there are many unpaved roads, which can show signs of erosion, especially in the rainy season. Drive slowly on rough roads and try your best to avoid them. Be especially careful when crossing roads covered in water, since you may not know how deep it is or what’s below.
2. Watch for speed bumps
While you have your eyes peeled for potholes, look out for speed bumps as well. They are most common when entering small towns or school zones. The speed bumps are not always marked with yellow paint as you’d expect, so sometimes they blend in with the road. Going full speed ahead over a bump is not fun.
3. Get 4-wheel-drive
I would highly recommend getting 4-wheel-drive in Costa Rica. If you’re staying in or around San Jose and are going only a short distance or on a route where you know the road is well-paved and relatively flat, you could probably get away without it. But with all the driving that we did, we were so happy we had 4-wheel drive. There were several places we visited that we would not have made it to without it.
4. Be careful when passing semi trucks
While driving in the countryside of Costa Rica, you’ll likely encounter many semi-trucks delivering goods. Many of the countryside roads are narrow and winding, so be very cautious when coming around curves. Also, be very careful if you decide to pass a truck. Be sure you’re doing it in a safe zone and you can see the other lane.
5. Know the rule about one lane bridges
One-lane bridges are very common all throughout Costa Rica. Know the etiquette before you encounter them so you’re not wondering what to do like we were! Slow down when you’re approaching a one lane bridge. Typically (though sometimes this is not) there will one direction with a red and white triangle signs stating “Ceda el Paso” meaning “Yield”. If you see the sign, be sure to yield.
If you come to a one lane bridge and there is already traffic coming across, you must wait until the entire other side is finished and then you can pass over. If the cars going your direction are crossing the bridge, you simply follow along and continue crossing the bridge.
If you and another car arrive at the bridge at the same time and there is no yield sign, be cautious, because the other driver may try to go first, like a “whoever gets there first” type of deal.
6. Know what to do at gas stations
Filling up is really easy in Costa Rica. All the gas stations we encountered were full service, meaning there is an attendant who pumps the gas for you. They will ask you regular or super and will start filling your tank. Once you’re all filled up, pay the attendant and you’re on your way.
7. Keep change on you for tolls
When driving near San Jose, be prepared to pay some tolls. Most of them were pretty cheap (from 360 – 720 colones, which is $0.64 – $1.28), but you’ll want to have some coins on you to pay with.
Important Costa Rica Rental Car Tips
These tips are pretty universal whether you’re renting a car in Costa Rica, Canada or Germany. I hope they are helpful to you as you plan your trip.
1. Take pictures of the outside of the car before driving
Get up close and personal. Take photos on your cell phone of any scrapes and dents, no matter how small. And don’t forget any little cracks on the windshield. This way, none of these issues can be blamed on you. We’ve never had to use these photos, but it’s a good idea to have yourself covered just in case!
2. Bundle your car rental with your travel planner
It is almost always cheaper to book online with your travel planner rather than to walk into a store. Plus, you won’t need to worry whether there will be availability if you book it ahead of time! Keep in mind: If you are booking doing the busy season, try to reverse your ride at least 3 months in advance.
4. Get a SIM card or Portable Wi-Fi Devide
A local SIM card or Portable Wi-Fi Device is invaluable when you’re traveling abroad. Not only do they help you avoid costly roaming or data charges, it also provides a safety net and keeps you generally more connected, providing local cell and data coverage while on the road. Just make sure you’re traveling to Costa Rica with an unlocked smartphone in order to use the local service.
Our favorite ways to get data in a foreign country are by using Airalo for a SIM card, or GlocalMe for a portable Wi-Fi device.
5. Download your Maps
Google Maps is amazing! Not only can you pin all the points of interest along your route, but it will also show your current GPS location even when you’re not in a cell signal. To enable this feature, keep reading…
It’s important to download the map before your trip so you have access to roads, restaurants, and attractions even if you don’t have cell phone service. How do you Download Google Maps Offline?
It’s super simple, just follow these steps:
Open your Google Maps App on your phone
Zoom in so the country of Costa Rica is visible on your screen
Tap on your icon or name in the top right corner of the search bar.
Tap Offline Maps → Select Your Own Map
Then hover the highlighted rectangle over the section of Costa Rica you plan on visiting. If you want the entire country, you will have to do this in two maps.
Make sure you’re in Wifi, and click the “download” icon.
The map data from this region will now be on your phone, and can be accessed even when you have no cell signal! You’ll even be able to see your current GPS location as long as you have it authorized. (Settings > Google Maps > Location > select “Always”)
Are you planning a trip to Costa Rica?
I have lots more resources on travel in Costa Rica and destinations throughout the country. Check out our Enchanting Costa Rica Destination Guide for all the answers you’re looking for.
Or start with a FREE vacation quote below:
I want to hear from you!
Do you have any more questions about renting a car in Costa Rica? Comment below and I’ll do our best to answer your question!
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