The Final Information to Renting a Automotive in Costa Rica (Up to date 2024)

Posted: 1/25/24 | January twenty fifth, 2024

I really like Costa Rica. It was the primary place I visited on my own over 15 years in the past and the nation that set me on my nomadic journey. From its beautiful seashores to its lush jungles, this biodiverse nation is standard with backpackers, honeymooners, and expats alike. And whereas it’s small, there’s a ton to see and do. You could possibly simply spend a month and nonetheless barely scratch the floor.

It’s additionally superb for road-tripping.

As a lot as a backpacking bus or hitchhiking journey would possibly initially sound interesting, the fact is that ready within the sizzling solar after which bouncing alongside bumpy roads in an previous bus with out shocks or air-conditioning just isn’t for the fainthearted. In order for you actual freedom to discover, you want a rental automobile.

That will help you plan your journey, right here’s the whole lot it is advisable to find out about renting a automobile in Costa Rica.

Choosing the Proper Rental Automotive (and Rental Firm)

Earlier than you hire a automobile, learn and examine opinions for automobile rental corporations. Whereas the usual large corporations can be found right here, there are many native ones too.

Upon getting narrowed down the listing to a selected few, ask for quotes for the kind of car and journey dates that you just require. The quote ought to embody necessary third-party insurance coverage, taxes, and another surcharges, like airport tax. Most websites embody all this information when getting a quote on-line.

Whether or not you’re reserving on-line or instantly with an agent, double-check the main points of your reservation. Crossing time zones could imply that your rental pickup time and even date is completely different in Costa Rica than your nation of departure. You will want to substantiate the time, date, and placement of your car’s pickup and drop-off, the car class, transmission, and protection required.

Factors to recollect when renting a automobile in Costa Rica:

• A handbook transmission could also be cheaper than automated and extra frequent in Costa Rica however ought to solely be chosen in case you can drive a stick shift.
• Returning your automobile at a vacation spot completely different from the place you picked it up will in all probability incur a further cost.
• Most rental corporations won’t assure a selected make and mannequin inside the rental class.
• Anticipate to hire for 24-hour intervals. Time your pickup and drop-off accordingly.
• Present your flight quantity earlier than you arrive, so the corporate can observe your flight.
• In case you have an early flight, contemplate dropping off the car the night time earlier than and utilizing a lodge shuttle to the airport.
• On-line journey companies (OTAs) typically fail to incorporate all fees, so in case you e-book by way of one, be sure you test the ultimate value with the automobile rental firm, by way of which the pricing could also be extra clear.
• Most corporations now provide a web-based check-in course of to add paperwork akin to passports and driver’s licenses to chop time on the counter and get on the street sooner.

My go-to rental automobile firm in Costa Rica is Vamos. You possibly can click on right here to get a quote. (You’ll get 5% off simply by utilizing that hyperlink).
 

Arriving on the Airport

Each worldwide airports in Costa Rica have automobile rental firm desks inside the constructing; nonetheless, the places of work (the place you’ll get your automobile) are off-site. They often have a shuttle service to take purchasers to their places of work, most of that are positioned inside a 10-minute drive of the airport.

Native hustlers would possibly inform you that your organization has gone out of enterprise to persuade you to go together with a distinct firm that can pay them a fee. Search for an indication along with your firm’s brand and ignore the hustlers.

In case your flight is delayed otherwise you miss your connection, contact the corporate along with your new estimated arrival time to keep away from having the reservation canceled as a no-show.

If you arrive on the rental workplace, the agent will fill in any excellent paperwork that has not been carried out on-line and conduct a car inspection with you. Though the agent will word current injury, it’s best to take photographs or video of the automobile for backup functions.

Your car could not have a full gas tank if you decide it up, however the gas gauge degree must be logged on the inspection type. You will want to return the automobile with the identical gas degree. Though you’ll not be reimbursed for a degree larger than the one registered, you’ll be charged whether it is under the beginning degree.

Returning the Car
Affirm your drop-off location and time if you decide up the car. If you’re caught in visitors or are delayed for any motive, contact the rental firm to keep away from a penalty. Be sure that your gas gauge is on the proper degree, or else head to a gasoline station earlier than you drop it off. The corporate’s consultant will examine your car with you after which course of the deposit reimbursement.
 

Paperwork Wanted for Renting a Automotive in Costa Rica

Right here’s the whole lot it is advisable to hire a automobile in Costa Rica:

Driver’s license – You need to use your native driver’s license in the course of the rental interval so long as it’s printed within the Latin alphabet. In case your license is in a language that doesn’t use the Latin alphabet (e.g., Mandarin, Arabic), a global driving license is required. Your driver’s license have to be legitimate for the whole thing of your keep.

It is very important word that though most vacationers will likely be given a 180-day visa once they enter the nation, their driver’s licenses are solely legitimate for 90 days, and they are going to be required to depart Costa Rica and return to legally drive once more.

Bank card – You want a legitimate bank card in your title to pay the automobile rental and to put the deposit.

Passport – Your passport must be legitimate at some stage in your keep. Legally, vacationers should carry it with them always. The transit police will wish to see it and your entry visa if you’re pulled over.

A Word on the Minimal and Most Driving Age
Every automobile rental firm has insurance policies concerning the age of the drivers it insures. Many wouldn’t have a most age, however some set a restrict of 70-75 years previous. The authorized age to drive in Costa Rica is eighteen; nonetheless, most corporations require that drivers be no less than 25. Youthful drivers could possibly hire a automobile for a further surcharge and insurance coverage prices.
 

Insurance coverage Protection

Costa Rica has necessary third-party insurance coverage for automobile leases. It isn’t doable to acquire this protection another means. Examine that this value is included in your rental quote, because it’s typically overlooked, so you could find yourself paying greater than what you initially thought.

A collision injury waiver (CDW) covers losses from injury to your rental automobile. That is legally required when renting a automobile in Costa Rica. Most corporations provide numerous tiers of insurance coverage, with numerous deductibles. Many renters choose full protection for peace of thoughts, as then any injury that happens throughout rental is roofed. Some corporations provide further protection for tires and the windscreen (windshield), as they aren’t all the time coated by the CDW.

In case your bank card supplier has a CDW as a perk, you’ll be able to waive the in-house CDW. Simply word that you will want to deliver a letter that explicitly states the quantity of protection, that Costa Rica is included within the areas coated, and the final 4 digits of the driving force’s bank card. A replica of the bank card firm’s phrases and circumstances just isn’t normally enough.

One necessary factor to notice is that the rental firm could maintain a deposit for the rental interval, which may very well be as much as $5,000 USD if the renter is utilizing their bank card supplier’s CDW. The deposit will likely be launched on the finish of the rental interval. Be sure to have a bank card that may take up this accretion.
 

Driving in Costa Rica

Right here are some things to remember whereas driving in Costa Rica:

Pace limits – Indicators are in kilometers fairly than miles, and pace limits are typically decrease than you’d anticipate, with a 90 km/h (55 mph) restrict on main highways. Pace limits change with restricted warning between areas, so keep alert to signage.

Gasoline stations – Just be sure you know in case your rental car is fueled by gasoline or diesel. This data must be on the car inspection report in case you’ve forgotten. Gasoline stations usually are not self-service, so be ready to ask for the type of gas you want in addition to the quantity.

For those who’re renting one of many EVs which can be beginning to type a part of fleets in Costa Rica, then plan your route across the community of charging stations throughout the nation. You possibly can study extra about these right here.

Navigation – Use Waze, which is up to date in actual time by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, so that you’re conscious of accidents or different conditions which will have an effect on your journey time. Google Maps is out there however doesn’t all the time have correct data. It additionally tends to underestimate journey occasions, so it’s best to take that into consideration when planning your itinerary in case you plan to make use of it.

Regardless of Costa Rica’s official tackle system, which consists of calles (roads that run north-south) and avenidas (avenues that run west-east), virtually all locals give instructions utilizing landmarks, and few can present instructions utilizing street or avenue numbers. It’s useful to know {that a} block is normally described as 100 meters.

So as to add to the confusion, a location could use landmarks that not exist however have been recognized nicely sufficient to stay in residing reminiscence. So you could be directed to go 600 meters south of the place “the place the large mango tree was once” or to show left after “the grocery store that was once pink.” Fortunately, Waze is a navigation lifesaver, however you would possibly develop to benefit from the quirky tico (Costa Rican) means of discovering locations!

Parking – All the time park in safe parking tons, and don’t depart valuables in an unattended car, as break-ins can happen.

In the previous few years, there have been circumstances of the transit police issuing fines and eradicating license plates from automobiles parked on yellow strains at standard vacationer spots like Manuel Antonio. The headache on this state of affairs is that the car can’t be pushed with out plates and have to be towed again to the workplace, the place it stays off the street till the automobile rental firm reclaims the plates from the related authority. It is a time-consuming and costly process, so be conscious of the place you park!
 

Further Rental Issues

Many automobile rental corporations cost a day by day value for tools or companies past the fundamental rental prices. You must take this under consideration when budgeting your journey. These can embody:

Further drivers – Anticipate to pay a day by day price for every driver added to your rental settlement after the principle driver. (Vamos Hire-A-Automotive gives further drivers with out additional value.) It is smart to have no less than one further driver to share the burden for longer journeys or to take over if the principle driver is feeling below the climate.

Roof racks – For those who’re touring with numerous baggage or surfboards, then renting a roof rack at a day by day price could also be an answer to a cramped car inside.

Child or automobile seating – For those who’re touring with youngsters, Costa Rican legislation about seating (see under) is strictly enforced. Both deliver your individual little one seat or hire one at a day by day price from the corporate.

Costa Rican seating legal guidelines for youngsters are based mostly both on age or weight/top:

• Rear-facing child seat: Required for youngsters lower than a 12 months previous and below 22 lbs (10 kg)
• Little one seat: For these as much as 4 years previous or lower than 40 lbs (18 kg) and below 3’7”
• Booster seat: For these 5 to 12 years previous, 40 kilos or extra, and nonetheless below 4’9”
• Seat belt: For these 4’9” or taller or over the age of 12

Wi-Fi – Keep linked all through your journey with out paying extortionate roaming fees by utilizing a Mi-Fi (cellular Wi-Fi) gadget out of your rental firm. It’s normally quick sufficient to add your newest vacay pics onto Instagram, connect with your Spotify road-trip playlists, and navigate with Waze, however downloading films might be an excessive amount of to anticipate. Web protection in Costa Rica is vast, however don’t rely on it if you’re touring off the overwhelmed observe.

Accidents – If you’re concerned in a visitors accident, test that nobody is damage then transfer to security off the street. Don’t transfer the car. Name the transit police and your insurance coverage firm. You also needs to name your automobile rental supplier to evaluate if the automobile might be pushed, if a mechanic is required onsite or if the automobile must be exchanged and towed. The car might be moved as soon as the transit police give permission.

Crossing the Border – Rental automobiles can’t be taken to neighboring nations (Nicaragua or Panama) on account of insurance coverage restrictions. If you wish to go to these locations, you’ll be able to organize to drop off your rental car on the border and reserve a automobile to be delivered when you’ve crossed it.
 

11 Driving Ideas for Costa Rica

1. Hold a detailed eye on pace restrict indicators, as this will change shortly inside a brief distance.

2. You’re renting a automobile, not a ship, so resist the temptation to drive by way of rivers (even when the locals are doing so). Insurance coverage insurance policies are voided if the car is pushed by way of any physique of water. And the digital parts of recent automobiles are prone to expertise costly injury in water.

3. On an analogous word, it’s unlawful to park on the seashore. That is to guard wildlife, akin to turtles. Even when locals are doing it, discover a safe parking zone as an alternative.

4. Drivers within the different lane could flash their lights as they’re coming towards you. That is normally a warning that there are transit police forward or that there’s an upcoming impediment.

5. Pace bumps could also be large and may very well be unmarked. Keep vigilant.

6. Bridges could also be one lane, so it is advisable to search for signage that signifies which route has precedence.

7. If driving a manual-transmission car, change gears when driving downhill, and don’t journey the brakes or else the pads may overheat.

8. Use warning whereas driving at night time. Roads are sometimes poorly lit, and cyclists or pedestrians could use the street edge in locations the place there’s no sidewalk. Plan to reach at your vacation spot by sundown or round 5:30pm. Hold your eyes peeled for sloths or different wildlife crossing the street.

9. For those who’re touring outdoors of the Central Valley or probably the most visited vacationer spots like Jaco, hire an SUV for the upper clearance that the car gives. For extra rural locations, a 4×4 could also be required, particularly within the wet season. Be happy to ask your automobile rental supplier for recommendation on the very best car in your itinerary.

10. Flat tires usually are not normally coated by in-house or bank card insurance policies. For those who get a flat tire, a neighborhood storage can normally repair it for lower than $20 USD.

11. If you’re pulled over by the transit police, it’s best to current your driver’s license, passport, and the paperwork offered by the automobile rental firm. Visitors tickets might be issued by officers, however the cost can solely be made in a financial institution or by way of your automobile rental firm. Ought to a police officer ask you for money, name the police instantly or your automobile rental firm for help. Don’t pay any bribes.

Costa Rica is a wonderful nation and one among my favourite locations in Central America. To make sure you benefit from your go to and get off the overwhelmed path, hire a automobile. You’ll have extra freedom and suppleness, and have the ability to discover past the usual vacationer websites. I can’t suggest it sufficient!

Click on right here to get a quote from Vamos Hire-A-Automotive. You’ll get an automated 5% off simply by utilizing this hyperlink!