The Final Information to Renting a Automobile 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 gorgeous seashores to its lush jungles, this biodiverse nation is widespread with backpackers, honeymooners, and expats alike. And whereas it’s small, there’s a ton to see and do. You can 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 may initially sound interesting, the truth is that ready within the sizzling solar after which bouncing alongside bumpy roads in an previous bus with out shocks or air-conditioning will not be for the fainthearted. In order for you actual freedom to discover, you want a rental automotive.

That can assist you plan your journey, right here’s every little thing you might want to find out about renting a automotive in Costa Rica.

Choosing the Proper Rental Automobile (and Rental Firm)

Earlier than you lease a automotive, learn and evaluate evaluations for automotive rental corporations. Whereas the usual massive corporations can be found right here, there are many native ones too.

Upon getting narrowed down the record 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 some other surcharges, like airport tax. Most websites embody all this data when getting a quote on-line.

Whether or not you’re reserving on-line or immediately with an agent, double-check the small print 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 have 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 automotive in Costa Rica:

• A handbook transmission could also be cheaper than automated and extra frequent in Costa Rica however ought to solely be chosen for those who can drive a stick shift.
• Returning your automotive at a vacation spot completely different from the place you picked it up will in all probability incur an extra cost.
• Most rental corporations is not going to assure a particular make and mannequin inside the rental class.
• Anticipate to lease for 24-hour intervals. Time your pickup and drop-off accordingly.
• Present your flight quantity earlier than you arrive, so the corporate can monitor your flight.
• When you have an early flight, take into account dropping off the car the night time earlier than and utilizing a resort shuttle to the airport.
• On-line journey companies (OTAs) typically fail to incorporate all costs, so for those who e book via one, make sure you verify the ultimate worth with the automotive rental firm, via which the pricing could also be extra clear.
• Most corporations now provide an internet check-in course of to add paperwork comparable to passports and driver’s licenses to chop time on the counter and get on the street quicker.

My go-to rental automotive firm in Costa Rica is Vamos. You’ll be able to click on right here to get a quote. (You’ll get 5% off simply through the use of that hyperlink).
 

Arriving on the Airport

Each worldwide airports in Costa Rica have automotive rental firm desks inside the constructing; nevertheless, the workplaces (the place you’ll get your automotive) are off-site. They typically have a shuttle service to take purchasers to their workplaces, most of that are situated inside a 10-minute drive of the airport.

Native hustlers may 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 together with your firm’s emblem and ignore the hustlers.

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

Once 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 observe present harm, you must take images or video of the automotive for backup functions.

Your car could not have a full gas tank once you choose it up, however the gas gauge degree must be logged on the inspection type. You will have to return the automotive with the identical gas degree. Though you’ll not be reimbursed for a degree increased than the one registered, you’ll be charged whether it is beneath the beginning degree.

Returning the Automobile
Verify your drop-off location and time once you choose up the car. In case you are caught in site visitors or are delayed for any purpose, contact the rental firm to keep away from a penalty. Guarantee 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 Automobile in Costa Rica

Right here’s every little thing you might want to lease a automotive in Costa Rica:

Driver’s license – You should use your native driver’s license through 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 world driving license is required. Your driver’s license have to be legitimate for the whole thing of your keep.

It is very important observe that though most vacationers might 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 sound bank card in your identify to pay the automotive rental and to position the deposit.

Passport – Your passport must be legitimate in the course of 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 Observe on the Minimal and Most Driving Age
Every automotive 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; nevertheless, most corporations require that drivers be not less than 25. Youthful drivers might be able to lease a automotive for an extra surcharge and insurance coverage prices.
 

Insurance coverage Protection

Costa Rica has necessary third-party insurance coverage for automotive leases. It isn’t attainable to acquire this protection some other manner. Examine that this value is included in your rental quote, because it’s typically ignored, so chances are you’ll find yourself paying greater than what you initially thought.

A collision harm waiver (CDW) covers losses from harm to your rental automotive. That is legally required when renting a automotive in Costa Rica. Most corporations provide varied tiers of insurance coverage, with varied deductibles. Many renters choose full protection for peace of thoughts, as then any harm that happens throughout rental is roofed. Some corporations provide extra 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 observe that you will want to convey 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 situations will not be often adequate.

One vital 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 might be launched on the finish of the rental interval. Be sure to have a bank card that may soak up this residue.
 

Driving in Costa Rica

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

Velocity 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. Velocity 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 for those who’ve forgotten. Gasoline stations should not self-service, so be ready to ask for the form of gas you want in addition to the quantity.

In the event you’re renting one of many EVs which might 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’ll be able to 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 accessible however doesn’t all the time have correct data. It additionally tends to underestimate journey instances, so you must take that into consideration when planning your itinerary for those who plan to make use of it.

Regardless of Costa Rica’s official deal with 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 often described as 100 meters.

So as to add to the confusion, a location could use landmarks that now not exist however had been recognized properly sufficient to stay in residing reminiscence. So chances are you’ll be directed to go 600 meters south of the place “the place the massive mango tree was” or to show left after “the grocery store that was pink.” Fortunately, Waze is a navigation lifesaver, however you may develop to benefit from the quirky tico (Costa Rican) manner of discovering locations!

Parking – All the time park in safe parking heaps, and don’t go away 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 autos parked on yellow strains at widespread 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 automotive rental firm reclaims the plates from the related authority. This can be a time-consuming and costly process, so be aware of the place you park!
 

Further Rental Concerns

Many automotive rental corporations cost a each day worth for gear or providers past the essential rental prices. It’s best to take this under consideration when budgeting your journey. These can embody:

Further drivers – Anticipate to pay a each day charge for every driver added to your rental settlement after the principle driver. (Vamos Lease-A-Automobile affords extra drivers with out additional value.) It is sensible to have not less than one extra driver to share the burden for longer journeys or to take over if the principle driver is feeling underneath the climate.

Roof racks – In the event you’re touring with loads of baggage or surfboards, then renting a roof rack at a each day charge could also be an answer to a cramped car inside.

Child or automotive seating – In the event you’re touring with kids, Costa Rican regulation about seating (see beneath) is strictly enforced. Both convey your personal little one seat or lease one at a each day charge from the corporate.

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

• Rear-facing child seat: Required for youngsters lower than a yr previous and underneath 22 lbs (10 kg)
• Youngster seat: For these as much as 4 years previous or lower than 40 lbs (18 kg) and underneath 3’7”
• Booster seat: For these 5 to 12 years previous, 40 kilos or extra, and nonetheless underneath 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 costs through the use of a Mi-Fi (cell Wi-Fi) gadget out of your rental firm. It’s often quick sufficient to add your newest vacay pics onto Instagram, hook up with your Spotify road-trip playlists, and navigate with Waze, however downloading motion pictures might be an excessive amount of to anticipate. Web protection in Costa Rica is huge, however don’t rely on it if you’re touring off the overwhelmed monitor.

Accidents – In case you are concerned in a site visitors accident, verify 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 must also name your automotive rental supplier to evaluate if the automotive may be pushed, if a mechanic is required onsite or if the automotive must be exchanged and towed. The car may be moved as soon as the transit police give permission.

Crossing the Border – Rental autos 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 prepare to drop off your rental car on the border and reserve a automotive to be delivered when you’ve crossed it.
 

11 Driving Suggestions for Costa Rica

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

2. You’re renting a automotive, not a ship, so resist the temptation to drive via rivers (even when the locals are doing so). Insurance coverage insurance policies are voided if the car is pushed via any physique of water. And the digital elements of recent autos are more likely to expertise costly harm in water.

3. On an identical observe, it’s unlawful to park on the seashore. That is to guard wildlife, comparable to turtles. Even when locals are doing it, discover a safe parking zone as a substitute.

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

5. Velocity bumps could also be massive and may very well be unmarked. Keep vigilant.

6. Bridges could also be one lane, so you might want to search for signage that signifies which path has precedence.

7. If driving a manual-transmission car, change gears when driving downhill, and don’t journey the brakes or else the pads might 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. In the event you’re touring outdoors of the Central Valley or essentially the most visited vacationer spots like Jaco, lease an SUV for the upper clearance that the car affords. For extra rural locations, a 4×4 could also be required, particularly within the wet season. Be at liberty to ask your automotive rental supplier for recommendation on the most effective car in your itinerary.

10. Flat tires should not often coated by in-house or bank card insurance policies. In the event you get a flat tire, an area storage can often repair it for lower than $20 USD.

11. In case you are pulled over by the transit police, you must current your driver’s license, passport, and the paperwork offered by the automotive rental firm. Visitors tickets may be issued by officers, however the fee can solely be made in a financial institution or through your automotive rental firm. Ought to a police officer ask you for money, name the police immediately or your automotive rental firm for help. Don’t pay any bribes.

Costa Rica is an exquisite nation and considered one of my favourite locations in Central America. To make sure you take advantage of your go to and get off the overwhelmed path, lease a automotive. You’ll have extra freedom and suppleness, and be capable of discover past the usual vacationer websites. I can’t advocate it sufficient!

Click on right here to get a quote from Vamos Lease-A-Automobile. You’ll get an automated 5% off simply through the use of this hyperlink!