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 common with backpackers, honeymooners, and expats alike. And whereas it’s small, there’s a ton to see and do. You would simply spend a month and nonetheless barely scratch the floor.

It’s additionally wonderful 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 is just not for the fainthearted. If you need actual freedom to discover, you need a rental car.

That can assist you plan your journey, right here’s the whole lot that you must find out about renting a automotive in Costa Rica.

Selecting the Proper Rental Automotive (and Rental Firm)

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

After you have narrowed down the listing to a selected few, ask for quotes for the kind of automobile and journey dates that you simply require. The quote ought to embrace necessary third-party insurance coverage, taxes, and every other surcharges, like airport tax. Most websites embrace all this data when getting a quote on-line.

Whether or not you might be 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 verify the time, date, and site of your automobile’s pickup and drop-off, the automobile class, transmission, and protection required.

Factors to recollect when renting a automotive in Costa Rica:

• A guide transmission could also be cheaper than automated and extra widespread in Costa Rica however ought to solely be chosen if you happen to 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 won’t assure a particular make and mannequin throughout the rental class.
• Count on 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 monitor your flight.
• If in case you have an early flight, contemplate dropping off the automobile the evening earlier than and utilizing a lodge shuttle to the airport.
• On-line journey companies (OTAs) usually fail to incorporate all prices, so if you happen to guide via one, you’ll want to test the ultimate value with the automotive rental firm, via which the pricing could also be extra clear.
• Most corporations now supply an internet check-in course of to add paperwork similar 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 can click 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 throughout 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 unique 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.

Whenever 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 automobile inspection with you. Though the agent will notice current injury, it is best to take pictures or video of the automotive for backup functions.

Your automobile could not have a full gasoline tank while you decide it up, however the gasoline gauge degree ought to be logged on the inspection kind. You will want to return the automotive with the identical gasoline 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 Car
Affirm your drop-off location and time while you decide up the automobile. If you’re caught in site visitors or are delayed for any cause, contact the rental firm to keep away from a penalty. Make it possible for your gasoline gauge is on the proper degree, or else head to a fuel station earlier than you drop it off. The corporate’s consultant will examine your automobile with you after which course of the deposit reimbursement.
 

Paperwork Wanted for Renting a Automotive in Costa Rica

Right here’s the whole lot that you must hire a automotive in Costa Rica:

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

It is very important notice that though most vacationers shall 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 title to pay the automotive rental and to position the deposit.

Passport – Your passport ought to be legitimate throughout your keep. Legally, vacationers should carry it with them always. The transit police will need to see it and your entry visa in case you are pulled over.

A Be aware on the Minimal and Most Driving Age
Every automotive rental firm has insurance policies concerning the age of the drivers it insures. Many would not 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 a minimum of 25. Youthful drivers could possibly hire 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’s not attainable to acquire this protection every other means. Test that this value is included in your rental quote, because it’s usually omitted, so it’s possible you’ll find yourself paying greater than what you initially thought.

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

In case your bank card supplier has a CDW as a perk, you possibly can waive the in-house CDW. Simply notice that you will want to convey a letter that explicitly states the quantity of protection, that Costa Rica is included within the areas lined, and the final 4 digits of the motive force’s bank card. A replica of the bank card firm’s phrases and situations is just not normally enough.

One essential factor to notice is that the rental firm could maintain a deposit for the rental interval, which could possibly be as much as $5,000 USD if the renter is utilizing their bank card supplier’s CDW. The deposit shall be launched on the finish of the rental interval. Be sure you have a bank card that may take in this layer.
 

Driving in Costa Rica

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

Pace limits – Indicators are in kilometers reasonably than miles, and velocity 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.

Fuel stations – Just remember to know in case your rental automobile is fueled by fuel or diesel. This data ought to be on the automobile inspection report if you happen to’ve forgotten. Fuel stations are usually not self-service, so be ready to ask for the type of gasoline you want in addition to the quantity.

If you happen to’re renting one of many EVs which might be beginning to kind a part of fleets in Costa Rica, then plan your route across the community of charging stations throughout the nation. You can learn more about those 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 on the market however doesn’t all the time have correct data. It additionally tends to underestimate journey instances, so it is best to take that into consideration when planning your itinerary if you happen to 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 normally described as 100 meters.

So as to add to the confusion, a location could use landmarks that not exist however had been identified properly sufficient to stay in dwelling reminiscence. So it’s possible you’ll 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 may develop to benefit from the quirky tico (Costa Rican) means of discovering locations!

Parking – At all times park in safe parking tons, and don’t depart valuables in an unattended automobile, 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 common vacationer spots like Manuel Antonio. The headache on this scenario is that the automobile 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 Issues

Many automotive 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 embrace:

Further drivers – Count on to pay a day by day fee for every driver added to your rental settlement after the principle driver. (Vamos Rent-A-Car provides further drivers with out further value.) It is sensible to have a minimum of one further driver to share the burden for longer journeys or to take over if the principle driver is feeling underneath the climate.

Roof racks – If you happen to’re touring with quite a lot of baggage or surfboards, then renting a roof rack at a day by day fee could also be an answer to a cramped automobile inside.

Child or automotive seating – If you happen to’re touring with kids, Costa Rican legislation about seating (see beneath) is strictly enforced. Both convey your personal baby seat or hire one at a day by day fee from the corporate.

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

• Rear-facing child seat: Required for kids lower than a yr previous and underneath 22 lbs (10 kg)
• Little one 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 related all through your journey with out paying extortionate roaming prices through the use of a Mi-Fi (cell Wi-Fi) system out of your rental firm. It’s normally 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 vast, however don’t depend on it in case you are touring off the overwhelmed monitor.

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

Crossing the Border – Rental autos can’t be taken to neighboring international locations (Nicaragua or Panama) resulting from insurance coverage restrictions. If you wish to go to these locations, you possibly can organize to drop off your rental automobile on the border and reserve a automotive to be delivered when you’ve crossed it.
 

11 Driving Ideas for Costa Rica

1. Maintain a detailed eye on velocity 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 automobile is pushed via any physique of water. And the digital elements of recent autos are prone to expertise costly injury in water.

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

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 massive and could possibly be unmarked. Keep vigilant.

6. Bridges could also be one lane, so that you must search for signage that signifies which route has precedence.

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

8. Use warning whereas driving at evening. 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. Maintain your eyes peeled for sloths or different wildlife crossing the street.

9. If you happen to’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 automobile provides. For extra rural locations, a 4×4 could also be required, particularly within the wet season. Be happy to ask your automotive rental supplier for recommendation on the perfect automobile on your itinerary.

10. Flat tires are usually not normally lined by in-house or bank card insurance policies. If you happen to 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 is best to current your driver’s license, passport, and the paperwork offered by the automotive rental firm. Visitors tickets could be issued by officers, however the fee can solely be made in a financial institution or by way of your automotive rental firm. Ought to a police officer ask you for money, name the police instantly or your automotive rental firm for help. Don’t pay any bribes.

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

Click here to get a quote from Vamos Rent-A-Car. You’ll get an automatic 5% off just by using this link!