At Adobe Rent a Car, our goal is to always anticipate and provide our customers with everything they need for a stress-free trip. That’s why, besides our wide range of rental vehicles, we offer regulation infant car seats or boosters, Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots, cell phones, surfboard racks, and much more.
The best infant car seat for your child in Costa Rica
According to Costa Rica traffic law; Regulation N. 38239-MOPT, Traffic Law 9078, artículo 94. Updated 27 October 2024, children and infants aged 12 and under and less than 1.45 meters (4 feet 9 inches) in height must use approved child restraint systems.
At Adobe, we assure international and U.S. parents that we abide by Costa Rica’s traffic laws.
We offer the following child seat options in compliance with the safety standards dictated by Costa Rican and international law.
Seats are categorized according to the age, height, and weight limits of each child.
- Rear Facing Car Seat
- Front Facing Car Seat
- High Back Booster Seat
- Regular Booster Seat
Additionally, all our cars are configured with the correct car seat installation anchoring devices – according to the type of vehicle and seat requested, mandated by Article 94.
Which car seat types are right for your child/children
An Adobe representative will provide car seat recommendations and select the appropriate type for your child based on his/her height and weight.
Costa Rica Traffic, Law 9078, Article 94
This Law groups children into five groups by their weight and height, and not by age:
Groups 0; 0+; 1; 2; 3
Group 0: For babies and toddlers up to one year of age who weigh less than 10kg (22 lbs) and measure up to 75 cm (30 in).
Group 0+: A rear facing position for babies and toddlers up to one year of age: who weigh less than 13 kg (28.7 lbs) and measure up to 75 cm (30 in).
Groups of 0 to 0+ must travel in a Rear Facing Car Seat for infants placed:
- if it is only one child, in the center of the back seat – or where the correct installation attachment or point harness is situated, or
- behind the passenger seat if two seats are being installed. The lightest child is placed in the center, and the heavier child is behind the passenger seat, or
- if there are three children, the third seat is behind the driver’s seat.
Group 1: Car seat for toddlers 1 to 4 years old who weigh between 9 and 18 kg (19.8 – 40 lbs.) and measure between 75 and 110 cm (30 – 43 in).
Group I children must travel in a Front Facing Car Seat, which offers lateral protection against any blunt object entering the vehicle and placed:
a. if it is only one child, in the center of the back seat – or where the correct installation attachment is situated; or
b. behind the passenger seat if two seats are being installed. The lightest child is placed in the center, and the heavier child is behind the passenger seat, or
c. If there are three children, the third seat is placed behind the driver’s seat
Ask an Adobe representative about the availability of convertible car seats.
Group 2. Children 4 to 6 years old who weigh between 15 and 25 kg (33 to 55 lbs.) and measure between 110 cm and 145 cm (43 – 57 in).
Group 2 children must travel in a High Back Booster Seat placed in the back seat of the vehicle, in one of the lateral positions, or where the correct installation attachment is situated. The child’s head must never exceed the upper edge of the device.
To install a car seat, the seat must:
- Allow the seat belt to fit properly over the collarbone and pelvis and prevent the child from sliding under the seat belt. This is called the “underwater effect.”
- Have a backrest to offer lateral protection to its occupant against any blunt object entering the vehicle.
- Be placed facing forward.
Group 3. Children from 6 to 12 years old who weigh between 22 and 36 kg (49 – 79 lbs.) and are between 110 cm and 145 cm (43 – 57 in) tall.
Group 3 children must travel in the car in a Regular Booster Seat without a backrest (backless booster seat). Placed facing forward in the back, in one of the lateral positions – or where the correct installation attachment is situated.
To install correctly, the child must be secured with the vehicle’s seat belt. Ask your Adobe representative if your infant car seat is equipped with anti rebound bars.
Children taller than 145 centimeters must
- use the vehicle’s seat belts
- sit with their hips flexed at a 90-degree angle against the back of the seat.
- rest their feet completely on the vehicle’s floor.
Other car seat safety precautions:
- All safety devices for transporting minors must be placed in the rear of the vehicle and under no circumstances in the front seat or a folding seat.
- The device, once installed, cannot move laterally more than three (3) centimeters.
- The chest restraint buckle (clip) should be at the height of the child’s armpits once the harness is adjusted.
- The harness straps cannot be twisted after they have been adjusted to fit the child.
- No device or toy can be placed inside the harness straps.
- The child’s head should never exceed the top edge of the device. There must always be at least approximately seven (7) centimeters between the top edge and the child’s head.
- The harness adjustment tension can be checked by:
- Trying to pinch the harness without success.
- Having difficulty passing a hand between the occupant’s thorax and the harness.
- A baby carrier’s handle must be below the level of the child’s head – never above his or her head.
What are the ages for car seats and booster seats in Costa Rica?
According to Traffic Law 9078, children must be transported in either infant car seats or booster seats according to the weight and height chart below or until the end of their 12th year. Regulation N. 38239-MOPT: Costa Rica Traffic Law 2018, Article 94: Booster car seat age and weight
| Group | Age | Weight | Height | Position | Device Type |
| 0 | 0 to 1 year | Under 10 kg | Up to 75 cm | If it is only one child, in the center of the back seat – or where the attachment is situated; orbehind the passenger seat if two seats are installed. The lightest child is placed in the center, and the heavier second one is behind the passenger seat orIf there are three children, the third seat is placed behind the driver’s seat. | Rear Facing Car Seat |
| 0+ | Under 13 kg | ||||
| 1 | 1 to 4 years | 9 to 18 kg | Between 75 – 110 cm | If it is only one child, in the center of the back seat – or where the attachment is situated; orbehind the passenger seat if two seats are installed. The lightest child is placed in the center, and the heavier second one is behind the passenger seat orIf there are three children, the third seat is placed behind the driver’s seat | Front Facing Car SeatThat protects against any blunt object entering the vehicle. |
| 2 | 4 to 6 years | 15 to 25 kg | Between 110 -145 cm | Placed facing forward in the back of the vehicle, in one of the lateral positions, or where the correct installation attachment and load legs are situated. The child’s head must never exceed the upper edge of the device. | High Back Booster SeatWith a backrest that protects against any blunt object entering the vehicle.The seat must allow the seat belt to fit properly over the collarbone and pelvis and prevent the child from sliding under the seat belt. |
| 3 | 6 to 12 years | 22 to 36 kg | Between 110 -145 cm | Placed facing forward in the back, in one of the lateral positions, or where the correct installation attachment is situated. The child must be secured with the vehicle belt. | Regular Booster Seat (backless boosters)Without a backrest |
Source: Regulation N. 38239-MOPT, Traffic Law 9078.
Note: The table’s objective is to reference the type of seat that the minor should use according to their age, weight, and height. The values are relative; thus, the measurement range of one type may be repeated in another: for example, a child who weighs 9 kg may measure less than 75 cm, and another of 9 kg may measure more than 75 cm. Thus, the child will require a different type of car seat.
Are infant car seats and other items included in the vehicle rental rate?
Infant seats
The vehicle rental rate does not include additional optional accessories. We charge for any requested items separately. Please request these accessories in advance when you book to ensure availability.
How to reserve a car seat for your child?
You can reserve additional accessories online, by phone, or by email. We include these items on our final rental quote for you to approve. If needed, an Adobe booking agent can help guide you on the available options that fit your requirements.
Please note that our infant car seat and accessories inventory is limited. It is best to reserve your equipment well in advance to ensure availability, especially during peak season.
What do these items cost?
We charge a daily rate for each additional accessory. Please note that a deposit is required for some items.
The following table is a breakdown of each item’s cost. Remember that accessories – devices to infant car seats and booster seat rentals – are subject to availability, and you should always be requested in advance. At Adobe, we want satisfied customers and offer competitive rates:
| Accessory Item | Price |
| Infant car seat (under13-years old and under 110 cm tall) | US $3.39 per day |
| Infant car seat (under 13 years old and under 145 cm tall) | US $1.13 per day |
| Surf Racks | US $3 per day |
| Cell phone with 60 minutes of prepaid local calls | US $11.30 per rental |
| Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot | US $11.30 per day |
We require a $100 security deposit for Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot rentals.
For more information, email us at reservas@adobecar.com or call +(506) 2542-4800.
An Adobe representative will advise you on the best options for making your trip pleasant and stress-free.
Additional items for rent
- Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots: these connect up to five devices at a time
- Surfboard Racks: that safely transport all your outdoor gear
- Beverage and snack coolers
- Cell Phones: connected to a local data provider for continual easy access
- Infant car seats and boost
