Costa Rica is a small country with a diverse geography. Tall mountains, dense rainforests, deep canyons, and plenty of wild coastlines all occupy this little nation. Getting around takes time!
This is why you should rent a car when you visit. First, renting a car gives you freedom. Pick up and take off whenever the mood hits, change routes, and even backtrack to revisit a favorite spot.
Traveling at your own pace reduces the stress of following strict schedules. Unlike traveling by bus, air, or shuttle, renting a car means you can make your own schedule. You’ll also be free to stop at the many fruit stands and scenic overlooks on the side of the road.
Second, you’ll gain access to off-the-beaten-path destinations. Many of the country’s treasures are unreachable without a rental car. That is unless you can afford to hire a private driver.
Deserted palm-lined beaches, misty waterfalls, and off-the-beaten-track hiking trails are in your reach with a rental car.
And lastly, nothing beats the ease a car brings when traveling with children. Families who travel with kids especially appreciate having their belongings close at hand.
When kids are exhausted, road trips can provide the perfect opportunity for them to catch up on sleep and prevent meltdowns.
Tips for renting a car in Costa Rica
Tip #1 — Rent a Mobile Hotspot
We recommend renting an Adobe Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot for your trip. Our internet hot spots are mobile and can connect up to five devices at once.
Around-the-clock Wi-Fi service lets drivers stay connected to the latest road conditions. It also ensures passengers are entertained and can catch up on emails.
The best navigation app for visiting Costa Rica is WAZE, followed by Google Maps. Thousands of Costa Ricans use WAZE daily. Their constant input provides real-time road conditions and gives drivers alternative routes if necessary.
Tip #2 — Reserve well in advance
Pre-book your vehicle ahead of time during peak season to ensure availability. In peak season, vehicle inventories are quickly depleted.
If you show up without a reservation, the car you want may not be available. Reserving a car also helps you get the model and make you want.
Tip #3 — Save time by renting at your destination
You can save travel time by renting a car at any of our 14 offices nationwide. Check out our rental locations here.
If you arrive at the San José (SJO) airport and your vacation is in Manuel Antonio, you can fly to the Quepos airport and rent a car at our Quepos office. Our convenient full-service office is less than five minutes from the airstrip.
Combining in-country flights with your vehicle rental means you can focus on what’s important, having fun!
Tip #4 — Watch out for theft
Many people ask if renting a car in Costa Rica is safe. Our answer is YES!
However, like in many tourist areas, the rule of thumb in Costa Rica is to never to leave valuables in the car.
Whenever possible, park in a guarded lot. Most town centers will have guards on the street that watch cars for a tip (usually wearing a fluorescent yellow/orange vest or sash). Tips vary depending on how long you park.
If it’s a trendy destination, guards may ask for up to 1,000 CRC per hour. Although they are informal, these freelance guards do help discourage thieves.
Tip #5 — Fuel up
Gas stations are frequent around the capital and in major towns but are less common in rural areas. Fill up before you hit the back roads. Nobody likes the hassle of running out of gas.
The cost of gas and diesel in Costa Rica is typically higher than in the US but cheaper than in some European countries. Even though distances are shorter, mountainous roads and traffic jams can impact your gas mileage.
The cost of fuel and mileage depends mainly on where you plan to visit. Expect mountain and congested city driving to require more frequent fill ups.
Tip #6 — Tolls
Several of Costa Rica’s major highways are toll roads. Not all of them accept credit cards. When driving from destination to destination, always carry some Costa Rican colones and dollars with you to pay for tolls or other necessities.
Why choose Adobe Rent a Car?
At Adobe, we go beyond just providing excellent customer service. All our Costa Rica car rentals are less than two years old and expertly maintained. Our clients can select from a wide range of trusted brands and models.
Unlike other car rental companies, we promise NO HIDDEN FEES. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the fine print. At Adobe, we provide transparent and competitive pricing throughout the year.
Our Supplemental Protection Plan protects our customers with 24-hour roadside assistance. Our SPP protection is active seven days a week, 365 days a year, regardless of where you travel.
Basic requirements to rent a car:
- You must have a valid driver’s license issued for more than two years. The license should also be valid during your stay in Costa Rica as a tourist.
- If the license is not in the Latin alphabet or a digital license, it must be presented with an International Driver’s License.
- Drivers must also present a valid ID or passport with a current entry stamp.
- A major credit card with your printed name is required to pay the US $1,000 security deposit. We accept MasterCard, VISA, and American Express. The cardholder must also be the same person picking up the vehicle.
- We do not accept debit cards, cash, or virtual credit cards. In order to waive the CDW rental protection, you must use the same credit card you use to pay for the rental. If you purchase CDW protection, you can use two credit cards from the same brand.
- At Adobe, the minimum age requirements to rent a car is 23 years old.
Can I pay with cash?
At Adobe, we do NOT accept cash as a form of payment. We ONLY accept credit cards.
What’s the best vehicle rental for adventure seekers?
Even for locals, driving in Costa Rica can be an adventure! That’s why renting a 4WD is your best choice if you plan to go off the beaten path.
If you drive in the mountains or encounter a patch of muddy road, using the 4WD setting is always helpful. The added lift and traction are useful when navigating narrow roads, washouts, steep inclines, and potholes.
Road conditions in Costa Rica
There are many types of terrain in Costa Rica. During your travels, expect to encounter steep mountains, river valleys, rugged coastlines, plenty of dirt roads, and narrow, curvy roads with sharp turns.
Many of Costa Rica’s national roads and highways may suddenly narrow to one lane at bridge crossings. In these cases, oncoming traffic is expected to yield.
Also, many roads can change from two ways to one way suddenly and without warning. Road construction can cause routes to end abruptly without clear signs or alternate directions.
The weather is unpredictable
Costa Rica has only two seasons: the rainy season (green season) and the dry season (summer).
The rainy (green) season on the Caribbean side runs between November and July. In the rest of the country, the rainy season is between May and November, with a bit of a break in July.
Even during the dry season, you may encounter rainstorms, intense fog, and high winds caused by elevation, climate, or humidity.
Driver Safety
Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica?
It is relatively safe to drive in Costa Rica if you follow regular driving precautions. Nonetheless, it’s best to expect what many consider to be chaotic driving conditions. Many drivers don’t follow the same rules of the road as in other countries.
Costa Ricans can be a bit wild when driving. Watch out for motorcycles, which tend to pass cars on both sides or drive in the middle of the road.
Adopt the Pura Vida attitude and let the local drivers take the lead. Turn on WAZE, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Try to drive during daylight hours when possible (5 am – 5:30 pm)
Try to avoid long-distance driving after dark at all costs. The conditions on Costa Rica’s roads are unpredictable, and safety is the key to a good vacation.
Always observe the speed limit
Respect the posted speed limit and pay attention to street signs. Road signage is the best way to know what type of conditions you may encounter ahead.
Take it slow
Most traffic accidents occur when unfamiliar drivers encounter an obstacle or unexpected hazard at high speeds. Safety first; take it slow.
If an accident happens
If an unforeseen event occurs, contact our Adobe rental car agency and then the local authorities.
Do not move the car, as a traffic inspector is required to analyze the scene for insurance and liability purposes. This applies even if your rental vehicle didn’t sustain any damages.
Our Adobe Emergency hotline can be reached by calling +(506) 2542-4888
Expect the unexpected
You might come across a cattle herd in the middle of the road. Always be ready to react safely.
Enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle and explore Costa Rica safely and securely.
Adobe’s FAQs
Yes. This is, in fact, the preferred mode of transportation for the majority of tourists in Costa Rica. Check out our information on safety precautions.
Read our informative feature here to learn more about Costa Rica’s mandatory insurances and Adobe’s car rental insurance.
Ideally YES. Having your own car will give you more freedom and access to many out-of-the-way places.
You can get around with Uber, taxis, private taxis, shuttle buses, and planes, but adding all the costs can end up being pricier than renting a car.
Navigating the public bus system in Costa Rica is a challenge on its own. The local bus schedules are not always reliable. Bus stops may be far from each other and require several providers to get from one place to another.
We usually recommend a 4WD SUV or similar for clients planning to visit multiple rural destinations. The added lift and power are always welcome when the going gets rough.
Many of the country’s top destinations, such as the volcanoes Arenal, Irazú, and Turrialba, and the Central Pacific, northern Guanacaste, and the south Atlantic beach towns are all accessible by well-paved roads. In such cases, a regular 2WD or sedan will suffice.
On the other hand, renting a 4WD is your best choice if you plan to visit Monteverde, La Fortuna, the Osa Península, the Talamanca Mountains, the Nicoya Península, or the northeastern Atlantic Coast.
This also applies to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Some visitors compare its landscape to scenes out of a Dr. Seuss book!
Adobe’s fleet is all under two years old, and many options are brand new.
Check out our entire fleet to see our brands.
Vehicle sizes, the number of passengers, and luggage space are generally categorized with the following descriptions:
· 4WD Full-Size SUV/ Premium/ 7 passengers/ 5 luggage.
· 4WD Mid-size/Intermediate SUV/ 4-5 passengers/ 4 luggage.
· 4WD SUV Economic/ 2 passengers/ 3 luggage.
· Sedan Minis, Intermediate and Full-Size/ 4 passengers/ 2 to 5 luggage.
· Minivans/ 7 passengers/ 7 luggage.
Rates can vary dramatically between car rental agencies, and often, the price quoted online is different from what the client ends up paying.
We guarantee the online quote at Adobe Rent a Car and offer low-priced additions like GPS devices, infant seats, and surfboard racks. We have NO HIDDEN FEES.
And lastly: A bit of trivia.
In Costa Rica, all cars have license plates on the front and back.
