Rent a Car in Costa Rica
Without the Hidden Fees

Not for most itineraries. Costa Rica's main tourist routes — Tamarindo, Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Jacó, the Caribbean coast highway — are paved and handled fine in a standard sedan. Roads keep improving as destinations grow more popular.

Where higher clearance matters: remote beach access roads, river crossings in rainy season (May–November), and off-the-beaten-path spots that haven't been paved yet. Think Playa Ventanas in Puntarenas, deep Osa Peninsula tracks, or some Nicoya Peninsula back roads.

A popular middle-ground option is the Suzuki Jimny. It sits higher than a standard car, has 4WD for when you need it, and runs a small engine that keeps fuel costs down. When in doubt, look up the access road for your specific destinations before defaulting to the largest vehicle on the lot. Still weighing whether to rent at all? Read our full rental car guide.

Expect roughly $25–45 per day for an economy car in low season, and $50–80+ per day for an SUV or 4WD in peak season. Quotes often look higher than US rentals because Costa Rica's mandatory government liability insurance is bundled into the price. That's normal, not a scam. September is typically the cheapest month, February the most expensive.

No. Costa Rica accepts your home country's driver's license for the duration of your tourist visa. An IDP is not required, though carrying one as a backup doesn't hurt. Your license must be valid and not expired.

Many nationalities can now stay up to 180 days in Costa Rica on a tourist visa. The exact allowance depends on your passport and the immigration officer's discretion at the border. If you're traveling with an open itinerary or no return ticket booked, you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. See our onward ticket guide for your options.

Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old. Some companies charge a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25. A few premium brands (Hertz, Avis) set the minimum at 25. DiscoverCars filters by age so you only see cars available to you.

Some premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum) offer rental car CDW as a benefit. If yours does, you may be able to decline the CDW from the rental company. However, Costa Rica's mandatory government liability insurance (INS) is separate and must be purchased regardless. It's typically included in the rental price. Check your card's benefits before relying on it.

For travel between December and April (peak season), book at least 4–6 weeks in advance. 4WD vehicles in particular sell out early. DiscoverCars offers free cancellation on most bookings, so you can reserve now and cancel if plans change. There's no reason to wait.

Usually not by default. Cross-border travel requires specific authorization from the rental company and typically incurs additional fees and insurance. Request this at booking time. Not all companies permit it. DiscoverCars notes cross-border restrictions on each listing.

There are proper multi-lane highways around San José and heading south from Liberia into Guanacaste. Outside those corridors, most roads are single lane and undivided. Drive with caution and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.

Things to watch for: unmarked speed bumps that appear with no warning, livestock and animals crossing, pedestrians, motorcycles filtering between lanes, and trucks coming fast around blind corners on hills. Use Waze. It flags speed bumps and road hazards in real time and is widely used in Costa Rica.

Try to avoid driving at night if you're not a confident driver. Speeds are higher after dark, headlights can be blinding on narrow roads, and driving in heavy rain through the mountains is genuinely stressful. If you can reach your destination before dark, do it.

Otherwise, the road layout is similar to the United States. One local rule worth learning: CEDA means yield. You'll see it on roadside signs and painted on the road, most commonly before single-lane bridges. If CEDA is on your side, stop and wait. Oncoming traffic has the right of way.