The Final Information to Renting a Automotive in Costa Rica (Up to date 2024)

Posted: 1/25/24 | January twenty fifth, 2024

I 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 standard with backpackers, honeymooners, and expats alike. And whereas it’s small, there’s a ton to see and do. You might 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 would possibly initially sound interesting, the truth is that ready within the scorching solar after which bouncing alongside bumpy roads in an previous bus with out shocks or air-conditioning isn’t for the fainthearted. If you would like actual freedom to discover, you want a rental automotive.

That can assist you plan your journey, right here’s every part it’s essential to find out about renting a automotive in Costa Rica.

Choosing the Proper Rental Automotive (and Rental Firm)

Earlier than you lease a automotive, learn and evaluate critiques for automotive rental firms. Whereas the usual huge firms 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 simply require. The quote ought to embody necessary third-party insurance coverage, taxes, and every 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 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 totally different in Costa Rica than your nation of departure. You’ll need to substantiate the time, date, and site 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 guide transmission could also be cheaper than automated and extra widespread in Costa Rica however ought to solely be chosen should you can drive a stick shift.
• Returning your automotive at a vacation spot totally different from the place you picked it up will most likely incur a further cost.
• Most rental firms won’t assure a selected make and mannequin throughout the rental class.
• Count on 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’ve got an early flight, contemplate dropping off the car the evening earlier than and utilizing a lodge shuttle to the airport.
• On-line journey companies (OTAs) typically fail to incorporate all fees, so should you guide via one, be sure you examine the ultimate worth with the automotive rental firm, via which the pricing could also be extra clear.
• Most firms now provide a web-based 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 sooner.

My go-to rental automotive firm in Costa Rica is Vamos. You may 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 throughout the constructing; nevertheless, the workplaces (the place you’ll get your automotive) are off-site. They often have a shuttle service to take purchasers to their workplaces, most of that are positioned inside a 10-minute drive of the airport.

Native hustlers would possibly let you know that your organization has gone out of enterprise to persuade you to go along with a unique firm that may 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 finished on-line and conduct a car inspection with you. Though the agent will observe current injury, it is best to take images or video of the automotive for backup functions.

Your car could not have a full gas tank once you decide it up, however the gas gauge degree needs to be logged on the inspection kind. You’ll need to return the automotive with the identical gas degree. Though you’ll not be reimbursed for a degree greater than the one registered, you may be charged whether it is under the beginning degree.

Returning the Car
Affirm your drop-off location and time once you decide up the car. In case you are caught in site visitors or are delayed for any motive, contact the rental firm to keep away from a penalty. Ensure that your gas 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 car with you after which course of the deposit reimbursement.
 

Paperwork Wanted for Renting a Automotive in Costa Rica

Right here’s every part it’s essential to lease a automotive in Costa Rica:

Driver’s license – You should utilize 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 should be legitimate for the whole thing of your keep.

It is very important observe that though most vacationers shall be given a 180-day visa after 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 legitimate bank card in your title to pay the automotive rental and to position the deposit.

Passport – Your passport needs to be legitimate all through your keep. Legally, vacationers should carry it with them always. The transit police will need to see it and your entry visa if you’re pulled over.

A Word on the Minimal and Most Driving Age
Every automotive rental firm has insurance policies relating to 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 firms require that drivers be no less than 25. Youthful drivers might be able to lease a automotive for a further 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 method. Examine that this price is included in your rental quote, because it’s typically not noted, so chances are 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 firms provide 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 firms provide extra protection for tires and the windscreen (windshield), as they aren’t at all times lined by the CDW.

In case your bank card supplier has a CDW as a perk, you may waive the in-house CDW. Simply observe that you will want to carry 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 isn’t often ample.

One necessary factor to notice is that the rental firm could maintain a deposit for the rental interval, which might 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 soak up this sediment.
 

Driving in Costa Rica

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

Velocity limits – Indicators are in kilometers moderately than miles, and pace limits are typically decrease than you’d count on, 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 fuel or diesel. This data needs to be on the car inspection report should you’ve forgotten. Gasoline stations usually are not self-service, so be ready to ask for the type of gas you want in addition to the quantity.

When you’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 may be taught 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 at all times have correct data. It additionally tends to underestimate journey occasions, so it is best to take that into consideration when planning your itinerary should you plan to make use of it.

Regardless of Costa Rica’s official tackle 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 dwelling 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 would possibly develop to benefit from the quirky tico (Costa Rican) method of discovering locations!

Parking – At all times park in safe parking heaps, and don’t depart valuables in an unattended car, as break-ins can happen.

In the previous few years, there have been instances of the transit police issuing fines and eradicating license plates from autos parked on yellow strains at standard vacationer spots like Manuel Antonio. The headache on this state of affairs is that the car can’t be pushed with out plates and should 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. It is a time-consuming and costly process, so be conscious of the place you park!
 

Extra Rental Issues

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

Extra drivers – Count on to pay a every day charge for every driver added to your rental settlement after the primary driver. (Vamos Lease-A-Automotive gives extra drivers with out further price.) It is sensible to have no less than one extra driver to share the burden for longer journeys or to take over if the primary driver is feeling below the climate.

Roof racks – When you’re touring with numerous baggage or surfboards, then renting a roof rack at a every day charge could also be an answer to a cramped car inside.

Child or automotive seating – When you’re touring with kids, Costa Rican legislation about seating (see under) is strictly enforced. Both carry your personal youngster seat or lease one at a every day charge from the corporate.

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

• Rear-facing child seat: Required for kids lower than a yr previous and below 22 lbs (10 kg)
• Baby seat: For these as much as 4 years previous or lower than 40 lbs (18 kg) and below 3’7”
• Booster seat: For these 5 to 12 years previous, 40 kilos or extra, and nonetheless below 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 fees through the use of a Mi-Fi (cellular 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 count on. Web protection in Costa Rica is large, however don’t rely on it if you’re touring off the crushed monitor.

Accidents – In case you are concerned in a site visitors accident, examine that nobody is harm then transfer to security off the street. Don’t transfer the car. Name the transit police and your insurance coverage firm. You also needs to 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) as a result of insurance coverage restrictions. If you wish to go to these locations, you may 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. Preserve an in depth eye on pace restrict indicators, as this will change shortly 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 contemporary autos are more likely to expertise costly injury in water.

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

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 huge and might be unmarked. Keep vigilant.

6. Bridges could also be one lane, so it’s essential to search for signage that signifies which route has precedence.

7. If driving a manual-transmission car, change gears when driving downhill, and don’t experience the brakes or else the pads may 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. Preserve your eyes peeled for sloths or different wildlife crossing the street.

9. When you’re touring outdoors of the Central Valley or probably the most visited vacationer spots like Jaco, lease an SUV for the upper clearance that the car gives. 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 very best car to your itinerary.

10. Flat tires usually are not often lined by in-house or bank card insurance policies. When you get a flat tire, a neighborhood storage can often repair it for lower than $20 USD.

11. In case you are pulled over by the transit police, it is best to current your driver’s license, passport, and the paperwork supplied by the automotive rental firm. Visitors tickets may be issued by officers, however the cost 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 wonderful nation and one in every of my favourite locations in Central America. To make sure you benefit from your go to and get off the crushed path, lease a automotive. You’ll have extra freedom and suppleness, and have the ability to discover past the usual vacationer websites. I can’t advocate it sufficient!

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