car rental in costa rica
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Costa Rica
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Prices and availability for Costa Rica come through our partner network, Localrent. Your booking completes on the partner's secure checkout.
Costa Rica is a country you explore by driving, from San Jose across the mountains to the Pacific beaches, the cloud forest at Monteverde and the volcanoes around Arenal. Main routes are paved, but the last stretch to many beaches and lodges is gravel, mud or a river crossing, which is why a 4x4 is often the sensible choice. San Jose is the default pick-up and Liberia in Guanacaste is selectable, and the cars on this page come from local rental companies with live prices.
How it works here
Search here
Pick your dates and see live cars and prices from local rental companies.
Book on the partner’s secure checkout
Confirm the car and your details on our partner network’s checkout and receive your voucher.
Pick up at the desk
Show the voucher and your licence at the desk, settle anything due locally, take the keys.
Renting a car in Costa Rica: common questions
Should I pick up in San Jose or Liberia?
San Jose suits trips that take in Arenal, Monteverde, the Caribbean side and the central Pacific. Liberia in Guanacaste is the better choice if your trip is mostly the northern Pacific beaches, since you skip the long drive from the capital. Select the pick-up city in the search to compare cars at each.
Do I really need a 4x4 in Costa Rica?
For the main highways and towns, no. For Monteverde, Nosara, Santa Teresa, the Osa Peninsula and many lodges, the final stretch is unpaved and can be rough, especially in the rainy months from May to November. If those places are on your route, a 4x4 with decent clearance is worth the extra.
What licence do I need?
A full driving licence held for at least a year is the usual requirement, and each company sets its own minimum age and young-driver conditions. If your licence is not in the Latin alphabet, bring an International Driving Permit alongside it. The exact conditions for every car are shown before you book.
Is there a deposit, and what about insurance?
Deposit and insurance terms differ between companies in Costa Rica, so they are shown per car before you book. You will see what is included, what the excess is, and whether a deposit is held on your card at the desk.
Where does the booking actually happen?
You search here and see live cars and prices from local rental companies. When you choose one, the booking completes on our partner network’s secure checkout, where you confirm the details and receive your voucher. Show the voucher at the desk on pick-up.
Run a rental company in Costa Rica?
If you rent cars in Costa Rica and want travellers to book you directly on GetCar, you can list your fleet here. Commission only, no listing fees, and every booking is confirmed by you.