Cheap Costa Rica car hire

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Costa Rica car hire at a glance

Most popular providerAlamo
Most popular carPremium/Luxury, Pickup Regular Cab
Pick-up points
Cheapest price found
Cheapest month to rentMay
Best time to book2 weeks before
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Costa Rica could cost, we've pulled prices from Liberia.

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Find the cheapest time to hire a car in Costa Rica

The cheapest month to rent a car in Costa Rica is May, when the average cost per day is £25. If that doesn’t work for you, the second cheapest month is September, when the average cost per day is £26. Keep in mind when you’re looking to book, that the most expensive month to rent a car in Costa Rica is February.
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Costa Rica could cost, we've pulled prices from Liberia.

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Getting the cheapest car rental in Costa Rica

Here are some tips to help you bag the best prices, and hit the road for less.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Costa Rica

Exploring Costa Rica by car offers convenience and flexibility, and finding an affordable hire is easy with us. Our search function uses the same reliable technology as our flight search to locate the best deals. Whether your journey begins in San Jose or coastal spots like Liberia and Tamarindo, compare options based on price, pickup ease, and fuel policy. With 38 pickup points, including popular San Jose, flexibility is key. You can even find deals that accommodate changes or cancellations, ensuring peace of mind during your Costa Rican adventure.

Costa Rica's most popular car hire companies

When hiring a car in Costa Rica, you have various options to choose from, including Dollar, U-Save, Europcar, Alamo, Amigos, and Routes Car Rentals. You can select from different car types to match your needs. Whether you prefer a small car for city driving and fuel economy or require a larger vehicle for more space and diverse road conditions, these providers offer solutions to facilitate your exploration of the country's unique destinations.

What are the speed limits in Costa Rica?

When driving in Costa Rica, it's important to be aware of the speed limits to ensure a smooth journey. On highways, you can go up to 90 km/h, while expressways and country roads have a limit of 80 km/h. In cities, keep your speed at a maximum of 40 km/h. Always watch for road signs, as speed limits can vary in different regions.

Popular driving trips in Costa Rica

Discover the joy of driving in Costa Rica with routes that offer both adventure and scenery. Begin your journey from San José to La Fortuna via Route 1, your gateway to Arenal Volcano activities and the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall. Continue from La Fortuna to Monteverde, where paved and unpaved roads lead to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, perfect for ziplining and wildlife spotting.

Further explore Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula starting in Liberia and heading to Santa Teresa. With unpaved sections, allow for leisurely beach hopping along the Nicoya Peninsula, enjoy the nightlife in Tamarindo, and relax in the laid-back atmosphere of Santa Teresa.

What you'll need to hire a car in Costa Rica

When hiring a car in Costa Rica, ensure you meet the minimum rental age requirement of 25 years. You'll need a valid driving licence, and remember that driving is on the right. An International Driving Permit may also be beneficial. Check that your credit card has enough funds for the rental deposit. Familiarise yourself with Costa Rican driving laws to ensure a smooth experience and consider booking your vehicle in advance to secure the best rates.


Car hire in Costa Rica: FAQs

You will need insurance to rent a car in Costa Rica, but you wont necessarily need ‘extra’ insurance. Different car hire companies offer different insurance policies, so make sure you look at the details when you pick a deal.
To rent a car with most companies in Costa Rica you need to be at least 21 years old. Some companies may have extra fees to pay if you are under 25 years old, so make sure you check before you book.
Our travellers best rated car hire company in Costa Rica is Europcar. You can rent a car with them for £47 on average per day.

If you want to learn more about Europcar, you can dig deeper here.
The types of documents you’ll need to rent a car in Costa Rica depend on the car rental company you go with. But in general, you will need a valid drivers license, ID and passport. Once you’ve booked car hire in Costa Rica, you can easily get in touch with your chosen provider to find out.
It’s easy to hire a car in Costa Rica. First, you need to decide where in Costa Rica you want to pick up your car from.

Once you’ve decided where you want to go, simply enter your dates and search for the best deal for you. Once you’ve found your deal, you’ll be redirected to the provider to book with no extra fees.
You can rent a car for as long as you like, depending on availability. If you know what dates you’re needing wheels for, start searching with Skyscanner today.
You may need a credit card to rent a car in Costa Rica. It all depends on which car hire company you choose.
It depends where in Costa Rica you want to visit. The most popular place to go is San Jose. On average, it costs £43 per day to rent a car there. The cheapest price we could find is £15 per day.