You have zeroed in on Costa Rica for your next vacation destination and are already dreaming of romancing the rainforests and seeing sloths in the wild. Isn’t this the most exciting phase of travel planning? However, while doing the groundwork of planning your tours and transfers, you are now stuck with the most pressing question: should you rent a car in Costa Rica?
We are here to answer this question, and also tell you why, and how to go about it.
Keep reading, as we also have a gift for you – a Costa Rica car rental deal with 10% discount (varies by season and availability) and other free services.
We have been living in Costa Rica since 2018 and over the course of the years, we have traveled extensively along the length and breadth of this country. Majority of those are by driving ourselves. For our road trips, we have used our own car and have also rented cars. We have driven sedans as well as SUVs.
From the Pacific beaches and the Caribbean lowlands near the Nicaragua border in the north to the Sixaola river near the Panama border in the south, from the remotest point of Nicoya peninsula on the west to the Caribbean beaches in the east, we have driven to pretty much every destination in Costa Rica.
So, we have all the insider insights to share with you about experiencing Costa Rica travel in the comfort of a car.
Costa Rica Travel: Rental Car vs. Public Transport
A delight for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, Costa Rica is best explored on road trips. Based on our personal experience of traveling here, we can assure you of that.
Add to that, Costa Rica’s public transport system is nothing to be proud of. In fact, it can be quite limiting when it comes to exploring all the wild places that this country has to offer.
And after enjoying several super long distance bus travels in South America, we can tell you that you will be compromising a lot on comfort if you choose to travel Costa Rica relying solely on public transport.
Here are couple of photos for comparison. The one on the left is us traveling in public bus in Costa Rica, from San Jose to Playa del Coco. On the right, is our photo inside a public bus for a very long ride in Argentina. Which one do you think is more comfortable?
From a financial standpoint too, renting a car offers more value for money, particularly if you are a family or a group traveling together.
For example, renting a car, even an SUV for the whole day may turn out cheaper than booking a taxi or a private shuttle transfer for multiple people.
So, here is our glaring answer to your burning question:
Should You Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
Yes, you should rent a car in Costa Rica. Here are seven reasons how you get to experience and absorb more of Costa Rica by renting a car:
- Flexibility and freedom of schedule
- Access to remote locations and raw beauty
- Comfort of personal space with luggage storage
- No waiting times for transfers and pickups
- Convenience of traveling together
- Value for money
- Joy of road trip
Get discount and other benefits on your Costa Rica rental car. (Reserve at least 24 hours in advance)
Costa Rica Car Rental Company: Adobe Rent A Car
There are several rental companies in Costa Rica, local and international, from where you can rent a car. You will also find aggregator sites to compare rental car prices across companies.
However, before you rent a car, you need to be aware of all the additional charges and fees. Unfortunately not all car rental companies in Costa Rica are upfront about it. So, at the end, hidden costs can significantly bump up the total price you pay for your rental car.
One car rental company that we recommend and are proud to partner with is Adobe Rent A Car. They are a 100% Costa Rican company and a trusted name in the car rental scene of Costa Rica.
Adobe Rent A Car offers simplified transparent pricing – you can see each line item on the booking page, and carry no hidden costs. Mandatory insurance is included by default, so there is no surprise at the end.
Paradise Catchers X Adobe Rent A Car: Costa Rica Car Rental Deal
Partnering with Adobe Rent A Car, we bring to you, our readers, our exclusive Costa Rica Car Rental Deal.
When booking your Adobe rental car through us, you get 5-10% discount automatically applied on the base rate. Along with the discount, Adobe has also included some additional benefits for the readers of Paradise Catchers, at no extra cost.
Taking into account the extra perks, the total discount can amount to more than 10%.
For the added benefits, you get free additional drivers, baby seats and booster seats for no extra cost, and free door-step delivery of the rental car to houses, condos and hotels in the vicinity of Adobe Rent A Car offices.
Adobe also provides free shuttles from San Jose Airport and Liberia Airport, in case you plan to pick up the rental car immediately upon arriving.
To make your reservation or to get a quote, you can either use the booking form below or click on the text link above. All prices are displayed in USD.
If you book through our link or booking form, the discount is automatically applied. No separate promo code is required.
Note that the discount may vary by dates and demand. However, you will always get a lower rate here versus booking directly on the website of Adobe Rent A Car.
Note: This booking process works for reservations at least 24 hours in advance from the date you need the car. Plan accordingly.
Free items and services:
- Additional drivers
- Baby Seats
- Booster Seats
- Doorstep delivery to houses, condos and hotels near the offices of Adobe Rent A Car
- GPS
- WiFi
Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance
Before renting a car in Costa Rica, you need to have a clear understanding about the insurance requirements. Car rental insurance in Costa Rica has various components and each has different law implications.
Different car rental companies use different terminology for the insurance coverages they offer. But at a high level, all of them will need you to buy a mandatory basic insurance. On top of that, there are optional items for damage waivers (conditions apply) and zero liability.
If you rent the car from Adobe, on the reservation page, you will see each insurance line item listed out, with corresponding price and description. Here are the details for each, so that you can make an informed decision on which ones to include and which ones to skip.
Liability Protection – Mandatory
- Covers damages to * third parties’ vehicle. 20% deductible
- 100000 USD coverage for injuries and death of third parties’ persons, no deductible
- Does not cover damages to your rental car
- Mandatory – you cannot remove it from the shopping cart
* “Third party” refers to the other party involved in the accident.
Car Protection – Optional (Conditions Apply)
- Covers damages to your rental car in case of accident, collision, roll over, theft. Deductible: 1000 USD
- Does not cover damages due to vandalism, cost of tow truck, road assistance
- Optional, but conditions apply*
* This can be unchecked from the list only if you can produce a written letter from your credit card issuer company that your plan includes vehicle damage coverage for rental car in Costa Rica.
Extended Protection – Optional
- Waiver of 20% deductible on Liability Protection
- Waiver of 1000 USD deductible on Car Protection
- Extended coverage of up to 4 million USD per event
- Covers vandalism damages, windows, tires, cost of tow truck
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Optional, without any conditions
Do You Need a 4X4 Car Rental in Costa Rica?
Not necessarily. It depends on where you are going.
If you stick to the mainstream tourist destinations like La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca etc., you will not need a 4X4 vehicle. In fact, a sedan would also do in most cases, particularly for the beaches.
But, when you want to visit places like El Tigre Waterfalls in Monteverde, Eco Chontales Waterfall near Dominical, San Gerardo de Dota or Ostional Wildlife Refuge in Guanacaste, you will realize that what you need is a sturdy rental car with good ground clearance.
In our 6+ years of living and traveling in Costa Rica, we have never driven a 4X4 here but have managed to reach places like Oxygen Jungle Villas hotel up a rugged mountain road in Uvita, to the southernmost part of Nicoya peninsula – Cabuya, Malpais, Santa Teresa, and to places as remote as Drake Bay in Osa Peninsula and Boca Tapada near the border to the north.
We will tell you the secret: a car with a good ground clearance.
Our Recommendation: If you plan to go off-roading, get a 4X4 rental car. Otherwise, a comfortable SUV with good ground clearance will get you to most places in Costa Rica. However, if you are looking for more budget options, and you know that you will stick to the tourist hotspots only, even a sedan should suffice.
You will encounter all kinds of roads in Costa Rica. Here are couple of examples. Left: Main highway you get on after exiting the SJO airport. Right: The approach road to a beautiful waterfall, not on the main tourist trail.
Related Reading: Best Hotels near SJO Airport
Is it Safe to Drive in Costa Rica?
The short answer is yes. It is safe to drive in Costa Rica.
However, there are things to keep in mind, like rains or rolling clouds in late afternoon and evening can significantly reduce visibility. So, it is better to plan your long drives and transfers between destinations, particularly on mountainous roads, for the day time.
You may occasionally have to slow down or hit the brakes due to animals crossing on the highway. Could be wild animals like iguanas or sloths, or could even be a herd of cows. This is Costa Rica!
Book your Adobe rental car here, with discount automatically applied.
Of course, like anywhere in the world, driving in the city is a bit more chaotic than in the mountains or along the coastline. The same applies to San Jose and other parts of the Central Valley as well. The definition of chaotic traffic can be relative though. Example, if you ask us, even while driving in the city traffic of Costa Rica, we do not feel stressed. Make a guess where did we learn driving? 😉
Overall, road tripping in Costa Rica is a pleasant experience. Go for it!
Just remember to lock your car always and do not leave any valuables unattended in the car.
Read this article for a complete picture of how it is like driving in Costa Rica.
Road Signs in Costa Rica
When renting a car and driving in Costa Rica, you need to be aware of the road signs. All signs are in Spanish only. So, here is a starter guide for you with 10 road signs in Costa Rica.
| Sign in Spanish | Meaning in English |
|---|---|
| Alto | Stop |
| Ceda/ Ceda el paso | Yield/ Let others go first |
| Una via | One way |
| Velocidad maxima | Maximum speed |
| Puente angosto | Narrow bridge |
| Curvas peligrosas | Dangerous curves |
| Despacio | Slow |
| No hay paso | Do not enter |
| Calle sin salida | Dead end road |
| No estacionar | No parking |
Plan Your Costa Rica Travel
Now that you are ready to rent a car and armed with the information on car rental insurance coverages, and also have a rental car discount (yay!), here are some article references that can help you finalize your Costa Rica travel plan.
- 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary from Liberia Airport
- 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary from SJO Airport
- 5 Day Costa Rica Itinerary Ideas
Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or a booking through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
