Car rental in Costa Rica
Find cheap car hire deals in Costa Rica across trusted providers.
Compare car rentals on price, ease of pickup, a fair fuel policy and more
Find Costa Rica car rental deals you can modify or cancel if your plans change
Costa Rica car rental at a glance
Most popular rental company
NextCar
Most popular car
Small
Cities to choose from
24, San Jose is most popular
Cheapest price found
£1 per day, San Jose
Cheapest month
July
Best time to book
2 weeks before
Top car hire companies in Costa Rica
View Mexar rentals 
5
/5
GOOD
33 reviews
Car condition
4.3/5
Car cleanliness
4.8/5
Customer service
3.8/5
Easy collection
4/5
View Paylessar rentals 
4.7
/5
GOOD
64 reviews
Car condition
5/5
Car cleanliness
5/5
Customer service
5/5
Easy collection
4.2/5
View Thriftyar rentals 
4.7
/5
GOOD
21 reviews
Car condition
4.3/5
Car cleanliness
5/5
Customer service
5/5
Easy collection
4.7/5
View Flexwaysar rentals 
4.7
/5
GOOD
68 reviews
Car condition
3.5/5
Car cleanliness
3.6/5
Customer service
3.8/5
Easy collection
3.7/5
View Europcarar rentals 
4.7
/5
GOOD
45 reviews
Car condition
5/5
Car cleanliness
5/5
Customer service
4.9/5
Easy collection
4.2/5
View Keddy by Europcarar rentals 
4.7
/5
GOOD
67 reviews
Car condition
3.6/5
Car cleanliness
4.8/5
Customer service
4/5
Easy collection
4.6/5
View AVISar rentals 
4.6
/5
GOOD
60 reviews
Car condition
4.7/5
Car cleanliness
4.7/5
Customer service
4.9/5
Easy collection
4.2/5
View Dollarar rentals 
4.6
/5
GOOD
32 reviews
Car condition
4.7/5
Car cleanliness
4.7/5
Customer service
5/5
Easy collection
4.2/5
View Enterprisear rentals 
4.6
/5
GOOD
50 reviews
Car condition
4.7/5
Car cleanliness
4.7/5
Customer service
5/5
Easy collection
4.3/5
Cities in Costa Rica
Take a look at the different cities in Costa Rica you can set off from. You could find a great price somewhere less travelled.
Airports in Costa Rica
Take a look at the different cities in Costa Rica you can set off from. You could find a great price somewhere less travelled.
Find cheap car hire in Costa Rica
Find the cheapest time to hire a car in Costa Rica.
The cheapest month to rent a car in Costa Rica is July, when the average cost per day is £42. If that doesn’t work for you, the second cheapest month is December, when the average cost per day is £54.Keep in mind when you’re looking to book, that the most expensive month to rent a car in Costa Rica is January.;
To give you an idea of how much renting a car in Costa Rica could cost, we've pulled prices from .
Finding the cheapest car rental in Costa Rica
Book in Advance
- Reserving your car rental well in advance often yields lower rates compared to last-minute bookings.
Compare Prices
- Utilize online platforms or comparison websites to compare prices from various car rental companies in Costa Rica. Don't forget to consider both local and international rental agencies.
Look for Deals and Discounts
- Keep an eye out for special offers, discounts, and promotional codes offered by car rental companies. These can often be found on their websites or through third-party booking platforms.
Opt for Economy Cars
- Choose the smallest vehicle that meets your needs to save on rental costs and fuel expenses.
Flexible Pickup and Drop-off Locations
- Compare prices for different pickup and drop-off locations. Sometimes, renting from locations outside airports or city centers can result in lower rates.
Check Rental Duration
- Sometimes, renting for longer durations can result in lower daily rates. However, make sure to calculate the total cost to ensure it's indeed cheaper.
Consider Non-Traditional Rental Options
- Explore alternatives such as peer-to-peer car rental services or local car rental agencies, which may offer competitive rates.
Review Terms and Conditions
- Carefully read the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, including insurance coverage, mileage limits, and additional fees, to avoid unexpected expenses.
By following these tips and conducting thorough research, you can increase your chances of finding the cheapest car rental options in Costa Rica.
Car hire in Costa Rica: FAQs
Do I need extra insurance to rent a car in Costa Rica?
- 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.
What age do you need to be to hire a car in Costa Rica?
- 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.
What is the best car rental company in Costa Rica?
- Our travellers best rated car hire company in Costa Rica is Payless. You can rent a car with them for £88 on average per day.
If you want to learn more about Payless, you can dig deeper here.
What documents do I need to hire a car in Costa Rica?
- 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.
How do I hire a car in Costa Rica?
- 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.
Can I rent a car in Costa Rica long term?
- 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.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Costa Rica?
- You may need a credit card to rent a car in Costa Rica. It all depends on which car hire company you choose.
Is it expensive to hire a car in Costa Rica?
- It depends where in Costa Rica you want to visit. The most popular place to go is San Jose. On average, it costs £44 per day to rent a car there. The cheapest price we could find is £1 per day.
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