Central America car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

Search hundreds of car hire sites at once for car hire deals in Central America

Here is why travellers choose KAYAK

Save up to 32%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees

Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.

Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.

Recommended by KAYAK
Useful Info
Recommended by KAYAK

Cheap car hire in Central America

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Class Economy Car car
Class Economy Car
or similar Small
2
2
4-5
M
R263/day
View Deal
Class Compact Car car
Class Compact Car
or similar Small
4
2
4-5
M
R263/day
View Deal
Class Intermediate Car car
Class Intermediate Car
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
M
R334/day
View Deal
Toyota Rush car
Toyota Rush
or similar 4x4
2
2
4-5
M
R358/day
View Deal
Nissan X-Trail car
Nissan X-Trail
or similar 4x4
5
2
4-5
M
R398/day
View Deal
Suzuki Celerio car
Suzuki Celerio
or similar Small
2
2
4-5
M
R303/day
View Deal
Hyundai Staria car
Hyundai Staria
or similar Van
5
2
4-5
M
R1 030/day
View Deal
Hyundai Creta car
Hyundai Creta
or similar 4x4
4
2
4-5
M
R275/day
View Deal
Suzuki Vitara car
Suzuki Vitara
or similar 4x4
5
3
4-5
M
R342/day
View Deal
Geely Okavango car
Geely Okavango
or similar 4x4
5
3
4-5
M
R368/day
View Deal
Class Special Car car
Class Special Car
or similar Category
5
5
2/4
M
R958/day
View Deal
Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Economy

When to book a rental car in Central America

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Top tips for hiring a car in Central America

  • Book your car hire in Central America at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Intermediate hire cars in Central America are around 58% cheaper than other car types, on average
  • As with the whole of Central America, drunk driving is taken very seriously. If you are found to be over the limit you will be prosecuted accordingly. In Costa Rica, you will be considered to be over the limit if you have more than 0.05% blood alcohol content. In Honduras, the maximum limit is 0.07% blood alcohol continent, whilst in Nicaragua and El Salvador it’s 0.05%, and in Belize and Guatemala it’s 0.08%. In Panama, there is zero tolerance.
  • It’s important that you adhere to any child safety laws when driving and ensure your child is safely restrained in your moving vehicle. The laws tend to vary from country to country, but it’s safe to assume that children younger than 12 or those who weigh under 18 kg will fall into the bracket of those requiring safety restrictions. You should put your child in a child restraint even if the country doesn’t have set laws in place. You can find out more information, as well as arrange for a child seat, by speaking to your car hire agency.
  • Many car hire companies in Central America will permit you to travel across the border to neighbouring countries. However, you must get written permission for this to be possible. If you don’t have permission, you will likely be turned down at the border, or alternatively, your insurance will be void. Remember that you will also need specific visas to enter different countries.
  • It’s worth noting that Central America is a vast continent and can be very rural at times. This means that petrol stations can be very spread out in the less populated areas. So if you’re off exploring, it’s strongly recommended that you top up your petrol before you travel. Most petrol stations are located in major urban dwellings or on motorways.

FAQs about hiring a car in Central America

  • What is the most popular car hire in Central America?

    Economy (Toyota Rush or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Central America.

  • What is the best car hire company in Central America?

    Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Central America are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7,5, 77 reviews), Alamo (7,4, 210 reviews), and Dollar (6,7, 79 reviews).

  • How can I find car hires near me in Central America?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • Should I hire a car in Central America?

    It’s a great idea to hire a car in Central America, as you can leave and depart at times suitable to you as well as reach more remote locations that public transport doesn’t travel to. Central America has some beautiful scenery to visit, with a hire car being one of the best ways to get to a range of these sights. For example, with a hire car, you can go to popular attractions such as Reserva de Biosfera Maya in Guatemala, Reserva Natural Bosawas in Nicaragua and Parque Nacional Corcovado in Costa Rica.

  • What is driving like in Central America?

    Driving in Central America is an interesting experience, with the driving style and quality of roads being quite different to what you’re used to in the UK. Roads, especially rural ones, are not maintained that well, meaning you will have to be cautious about potholes. The driving style on this continent is relatively respectful; however, in cities and larger urban areas, drivers have a lot less patience and can drive aggressively. Roads here tend to be narrower than what you might be used to as well, making manoeuvring harder. Additionally, signage isn’t always that clear, so it’s helpful to have a sat nav for your journey.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in Central America?

    The age range of getting a Central American hire car varies depending on the agency you are using. As a rule of thumb, you need to be at least 18 years of age to hire a car in Costa Rica, 21 years of age in Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, and 25 in Belize. Drivers who are younger than 25 will most likely need to pay a young person’s surcharge. In addition, there will be age restrictions on some vehicle types. It’s recommended that you contact your chosen agency ahead of your hiring period so that you understand their policy.  

Car hire directory

  • alamo

    Alamo car hire locations in Central America

    101 Locations

  • national

    National car hire locations in Central America

    101 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Central America

    100 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in Central America

    90 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in Central America

    63 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in Central America

    61 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in Central America

    56 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car hire locations in Central America

    49 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car hire locations in Central America

    47 Locations

  • economy

    Economy Rent a Car car hire locations in Central America

    36 Locations

  • adobe

    ADOBE car hire locations in Central America

    31 Locations

  • flexways

    FlexWays car hire locations in Central America

    29 Locations

Car hire locations in Central America

Everything you need to know for your car hire in Central America

Complete your trip to Central America

Hotels in Central America

The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.

Not what you’re looking for? Find thousands of other hotels, flights and car hire with KAYAK.