Costa Rica car hire

Driver's age: 25-65

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Cheap car hire in Costa Rica

These are the best prices for 2-9 Jul.
Medium car
Medium
Luxury car
Luxury
Commercial car
Commercial
Pickup truck car
Pickup truck
Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Costa Rica car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Costa Rica with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in Costa Rica?

You should book your car hire in Costa Rica around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest car hire company in Costa Rica?

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at Economy Rent a Car (R5,49/day), NU Car (R5,52/day), and MEXRENTACAR (R5,68/day).

What is the most popular car to hire in Costa Rica?

Hires in the Small category (Hyundai Accent or similar) are the most popular option in Costa Rica, costing R631/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as R165/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Costa Rica?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Costa Rica is September at an average cost of R202/day. February is the most expensive month to hire a car in Costa Rica when prices are R956/day on average, which tends to be 3 440% above the yearly average hire price for Costa Rica.

Which car hire company in Costa Rica has the most locations?

Avis operates 22 locations in Costa Rica, more than any other car hire company.

Costa Rica car hire price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right car hire in Costa Rica by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small cars

R138 - R740

All Car Types

R333 - R1 186

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Costa Rica?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Costa Rica?

How much does it cost to hire a large car in Costa Rica?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Costa Rica?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Costa Rica?

How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Costa Rica?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Costa Rica?

Small car hire in Costa Rica typically costs around R308 per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average R138 per day, which is about 56% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 55% cheaper than the average car hire in Costa Rica, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Medium car hire in Costa Rica typically costs around R680 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average R198 per day, which is about 71% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 1% cheaper than the average car hire in Costa Rica, offering a good balance of space and value.

Large car hire in Costa Rica typically costs around R1 064 per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average R397 per day, which is about 63% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 36% more expensive than the average car hire in Costa Rica but offer more comfort for longer trips.

SUV hire in Costa Rica typically costs around R619 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average R335 per day, which is about 46% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 10% cheaper than the average car hire in Costa Rica, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.

Van hire in Costa Rica typically costs around R1 179 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average R547 per day, which is about 54% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 43% more expensive than the average car hire in Costa Rica but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.

Pickup truck hire in Costa Rica typically costs around R757 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average R414 per day, which is about 46% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 10% more expensive than the average car hire in Costa Rica but are ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.

Luxury car hire in Costa Rica typically costs around R922 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average R406 per day, which is about 56% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 27% more expensive than the average car hire in Costa Rica but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Alamo
Small
R1 014/day
R826/day

Top tips for hiring a car in Costa Rica

  • Car rental in Costa Rica is perfect if you want to head to the beach with family, visit a remote rainforest, or if you just want an easy way to get from the airport to your accommodation. For more space and the ability to discover the mountains, a four-wheel drive or SUV is ideal; but if you are driving along the major roads, a saloon will suffice. If you want to explore the coast, a convertible is best for soaking up the sun.
  • Costa Rican laws about car seats for children are stricter than those in the USA. When you rent a car to or from an airport in Costa Rica, your child must be secured in a car seat if they are shorter than 110 cm (43 inches). Larger children are required to use a safety booster seat until they are 12 years old or 145 cm (57 inches). You will have the option to rent a car seat or booster along with your rental car, which will cost around 2,924 SVC (5 USD) per day per child’s seat. Hertz and Sixt offer these optional extras.
  • Crossing international borders is forbidden when you rent a car in Costa Rica. However, some car rental companies will let you drop off your car in Costa Rica, cross the border on foot and pick up a new car on the other side of the border for a fee of around 29,585 SVC (50 USD).
  • The main benefit of renting a car in Costa Rica is the freedom it brings. Rather than wasting time waiting for public transport, you get to maximize your vacation time. Consider taking a road trip from La Fortuna to Monteverde, a 91-mile scenic route through a cloudy forest reserve.
  • 25% of our users found a car hire in Costa Rica for R826 or less
  • Small hire cars in Costa Rica are around 65% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Costa Rica

  • How much does it cost to hire a car in Costa Rica?

    On average a car hire in Costa Rica costs R1 014 per day.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Costa Rica?

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

  • How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Costa Rica?

    On average a car hire in Costa Rica costs R7 098 per week (R1 014 per day).

  • How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Costa Rica?

    On average a car hire in Costa Rica costs R30 419 per month (R1 014 per day).

  • What is driving like in Costa Rica?

    If you are planning to rent a car in Costa Rica, you need to remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road. You will notice that all road signs are in Spanish and that some roads may be unmarked and not signposted. There are several toll roads that connect major cities, including Puntarenas and San José, as well as airports. You can pay for tolls in local currency or US dollars. It is commonplace for local drivers to use their horns to alert other road users of their whereabouts.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in Costa Rica?

    You must be at least 18 years old to rent a car in Costa Rica. You do not need an international driving permit, but must have had a valid driver’s license for at least a year. You will need to present your license and your passport to your car hire company. You are permitted to drive with your home country’s driving license for three months; beyond that, you will need to apply for a Costa Rica license.

  • How much does petrol cost in Costa Rica?

    Petrol prices in Costa Rica are around 692.98 SVC (1.17 USD) per liter and 2589.22 SVC (4.43 USD) per gallon. All petrol stations in Costa Rica are government-regulated, meaning that the prices are the same, so you don’t need to shop around. You will find that petrol stations are full-service. If you are traveling a long distance, fill up in advance to avoid running out of gas, as stations are pretty far apart.

  • What are the speed limits in Costa Rica?

    The speed limit in Costa Rica is measured in kilometers and varies throughout. The minimum speed on a highway is 40 km/h (25 mph), with a maximum of 120 km/h (74 mph). Unless road signs indicate otherwise, the limit on secondary roads is 60 km/h (37 mph), while in town and city centers, the speed limit is 40 km/h (25 mph). If you are driving close to schools and hospitals, be aware that the limit is 25 km/h (15 mph).

Car hire directory

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in Costa Rica

    69 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Costa Rica

    66 Locations

  • alamo

    Alamo car hire locations in Costa Rica

    65 Locations

  • national

    National car hire locations in Costa Rica

    64 Locations

  • economy

    Economy Rent a Car car hire locations in Costa Rica

    36 Locations

  • adobe

    ADOBE car hire locations in Costa Rica

    31 Locations

  • easycar

    easyCar car hire locations in Costa Rica

    26 Locations

  • adoberentacar

    Adobe Rent A Car car hire locations in Costa Rica

    25 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in Costa Rica

    22 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in Costa Rica

    21 Locations

  • flexways

    FlexWays car hire locations in Costa Rica

    21 Locations

  • amigorent

    Amigo Rent A Car car hire locations in Costa Rica

    21 Locations

Car hire locations in Costa Rica

Everything you need to know for your car hire in Costa Rica

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.