Costa Rica car rentals

Driver's age: 25-65

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Cheap car hire in Costa Rica

These are the best prices for 16-23 Jun.
Toyota Yaris car
Toyota Yaris
or similar Small
2
2
4-5
7 €/day
View Deal
Toyota Corolla car
Toyota Corolla
or similar Small
4
2
4-5
7 €/day
View Deal
Class Intermediate Car car
Class Intermediate Car
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
11 €/day
View Deal
Class Full-size Car car
Class Full-size Car
or similar Large
5
2
4-5
31 €/day
View Deal
Suzuki Jimny car
Suzuki Jimny
or similar SUV
2
2
4-5
9 €/day
View Deal
Class Full-size SUV car
Class Full-size SUV
or similar SUV
5
2
4-5
19 €/day
View Deal
Hyundai i10 car
Hyundai i10
or similar Small
2
2
2/4
16 €/day
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Hyundai Staria car
Hyundai Staria
or similar Van
5
2
4-5
57 €/day
View Deal
Toyota Hilux car
Toyota Hilux
or similar Pickup truck
5
3
2/4
26 €/day
View Deal
Class Premium SUV car
Class Premium SUV
or similar SUV
5
5
4-5
22 €/day
View Deal
Mitsubishi ASX car
Mitsubishi ASX
or similar SUV
4
2
4-5
13 €/day
View Deal
Suzuki Vitara car
Suzuki Vitara
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
14 €/day
View Deal
Class Standard SUV car
Class Standard SUV
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
17 €/day
View Deal
Class Special SUV car
Class Special SUV
or similar SUV
5
5
4-5
26 €/day
View Deal
Class Special Car car
Class Special Car
or similar Category
5
5
2/4
29 €/day
View Deal
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 COSTA RENT (9,67 €/day), FlexWays (16,93 €/day), and Amigo Rent A Car (18,16 €/day).

What is the most popular rental car in Costa Rica?

Hires in the SUV category (Chevrolet Trax or similar) are the most popular option in Costa Rica, costing 78 €/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as 26 €/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 17 €/day. February is the most expensive month to hire a car in Costa Rica when prices are 69 €/day on average, which tends to be 76% 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.

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Costa Rica car rental price comparison by vehicle type

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

Small cars

7 € - 38 €

All Car Types

17 € - 59 €

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 16 € per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 7 € per day, which is about 57% 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 35 € per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 10 € per day, which is about 72% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually the same price as an average car hire in Costa Rica.

Large car hire in Costa Rica typically costs around 56 € per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average 20 € per day, which is about 65% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 38% 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 32 € per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 17 € per day, which is about 47% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 9% 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 62 € per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average 28 € per day, which is about 55% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 44% 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 39 € per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average 21 € per day, which is about 47% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 11% 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 49 € per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average 20 € per day, which is about 60% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 29% 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

Routes Car & Truck Rentals
Small
44 €/day
32 €/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 32 € or less
  • Large rental cars in Costa Rica are around 69% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Costa Rica

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

    On average a rental car in Costa Rica costs 44 € per day.

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

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

  • Where should I hire a car in Costa Rica?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Costa Rica are San José (94% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Costa Rica), Dominical (2%) and Uvita (1%).

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

    On average a rental car in Costa Rica costs 309 € per week (44 € per day).

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

    On average a rental car in Costa Rica costs 1.323 € per month (44 € 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 rental 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

  • amigorent

    Amigo Rent A Car car hire locations in Costa Rica

    21 Locations

  • flexways

    FlexWays car hire locations in Costa Rica

    19 Locations

Car hire locations in Costa Rica

Everything you need to know for your car rental 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.