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Car hire insight and trends in Costa Rica
Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in Costa Rica
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What is the cheapest car hire agency in Costa Rica?
Amigo Rent A Car is the most affordable car hire agency in Costa Rica, with prices found for as low as €18 per day in some areas of the country. Comparatively, the average price to rent a car in Costa Rica is €32 per day.
What car hire company in Costa Rica has the most locations?
If you plan on travelling to Costa Rica and hiring a car, then keep in mind that Alamo is the car hire agency with the most locations. You are likely to find one of their 61 country-wide locations either at your destination airport or somewhere in the city centre. Not sure what city you want to visit but know that you want to hire a car from Alamo? San José is the most popular city to visit in Costa Rica, with 6 Alamo car hire locations.
What is the most popular type of car to hire in Costa Rica?
A SUV is the most popular type of car hire for those travelling to Costa Rica. According to our data, 42% of our users preferred a SUV over any other car type. This may be due to the activities they have planned and what the weather conditions are like in their destination city. When renting a SUV in Costa Rica, you can expect to pay €23 per day on average.
Costa Rica car hire deals found on momondo
Find the car hire in Costa Rica that's right for you
Small
Medium
Large
4x4
Small cars
€14 - €48
All Car Types
€21 - €52
The average price of a small car hire in Costa Rica is €29. The cheapest time to hire a small car in Costa Rica is in November. The price is 52% lower than the rest of the year at just €14 per day. A small car rental is typically 15% less expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.
The average price of a medium car hire in Costa Rica is €36. The cheapest time to hire a medium car in Costa Rica is in August. The price is 45% lower than the rest of the year at just €20 per day. A medium car rental is typically 6% more expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.
The average price of a large car hire in Costa Rica is €38. The cheapest time to hire a large car in Costa Rica is in April. The price is 37% lower than the rest of the year at just €24 per day. A large car rental is typically 11% more expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.
The average price of a SUV hire in Costa Rica is €36. The cheapest time to hire a SUV in Costa Rica is in October. The price is 45% lower than the rest of the year at just €20 per day. A SUV rental is typically 6% more expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.
Car battery died and it wasn’t resolved for 4 days. Switched to Alamo and it was night and day. I’ll never use Avis again.
2.0
Poor|Apr 2023
I'll never use kayak to book a car rental again. Your price was a long way from what Avis charged.
2.0
Poor|Apr 2023
I ordered a 4 x 4 and they gave me a 2wd!! Without telling me. Trip ruined!
2.0
Poor|Apr 2023
I looked up the insurance policies prior to arriving in Costa Rica after receiving e-mails from AVIS stating that there are optional insurances and upgrades available. I'm covered with all the requirements of Costa Rica through my insurance, plus have additional coverage with my credit card and above and beyond that we have an umbrella insurance policy that covers far beyond any liability waiver that they provide. At the counter they required me to purchase their insurance for $38.99 a day!! I showed them my proof of insurance and then they told me they needed a personal letter from my insurance company to them (not AVIS, but to their office in Liberia). While in line there were two other couples contacting their insurance companies struggling to get a letter faxed to their office. Apparently a digital copy or e-mail wouldn't work either. It is off-airport and once they have you there they make it very inconvenient to leave you there without a car. Additionally they placed a $2,000 hold on my credit card (usually made for those who decline insurance) so that shouldn't have been necessary since I was made to purchase theirs. I later found out that the agents behind the counter are incentivized by commission to sell the insurance and upgrades. The car was suppose to be given to me full - it was 1/2 tank, the front tires were bald, I had to stop and put air in the rear tire. For this reason I will never rent with AVIS again.
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
If you want to wait 2 hours for your vehicle to be ready despite making the appointment, this is the place to go to.
Enterprise in Costa Rica is top notch!! Typically I expect bad, questionable treatment from car rental companies. Not here!! Absolutely a pleasant experience all way around! Teach the world how It’s done CR!
10.0
Wonderful|May 2023
Excellent customer service!!
2.0
Poor|Jan 2023
Somebody crash me and leave it away. I call the insurance for nothing because at the finish I pay for all. The rob me 1000 USD
Great customer service and communication. The whole experience was seamless including having an agent bring the car to the airport. Nice, friendly employees.
10.0
Wonderful|Aug 2023
Great truck !
8.0
Very Good|Jul 2023
Confusing and a little stressful. It was no clear where or how to pick up or drop off the vehicle. One person told us there was a shuttle but then an employee showed up at the airport with the car. He was very helpful and friendly. He told us to drop off the car and give the keys to an employee at the check in desk. When I texted the day before our departure to confirm, we were instructed to come to the marina to drop off the car and we would have to figure out our own transportation to the airport. After we informed them we were told something quite different, they said they would make an exception and allow us to drop off the car. When we dropped off the keys, the lady at the check in desk told us it was routine.
6.0
Okay|Jun 2023
The staff was helpful, even though they charged me $18 for gas. The tank was almost full, it was at the full line, i guess it had to be over.
10.0
Wonderful|May 2023
The guys in puerto viejo didn’t pressure me into any additional purchases. Very professional
10.0
Wonderful|May 2023
Easy rental and got upgraded to a much nicer car for free. Unfortunately there are no rental cars at the airport, so it’s about a 20-minute taxi ride to the location for all cars.
RE: RA-578697501 This was my second car rental at Budget Escazu. The first rental was a good experience. The second was not. The car I was given had problems. The scratches and dents on the outside were properly noted. However the instrument and gage cover glass was so damaged I could not see the gas gage or other instruments. I complained to the customer service rep about the smeared glass and he said he would note the problem but the car would be ok to drive. Other problems I found once I left the Budget Avenida Escazu location were: the radio/entertainment center did not work, the child door locks engaged regardless of the switch position, the identification cap on the fuel door release was missing, the car smelled, the car engine has very poor acceleration. When I returned the car, and explained the issues, the representative at Budget ,Sr. Ronald Carajal told me that I needed to complain to Budget customer service
8.0
Very Good|May 2023
Customer service was great. They didn't try to scam me with hidden fees or falsehoods about coverage. Another in my group rented through enterprise and they tried to make him pay all sorts of extras that aren't required (we rented in San Jose). I also had some car issues on the way back and they were helpful and understanding.
10.0
Wonderful|May 2023
The booking could not have been easier. The shuttle was waiting at the airport, the cars were there as promised and the staff were friendly and courteous. I highly recommend this Budget location.
4.0
Mediocre|May 2023
The ad never said that the insurance fee Is the doble of the rental. And the servir provide by the budget employee was unpolite and bad.
8.0
Very Good|Apr 2023
Felt sort of corralled into the upgrade I got. Booked a 7p 4x4 online and was told in person it was only 2WD. Was then told the Land Cruiser I got was the only one left on the lot. 3 hours later my brother in law got a Land Cruiser and was told it was the last one on the lot.
Excellent staff, courteous, attentive, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Antonio made his the best rental car transaction ever! We will definitely be using Economy in the future.
10.0
Wonderful|Mar 2023
The location is about 2 to 3 miles offsite from the airport. But they had a van ready and waiting at the airport. The transactions fast, and the staff was great! Drop off was also a breeze. The vehicle was new and very clean.
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
Worse car rental experience ever! After deciding to drop off the car sooner than originally planned, I have visited the office to discuss my refund options and was given a refund breakdown by the front desk person. However, on the day of the return, they gave me a completely different refund amount (HALF of what i was told originally), tried to threaten me, and challenged me to submit a claim with my CC company! After multiple emails back and forth with their "customer service team", they were still unable to provide me with the refund breakdown calculation, and then just ignored my emails all together. I am working through a CC claim at this point. STAY CLEAR, they are obviously struggling, and will rip you off without a second thought.
4.0
Mediocre|Feb 2023
Be prepared to pay $33 more per day than your rental price for fees and insurance as with most rental companies. Suv was ok. They didn’t seem to be busy at all which might be a plus.
4.0
Mediocre|Feb 2023
We booked a vehicle for set price. Flight delayed called and told them, got here to destination vehicle gone had to get a different one and it was 700.00 more than initially quoted. Way too expensive and will not be dealing with kayak again!!
Scam artists. Quoted one price, when I arrived at the location, they charged me over twice as much. They forced us to sign blank damage reports. When I asked for them to take me back to the airport, they refused.
8.0
Very Good|Jan 2022
The car was not in amazing shape. But for us, that was totally fine. It got us up some steep hills and winding, rocky Costa Rican roads. Totally had enough power, got us everywhere but not much of a looker :) Certainly not a Toyota Land Cruiser. But completely funcional.
6.0
Okay|Jan 2022
Hidden Fees everywhere, try to rip you off.
6.0
Okay|Jan 2022
Hidden Fees galore at pick up as usual in Costa Rica.
10.0
Wonderful|Jun 2021
The staff were able to answer all of my questions quickly, whether over the phone or through their online messaging system. Make sure to ask about SLI, aka car insurance, as there are different options and it can be somewhat expensive. Overall, I had a great experience and will be returning to Dollar car rental the next time I'm in Costa Rica!
Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in Costa Rica so you can be properly prepared for your next trip
What side of the road do people in Costa Rica drive on?
In Costa Rica, drivers are required to drive on the right at all times. Not doing so can result in traffic violation tickets.
How good are the roads in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica ranked 116 out of 137 countries across the globe for road quality in 2019. On a scale of 1 to 7, Costa Rica received a road quality score of 2.9. Keep in mind that road quality conditions in Costa Rica can vary depending on what area of the country you plan to visit.
What is the drink driving limit in Costa Rica?
0.05% is the legal BAC limit in Costa Rica. Any higher and you will be considered driving under the influence and may receive monetary fines, licence restrictions, and other penalties. Costa Rica has strict laws against individuals who drink-drive when they are younger than the legal drinking age of 18.
How much does petrol cost in Costa Rica?
The average price of petrol in Costa Rica is €1.11 per litre as of last week. If you aren’t set on hiring a car in Costa Rica, then consider Kuwait. Petrol prices there are some of the cheapest in the world at €0.29 per litre as of last week. Hong Kong is another great place to visit and rent a car, but keep in mind that petrol prices can be expensive at around €3.19 per litre.
When did momondo last update prices for cars in Costa Rica?
Prices for cars in Costa Rica are updated daily.
How many operators does momondo search for cars in Costa Rica?
There are 673 operators available for cars in Costa Rica as of February 2026.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Costa Rica?
Among different countries, including Costa Rica, the minimum age for drivers varies. In numerous EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. To hire a car overseas, you'll generally need to be at least 21, and if you're under 25, a young driver surcharge may be imposed. It's recommended that you review the policy of the hire company you're considering before booking.
What documentation or ID do you need to hire a car in Costa Rica?
To hire a car in Costa Rica, all drivers must present a valid full driving license. If the license is written in a language other than the language of the country of hire, an International Driving Permit may be required to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you're hiring a car abroad, you may also need to provide evidence of your return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend that you verify with the specific hire company you're booking with.
Why use momondo?
Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in Costa Rica?
You should book a car hire in Costa Rica using momondo because it is quick, free and easy to use and could save you money. momondo does the hard work of finding the car hire prices and policies, all you need to do is compare and choose what works best for your trip.
How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in Costa Rica?
momondo makes it easier for you to find great car hire in Costa Rica, by allowing you to refine your search with numerous filtering options. You can narrow your selection by looking at price, car type, location and more.
Does momondo show car hire deals in Costa Rica with free cancellation?
Yes you can filter specifically for car hire companies in Costa Rica offering free cancellation on momondo.
Can I hire a car with a fair fuel policy in Costa Rica on momondo?
Yes, simply select the fair fuel policy filter after performing a search for hire cars in Costa Rica on momondo.
Can I find a car hire in Costa Rica which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?
You can specifically filter for enhanced cleaning on car hire in Costa Rica on momondo.
Can I search for car hire in Costa Rica with unlimited mileage on momondo?
Yes, car hire deals in Costa Rica with unlimited mileage can be found on momondo.
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