Complete Guide to Car Rentals in Uvita, Costa Rica

Are you considering renting a car while traveling in Uvita, Costa Rica?

This tropical paradise offers several rental car options, but there are a few things you should know before securing your booking.

We created this post to give you info on your car rental company options, help you decide if you should rent a car, inform you of some possible car rental scams, fill you in on the best cars to rent, and give you some awesome activities you can do with your rental car.

Ready? Let’s get to all things car rentals in Uvita!

Should You Rent a Car in Uvita?

We think that having a rental car is often the best way to travel in Costa Rica. It will give you the most flexibility in exploring Uvita and the surrounding areas.

Uvita is small but spread out, with several attractions like Marino Ballena National Park and nearby waterfalls. The town center is somewhat walkable (but it is a main road). However, many of the best spots require a short drive.

In other words, you could most likely get by without renting a car, but having a car will make your experience easier and more stress-free.

People Who Should Rent a Car in Uvita

• Travelers who want the freedom to explore off-the-beaten-path locations near Uvita.
• Larger groups or families: Renting a car will likely be more affordable than a shuttle and booking day tours. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to stop whenever needed.
• People with specific itineraries: If you have created a specific itinerary that includes multiple destinations or activities, a car will be so helpful.
• If you are staying outside the town center: If your hotel is located outside Uvita town center, a car will be helpful to get to restaurants, stores, and activities.

People Who Should Not Rent a Car

• If you are uncomfortable with driving in unfamiliar conditions, it is probably better to depend on shared or private shuttles to get to Uvita. Once you are in town you can book day tours with transportation, take a taxi, or walk in the downtown area.
• If you are a solo traveler, it might be more cost-effective to use different transportation options.
• If you are staying in a resort with most amenities and activities available on-site, you may not need a car.

Car Rental Companies in Uvita

There are several car rental companies in Uvita. The main ones are; Adobe, Alamo, National, and Hertz.

We suggest renting your vehicle through Adobe Rent-a-Car because:

• They are a local company that prides themselves on excellent customer service.
• They don’t have any hidden fees and are completely upfront with their costs.
• They offer free cancellation at any time.
• Your car rental will include unlimited mileage for tons of exploration.
• They will deliver your car directly to your hotel in Uvita for free within 12 miles of their office.

We have rented cars from Adobe several times and always had a great experience.

So, we approached them to ask if they would be interested in working with us because we think so highly of them. 

They have been generous enough to pass on a great discount to all Costa Rica Vibes readers. 

You will most likely rent your car from the airport and drive to Uvita. However, if you need to rent a car within the Uvita area, Adobe has an office located directly in downtown Uvita. You can find the office on Google Maps here.

You can pick up your car directly from their office location, or they can deliver your car to you for free within 12 miles of their office.

That means they can bring you car straight to your hotel for you.

It’s such a great service!

Note: When you rent your car you will need to select “Uvita” as your pick up location. You can also select to return the car in Uvita or to any Adobe office throughout the country.

The Best Type of Car for Uvita

We recommend that you rent an SUV with decent clearance for the town of Uvita. Typically, you don’t need a 4×4 for this area, but it could be helpful to have. This especially if you plan to explore remote areas or visit during the rainy season.

The roads in the town are paved, but the surrounding areas above town have steep, rough roads that require a vehicle with good clearance and stability. A lot of these are unpaved.

Travel Tip: Ask at your hotel about the road conditions before booking a car. Some hotels are located on steep side roads.

How to Get to Uvita

Instead of renting your car directly in Uvita, you might opt to pick up your rental car at the San Jose International Airport (SJO) and drive to Uvita.

The drive from San Jose International Airport to Uvita will take about 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on the traffic.

The route is on well maintained frequently driven highways the entire way.

The scenic route offers a few great stops to break up the journey and enjoy some of Costa Rica’s unique attractions.

If you plan to do this, select “Aeropuerto San Jose (SJO)” as your pick up location when you make your car rental reservation.

Get more info on the driving route from San Jose Airport to Uvita

Things to Do with a Rental Car in Uvita

There are plenty of fyun things to do with a rental car in Uvita. Here are a few of our favorite things.

Visit Marino Ballena National Park

Marino Ballena National Park is located directly in Uvita.

This park is renowned for its unique whale tail-shaped sandbar that becomes visible at low tide. It is also a great beach to walk for miles or just relax.

The park also offers opportunities for whale watching, particularly during migration seasons. The best time of year for this is in September.

Take a Day Trip to Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is the most popular national park in the country. It is located about 45 minutes north of Uvita in the town of Manuel Antonio.

Here you can see a variety of wildlife including sloths and monkeys, go hiking, and relax on beautiful beaches.

However, keep in mind that you need to pre-book tickets because the park fills up fast.

Get more info in our guide to Manuel Antonio National Park

Explore Nearby Waterfalls

There are several waterfalls in the area that are worth exploring. Our two favorites are Nauyaca Waterfall in the hills above Dominical and Uvita Waterfall in the hills above Uvita.

Dominical is the more impressive waterfall (pictured above), but it also requires a somewhat strenuous hike to access. Check out our Nauyaca Waterfall guide for more info.

The Uvita Waterfall is accessible by a short hike. This waterfall is far less impressive, but when there is enough water you can slide down this waterfall. Find it on Google Maps here.

Go Beach Hopping

Playa Uvita, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Ballena are all stunning and accessible with a short drive of the downtown area of town.

Visit Nearby Towns

The town of Dominical is located just north of Uvita. This is a great place to visit for more restaurants, a fun shopping street with souvenir stands, and a popular surfing beach.

Just south of Uvita is the town of Ojochal. This town has a variety of nice restaurants and beaches.

Getting Gas in Uvita

There are two gas stations on the main road running through Uvita. One is at the north end of town and one at the south end.

Keep in mind that all gas stations in Costa Rica are full-service, so stay in your car and an employee will fill your gas tank.

Find out more in our guide to getting gas in Costa Rica.

What You Should Know Before Renting a Car in Uvita

Renting a car in Costa Rica is a bit complicated. Here is what you need to know:

Requirements to Rent a Car

To rent a car in Costa Rica you need to meet a few main conditions:

• Meet the minimum age requirement. This ranges by company from 18 to 25. If you rent with Adobe through us you will need to be at least 23 years old. 
• Have a valid driver’s license. You do not need an international driving permit. Your regular license is fine. It needs to be the official license. Not a photocopy or temporary license.
• Have been driving for at least 2 years. You can not be a brand-new driver and rent a car.

The Rental Car Process

First you need to decide which car rental company to book through. 

Please do not book through a third party travel websites like Expedia!

These sites often do not disclose the taxes, extra fess, and mandatory rental car insurance. Instead, you might think your rental price will be something ridiculously low like $5 a day.

When you go to pick up your rental car you will be charged several hundred dollars more for all additional fees. You can read all about our negative experience with this here.

We suggest booking through us if you plan to rent with Adobe for the best deal. 

If you plan to rent through another company, book directly on their website and make sure all fees are included. 

Mandatory Rental Car Insurance

In Costa Rica there are three types of car rental insurance. These are Liability Protection Insurance, Car Protection Insurance, and Total Protection Insurance. 

• Liability Insurance is required by Costa Rican law. Every person who rents a car in Costa Rica will need to purchase this insurance.
• Car Protection is also required by law. However, it is possible to avoid paying this if you have a letter from your credit card company with proof of coverage for car protection in Costa Rica (if you rent with Adobe). 
• Total Protection is an additional comprehensive insurance. This extra insurance is not required by law, but is helpful to have. 

You can get more details in our complete guide to renting a car in Costa Rica. 

Car Rental Deposit

Keep in mind, that you will need to pay a deposit for your rental car at the rental agency. This is often between $1,000 and $2,000 US dollars depending on the rental car company.

It is usually possible to pay this with either a debit or credit card.

We suggest paying with a valid credit card because it is just a hold on your account. When you return the vehicle without issue you will automatically be refunded the deposit.

If you book with a debit card it can take several days for the refund to be processed.

Most companies accept all major credit cards. 

Note: Check your credit card limit beforehand to make sure that you can put down $1,000 without maxing out your card.  

Paying for Your Rental Car

You can pay for your rental car with credit or debit cards.

If you opt to rent with Adobe, you do not need to pay until you arrive and pick up your rental vehicle. Also, all prices from Adobe are quoted and paid in United States dollars. 

Saving Money on Car Rentals

We get it, Costa Rica car rentals are not cheap. To save money there are a few things you can do.

You could always opt to rent a car for only a few days of your trip rather than for the whole vacation. 

Travel at off-peak times. During the rainy season, the average price of car rentals goes way down. During the high season the prices go up A LOT!

Other Things to Know About Uvita Car Rentals

• Never leave belongings in your vehicle unattended. Uvita is safe, but petty theft is known to happen. 
• Be wary of rental deals that seem too good to be true (like $6 a day prices). These are not accurate. You will then be charged with a lot of other fees upon picking up your vehicle. Find out more in our guide to common rental car scams.
• If you are coming from the United Kingdom, Australia, etc. people drive on the opposite side of the road in Costa Rica. The roads and driver seat are set up the same as in the United States, Canada, mainland Europe etc.  
• If you rent with Adobe you can always pick up your car in one spot and return in a different location. They have several car rental locations throughout the country.
• The posted speed limits in Costa Rica is listed in kilometers per hour NOT miles per hour
• If you get in an accident, the emergency number here is 9-1-1. 
• If you would like a long-term rental with Adobe, let us know. We can get you a discount if you need a car for over a month. 

Conclusion: Uvita Car Rentals

In conclusion, having a rental car is the best transportation option in Uvita if you plan to visit off-the-beaten-path activities or want the flexibility of exploring on your own.

If you have any questions about renting a car in Uvita, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you plan.

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