Exclusive Costa Rica Vibes discount

Adobe car rental Costa Rica: 10% off + free perks

Renting a car in Costa Rica should feel simple, not stressful. Book through Costa Rica Vibes and you’ll automatically get 10% off, free extra drivers, and a 0% deductible on liability insurance. All with Adobe Rent-a-Car, the Costa Rican company we trust and personally recommend after years of living here.

Get my 10% off ↓

By Sarah & Thomas, Adobe partners since 2017 and living in Costa Rica since 2016

10%+

off every rental, all year

Since 2017

partnered with Adobe

$0

to reserve, pay at pickup

Free

cancellation anytime

Kona car rental in Costa Rica

Why we recommend Adobe

The rental company we trust most

We’ve rented cars in Costa Rica many times and tried several companies. After dealing with confusing last-minute fees (which you can read about here), we didn’t want our readers going through the same thing.

Everything changed once we started renting with Adobe. They’re a Costa Rican company with clear, transparent pricing and some of the best customer service we’ve experienced, so in 2017 we partnered with them to offer our readers an exclusive discount. Thousands of travelers have booked through us since.

To be fully transparent, we earn a commission when you book through our link, at no extra cost to you. You actually save money booking this way. Even without the partnership, Adobe would still be our #1 choice. Want our full take? Read our Adobe Rent a Car review.

The difference

Booking through us vs. booking direct

Booking direct

Standard Adobe booking

  • Regular rental rate
  • Extra drivers about $4 per day
  • $1,130 deductible on Liability Protection
  • Portable Wi-Fi at $11.30 every day

Booking through Costa Rica Vibes

With our discount

  • At least 10% off the rental rate
  • Free extra drivers
  • 0% deductible on Liability Protection
  • Portable Wi-Fi: pay only the first 10 days
  • Free car seats and roof racks on request

Comparing with other companies? Make sure the price includes the mandatory Liability insurance, like Adobe’s quote does. Many companies look cheaper online and then add it at the counter. Here’s why rental prices look so low online.

Book with our discount

Check rates with the discount applied

Pick your airport, dates and car below. All prices are in US dollars and you don’t pay anything until pickup.

No discount code needed. When you use our booking form, you automatically get the best price with all the bonuses included.

Renting for a month or longer?

Get an even bigger discount on 30+ day rentals

Staying in Costa Rica for a month or more? Adobe gives Costa Rica Vibes readers deeper discounts on long-term rentals. Fill out our long-term rental form and Adobe’s team will send you a custom rate.

Get my long-term quote →

💬 Sarah & Thomas tip

Book your car as early as you can, even before your flights are booked. You can always edit the reservation later to add your flight number. Adobe almost always runs out of cars over Easter because demand is so high.

What you get

Every perk, explained

💸
At least 10% off

Seasonal demand shifts, but your discount never dips below 10%. It applies to the car itself. Adobe can’t discount insurance.

👥
Free extra drivers

Normally about $4 per day. It’s added automatically when you book through us. Just name your extra driver(s) at pickup.

🛡️
0% Liability deductible

Adobe’s Liability Protection normally has a $1,130 deductible on third-party property damage. Book through us and it’s waived.

✈️
Free airport shuttle

Adobe’s offices are less than five minutes from both SJO and LIR. Add your flight number and they’ll be waiting for you.

🏨
Free delivery within 12 miles

Adobe drops off or picks up your car for free within 12 miles of any office. Add your hotel in the reservation form. Farther away may cost a small fee.

👶
Free car seats

Infant seats, baby seats and boosters are free for our readers. Just tick what you need on the form.

🏄
Free roof racks

Free on request. Add a comment to your reservation and Adobe will save a set for you.

📶
Discounted portable Wi-Fi

Unlimited data and several people can connect. Normally $11.30 per day, but you only pay for the first 10 days.

🛣️
Unlimited mileage

Roam wherever you please, just not into Nicaragua or Panama.

💳
Pay at pickup, cancel free

No prepayment. You don’t pay anything until you pick up your car, so you can cancel at any point.

🚙
Newer, well-kept fleet

Adobe’s cars are newer and well maintained, which matters on Costa Rica’s roads.

How to book

Booking in three easy steps

Step 1

Fill out the reservation form

  • Use our booking form (at the top and bottom of this page).
  • Pick your pick-up and drop-off locations (Aeropuerto San José = SJO; Liberia = LIR), dates and car. All prices are in US dollars.
  • Double-check passenger and luggage capacity so everyone and everything fits.

Step 2

Personalize your rental

  • Add any extras: portable Wi-Fi, roof racks, car seats, and your flight number for the airport pickup.
  • Choose your insurance (we explain it below).
  • Add delivery details in the comments if you want your car brought to your hotel.
  • Free extra drivers and the 0% Liability deductible are applied automatically.

Step 3

Click “Reserve” and you’re done

  • Hit Reserve (not Save Quote) and you’ll get instant confirmation by email.
  • Use the link in that email to pre-register your license and credit card. It makes pickup much faster.
  • No prepayment. You pay at pickup, and you can edit your reservation anytime.

💬 Sarah & Thomas tip

Pre-register your driver’s license and credit card from your confirmation email. We always recommend it because it makes pickup so much quicker.

Questions?

We’re happy to help

Email me at sarah@costaricavibes.com anytime. We’ve driven every model Adobe offers and are happy to help match you with your Costa Rica road-trip companion.

Booking less than 24 hours ahead? Contact Adobe directly and mention Costa Rica Vibes: info@adobecar.com, WhatsApp +506 8494-5956, or toll-free +1 855 861-1250 from the US/Canada (Mon to Fri, 8 am to 5 pm Central Time).

Insurance made simple

What’s mandatory, what’s required and what’s optional

Costa Rica’s insurance requirements can feel overwhelming, so here’s a clear breakdown of what’s included, what’s required, and how to get extra peace of mind.

1 · Mandatory

Liability Protection (PLI)

What it covers:

  • Up to $20,000 for third-party property damage (like another car or a fence)
  • Up to $100,000 per accident for third-party injury or death, no deductible

Your perk: Normally there’s a $1,130 deductible on property damage. Booking through Costa Rica Vibes waives it.

Required by Costa Rican law. It doesn’t cover damage to your rental car. You’ll see it pre-checked on the booking form.

2 · Required unless your card covers it

Car Protection (LDW)

What it covers: Collision, rollover and theft damage to your rental car. Deductible: $1,000 ($1,130 with tax). It doesn’t cover tires, vandalism or third-party damage.

Using your credit card instead: If your card includes rental car coverage in Costa Rica, bring an official letter from your bank and you can decline this. You’re then 100% responsible for any damage upfront and handle the claim with your card company. The deposit stays $1,000, on the same credit card.

VISA used to cover this for Gold and Platinum cardholders but stopped in 2021.

3 · Optional

Total Protection (SPP)

Adobe’s top-up for full peace of mind. It sits on top of Liability and Car Protection and adds:

  • Zero deductible on both Liability and Car Protection
  • Up to $2,000,000 in third-party property coverage
  • Tires, windows and vandalism
  • 24/7 roadside assistance and towing

Not required. Add it if you’d rather not worry about anything.

4 · On the form

Choosing your coverage

1. Liability and Car Protection are pre-selected.
2. Untick Car Protection only if your credit card letter covers you.
3. Tick Total Protection if you want zero deductible and roadside assistance.

Questions? Adobe’s team is happy to help: info@adobecar.com, WhatsApp +506 8494-5956, or toll-free from the US/Canada +1 855 861-1250 (Mon to Fri, 8 am to 5 pm Central Time).

Want the long version? Read our Costa Rica car rental insurance guide.

💬 Sarah & Thomas tip

If you plan to use your credit card’s coverage, ask your bank for the letter well before your trip. Double-check it says “rental car coverage in Costa Rica” and lists the coverage limits.

Before you go

The fine print

🔒
$1,000 deposit

  • A hold on a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Amex) in the name of the person picking up the car.
  • No debit, cash or virtual cards for the deposit. You can pay the rental itself with debit or credit.
  • Released when you return the car and it’s inspected.

🪪
Drivers

  • Minimum age: 23.
  • A valid driver’s license issued at least 2 years ago.
  • Your passport with your Costa Rica entry stamp (originals, not copies).
  • An international license is only needed if yours isn’t in the Latin alphabet.

⏱️
Booking lead time

  • Online bookings need at least 24 hours’ notice.
  • Last minute? Contact Adobe directly and mention Costa Rica Vibes for our discount.

💬 Sarah & Thomas tip

We always recommend an SUV. Something like a Hyundai Tucson or Creta is fine for most popular destinations, and the extra clearance makes dirt roads and rainy-season potholes a lot less stressful.

Arriving

Picking up your rental car

When you land at San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), head outside arrivals and look for the Adobe employee in a blue shirt holding an Adobe sign. They’ll have your flight number, so they’ll be waiting for you.

A free air-conditioned shuttle takes you to the Adobe office, less than five minutes away. The team there sees that you booked through Costa Rica Vibes, applies all your discounts, and gets you on the road.

Adobe car rental employee with sign at liberia airport
liberia airport adobe car rental shuttle picking up passengers
car rental Adobe office Liberia costa rica

💬 Sarah & Thomas tip

As soon as you walk outside arrivals, look for the blue shirt and the Adobe sign. They’ll already have your flight number, so they know you’re coming.

Keep planning your road trip

More Costa Rica car rental guides

Insurance

Car rental insurance explained →

Before you book

Why rental prices look so low online →

Deciding

Do you need a car in Costa Rica? →

Deciding

Shuttle or rental car? →

On the road

Driving in Costa Rica →

Airport

San José airport car rental →

Airport

Liberia airport car rental →

Our take

Adobe Rent a Car review →

FAQ

Adobe car rental in Costa Rica: quick answers

No. Our discount is built into the booking form on this page, so the 10% off and all the perks are applied automatically. There’s nothing to copy or enter.

You get at least 10% off plus perks you don’t get booking direct, like free extra drivers, the 0% Liability deductible, and free car seats and roof racks. We earn a commission at no extra cost to you, which keeps this site free. It’s a win-win-win.

Yes, if you’re a reasonably confident driver. Main roads are mostly well maintained, though we’d avoid driving in downtown San José. Our guide to driving in Costa Rica covers road rules, signs and safety tips.

For most trips, we think a car is the best and often cheapest way to get around. If you’re staying at a resort, you probably don’t. We break it down in do you need a car in Costa Rica and shuttle or rental car.

Cancellation is free. You don’t pay until pickup, so you can cancel anytime. Just reply to your reservation email so Adobe can give the car to someone else.

Your valid driver’s license (issued at least 2 years ago), your passport with your entry stamp, and a credit card in the main driver’s name for the $1,000 deposit. If you’re declining Car Protection, bring your bank’s coverage letter too.

Not for the deposit. Adobe needs a Visa, Mastercard or Amex credit card in the name of the person picking up the car. You can pay for the rental itself with a debit or credit card.

We recommend an SUV. A Hyundai Tucson or Creta is fine for most popular destinations, and 4×4 helps on dirt roads, especially in the rainy season. Check our destination guides for road conditions where you’re headed.

Yes. Adobe has offices at both international airports and around the country, and one-way rentals are possible. See our guides to San José airport and Liberia airport car rentals.

Use Waze. It’s what most people here use. To stay connected, we think an eSIM is the easiest option: we like Airalo and code NEWTOAIRALO15 gets you 15% off. Adobe’s portable Wi-Fi is another good option if several people need data.

As early as possible. Cancellation is free, and Adobe sometimes runs out of cars in high season and over Easter.

Yes. If you’re renting for 30 days or longer, fill out our long-term rental form and Adobe will send you a custom rate with a deeper discount than our regular 10%.

Hopefully this answers all of your questions about our Costa Rica car rental discount. If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments below or email us at sarah@costaricavibes.com and we’re happy to help!

Ready to book your Costa Rica rental car?

No discount code needed. When you use our booking form, you automatically get the best price with all the bonuses included.

Note: We’ve partnered with Adobe on an affiliate basis to give you this Costa Rica car rental discount. This means they let us give you an amazing discount and promote their business in return for a commission. This lets us keep making great content for you. When you use the form above, you’ll be taken to the Adobe website. This is a third-party site. Although we absolutely love Adobe, any transactions, agreements or disputes are between you and Adobe Rent a Car.

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158 Comments

  1. Mara Dooney says:

    Hi Sarah and Thomas, We just got back from 2 weeks in Costa Rica and it was such a wonderful bucket list trip. Now that we are home to the cold, we just want to say thank you both for all your suggestions on this website. It made planning so much easier. We especially appreciated this discount. After reading some really negative experiences from other travelers who rented with different companies we were a tad worried. However, Adobe was excellent!! Everything went smoothly and the prices were exactly as quoted. Your discount also saved us a lot of money. Pura Vida!

    Reply

    1. Aw thanks Mara! That’s so nice of you. I’m so happy to hear your trip was amazing and that your rental car experience was excellent! Hopefully the spring weather is on its way up north to you soon. 🙂
      -Sarah

      Reply
  2. Jodie Duhamel says:

    Hi. I’m looking to rent a car in March 2024 for two weeks, but we haven’t booked our flights yet. Do you think I should wait until I book our flights before booking a car? We will be flying in and out of San Jose.

    Reply

    1. Hi Jodie. I would suggest booking you car as early as possible. You can always edit the reservation after you book to include your flight number or change the pick up time. This especially applies if you are visiting at the end of March. Easter is at the very end of March in 2024 and Adobe almost always runs out of cars over Easter because they are in such high demand.
      Let me know if I can help you with anything else!
      -Sarah

      Reply