Costa Rica Car Rental
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We recommend four-wheel drive to make things easier on yourself, but it is not absolutely necessary in every location in Costa Rica.

If you are going to the Nosara area, Monteverde, or San Gerardo de Dota, or the Osa Peninsula (Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez) we suggest a car with four-wheel drive. These areas are known for unpaved roads which aren’t the easiest without four-wheel drive. 

We’ve done some of these drives without it, but it hasn’t always been fun! This especially applies during rainy season.

Most of the rest of the country can be done without 4-wheel drive, however, we still suggest renting something with some clearance. Even though roads may be well paved they can be very hilly and it is just more comfortable to be in an SUV rather than a small car.

Also, keep in mind that your hotel or Airbnb might be on an unpaved side road. Definitely ask at your place of accommodation to find out how accessible it is.

If you are unsure which vehicle will be suitable for the areas you are visiting, just check out our Destination page. We have a complete breakdown of getting to and driving around in each location in Costa Rica.

You definitely need some type of GPS to get around here. Roads are unclear and constantly changing.

You have a few different options for staying connected while driving:

– Adobe offers GPS rentals for $6 per day if you are renting through us. I know this adds up fast if you are traveling for several days.

– Recently Adobe has started offering something they are calling TRIO. This is a smartphone with unlimited data that you can use while traveling. You can even make it into a hotspot for everyone in your car to use.

If you are interested in this, just make a comment in your reservation (it is so new that it is not on the booking form yet). The TRIO costs $12 per day.

– Contact your normal cell phone plan provider before your trip and ask about getting a temporary international plan. For example, I know Verizon offers something called TravelPass that can be added for $10 per day for use in Costa Rica.  

– If you have an unlocked cell phone the best and cheapest option is to stop at the Movistar stand in the airport after you get through customs. At the Movistar desk, you can purchase a SIM card for about $4. This money is then added as a credit to your SIM card.

You can buy a top up card at almost all store throughout the country as needed.

Note: This will only work if your cell phone is unlocked for international usage. If you aren’t sure you can ask your cell phone provider.

No matter which way you stay connected, we 100% suggest using the free app Waze for directions. It is the most widely used app in Costa Rica to get around and has helpful features such as people inputting when police are ahead, notifications about things in the road etc. 

Drivers in Costa Rica are a bit crazy, but as long as you are a somewhat experienced driver and feel confident in your abilities, you will likely be fine.

We strongly suggest not driving in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica. This area of the country has way too many cars on the road at any given time and people drive like crazy.

Most of the main roads throughout the country are well maintained. If you’d like to know what the drive is like to your destination just look on our destination page for the area you are planning to visit.

If something happens while driving, the emergency number here is 911. 

We also have a complete guide to road signs and safety tips while driving.

One of the most common questions we get asked is, “Should I rent a car in Costa Rica?” 

Usually, we think that renting a car is the absolute best way to get around. Having a car will give you much more flexibility for exploring all the beauty that this little slice of paradise has to offer. 

However, we understand that some of you may not want to drive far distances in a foreign country. 

Adobe has just started a private shuttle company to provide customers with private transportation to your destination. 

Their rates are far cheaper than other private transportation options we have seen in the country. Plus, their dependability and professionalism is unmatched (in our opinion). 

Once you arrive at your destination, you can get a rental car from Adobe for exploring the area. Adobe will happily deliver your rental car within twelve miles of any of their offices for free.

If you are staying at a resort, you most likely do not need a rental car. In that type of situation we suggest depending on a private transfer to get you to your location and booking day trips through your resort.

One of the many great things about Adobe is that you will not pay for your reservation until you pick up your car to start your vacation.

This means that you can cancel for free at any point.

Adobe understands that travel plans are constantly changing right now. If you need to cancel please just don’t forget to respond in your reservation email and let them know that you are canceling your trip. 

If you don’t cancel, a car might be held for you that could have been rented by someone else.

Below this, you will see a box to make your reservation. 

After selecting your dates and drop off/ pick up location you will be directed to a page where you can select your car.

Adobe has a large fleet of vehicles for you to choose from. When selecting your vehicle, pay attention to how many people the car can fit and the amount of luggage that can fit.

Note: If you are unsure what to rent, feel free to email us. [email protected] We recently had the chance to go through every single vehicle that Adobe offers. We have a good idea of what is best for your particular needs.

After selecting your vehicle you will be directed to the Reservation Form. Keep in mind that you can always change your reservation details later if you need.

For example, if you would like your car delivered to your hotel but haven’t booked a hotel yet, just leave it blank for now. Adobe is happy to update that for you at a later point in time if you need.

The extra drivers and 0% deductible are automatically applied to all car rentals through our site. When you pick up your car Adobe will see that you rented through us and automatically add these perks. You do not need to select anything in your reservation to get them.

If you would like to add in the TRIO smartphone plan for $12 a day, or need a set of free roof racks, please leave a comment in the comment section of the reservation to let Adobe know so they can make sure to set those aside for you.

When you are finished, make sure you click “Reserve” not “Save Quote.” You should get an email within a few hours with your rental car reservation.

You are then all set! Your vehicle will be waiting for you when you arrive in Costa Rica! 🙂

Also, just note if you need to change or cancel your reservation you can just reply to your confirmation email to get in touch with Adobe. They are usually very good at responding within 24 hours.

You do not have to pay for anything ahead of time. You pay for your car upon pick up. 

Note: If you are arriving at the San Jose airport you will select “Aeropuerto San Jose (SJO) as your pick up and drop off location.

If you are arriving at Liberia airport you will select “Aeropuerto Liberia (LIR)” as your drop-off and pick-up location. 

You do not need an international drivers license in order to drive in Costa Rica. Just make sure you have a valid drivers license from your home country and you will be fine.

Also, don’t forget to bring a letter from your credit card company if you plan to avoid paying for the mandatory Liability Protection insurance.