Costa Rica Car Rental Discount

Save 10% Plus Get Other Great Perks

Our goal is always to bring you the best info on travel in Costa Rica.

That being said, we are super excited to have partnered with our favorite Costa Rica car rental company, Adobe Rent-a-Car, to bring you a 10% Costa Rica rental car discount!

How awesome is that?!?

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Costa Rica Car Rental Discount: Save 10% Plus Other Perks

Note: There is no discount code needed!

The price you are quoted if using the form above will be at least 10% lower than Adobe’s price (fluctuates to up to a 20% discount depending on the time of year) and includes the other perks we mention below. 

Keep in mind that this discount only applies to the car and not the Costa Rica mandatory rental insurance. 

Costa Rica Car Rental Discount: Save 10% Plus Other Perks

Why We Love Adobe Rent-a-Car

We’ve rented cars in Costa Rica several times and have had some negative experiences (which you can read about here). We really don’t want you to go through the same things we dealt with.

When we started renting cars for vacations with Adobe, that completely changed.

We love Adobe Rent-a-Car because they are a local Costa Rican company, are completely transparent in their fees, and have some of the best customer service we have ever experienced.

Because we think so highly of them, we asked if they would be interested in partnering with us to bring Costa Rica Vibes readers a rental car discount.

They said an enthusiastic, “YES!” and here we are! 🙂

Note: We made a step-by-step walkthrough video to show you exactly how the rental car process works. ↓

The Costa Rica Car Rental Discount

Adobe has been so generous in giving some amazing perks for you. Here are all the wonderful things you get by booking your rental car through our website…..

car

A 10% Discount

This discount fluctuates by season and demand. It will always be at least 10% but sometimes it is actually more like 15%.

FREE SECOND DRIVER

Adobe actually doesn’t just stop at giving you one free second driver. You can actually add multiple drivers at no extra cost. Usually, this costs an extra $4 per day. 

This is added automatically onto your reservation if you book through us. When you arrive to pick up your car you can specify who your extra driver(s) are.

FREE ROOF RACKS TO USE

These are available for free to our readers upon request. If you would like roof racks, be sure to add a comment in your reservation saying that you need them. Adobe will be happy to save some for you.

FREE CAR DELIVERY/ PICK UP 

Adobe is happy to drop off or pick up your car for free within 12 miles of any of their office locations.

Just indicate which hotel, resort, Airbnb, hostel etc. you will be staying at in the reservation form. In the comment section of the reservation form, you can add any other details about having your car delivered.

If you are staying over 12 miles away Adobe may charge a small delivery fee.

0% DEDUCTIBLE 

This applies to Liability Protection. It is usually a 20% deductible.

DISCOUNTED SMARTPHONE WITH UNLIMITED DATA

This is a new plan that Adobe has started called “Trio.”

You can get a smartphone with unlimited data to use for your trip for only $12 per day. It is normally $14 per day.

And yes, you can turn it on as a hotspot so multiple people can take advantage of it.

FREE BOOSTER SEAT AND/ OR CAR SEAT

Adobe has three versions of seats that are free to our readers; infant car seats, baby car seats, and booster seats. While making your reservation there will be a box to check off what you need.

FREE AIRPORT PICKUP

The Adobe office is located five minutes away from both the San Jose International Airport (SJO) and Liberia International Airport (LIR).

Adobe is more than happy to pick you up for free at the airport in their comfortable shuttle.

Just make sure to indicate your flight number and arrival time on your reservation. Someone from Adobe will be waiting for you with a sign when you exit the airport.

DISCOUNTED GPS 

It usually costs $9 a day to rent a GPS unit. By booking through us you will only pay $6 per day. 

You can compare the price on our site to Adobe directly by following this link. You will see that our price is at least 10% cheaper. Just note this discount is only for the car itself. Unfortunately, Adobe can not give us a discount on insurance.

Also, when comparing the price from our site with Adobe’s site, you can not have two reservation forms open at one time. Otherwise, it will replicate the price and the price will appear the same through our site and Adobe’s.

The other bonuses (0% deductible on Liability Insurance, free second driver) are automatically included by booking through us.

Also, if you would like to compare our rate to other rental car agencies make sure that the rate you are looking at with other companies includes the mandatory insurance like Adobe’s rate does.

Often people think another company may be cheaper and then they are hit with the high mandatory insurance costs upon picking up their rental car. We don’t want you to have to go through that.

Costa Rica Mandatory Car Insurance

Costa Rica rental car insurance can be a bit confusing, so here is a complete breakdown of how it works…

When you book a car through Adobe you will have three different protection options. Let’s go through each one.

Liability Protection  

This insurance covers basic damages to third parties property up to $20,000 and basic coverage of third party injury or death up to $100,000 with 0% deductible. 

This insurance is required by law in Costa Rica. Every single person who rents a car needs to purchase Liability Protection.

The price you are quoted when you book your car through our site includes the Liability Protection fees (you will see it checked off in your rental car booking). 

This is one of the many reasons we love Adobe for car rentals in Costa Rica. Most other rental car companies here do not include Liability Protection in their quote.

This means that when you arrive to start your vacation in paradise the first thing you experience is a rental car agent telling you that you will actually have to pay several hundred dollars more than the price you were quoted online because of the Liability Protection.

We don’t think this is a good business tactic and neither does Adobe.

Car Protection 

This insurance covers:

-Direct car damages, collision, and rollovers

-Total or partial theft of the rental car

Car Protection is also required by Costa Rica law. This means when you rent a car with Adobe you need to check off the box for Car Protection.

Most rental car companies in Costa Rica bundle the Liability Protection and Car Protection together, meaning you have to pay for both of them because they are required by law.

Costa Rica car rental conditions

If you have a letter from your credit card company stating that you are covered for car protection in Costa Rica you will not need to pay for the Car Protection insurance if you rent with Adobe.

Make sure you bring a letter or email from your credit card company stating you have car protection in Costa Rica to show as proof. Adobe will not accept a basic brochure.

Total Protection

This is the final type of car protection that is offered. Total Protection insurance covers a tow truck, road assistance, damage to things like windows and tires, and a 4 million dollar coverage for third-party injury or death. 

You are NOT required to purchase Total Protection by Costa Rica law. However, it is great if you want to ensure that you are 100% covered in case of an accident.

If you have questions about insurance you should contact Adobe directly (we here at Costa Rica Vibes are not personally experts in insurance). You can email them at info(at)adobecar(dot)com, contact them via WhatsApp at 506) 8494-5956 (Monday to Friday, 8 am-5 pm Central Time) or if you are in the US or Canada you can call their toll-free number Mon- Fri from 8 am-5 pm Central Time at:  +1(855)861-1250  

The Car Rental Conditions

The main condition is that there is a $1,000 deposit on your car rental. This is standard with every Costa Rica car rental company, but we have heard of some companies charging much more.

We suggest paying this deposit with your credit card because it is just a hold and will be returned immediately to you when you return your car if everything is OK. 

You can also do this on your debit card, but it can take a few weeks after you return your car for the bank to process this and refund the $1,000 on to your account.

– You need to be 23 years old to rent a car with Adobe.

– You can not rent a car with Adobe if you are over 75 years old.

There are no hidden fees with Adobe. The price you are given online is the total price. Just remember the $1,000 deposit.

rental car montezuma

Car Rental FAQ

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

If you have more questions, check out our complete FAQ of Costa Rica Car Rental questions.

Hopefully, this answered all of your questions regarding our Costa Rica car rental discount. If you have any other questions, just leave them in the comment section below or email us at: sarah(at)costaricavibes(dot)com and we are happy to help you out!

READY TO GET YOUR COSTA RICA CAR RENTAL DISCOUNT? ↓

Costa Rica Car Rental Discount: Save 10% Plus Other Perks

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

154 responses to “Costa Rica Car Rental Discount: Save 10% Plus Other Perks”

  1. Megan

    When I check the dates for 7/16-7/24 it is the same prices with or with out your link, am I doing something wrong?

    Reply
    1. Sarah

      Hi Megan! I just checked and was confused because the discount came up for me, but then I realized what happened. If you search on my site but have a tab open with Adobe’s site as well, it replicates the page. Once you pick your vehicle and get to the page that asks for Customer information, see if it says “Welcome Costa Rica Vibes” in the top right corner. That means you are on the discount from my site. If it says “Welcome iframe client” you are viewing the price from Adobe’s site directly. Another words, I guess you have to search one at a time and can’t have my site and Adobe’s site open at the same time in different tabs. Let me know if you have more questions! 🙂

      Reply
  2. jen

    HI Sarah, My sisters and I are flying into san jose 2/15, staying with a friend, then heading to Nosara area for 6 nights (yoga retreat). Then driving back to hotel near aiport on 2/23, flying home 2/24.

    Everything you said makes sense and I appreciate this information. THe adobe rental quote was $811, which seemed very high. I got some other quotes that included hte same stuff (pretty sure) for 300-400 less. That said, the only 4 wheel drive available was a Mitsubish L200 4X4 manual or similar / GROUP K, which may be a fancy 4 wheel drive car. Am I missing something? I did not even order GPS or anything. Can I get away with not renting this if I am just basically using this car to get from San Jose to Nosara area and back again.

    Reply
    1. Sarah

      Hi Jenn. I just checked your dates. You are right. It is super expensive because unfortunately, all the other SUV’s except for the Mitsubishi L200 are sold out for those dates. 🙁 I’d go with a different company for this one so that it is cheaper. Feel free to email me [email protected] if you want to run the names of the other companies by me and I can tell you which have good reputations.
      Also, you can get away without renting a GPS. Roads are a little crazy here though, so having something would help. If you have an unlocked phone you can get a SIM card at the airport or on Google Maps you can now usually type in your destination ahead of time and it will direct you even without wifi. You just have to hit “save for offline” or something like that. Just try it out ahead of time because I sometimes have problems with it.
      Also, you’ll love Nosara! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Scott Wickstrom

    Will Adobe come to my hotel to pick the car up when i’m ready to return it?

    Reply
    1. Sarah

      Hey Scott. I just wrote to Adobe to ask about that because I’m not totally sure. As soon as they answer me I’ll let you know.

      Reply
  4. Andrea Barthelemy

    Hi Sarah, I tried to reach Adobe via email and phone, but didn’t get any answer and was put on a waiting line without outcome.. My question: Our plane arrives shortly after midnight in San Jose. Do you have any idea if they are able to pick up that late? (Booking via your webpage is available only till 22.00). Thanks, Andrea

    Reply
    1. Sarah

      Hi Andrea! No they will unfortunately not be open that late. Your best bet would be if you are staying near the airport to take an Uber (unless your hotel has a shuttle service) and then have Adobe deliver the car to your hotel in the morning. They open at 5am and will deliver for free within 12 miles of the airport. In your rental car booking there is a comment section. Just let them know which hotel and what time you would like the car. You can also leave any questions in the comment section. They are usually good at responding within 24 hours.

      Reply
  5. Kenya

    A letter from my bank about my car insurance? I dont understand this…How would my bank know if my car insurance covers car rental? Wouldn’t I need a letter from my car insurance company? What am I missing?

    Reply
    1. Sarah

      Hi Kenya! Thanks for letting us know that this isn’t entirely clear so we can make it more clear on our site. Fixing it up now!
      Most credit card companies (at least within the US) have some type of rental car insurance included with your credit card plan. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always cover you internationally. You will need to check with your credit card company and ask if you have rental car coverage in Costa Rica. If you have car insurance which covers you for rental cars, that is definitely an option as well.
      I’d suggest checking with both your credit card companies and car insurance company to see if either will cover you if you rent a car in Costa Rica. You then just need to show proof when you pick up your car with Adobe that you are covered for direct car damages, collision, and rollovers as well as total or partial theft of the rental car. If you are unsure if you are covered, I suggest emailing Adobe [email protected] before you book your car with the details of the coverage you have either through your credit card or car insurance. They will get back to you really fast and can tell you if your coverage will be enough.
      Hope this clears things up a bit! Let us know if you have more questions as you plan your trip!

      Reply
  6. Natalie Gates

    Is the rental age for other car rental companies 23? Adobe sounds awesome, but my boyfriend and I will only be 22 when we go to Costa Rica in February. Really, really want to rent a car and hope this doesn’t hold us back! I’ve heard it’s 21 at other companies?

    Reply
    1. Sarah

      A lot are 23 but let me look into it for you and see if there are any good companies which rent to people younger. I’ll report back! 🙂

      Reply
    2. Sarah

      Check out Vamos Rent A Car. Their minimum age is 18 (at least from what I see online). Also, from what I’ve heard they have a decent reputation. Good luck!

      Reply
  7. Chris

    I can’t open the adobe site on your page to access a booking with your discount. The page is partially obscured by your note. What to do?

    Reply
    1. Sarah

      Hi Chris. Thanks for letting us know! It was a problem on our mobile site. We just fixed it so it should be showing up fine now! 🙂

      Reply
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