Costa Rica Car Rental Discount: Save 10% Plus Other 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 plus some other great perks!
How awesome is that?!?
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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.
Why We Love Adobe Rent-a-Car
We’ve rented cars in Costa Rica several times through many different rental companies 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…..
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 insurance coverage. 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 car rental 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 third party 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.
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 rental car 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.
Note: Please check your credit limit and have it increased if needed. Our friends recently visited from Europe and their card got blocked because the $1,000 hold was over their daily card limit.
– You need to be above the minimum age of 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 or extra costs with Adobe. The price you are given online is the total price. Just remember the $1,000 deposit.
Car Rental FAQ’s
We recommend a 4-wheel drive to make things easier on yourself, but it is not absolutely necessary in every location in Costa Rica. Usually, an SUV will be fine for most of the popular tourist destinations. Keep in mind that the road conditions are sometimes not as good during the rainy season.
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.
Yes, Adobe has rental agency locations at both international airports (San José International Airport and Liberia International Airport) as well as office locations throughout the country. You can always pick your car up at one location and return it to another if you so choose.
Here is a map of all the Adobe rental locations.
If you would like more info, we have a guide to car rentals from San Jose International Airport as well as a guide to car rental from Liberia International Airport.
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.
A Few Things to Know Are:
- People drive on the right side of the road like in the USA, Canada, and mainland Europe.
- Gas stations here are full-service. That means, just stay in your car and a gas station attendant will fill your tank.
- If something happens while driving, the emergency number here is 911.
- Speed limits are in kilometers per hour, not miles
- There are some unpaved roads throughout the country. These are mostly in remote towns.
We also have a complete guide to road signs and safety tips while driving.
We suggest renting your car as early as possible to ensure that you can reserve the vehicle you want. Adobe has free cancellation, so if your plans change you can always modify or cancel your reservation at no extra cost.
Keep in mind that during the high season, it is not unusual for Adobe to completely run out of vehicles. So, book as soon as possible!
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 at your own pace.
However, we understand that some of you may not want to drive far distances in a foreign country. In those situations, we suggest a private shuttle or shared shuttle to your destination.
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. All prices are in US dollars.
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 driving permit in order to drive in Costa Rica. Just make sure you have a valid driver’s 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.
We have been partnering with Adobe Rent-a-Car since 2017. This is a successful partnership that has helped thousands of travelers to get the very best car rental experience (and save serious money) in Costa Rica.
Unfortunately, some car rental companies in Costa Rica do not disclose all of their fees upfront.
We see this most often on third-party sites like Expedia and Booking. You might come across a car rental that says it is $5 a day and think “wow what a great deal!” This rate is not true and you will be hit with much higher charges when you go to pick up your car rental once you arrive in Costa Rica.
With Adobe and Costa Rica Vibes, all fees are upfront and completely transparent. We genuinely want you to have a great vacation and love this country as much as we do. That starts with having a good car rental experience the second you land in the country.
If you have more questions, check out our complete FAQ of Costa Rica Car Rental questions.
Hopefully, this answers 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 the best prices on your Costa Rica renta cars? ↓
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”
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my flight lands at 11pm April 14 but we are 30 min from the airport and dont want to have to uber back to pick up our car the next day. I see that they close early, what do you recommend I do? thanks for the help!!!! is there another rental service that doesn’t charge crazy extra fees that would be open late?
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Hi Dacia, I just checked and it seems every single rental company closes at 10pm.
In this situation, it is probably best to contact Adobe directly. They may be able to deliver your car to you in the morning.
If you are in the US or Canada you can call them toll free at +1 (855) 861-1250 between 8 and 5pm central time. Or, email them at [email protected] By phone they can most likely even make the reservation for you. Just say you want it through Costa Rica Vibes to get the discount. 🙂
Let me know if you have more questions!
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At the moment I am reading a lot on your blog because me and my boyfriend are going to Costa Rica at the end of August this year. We would love to book a car at Adobe with your discount but the links are not working anymore. It would be great if you could send me the discount!
Thank you!
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Hi Ruby! I think there may have been some site problems last night. It seems to be up and running again now. On this page at the top and bottom, you will see an Adobe search box. That is with our discount included. So, the price you are quoted is with our discount already factored in. For bonuses such as the 0% deductible, Adobe will see you booked through us and will automatically apply them when you pick up your car.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Renting a Car in Costa Rica
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Can I use my existing drivers license from USA or do I need anything extra to drive and rent a car in CR?
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Hi Maria. You are completely fine to drive in Costa Rica with your normal US driver’s license. No special papers are required. 🙂
Let me know if you have any other questions!
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Trying to book through your site and while some discount is showing, the benefit of $0 deductible, etc that you mention is not reflected. How/when will these be applied?
Also, we are going from LIR to Playa Grande/Guanacaste for a few days then to La Anita Rainforest Ranch in Alajuela, then back to LIR. Probably will not venture out too far from our hotels because my activities are currently limited post-surgery. Any thought about whether we are okay with a sedan vs must have an SUV? Thanks in advance!-
Hi PJ,
Adobe will see that you booked through my site and automatically apply the 0% deductible when you pick up and pay for your car. As far as the car, I would ask at the ranch you are staying at. I believe the roads around there are not paved, but maybe they can give you better info. If the are flat enough you will probably be fine with a sedan, especially at this time of year while everything is dry, but I would definitely ask them.
Let me know if you have any other questions as you plan your trip!
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I checked prices with your link and then closed everything and checked prices from just going directly to Adobe’s website and it was the same price. Do you have any suggestions? I am not seeing any saving by going thru your link.
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Hi Allison. Can you tell me what dates you were looking at? That way I can check into it for you.
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Hi, I’m looking to rent a car from Adobe Nov. 25 to Dec. 1, 2019. I picked the Hyundai Tuscon, but I can’t see the mileage. Does Adobe have Unlimited Miles and will it apply to this rental car?
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Hi Vicky, yes all cars with Adobe have unlimited mileage. Let us know if you have any other questions as you plan your trip! ?
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Hi Cleveland. Sorry about that! I’m not sure what happened. I just resent the confirmation to you. 🙂
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