Car Rental in Costa Rica: Overview
Limousines | Minivans | Double Traction 4x4 | True 4x4 | With Personal Driver | Important Information
Visiting Costa Rica by car is quite easy – despite of scarce street signs and sometimes bumpy roads. We will provide you with maps and accurate descriptions of how to find your destination.
A further option is to hire a personal driver who is familiar with the roads. This is certainly the best way to get to know the country and especially to travel around more remote areas.
Outside San José’s urban area a four-wheel drive is indispensable. Note that there are no rear luggage covers in off-road vehicles (which means one can see your luggage from outside: always cover it or leave your car empty). Note that Costa Rican rental cars cannot be brought over the border (to Panama or Nicaragua)!
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We cooperate with various rental agencies to assure the Best Car Rental service, as well as flawless vehicles.
Because of our experience and renown we negotiated most beneficial rates for our customers: we offer the same rental prices as the rental agencies (and special prices for longer rental periods).
We are not tied to any rental agency and our goal is the same as yours: to rent cars at the lowest rates with reliable companies. Get an offer for a rental car now!
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Read more about Driving in Costa Rica
LIMOUSINES
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 TOYOTA YARIS
(MAPACHE)
4 doors, 4 passengers, luggage compartment, 1500 cc (gasoline), manual transmission, air conditioning, power steering, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: This car is only suitable for asphalt roads!
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MINIVANS
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 TOYOTA HIACE
3 doors, 15 passengers (incl. 3 folding seats). If you travel with lots of luggage the back bench can be folded down. 5-gear manual transmission, 2800 or 3000 cc (diesel), air conditioning, radio.
Our Opinion: Ideal for groups of 7-8 persons travelling far with a lot of luggage. Suitable for difficult roads.
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 NISSAN URVAN
4 doors, 12 passengers (incl. 3 folding seats). If you travel with lots of luggage the back bench can be folded down. 5-gear manual transmission, power steering, 3000 cc diesel, air conditioning, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: Ideal for groups of 9-10 persons travelling far with a lot of luggage. Suitable for difficult roads.
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DOUBLE TRACTION 4X4
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 DAIHATSU TERIOS
All-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 4 passengers, trunk (without rear luggage cover), manual transmission, power steering, 1300 cc (gasoline), permanent 4x4 without differential lock, surf racks, radio.
Our Opinion: Suitable for all terrains. The suspension feels a bit stiff at times and the road adhesion can be sketchy on wet ground.
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 DAIHATSU BEGO
All-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 5 passengers, trunk (without rear luggage cover), manual transmission, power steering, 1500 cc (gasoline), permanent 4x4 without differential lock, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: Suitable for all terrains. This is our favourite choice for small groups of 2-4 persons.
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 TOYOTA RAV 4 PLUS
All-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 5 passengers, luggage compartment, electric windows, double Air Bag, air conditioning, manual or automatic transmission, power steering, 2400 cc (gasoline), permanent 4x4 without differential lock, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: A comfortable and silent car for appropriate travelling on rough grounds.
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 SUZUKI GRAN VITARA II
(MAPACHE)
All-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 4 passengers, trunk (without rear luggage cover), electric windows, double Air Bag, air conditioning, manual or automatic transmission, power steering, 2500 cc, permanent 4x4 without differential lock, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: A comfortable and silent car for appropriate travelling on rough grounds.
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4 X 4 Cars
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 SUZUKI JIMNY
Small robust all-terrain vehicle, 3 doors, 4 passengers (max. 3 adults + 1 child), manual transmission, air conditioning, Air Bag, 1300 cc (gasoline), CD Radio.
Our Opinion: The first “true” 4x4, ideal for a couple with child.
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SUZUKI GRAN VITARA II
All-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 4 passengers, trunk (without rear luggage cover), electric windows, double Air Bag, air conditioning, manual or automatic transmission, power steering, 2500 cc, permanent 4x4 without differential lock, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: A comfortable and silent car for appropriate travelling on rough grounds.
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 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT
All-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 5 passengers, trunk (without rear luggage cover), automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, 2800 cc Turbo Diesel, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: An excellent 4x4, very comfortable with great road grip. A good all-terrain vehicle, ideal for 5 passengers.
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 TOYOTA FORTUNER
Large, comfortable all-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 5 passengers, automatic transmission, air conditioning, Airbag, anti-lock braking system (ABS), power steering, 3000 cc Turbo Diesel. A true 4 x 4 with differential lock. CD Radio.
Our Opinion: Suited for comfortable and safe driving on rough terrains.
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 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO
All-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 5-8 passengers (depending on setup), trunk (without rear luggage cover), manual or automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, 2 800 cc (diesel), CD Radio.
Our Opinion: The largest 4x4 in Costa Rica. A great all-terrain vehicle with good road grip and almost luxurious comfort.
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 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER FJ
Powerful and luxurious ll-terrain vehicle with 3 doors and 5 seats. Luggage compartment without cover, radio, CD player, dual airbags, child safety, power steering, ABS brakes, airconditioning, electric windows, central locking.4000 cc V6 gasoline engine (14-15 Liters/100km). Automatic transmission. Real 4 x 4 "off road" car with permanent 4 wheel drive, equipped with a new system called “Electronically Controlled Automatic Overdrive Transmission with intelligence“ (ECT-i). The equivalent of 4 large suitcases and 2 small bags fit in the luggage compartment.
Our Opinion: One of the most powerful all-terrain cars that can be rented in Costa Rica, with a superb V6 engine. Ideal for self drivers on difficult tracks and very comfortable travel on paved roads with a luxurious and comfortable interior.
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 NISSAN PATROL
Large and powerful four-wheel drive, 5 doors, 7 seats, a luggage compartment without cover, CD player, electric windows, central locking, A/C, ABS brakes, power steering and dual airbags, roof rack. 3 000 cc Turbo Diesel (11-12 Liters/100km), automatic transmission with 5 gears. A ture 4x4 with several settings.
Our Opinion: One of the largest 4x4 cars available. The car is ideal for 6-7 passengers for comfortable transport on difficult terrain.
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 MITSUBISHI MONTERO 7 PAX
Large offroader with 5 doors, 7 seats (ideal for 5 adults and 2 children), luggage compartment without cover, CD player, double airbags, hild-proof lock, ABS brakes, A/C, roof rack. 2800 cc Turbo Diesel (10-12 Liters/100km), automatic transmission with 5 gears. Permanent 4x4 with several settings.
Our Opinion: One of the biggest 4x4s in Costa Rica. Ideal for 6-7 travelers with little luggage, or 5 passengers with a lot of luggage. This car offers excellent comfort on difficult roads. Note: The trunk offers little space.
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 TOYOTA L.C. STATION WAGON
Large, powerful and comfortable all-terrain vehicle, 5 doors, 8 passengers, luggage compartment (for 5 suitcases und 2 bags; no rear luggage cover), automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, anti-lock braking system (ABS) , Air Bag, electric windows, 4 200 cc Turbo Diesel, small refrigerator, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: The largest and most powerful all-terrain vehicle. Excellent road grip and almost luxurious comfort.
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WITH PERSONAL DRIVER
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 HYUNDAI STAREX GRX 2007.
3 doors, 1 back door, max. 10 passengers (incl. 2 folding seats) or 7-8 passengers with a lot of luggage. 5-gear manual transmission, 2500 cc Turbo Diesel, air conditioning, CD Radio.
Our Opinion: Ideal for a group of up to 6 persons with luggage. Suitable for difficult terrains and very comfortable.
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 MERCEDES SPRINTER 2007
Minivan with 3 doors and luggage compartment door, 11 seats. Ideal for 9 travelers if more convenience is desired (2 passengers can sit in front). Interior Height: 1m 80, panoramic windows, air conditioning, CD player. 2 148 cc Turbo Diesel. Manual transmission with 5 gears. The trunk offers enough space for 5 medium-sized suitcases and 2 small bags.
Our Opinion:Ideal for groups of 9-10 persons for cheap roundtrips with driver.
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These rental cars are subject to availability
Get a price offer for your rental car now
Important Information
To hotels in San José, its agglomeration and some major destinations the delivery is free of charge (ask as for more details).
There is no additional charge if the car is returned at an international airport (San José and Liberia) or at a major destination and San José. Having the car picked up in other places will cost between 15-175 $, depending on the location.
The police (policia de tránsito) are regularly performing speed checks. In case the police should stop you we advise never to pay fines directly to the police officer, as this is not intended in Costa Rican law. The authorities are bound to write an accident record, which you will receive in order to pay the fine to your car rental agency. Attention: if you do not proceed according to this scheme it is possible that you will be additionally charged on your credit card for the fine (this could happen weeks or months later)! So be aware: never pay fines directly to the police!
Note that the Costa Rican governement has started setting up a net of fixed speeding cameras throughout the country. If you are caught speeding more than 20km/h over the allowed limit, expect high fines! The fines will have to be paid through the rental car company and charged to your credit card.
Most European and North American driver’s licenses are accepted in Costa Rica (i.e. an international license is no longer necessary). The minimum age to rent a car is between 21 (Adobe) and 25 years (Mapache). The renter has to have been in possession of a license for at least 3 years.
For reasons of security and insurance you can only rent a car with a valid credit card. A blank credit card imprint will be made as a security deposit. This serves only as a security for the rental agency and the imprint will be destroyed when you return the car (in undamaged state).
Insurances are included in our rates but there is a deductible of 850-1500 $, depending on the car and the agency. Most insurances are valid only for one person to drive the car. Tell us beforehand in case you are travelling with several drivers. Unlike in other countries, payment with credit cards (like VISA Premier, AMEX, etc.) does not replace insurances nor does it exempt from paying the deductible in case of an accident.
Deductible:
(Deductible means the part of any claim that is not covered by the insurance.) Between 850-1500 $, depending on the rental agency and the car model.
Full Cover Insurance:
We strongly recommend to effect a Full Cover Insurance (to be arranged directly with the rental agency). In that case the rental agency will bear 100% of the deductible cost (at Mapache; other agencies will pay 80%). Full Cover Insurances cost between 10-15 $ per day. In case of self-inflicted accidents only 80% of the costs will be provided for. This supplementary insurance covers all damages to the vehicle except tires (check them at the arrival of your car) and the theft of your personal belongings (if the car was unlocked and/or left “unattended”; we therefore advise you not to leave anything in the car). The Full Cover Insurance is also invalid in case of driving under the influence, non-compliance with traffic rules, motor immersion (e.g. in case of driving through a river) or if the car was used on beaches (it is illegal to drive outside roads in Costa Rica). The possible 20% of remaining costs can be covered with a supplementary “third party damage” insurance for 3 $ per day.
Seat Belts: Since April 2004 seat belts are obligatory in the front and the back. Be aware of frequent police controls and high fines in case of violation.
Normally the vehicles are delivered with a full tank (check at delivery). We advise to return the car with a full tank. Otherwise 10 $ will be charged per eighth of the missing gasoline (or a flat rate between 50 and 80 $).
Fuel Cost:
In case of an accident call the police which will write an accident statement. Do not move your car from the place of accident – otherwise the insurance will not pay for the damage! This might lead to a massive traffic jam; try not to care about it and wait it out…. The procedure is the same if you find the car damaged in your absence: don’t remove the vehicle and wait for the police.
Book on time if you desire a personal driver during high season (Dec-Jan, summertime). The driver has to be hired at least for two consecutive days, and his service is limited to 8 hours per day. The service includes: car rental, all insurances, unlimited driving kilometres and a bilingual driver (Spanish/English). Board and lodging of the driver are included as well. Not included are: fuel, road and parking tolls and ferry crossings. Please note: if you rent a car with driver you will not be allowed to drive yourself.
Consult the section Driving in Costa Rica for more information or read our distance chart
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We guarantee lower (or the same) retail prices for hotels, rental cars and activities as direct suppliers. In addition, you are more likely to get superior quality, as we only cooperate with approved and reliable partners. We assist you in planning, booking and provide English-speaking travel assistance around-the-clock.
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