Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in Costa Rica
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What is the cheapest car hire agency in Costa Rica?
According to our data, JUMBO CAR is the cheapest car hire agency in Costa Rica. Users who book a rental car with JUMBO CAR often find prices below the £29 average daily rate each day. Depending on the city you visit, what type of car you’re interested in, and the length of your hire, you could find prices for as low as £11 each day when booking with JUMBO CAR .
What car hire company in Costa Rica has the most locations?
If you plan on travelling to Costa Rica and hiring a car, then keep in mind that Alamo is the car hire agency with the most locations. You are likely to find one of their 62 country-wide locations either at your destination airport or somewhere in the city centre. Consider visiting San José, the most popular city in Costa Rica. Alamo has a large presence here with over 6 locations - many of which can be found within the airport and city centre.
What is the most popular type of car to hire in Costa Rica?
Travellers to Costa Rica usually opt to hire a SUV as their car of choice. This may be due to the weather during their stay, the activities they have planned, or their budget. In the past 30 days, 55% of our users rented a SUV for their trip to Costa Rica at an average cost of £45 per day.
Costa Rica car hire deals found on momondo
Find the car hire in Costa Rica that's right for you
Small cars
£13 - £49
All Car Types
£20 - £60
The average price of a small car hire in Costa Rica is £30. The cheapest time to hire a small car in Costa Rica is in October. The price is 57% lower than the rest of the year at just £13 per day. A small car rental is typically 22% less expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Costa Rica small car hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a medium car hire in Costa Rica is £37. The cheapest time to hire a medium car in Costa Rica is in October. The price is 41% lower than the rest of the year at just £22 per day. A medium car rental is typically 3% less expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Costa Rica medium car hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a large car hire in Costa Rica is £54. The cheapest time to hire a large car in Costa Rica is in October. The price is 48% lower than the rest of the year at just £29 per day. A large car rental is typically 31% more expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.
The average price of a SUV hire in Costa Rica is £37. The cheapest time to hire a SUV in Costa Rica is in October. The price is 46% lower than the rest of the year at just £20 per day. A SUV rental is typically 3% less expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Costa Rica SUV hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a van hire in Costa Rica is £69. The cheapest time to hire a van in Costa Rica is in June. The price is 19% lower than the rest of the year at just £57 per day. A van rental is typically 46% more expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Costa Rica van hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a pickup truck hire in Costa Rica is £46. The cheapest time to hire a pickup truck in Costa Rica is in June. The price is 45% lower than the rest of the year at just £26 per day. A pickup truck rental is typically 20% more expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Costa Rica pickup truck hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a luxury car hire in Costa Rica is £68. The cheapest time to hire a luxury car in Costa Rica is in June. The price is 47% lower than the rest of the year at just £37 per day. A luxury car rental is typically 45% more expensive than the average rental car in Costa Rica. The average price of a car hire in Costa Rica can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Costa Rica luxury car hire found on momondo in the past week.
Car battery died and it wasn’t resolved for 4 days. Switched to Alamo and it was night and day. I’ll never use Avis again.
2.0
Poor|Apr 2023
I'll never use kayak to book a car rental again. Your price was a long way from what Avis charged.
2.0
Poor|Apr 2023
I ordered a 4 x 4 and they gave me a 2wd!! Without telling me. Trip ruined!
2.0
Poor|Apr 2023
I looked up the insurance policies prior to arriving in Costa Rica after receiving e-mails from AVIS stating that there are optional insurances and upgrades available. I'm covered with all the requirements of Costa Rica through my insurance, plus have additional coverage with my credit card and above and beyond that we have an umbrella insurance policy that covers far beyond any liability waiver that they provide. At the counter they required me to purchase their insurance for $38.99 a day!! I showed them my proof of insurance and then they told me they needed a personal letter from my insurance company to them (not AVIS, but to their office in Liberia). While in line there were two other couples contacting their insurance companies struggling to get a letter faxed to their office. Apparently a digital copy or e-mail wouldn't work either. It is off-airport and once they have you there they make it very inconvenient to leave you there without a car. Additionally they placed a $2,000 hold on my credit card (usually made for those who decline insurance) so that shouldn't have been necessary since I was made to purchase theirs. I later found out that the agents behind the counter are incentivized by commission to sell the insurance and upgrades. The car was suppose to be given to me full - it was 1/2 tank, the front tires were bald, I had to stop and put air in the rear tire. For this reason I will never rent with AVIS again.
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
If you want to wait 2 hours for your vehicle to be ready despite making the appointment, this is the place to go to.
Enterprise in Costa Rica is top notch!! Typically I expect bad, questionable treatment from car rental companies. Not here!! Absolutely a pleasant experience all way around! Teach the world how It’s done CR!
10.0
Wonderful|May 2023
Excellent customer service!!
2.0
Poor|Jan 2023
Somebody crash me and leave it away. I call the insurance for nothing because at the finish I pay for all. The rob me 1000 USD
Great customer service and communication. The whole experience was seamless including having an agent bring the car to the airport. Nice, friendly employees.
10.0
Wonderful|Aug 2023
Great truck !
8.0
Very Good|Jul 2023
Confusing and a little stressful. It was no clear where or how to pick up or drop off the vehicle. One person told us there was a shuttle but then an employee showed up at the airport with the car. He was very helpful and friendly. He told us to drop off the car and give the keys to an employee at the check in desk. When I texted the day before our departure to confirm, we were instructed to come to the marina to drop off the car and we would have to figure out our own transportation to the airport. After we informed them we were told something quite different, they said they would make an exception and allow us to drop off the car. When we dropped off the keys, the lady at the check in desk told us it was routine.
6.0
Okay|Jun 2023
The staff was helpful, even though they charged me $18 for gas. The tank was almost full, it was at the full line, i guess it had to be over.
10.0
Wonderful|May 2023
The guys in puerto viejo didn’t pressure me into any additional purchases. Very professional
10.0
Wonderful|May 2023
Easy rental and got upgraded to a much nicer car for free. Unfortunately there are no rental cars at the airport, so it’s about a 20-minute taxi ride to the location for all cars.
RE: RA-578697501 This was my second car rental at Budget Escazu. The first rental was a good experience. The second was not. The car I was given had problems. The scratches and dents on the outside were properly noted. However the instrument and gage cover glass was so damaged I could not see the gas gage or other instruments. I complained to the customer service rep about the smeared glass and he said he would note the problem but the car would be ok to drive. Other problems I found once I left the Budget Avenida Escazu location were: the radio/entertainment center did not work, the child door locks engaged regardless of the switch position, the identification cap on the fuel door release was missing, the car smelled, the car engine has very poor acceleration. When I returned the car, and explained the issues, the representative at Budget ,Sr. Ronald Carajal told me that I needed to complain to Budget customer service
8.0
Very Good|May 2023
Customer service was great. They didn't try to scam me with hidden fees or falsehoods about coverage. Another in my group rented through enterprise and they tried to make him pay all sorts of extras that aren't required (we rented in San Jose). I also had some car issues on the way back and they were helpful and understanding.
10.0
Wonderful|May 2023
The booking could not have been easier. The shuttle was waiting at the airport, the cars were there as promised and the staff were friendly and courteous. I highly recommend this Budget location.
4.0
Mediocre|May 2023
The ad never said that the insurance fee Is the doble of the rental. And the servir provide by the budget employee was unpolite and bad.
8.0
Very Good|Apr 2023
Felt sort of corralled into the upgrade I got. Booked a 7p 4x4 online and was told in person it was only 2WD. Was then told the Land Cruiser I got was the only one left on the lot. 3 hours later my brother in law got a Land Cruiser and was told it was the last one on the lot.
Excellent staff, courteous, attentive, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Antonio made his the best rental car transaction ever! We will definitely be using Economy in the future.
10.0
Wonderful|Mar 2023
The location is about 2 to 3 miles offsite from the airport. But they had a van ready and waiting at the airport. The transactions fast, and the staff was great! Drop off was also a breeze. The vehicle was new and very clean.
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
Worse car rental experience ever! After deciding to drop off the car sooner than originally planned, I have visited the office to discuss my refund options and was given a refund breakdown by the front desk person. However, on the day of the return, they gave me a completely different refund amount (HALF of what i was told originally), tried to threaten me, and challenged me to submit a claim with my CC company! After multiple emails back and forth with their "customer service team", they were still unable to provide me with the refund breakdown calculation, and then just ignored my emails all together. I am working through a CC claim at this point. STAY CLEAR, they are obviously struggling, and will rip you off without a second thought.
4.0
Mediocre|Feb 2023
Be prepared to pay $33 more per day than your rental price for fees and insurance as with most rental companies. Suv was ok. They didn’t seem to be busy at all which might be a plus.
4.0
Mediocre|Feb 2023
We booked a vehicle for set price. Flight delayed called and told them, got here to destination vehicle gone had to get a different one and it was 700.00 more than initially quoted. Way too expensive and will not be dealing with kayak again!!
They didn’t honor the rate and kept changing prices the insurance prices to make it seem that they couldn’t give me a better deal.
10.0
Wonderful|May 2024
Excellent car
2.0
Poor|Apr 2024
Hello, I made my reservation online. When I got the the pickup counter I was told the prices in my online reservation were wrong and that it would be substantially more. I understand the need for a deposit, but the gentleman at the counter said the deposit would be $5,000 and the rental would be $367.25. I was quoted $2500-$3500 for the deposit by your websites customer service when I reached out to let them know of the experience. Online my rental was quoted at $208.61. Only the $3500 deposit option the counter man said matched what your website provided. Nothing else matched. There were cheaper deposit options, but the rental would be more than triple my original price. I was told $3500 deposit and $512.81 for the rental. $1000 deposit and $618.56 rental. $500 deposit and $671.46 rental. I ended up going with a different provider. This was my first and only time using Kayak. I know one persons business won’t affect you, but if they continue to tarnish your reputation and reliability it will eventually hurt you. I wish you would reach out to them and fix this for the next guest who tries to use you.
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
Wanted to charge me more
10.0
Wonderful|Mar 2023
The team at Hertz were very friendly and helpful. They speak English very well. The shuttle driver is great. Counter folks very nice and answered all our question about things to do. We will definitely use Hertz Costa Rica again on our next trip.
2.0
Poor|Feb 2023
They didn't have a car for us. Had to spend $800 more to rent with someone else.
Scam artists. Quoted one price, when I arrived at the location, they charged me over twice as much. They forced us to sign blank damage reports. When I asked for them to take me back to the airport, they refused.
8.0
Very Good|Jan 2022
The car was not in amazing shape. But for us, that was totally fine. It got us up some steep hills and winding, rocky Costa Rican roads. Totally had enough power, got us everywhere but not much of a looker :) Certainly not a Toyota Land Cruiser. But completely funcional.
6.0
Okay|Jan 2022
Hidden Fees everywhere, try to rip you off.
6.0
Okay|Jan 2022
Hidden Fees galore at pick up as usual in Costa Rica.
10.0
Wonderful|Jun 2021
The staff were able to answer all of my questions quickly, whether over the phone or through their online messaging system. Make sure to ask about SLI, aka car insurance, as there are different options and it can be somewhat expensive. Overall, I had a great experience and will be returning to Dollar car rental the next time I'm in Costa Rica!
More transparency with SLI rates and options.
1 out of 4
Dollar Locations in Costa Rica
Car hire in Costa Rica
Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in Costa Rica so you can be properly prepared for your next trip
What side of the road do people in Costa Rica drive on?
Whether you hire or own a car in Costa Rica, you are required by law to drive on the right. Keep in mind that if you do not feel comfortable driving on this side of the road, you can always call a taxi or opt for a ride share.
How good are the roads in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a road quality score of 2.9 on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 is the lowest rated score. This puts Costa Rica at 116 out of 137 countries for road conditions. You may find that depending on where you travel within Costa Rica that the road quality will vary.
What is the drink driving limit in Costa Rica?
2.38 mg/l is the legal BAC limit in Costa Rica. Any higher and you will be considered driving under the influence and may receive monetary fines, licence restrictions, and other penalties. Keep in mind that you must also be at least 18 years of age to consume alcoholic beverages, and it is not recommended to operate a motor vehicle under the influence.
How much does petrol cost in Costa Rica?
As of last week, the average price of petrol in Costa Rica was £1.02 per litre. According to our data, Costa Rica has neither the most expensive nor the cheapest petrol prices in the world. Kuwait currently has the least expensive at £0.26 per litre, while Hong Kong has the most expensive at £2.75 per litre. Keep in mind that petrol prices change regularly and may be different during your travel dates.
When did momondo last update prices for cars in Costa Rica?
Prices for cars in Costa Rica were last updated today.
How many operators does momondo search for cars in Costa Rica?
As of October 2025, there are 669 operators available to choose from for cars in Costa Rica.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Costa Rica?
The minimum age for drivers varies by country, including Costa Rica. In many EU countries drivers must be 18 years old. As a rule, you’ll need to be 21 to hire a car abroad, and a young driver surcharge may be applied if you are under 25. We recommend reading through the policy of your chosen rental company before booking.
What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in Costa Rica?
When renting a car in Costa Rica, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of rental and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are renting abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual rental company you are booking with.
Why use momondo?
Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in Costa Rica?
You should use momondo to book a car hire in Costa Rica because it could save you time and money. momondo fetches and allows you to compare car hire prices and policies from thousands of car hire websites.
How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in Costa Rica?
momondo enables you to find the best car hire deal in Costa Rica by providing useful filters to narrow your search. Filters include, but are not limited to: price, body type, rental company and specific policies that you may want.
Does momondo show car hire deals in Costa Rica with free cancellation?
Yes, whether it is for cars in Costa Rica or elsewhere, momondo allows you to filter specifically for policies that offer free cancellation.
Can I hire a car with a fair fuel policy in Costa Rica on momondo?
Absolutely! momondo offers this feature when searching for a car hire in Costa Rica.
Can I find a car hire in Costa Rica which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?
Yes, momondo shows deals with enhanced cleaning services for hire cars in Costa Rica.
Can I search for car hire in Costa Rica with unlimited mileage on momondo?
momondo offers a filter specifically for unlimited mileage on car hire in Costa Rica.
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