Posted: 1/25/24 | January twenty fifth, 2024
I like Costa Rica. It was the primary place I visited on my own over 15 years in the past and the nation that set me on my nomadic journey. From its gorgeous seashores to its lush jungles, this biodiverse nation is fashionable with backpackers, honeymooners, and expats alike. And whereas it’s small, there’s a ton to see and do. You might simply spend a month and nonetheless barely scratch the floor.
It’s additionally wonderful for road-tripping.
As a lot as a backpacking bus or hitchhiking journey would possibly initially sound interesting, the truth is that ready within the scorching solar after which bouncing alongside bumpy roads in an previous bus with out shocks or air-conditioning just isn't for the fainthearted. If you need actual freedom to discover, you need a rental car.
To make it easier to plan your journey, right here’s every part that you must learn about renting a automobile in Costa Rica.
Picking the Right Rental Car (and Rental Company)
Before you lease a automobile, learn and examine opinions for automobile rental corporations. While the usual large corporations can be found right here, there are many native ones too.
Once you may have narrowed down the checklist to a selected few, ask for quotes for the kind of automobile and journey dates that you simply require. The quote ought to embrace obligatory third-party insurance coverage, taxes, and another surcharges, like airport tax. Most websites embrace all this information when getting a quote on-line.
Whether you might be reserving on-line or instantly with an agent, double-check the main points of your reservation. Crossing time zones could imply that your rental pickup time and even date is totally different in Costa Rica than your nation of departure. You might want to affirm the time, date, and placement of your automobile’s pickup and drop-off, the automobile class, transmission, and protection required.
Points to recollect when renting a automobile in Costa Rica:
- A handbook transmission could also be cheaper than automated and extra frequent in Costa Rica however ought to solely be chosen for those who can drive a stick shift.
- Returning your automobile at a vacation spot totally different from the place you picked it up will most likely incur an extra cost.
- Most rental corporations is not going to assure a particular make and mannequin throughout the rental class.
- Expect to lease for 24-hour durations. Time your pickup and drop-off accordingly.
- Provide your flight quantity earlier than you arrive, so the corporate can observe your flight.
- If you may have an early flight, take into account dropping off the automobile the evening earlier than and utilizing a lodge shuttle to the airport.
- Online journey companies (OTAs) usually fail to incorporate all fees, so for those who e book by way of one, you'll want to verify the ultimate worth with the automobile rental firm, by way of which the pricing could also be extra clear.
- Most corporations now supply a web based check-in course of to add paperwork equivalent to passports and driver’s licenses to chop time on the counter and get on the highway quicker.
My go-to rental automobile firm in Costa Rica is Vamos. You can click here to get a quote. (You’ll get 5% off simply by utilizing that hyperlink).
Arriving on the Airport
Both worldwide airports in Costa Rica have automobile rental firm desks throughout the constructing; nevertheless, the workplaces (the place you’ll get your automobile) are off-site. They usually have a shuttle service to take shoppers to their workplaces, most of that are situated inside a 10-minute drive of the airport.
Local hustlers would possibly inform you that your organization has gone out of enterprise to persuade you to go along with a unique firm that may pay them a fee. Look for an indication together with your firm’s brand and ignore the hustlers.
If your flight is delayed otherwise you miss your connection, contact the corporate together with your new estimated arrival time to keep away from having the reservation canceled as a no-show.
When you arrive on the rental workplace, the agent will fill in any excellent paperwork that has not been achieved on-line and conduct a automobile inspection with you. Although the agent will observe present harm, it is best to take photographs or video of the automobile for backup functions.
Your automobile could not have a full gasoline tank if you decide it up, however the gasoline gauge degree must be logged on the inspection type. You might want to return the automobile with the identical gasoline degree. Although you'll not be reimbursed for a degree larger than the one registered, you'll be charged whether it is under the beginning degree.
Returning the Vehicle
Confirm your drop-off location and time if you decide up the automobile. If you might be caught in visitors or are delayed for any motive, contact the rental firm to keep away from a penalty. Make certain that your gasoline gauge is on the proper degree, or else head to a gasoline station earlier than you drop it off. The firm’s consultant will examine your automobile with you after which course of the deposit reimbursement.
Documents Needed for Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Here’s every part that you must lease a automobile in Costa Rica:
Driver’s license – You can use your native driver’s license throughout the rental interval so long as it's printed within the Latin alphabet. If your license is in a language that doesn't use the Latin alphabet (e.g., Mandarin, Arabic), a global driving license is required. Your driver’s license have to be legitimate for the whole thing of your keep.
It is essential to notice that though most vacationers can be given a 180-day visa after they enter the nation, their driver’s licenses are solely legitimate for 90 days, and they are going to be required to depart Costa Rica and return to legally drive once more.
Credit card – You want a sound bank card in your identify to pay the automobile rental and to position the deposit.
Passport – Your passport must be legitimate all through your keep. Legally, vacationers should carry it with them always. The transit police will need to see it and your entry visa in case you are pulled over.
A Note on the Minimum and Maximum Driving Age
Each automobile rental firm has insurance policies concerning the age of the drivers it insures. Many do not need a most age, however some set a restrict of 70-75 years previous. The authorized age to drive in Costa Rica is eighteen; nevertheless, most corporations require that drivers be a minimum of 25. Younger drivers could possibly lease a automobile for an extra surcharge and insurance coverage prices.
Insurance Coverage
Costa Rica has obligatory third-party insurance coverage for automobile leases. It just isn't attainable to acquire this protection another manner. Check that this price is included in your rental quote, because it’s usually unnoticed, so it's possible you'll find yourself paying greater than what you initially thought.
A collision harm waiver (CDW) covers losses from harm to your rental automobile. This is legally required when renting a automobile in Costa Rica. Most corporations supply numerous tiers of insurance coverage, with numerous deductibles. Many renters choose full protection for peace of thoughts, as then any harm that happens throughout rental is roofed. Some corporations supply extra protection for tires and the windscreen (windshield), as they don't seem to be all the time lined by the CDW.
If your bank card supplier has a CDW as a perk, you'll be able to waive the in-house CDW. Just observe that you'll want to carry a letter that explicitly states the quantity of protection, that Costa Rica is included within the areas lined, and the final 4 digits of the driving force’s bank card. A replica of the bank card firm’s phrases and situations just isn't often enough.
One essential factor to notice is that the rental firm could maintain a deposit for the rental interval, which might be as much as $5,000 USD if the renter is utilizing their bank card supplier’s CDW. The deposit can be launched on the finish of the rental interval. Make certain you may have a bank card that may take in this layer.
Driving in Costa Rica
Here are some things to bear in mind whereas driving in Costa Rica:
Speed limits – Signs are in kilometers fairly than miles, and pace limits are usually decrease than you’d count on, with a 90 km/h (55 mph) restrict on main highways. Speed limits change with restricted warning between areas, so keep alert to signage.
Gas stations – Make certain that in case your rental automobile is fueled by gasoline or diesel. This info must be on the automobile inspection report for those who’ve forgotten. Gas stations should not self-service, so be ready to ask for the type of gasoline you want in addition to the quantity.
If you’re renting one of many EVs which are beginning to type a part of fleets in Costa Rica, then plan your route across the community of charging stations throughout the nation. You can learn more about those here.
Navigation – Use Waze, which is up to date in actual time by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, so that you’re conscious of accidents or different conditions which will have an effect on your journey time. Google Maps is on the market however doesn't all the time have correct info. It additionally tends to underestimate journey occasions, so it is best to take that into consideration when planning your itinerary for those who plan to make use of it.
Despite Costa Rica’s official tackle system, which consists of calles (roads that run north-south) and avenidas (avenues that run west-east), nearly all locals give instructions utilizing landmarks, and few can present instructions utilizing highway or avenue numbers. It’s useful to know that a block is often described as 100 meters.
To add to the confusion, a location could use landmarks that not exist however had been recognized effectively sufficient to stay in dwelling reminiscence. So it's possible you'll be directed to go 600 meters south of the place “the place the large mango tree was” or to show left after “the grocery store that was pink.” Thankfully, Waze is a navigation lifesaver, however you would possibly develop to benefit from the quirky tico (Costa Rican) manner of discovering locations!
Parking – Always park in safe parking heaps, and don't go away valuables in an unattended automobile, as break-ins can happen.
In the previous few years, there have been circumstances of the transit police issuing fines and eradicating license plates from autos parked on yellow traces at fashionable vacationer spots like Manuel Antonio. The headache on this scenario is that the automobile can't be pushed with out plates and have to be towed again to the workplace, the place it stays off the highway till the automobile rental firm reclaims the plates from the related authority. This is a time-consuming and costly process, so be conscious of the place you park!
Additional Rental Considerations
Many automobile rental corporations cost a every day worth for tools or companies past the essential rental prices. You ought to take this under consideration when budgeting your journey. These can embrace:
Additional drivers – Expect to pay a every day price for every driver added to your rental settlement after the principle driver. (Vamos Rent-A-Car provides extra drivers with out further price.) It is smart to have a minimum of one extra driver to share the burden for longer journeys or to take over if the principle driver is feeling underneath the climate.
Roof racks – If you’re touring with a whole lot of baggage or surfboards, then renting a roof rack at a every day price could also be an answer to a cramped automobile inside.
Baby or automobile seating – If you’re touring with kids, Costa Rican legislation about seating (see under) is strictly enforced. Either carry your individual little one seat or lease one at a every day price from the corporate.
Costa Rican seating legal guidelines for youngsters are based mostly both on age or weight/top:
- Rear-facing child seat: Required for youngsters lower than a yr previous and underneath 22 lbs (10 kg)
- Child seat: For these as much as 4 years previous or lower than 40 lbs (18 kg) and underneath 3’7”
- Booster seat: For these 5 to 12 years previous, 40 kilos or extra, and nonetheless underneath 4’9”
- Seat belt: For these 4’9” or taller or over the age of 12
Wi-Fi – Stay linked all through your journey with out paying extortionate roaming fees by utilizing a Mi-Fi (cell Wi-Fi) system out of your rental firm. It’s often quick sufficient to add your newest vacay pics onto Instagram, hook up with your Spotify road-trip playlists, and navigate with Waze, however downloading films might be an excessive amount of to count on. Internet protection in Costa Rica is large, however don’t rely on it in case you are touring off the overwhelmed observe.
Accidents – If you might be concerned in a visitors accident, verify that nobody is harm then transfer to security off the highway. Do not transfer the automobile. Call the transit police and your insurance coverage firm. You also needs to name your automobile rental supplier to evaluate if the automobile might be pushed, if a mechanic is required onsite or if the automobile must be exchanged and towed. The automobile might be moved as soon as the transit police give permission.
Crossing the Border – Rental autos can't be taken to neighboring nations (Nicaragua or Panama) on account of insurance coverage restrictions. If you need to go to these locations, you'll be able to organize to drop off your rental automobile on the border and reserve a automobile to be delivered when you’ve crossed it.
11 Driving Tips for Costa Rica
1. Keep a detailed eye on pace restrict indicators, as this will change rapidly inside a brief distance.
2. You’re renting a automobile, not a ship, so resist the temptation to drive by way of rivers (even when the locals are doing so). Insurance insurance policies are voided if the automobile is pushed by way of any physique of water. And the digital elements of recent autos are prone to expertise costly harm in water.
3. On an analogous observe, it's unlawful to park on the seaside. This is to guard wildlife, equivalent to turtles. Even if locals are doing it, discover a safe car parking zone as a substitute.
4. Drivers within the different lane could flash their lights as they're coming towards you. This is often a warning that there are transit police forward or that there’s an upcoming impediment.
5. Speed bumps could also be large and might be unmarked. Stay vigilant.
6. Bridges could also be one lane, so that you must search for signage that signifies which course has precedence.
7. If driving a manual-transmission automobile, change gears when driving downhill, and don’t journey the brakes or else the pads might overheat.
8. Use warning whereas driving at evening. Roads are sometimes poorly lit, and cyclists or pedestrians could use the highway edge in locations the place there’s no sidewalk. Plan to reach at your vacation spot by sundown or round 5:30pm. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths or different wildlife crossing the highway.
9. If you’re touring exterior of the Central Valley or probably the most visited vacationer spots like Jaco, lease an SUV for the upper clearance that the automobile provides. For extra rural locations, a 4×4 could also be required, particularly within the wet season. Feel free to ask your automobile rental supplier for recommendation on the perfect automobile in your itinerary.
10. Flat tires should not often lined by in-house or bank card insurance policies. If you get a flat tire, a neighborhood storage can often repair it for lower than $20 USD.
11. If you might be pulled over by the transit police, it is best to current your driver’s license, passport, and the paperwork offered by the automobile rental firm. Traffic tickets might be issued by officers, however the fee can solely be made in a financial institution or through your automobile rental firm. Should a police officer ask you for money, name the police instantly or your automobile rental firm for help. Do not pay any bribes.
Costa Rica is an attractive nation and one among my favourite locations in Central America. To make sure you benefit from your go to and get off the overwhelmed path, lease a automobile. You’ll have extra freedom and adaptability, and have the ability to discover past the usual vacationer websites. I can’t advocate it sufficient!
Book Your Trip to Costa Rica: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to discover a low cost flight. They are my favourite search engine as a result of they search web sites and airways across the globe so that you all the time know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can e book your hostel with Hostelworld as they've the largest stock and greatest offers. If you need to keep someplace apart from a hostel, use Booking.com as they constantly return the most affordable charges for guesthouses and low cost motels. My favourite locations to remain are:
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will shield you towards sickness, harm, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes flawed. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many occasions previously. My favourite corporations that supply the perfect service and worth are:
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the perfect corporations to make use of if you journey. I checklist all those I exploit to save cash after I’m on the highway. They will prevent cash if you journey too.
Want More Information on Costa Rica?
Be certain to go to our robust destination guide on Costa Rica for much more planning suggestions!
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