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Posted: 1/25/24 | January twenty fifth, 2024

I really 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 beautiful seashores to its lush jungles, this biodiverse nation is well-liked with backpackers, honeymooners, and expats alike. And whereas it’s small, there’s a ton to see and do. You would 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’d like actual freedom to discover, you want a rental automotive.

That will help you plan your journey, right here’s every part it is advisable to find out about renting a automotive in Costa Rica.

 

Choosing the Proper Rental Automobile (and Rental Firm)

Earlier than you hire a automotive, learn and examine evaluations for automotive rental firms. Whereas the usual massive firms can be found right here, there are many native ones too.

Upon getting narrowed down the listing to a selected few, ask for quotes for the kind of car and journey dates that you just require. The quote ought to embody necessary third-party insurance coverage, taxes, and every other surcharges, like airport tax. Most websites embody all this data when getting a quote on-line.

Whether or not you might be reserving on-line or straight with an agent, double-check the small print of your reservation. Crossing time zones might imply that your rental pickup time and even date is totally different in Costa Rica than your nation of departure. You will want to substantiate the time, date, and site of your car’s pickup and drop-off, the car class, transmission, and protection required.

Factors to recollect when renting a automotive in Costa Rica:

A guide transmission could also be cheaper than computerized and extra frequent in Costa Rica however ought to solely be chosen in the event you can drive a stick shift.
Returning your automotive at a vacation spot totally different from the place you picked it up will most likely incur a further cost.
Most rental firms is not going to assure a selected make and mannequin throughout the rental class.
Anticipate to hire for 24-hour durations. Time your pickup and drop-off accordingly.
Present your flight quantity earlier than you arrive, so the corporate can observe your flight.
You probably have an early flight, contemplate dropping off the car the night time earlier than and utilizing a lodge shuttle to the airport.
On-line journey businesses (OTAs) usually fail to incorporate all prices, so in the event you e book by one, be sure you examine the ultimate worth with the automotive rental firm, by which the pricing could also be extra clear.
Most firms 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 sooner.

My go-to rental automotive firm in Costa Rica is Vamos. You’ll be able to click on right here to get a quote. (You’ll get 5% off simply through the use of that hyperlink).
 

Arriving on the Airport

Each worldwide airports in Costa Rica have automotive rental firm desks throughout the constructing; nonetheless, the workplaces (the place you’ll get your automotive) are off-site. They often have a shuttle service to take purchasers to their workplaces, most of that are situated inside a 10-minute drive of the airport.

Native hustlers would possibly let you know that your organization has gone out of enterprise to persuade you to go together with a unique firm that can pay them a fee. Search for an indication along with your firm’s emblem and ignore the hustlers.

In case your flight is delayed otherwise you miss your connection, contact the corporate along with your new estimated arrival time to keep away from having the reservation canceled as a no-show.

Once you arrive on the rental workplace, the agent will fill in any excellent paperwork that has not been performed on-line and conduct a car inspection with you. Though the agent will be aware present injury, it’s best to take photographs or video of the automotive for backup functions.

Your car might not have a full gasoline tank once you choose it up, however the gasoline gauge degree must be logged on the inspection type. You will want to return the automotive with the identical gasoline degree. Though you’ll not be reimbursed for a degree greater than the one registered, you can be charged whether it is under the beginning degree.

Returning the Automobile
Verify your drop-off location and time once you choose up the car. If you’re caught in visitors or are delayed for any purpose, contact the rental firm to keep away from a penalty. Be sure that your gasoline gauge is on the proper degree, or else head to a fuel station earlier than you drop it off. The corporate’s consultant will examine your car with you after which course of the deposit reimbursement.
 

Paperwork Wanted for Renting a Automobile in Costa Rica

Right here’s every part it is advisable to hire a automotive in Costa Rica:

Driver’s license – You should use your native driver’s license through the rental interval so long as it’s printed within the Latin alphabet. In case 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.

You will need to be aware that though most vacationers might 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.

Bank card – You want a sound bank card in your title to pay the automotive rental and to position the deposit.

Passport – Your passport must be legitimate in the course of your keep. Legally, vacationers should carry it with them always. The transit police will wish to see it and your entry visa in case you are pulled over.

A Notice on the Minimal and Most Driving Age
Every automotive rental firm has insurance policies concerning the age of the drivers it insures. Many should not have a most age, however some set a restrict of 70-75 years previous. The authorized age to drive in Costa Rica is eighteen; nonetheless, most firms require that drivers be not less than 25. Youthful drivers could possibly hire a automotive for a further surcharge and insurance coverage prices.
 

Insurance coverage Protection

Costa Rica has necessary third-party insurance coverage for automotive leases. It’s not potential to acquire this protection every other approach. Test that this value is included in your rental quote, because it’s usually unnoticed, so you might find yourself paying greater than what you initially thought.

A collision injury waiver (CDW) covers losses from injury to your rental automotive. That is legally required when renting a automotive in Costa Rica. Most firms supply numerous tiers of insurance coverage, with numerous deductibles. Many renters choose full protection for peace of thoughts, as then any injury that happens throughout rental is roofed. Some firms supply further protection for tires and the windscreen (windshield), as they aren’t at all times lined by the CDW.

In case your bank card supplier has a CDW as a perk, you may waive the in-house CDW. Simply be aware that you’ll want to convey 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 duplicate of the bank card firm’s phrases and circumstances just isn’t often ample.

One vital factor to notice is that the rental firm might maintain a deposit for the rental interval, which may very well be as much as $5,000 USD if the renter is utilizing their bank card supplier’s CDW. The deposit might be launched on the finish of the rental interval. Be sure to have a bank card that may take up this layer.
 

Driving in Costa Rica

Right here are some things to bear in mind whereas driving in Costa Rica:

Velocity limits – Indicators are in kilometers quite than miles, and pace limits are typically decrease than you’d count on, with a 90 km/h (55 mph) restrict on main highways. Velocity limits change with restricted warning between areas, so keep alert to signage.

Gasoline stations – Just be sure you know in case your rental car is fueled by fuel or diesel. This data must be on the car inspection report in the event you’ve forgotten. Gasoline stations aren’t self-service, so be ready to ask for the form of gasoline you want in addition to the quantity.

In case you’re renting one of many EVs which might be beginning to type a part of fleets in Costa Rica, then plan your route across the community of charging stations throughout the nation. You’ll be able to be taught extra about these right 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 out there however doesn’t at all times have correct data. It additionally tends to underestimate journey occasions, so it’s best to take that into consideration when planning your itinerary in the event you plan to make use of it.

Regardless of Costa Rica’s official handle 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.

So as to add to the confusion, a location might use landmarks that not exist however had been recognized effectively sufficient to stay in residing reminiscence. So you might be directed to go 600 meters south of the place “the place the massive mango tree was once” or to show left after “the grocery store that was once pink.” Fortunately, Waze is a navigation lifesaver, however you would possibly develop to benefit from the quirky tico (Costa Rican) approach of discovering locations!

Parking – At all times park in safe parking heaps, and don’t go away valuables in an unattended car, as break-ins can happen.

In the previous few years, there have been instances of the transit police issuing fines and eradicating license plates from automobiles parked on yellow strains at well-liked vacationer spots like Manuel Antonio. The headache on this state of affairs is that the car 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 automotive rental firm reclaims the plates from the related authority. It is a time-consuming and costly process, so be aware of the place you park!
 

Further Rental Concerns

Many automotive rental firms cost a every day worth for tools or companies past the essential rental prices. It is best to take this into consideration when budgeting your journey. These can embody:

Further drivers – Anticipate to pay a every day price for every driver added to your rental settlement after the primary driver. (Vamos Lease-A-Automobile affords further drivers with out additional value.) It is smart to have not less than one further driver to share the burden for longer journeys or to take over if the primary driver is feeling underneath the climate.

Roof racks – In case you’re touring with quite a lot of baggage or surfboards, then renting a roof rack at a every day price could also be an answer to a cramped car inside.

Child or automotive seating – In case you’re touring with youngsters, Costa Rican legislation about seating (see under) is strictly enforced. Both convey your individual baby seat or hire one at a every day price from the corporate.

Costa Rican seating legal guidelines for youngsters are primarily based both on age or weight/top:

Rear-facing child seat: Required for youngsters lower than a yr previous and underneath 22 lbs (10 kg)
Baby 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 – Keep related all through your journey with out paying extortionate roaming prices through the use of a Mi-Fi (cell Wi-Fi) machine 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. Web protection in Costa Rica is vast, however don’t rely on it in case you are touring off the crushed observe.

Accidents – If you’re concerned in a visitors accident, examine that nobody is harm then transfer to security off the highway. Don’t transfer the car. Name the transit police and your insurance coverage firm. You also needs to name your automotive rental supplier to evaluate if the automotive may be pushed, if a mechanic is required onsite or if the automotive must be exchanged and towed. The car may be moved as soon as the transit police give permission.

Crossing the Border – Rental automobiles can’t be taken to neighboring nations (Nicaragua or Panama) as a result of insurance coverage restrictions. If you wish to go to these locations, you may organize to drop off your rental car on the border and reserve a automotive to be delivered when you’ve crossed it.
 

11 Driving Suggestions for Costa Rica

1. Hold an in depth eye on pace restrict indicators, as this could change shortly inside a brief distance.

2. You’re renting a automotive, not a ship, so resist the temptation to drive by rivers (even when the locals are doing so). Insurance coverage insurance policies are voided if the car is pushed by any physique of water. And the digital parts of recent automobiles are more likely to expertise costly injury in water.

3. On the same be aware, it’s unlawful to park on the seashore. That is to guard wildlife, equivalent to turtles. Even when locals are doing it, discover a safe car parking zone as an alternative.

4. Drivers within the different lane might flash their lights as they’re coming towards you. That is often a warning that there are transit police forward or that there’s an upcoming impediment.

5. Velocity bumps could also be massive and may very well be unmarked. Keep vigilant.

6. Bridges could also be one lane, so it is advisable to search for signage that signifies which path has precedence.

7. If driving a manual-transmission car, change gears when driving downhill, and don’t journey the brakes or else the pads might overheat.

8. Use warning whereas driving at night time. Roads are sometimes poorly lit, and cyclists or pedestrians might 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. Hold your eyes peeled for sloths or different wildlife crossing the highway.

9. In case you’re touring exterior of the Central Valley or essentially the most visited vacationer spots like Jaco, hire an SUV for the upper clearance that the car affords. For extra rural locations, a 4×4 could also be required, particularly within the wet season. Be happy to ask your automotive rental supplier for recommendation on the perfect car in your itinerary.

10. Flat tires aren’t often lined by in-house or bank card insurance policies. In case you get a flat tire, a neighborhood storage can often repair it for lower than $20 USD.

11. If you’re pulled over by the transit police, it’s best to current your driver’s license, passport, and the paperwork supplied by the automotive rental firm. Visitors tickets may be issued by officers, however the fee can solely be made in a financial institution or by way of your automotive rental firm. Ought to a police officer ask you for money, name the police straight or your automotive rental firm for help. Don’t pay any bribes.

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Costa Rica is an attractive nation and certainly one of my favourite locations in Central America. To make sure you profit from your go to and get off the crushed path, hire a automotive. You’ll have extra freedom and suppleness, and be capable of discover past the usual vacationer websites. I can’t suggest it sufficient!

Click on right here to get a quote from Vamos Lease-A-Automobile. You’ll get an computerized 5% off simply through the use of this hyperlink!