Car Hire In Costa Rica - Cheap Rental Deals

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How to Compare Prices For Finding The Best And Cheapest Car To Rent In Costa Rica

In order to find the best and cheapest car for renting in Costa Rica, You can use the price comparison engine. This is extremely easy. To compare the prices of the cars you should type in the country that you’re visiting i.e Costa Rica followed by the City and finally the pickup area.

If your drop off destination is not the same as the pickup destination then you can check the “drop off car at different location” checkbox and then enter the drop off destination in the search field. Following this, You must choose the pickup and the drop off date along with the time of the delivery. Check the driver age box or enter the age of the driver if it is below 30 or above 65 and then click on search. This will show you all the cars available in your preferred city of choice along with all the necessary information so that you can choose the cheapest car to rent in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica extends majestically from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea providing an experience to every kind of tourist.

This comprehensive guide has been carefully crafted in order to make sure you get the best and most affordable deals when renting cars in Costa Rica whether it is for a business trip or a family vacation.

Vehicle Types For Car Rental In Costa Rica

Costa Rica car rental companies offer various cars for rent at affordable prices in various parts of the countries. These cars can all be categorized into seven types that are detailed below.

Renting Economy Cars (4 Seater Cars):

These cars are appropriate if you have only a few people travelling with you. This is certainly the best option to pick if you’re low on cash or just don’t care about the vehicle and only regard it as something that takes you from point A to point B.

The Cheapest Economy Cars To Rent In Costa Rica

Renting The Ford Figo

The Ford Figo is one of the cheapest cars that you can rent in Costa Rica. This compact car is perfect for businessmen or small families. For further details refer to the link below which gives a detailed overview of the car.

Specifications.

5 Seats
4 Doors
Automatic Gearbox
Price for 1 day:US $36
Price for 1 month: US $425
Full Protection: $57
Cancellation 48 Hours before pickup available.
Airport Pickup Available.

Renting The Suzuki Alto

If you’re looking for a smaller car to squeeze through the narrow lanes of Costa Rica then the Alto is the best car to rent. Though it is quite a bit more expensive than the Ford Figo though it is more comfortable for people traveling alone or couples plus the added bonus of being able to fit into small lanes.

For a more detailed view of the car, Refer to the video below.

Moss-covered trees in the Monteverde cloud forest reserve in Costa Rica — The Monteverde cloud forest access roads are the classic reason to pay for ground clearance.

Specifications.

4 Seats
4 Doors
Automatic Gearbox
Rent Price For a Day: 43$
Rent Price For a month: $472
Full Protection: $57
Cancellation 48 Hours before pickup available
Airport Pickup Available

Renting Luxury Cars

If you wish to travel in luxury and style then luxury cars are the way to go. These are usually higher priced but have are sure to make your travels as comfortable as possible though you’ll have a hard time finding any car that is truly luxurious due to Costa Rica’s low use of personal cars for traveling and reliance on the public transport network.

The Cheapest Luxury Vehicle To Rent In Costa Rica

Renting A Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 is a car that needs to introduction, With it’s sleek design and world renown comfort. It is certainly the best premium car that you can rent in Costa Rica.

The mandatory insurance, in plain terms

This is the single biggest source of complaints about renting in Costa Rica, and it is not a scam. Costa Rican law requires every rental vehicle to carry third-party liability cover issued through the state insurer. It cannot be declined, and your credit card’s collision cover does not replace it, because it is a different kind of insurance entirely — your card covers damage to the rental car, the mandatory policy covers damage you do to other people.

What this means in practice: a headline rate of USD 10 a day that becomes USD 45 a day at the desk is not a bait-and-switch, it is the law arriving. Compare quotes that include it, treat any online price that seems impossibly low as incomplete, and ask for the all-in daily figure in writing before you book.

Your credit card cover is still worth having on top, for the collision damage waiver. Bring a printed letter from the card issuer confirming it — several Costa Rican agencies will not waive their own CDW without documentation, and arguing this at 11pm in Alajuela is nobody’s idea of a holiday.

Specifications.

5 Seats
4 Doors
Automatic Gearbox
Rent Price For a Day: $104
Rent Price For a Month: $1,984
Full Protection: $57
Cancellation 48 Hours before pickup available
Airport Pickup Available

Renting SUVs in Costa Rica

If you need a vehicle that can hold an extra person or just want to travel in a car that’s not too cramped up then renting an SUV is a very good idea.

Cheapest SUVs To Rent in Costa Rica

Renting The Daihatsu Bego 4×4

If you’re looking for a strong, comfortable and spacious vehicle to cruise the roads of Costa Rica then the Daihatsu Bego 4×4 is the best SUV you can rent. It also happens to be one of the cheapest SUV to rent in Costa Rica. The video below provides a good look at the vehicle

Specifications.

5 Seats
4 Doors
Automatic Gearbox
Rent Price For A Day: 42$
Rent Price For A Month:547$
Full Protection: $57
Cancellation 48 Hours before pickup available
Airport Pickup Available

Renting The Toyota Rav4 4×4

If you’re looking for a more premium looking SUV then the Toyota Rav4 is a great option. This along with the previous SUV is one of the cheapest SUV you can rent in Costa Rica

Specifications.

5 Seats
4 Doors
Automatic Gearbox
Rent Price For A Day: 62$
Rent Price For A Month:1,010$
Full Protection: $57
Cancellation 48 Hours before pickup available
Airport Pickup Available

Renting A 7 to 9 Seater Car In Costa Rica

If you plan to visit Costa Rica with an entourage of people then getting a 7 to 9 seater is a no brainer. This will allow you to hold about 7 people and a bunch of baggage.

Clearance matters more than four-wheel drive

Most of the main routes are paved and a standard car handles them. The problem is the last few kilometres. Roads into Monteverde, large parts of the Nicoya Peninsula, and a great many lodge driveways are steep gravel, and in the rainy season some of them cross unbridged fords.

So the useful question is not “do I need 4×4” but “how high does the car sit”. A high-clearance SUV without four-wheel drive will get you almost everywhere; a low-slung 2WD saloon will scrape its way up a Monteverde access road and possibly not make it at all. If your itinerary stays on Route 1, Route 27 and the coastal highways, book the cheap car with a clear conscience.

Two other things worth knowing. Fuel prices are set nationally, so there is no cheaper station to hunt for, and attendants pump for you. And the Route 27 toll road towards the Pacific takes cash in colones, so keep some in the door pocket.

The Cheapest 7 to 12 Seater Vehicle For Rent In Costa Rica

Renting The Mitsubishi Zinger

The Mitsubishi Zinger is the cheapest 7 seater vehicle that you can rent in Costa Rica. Certainly a good car to rent if you have a large family or lots of luggage.

Specifications.

7 Seats
Automatic Gearbox
4 Doors
1 Day rental cost: US $103
1 Month Rental Cost: US $1,395
Full Protection: US $57
Cancellation 48 Hours before pickup
Airport Pickups Available at most places

Renting The Toyota Hiace

Costa Rica has a variety of large vehicles. The Toyota Hiace is a large van that can fit in 12 people. Perfect for large family/friend sightseeing. The vehicle is extremely comfortable to sit in and pretty sleek looking. The video below showcases this better than any words can.

Specifications.

8 Seats
Automatic Gearbox
4 Doors
1 Day rental cost: US $258
1 Month Rental Cost: US $2,108
Full Protection: US $57
Cancellation 48 Hours before pickup
Airport Pickups Available at most places

Rental Companies in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s leading car rental companies are dominated by Apex, Sixt and Alamo. Each operates several outlets across Costa Rica, offering cars in all sizes and, in some cases, large vans, buses, and RVs.

Driving In Costa Rica

An International Driving License or Local License is required in order to rent a car in Costa Rica. International driving permits are not available in Costa Rica and must be brought from the home country.

GPS Navigation

Most rental cars come with a GPS navigation system built into the dash. The systems in some vehicles can be set to display the map and menus and to read directions in English, however English capable systems are not available from almost every rental company or outlet.

Gas Station

The Gas Stations are found all over Costa Rica and are usually fully serviced though self service gas stations have been increasing in recent times.

Petrol Cost: 0.70 Eur/ltr

Diesel: 0.65 Eur/ltr

Parking

There are many small parking garages laid out throughout the cities. Some parking spots are paid by the hour while others are usually free. With a little patience finding a parking spot should not be a very difficult job assuming you’re not going out during a holiday or festival since there is a lot of street entertainments in the cities.

If you would rather not drive on arrival day

Plenty of visitors pick the car up a day late, on purpose. Landing at SJO after dark and driving three hours to Arenal is a poor idea, and a pre-booked transfer to your first hotel lets you start the drive fresh in daylight. Compare transfers for your arrival.

Cost of Gas

You also need to factor in the cost of gas. Right now, the cost of gas in Costa Rica is around 620 colones per liter which is around $4 per gallon. Diesel is cheaper, at around $3.50 a gallon. On average for a 1 week trip, tourists drive around 500 kilometers (310 miles). In a SUV, a full tank of gas costs around $65 to fill up.

Road And Rules In Costa Rica

Cars drive on the right side of the road
Minimum age of driving is 18
Minimum age to rent is 21
Drinking and driving is strictly prohibited
Most roads are Tollfree with the exception of some expressways.
Road conditions are not very good but traffic is a problem in the cities.

Tourist Spots To Visit In Costa Rica

Corcovada National Park:

Rainforest meeting the beach at Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica — Corcovada National Park

Located on the gorgeous Osa Peninsula, the Corcovado National Park has been called as one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Together with Drake Bay, this region has become an ecotourism hot spot for those who want to be one with nature.