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Cheap Car Rental Costa Rica

Cheap car hire in Costa Rica from local rental companies, with full insurance options and the full price shown before you book.

  • Local companies
  • Full Insurance
  • Airport delivery

Car Rental Costa Rica

Costa Rica is best explored by car, ideally a 4x4, as many roads to lodges and beaches are unpaved and rivers sometimes need crossing. With a car you can link the Arenal volcano and its hot springs, the cloud forests of Monteverde, the beaches of Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio National Park. Use a navigation app, avoid driving at night, and never leave valuables in the car.

Why rent a car in Costa Rica

  • Arenal volcano and hot springs.
  • Monteverde cloud forest.
  • Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste beaches.
White compact car illustration
Cheap car rentalCosta Rica
AwayCars
Car Rental Costa Rica

Car rental in Costa Rica: quick facts

Updated October 2026.

Deposit & card
Low-deposit and debit-card options from local companies (use the search filters).
Booking
Pay 15–20% online, the rest at pick-up. Free cancellation on many offers.
Driver age
Usually 21+ with 1 year of driving experience; some companies ask 23–25.
Driving
Drive on the right.
Currency
Costa Rican colón (CRC)

Choose your car in Costa Rica

Every class from local companies. Tap a type to see live prices.

Small carsFiat 500, Toyota Aygo – mini rental carFiat 500, Toyota Aygo or similarEconomy carsCitroën C3, Toyota Yaris – economy rental carCitroën C3, Toyota Yaris or similarCompact carsRenault Megane, VW Golf – compact rental carRenault Megane, VW Golf or similarSUVsToyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai – suv rental carToyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai or similar4x4 & JeepsSuzuki Jimny – 4x4 / jeep rental carSuzuki Jimny or similarMinivansMercedes Vito, Ford Tourneo – 7-seater rental carMercedes Vito, Ford Tourneo or similarConvertiblesVW Golf Cabriolet, Fiat 500C – convertible rental carVW Golf Cabriolet, Fiat 500C or similarPremium carsMercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series – premium rental carMercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series or similar

Best Car Rental Prices in Costa Rica

Fiat 500 Mini car

  • Manual
  • 4
  • 1
  • 3
Fiat 500 rental car
Live prices
View deal
  • Airport pick-up
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Pay 15–20% now
  • Low deposit
  • Debit card

Citroën C3 Economy car

  • Manual
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
Citroën C3 rental car
Live prices
View deal
  • Hotel delivery
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation
  • Low deposit
  • Additional driver

Toyota RAV4 SUV

  • Automatic
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
Toyota RAV4 rental car
Live prices
View deal
  • Meet & greet
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Debit card
  • Full insurance
  • Child seats

* The prices shown in this section are for reference only and are not a binding offer. They are based on average prices of local rental companies in the cheapest month. Final prices depend on your dates, rental length, pick-up point, extras and availability. Features vary by company: use the filters in the search above.

No deposit, no credit card, full insurance

Car Rental Costa Rica No Deposit

  • Nothing blocked on your card
  • More budget for the trip
  • Quicker return
  • Low-deposit cars when zero isn't available

Car Rental Costa Rica No Credit Card

  • Pay with a debit card or cash
  • No credit card authorisation
  • Payment methods shown on each car
  • No hidden fees

Full Insurance in Costa Rica

  • TPL and CDW on most cars
  • Full coverage with zero excess
  • Cover shown before you pay
  • No surprises at the desk

Tip: no-deposit and no-credit-card cars are in high demand. If none show for your dates, use the “Low deposit” filter or choose “Debit card” as the payment method.

Driving in Costa Rica

Traffic side

Drive on the right.

Currency

Costa Rican colón (CRC)

What you need to rent a car

  • Passport or ID
  • Driving licence, usually held for 1–2 years
  • Booking voucher (on your phone is fine)
  • International Driving Permit, where required

The minimum age is usually 21, and many companies ask for 23–25. A card for the deposit is only needed if the car has one.

Why book with AwayCars

  • Local companiesOften cheaper and more flexible than the big brands
  • Pay 15–20% nowThe rest at pick-up
  • Every car typeMini, economy, SUV, 7-seater, convertible, premium
  • Flexible paymentCredit card, debit card or cash, by company
  • Where you need itAirport, office, hotel or port delivery
  • ExtrasChild seats, second driver, unlimited mileage
  • Insurance optionsTPL, CDW and full coverage with low or zero excess
  • No hidden feesThe full price is shown before you book

Car Rental Costa Rica: FAQ

How do I rent a car in Costa Rica?

Enter your pick-up place and dates in the search on this page and compare cars from local rental companies. Use the filters for deposit, payment method, insurance and gearbox, then book with a 15–20% advance online. Your voucher arrives by email straight away, and you pay the rest at pick-up.

How much does car rental cost in Costa Rica?

Prices depend on the season, the car and how long you rent for. Longer rentals and low-season dates are much cheaper per day. The search above shows live prices for your dates.

Can I rent a car in Costa Rica with no deposit?

Some companies offer no deposit or a low deposit. Use the “No deposit” or “Low deposit” filter to see them.

Can I rent a car in Costa Rica without a credit card?

Some companies accept a debit card or cash. Check the payment methods listed on each car before you book.

Are automatic cars available in Costa Rica?

Yes. Filter the results by gearbox. Automatics are fewer and sell out first in high season, so book early.

What documents do I need to rent a car in Costa Rica?

Your passport or ID, a driving licence held for at least one year (often two), and the booking voucher. Some licences also need an International Driving Permit; the requirements for your rental are shown in the booking terms.

What is the minimum age to rent a car in Costa Rica?

Usually 21 with at least one year of driving experience. Many companies ask for 23–25, and some add a young-driver fee.

Is full insurance available?

Most cars include third-party liability and CDW. Many companies offer full coverage with zero or reduced excess; the cover and excess are shown on each car before you book.

Can I return the car somewhere else?

Yes, where the company allows one-way rental. Choose a different drop-off location in the search to see those offers.

What should I know about driving in Costa Rica?

Traffic drives on the right. Follow local speed limits and always carry your licence, ID and rental documents.

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