An Essential Guide to Driving in Costa Rica

Everything you need to know about hiring a vehicle and driving in Costa Rica.

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Renting a car and driving in Costa Rica is the most freeing way to get around. And there are so many advantages to having your own car too, from being able to arrive early to attractions to being in complete control of your Costa Rica road trip itinerary. We loved cruising our way through the volcanic and tropical landscapes of Costa Rica but driving in a new country can be daunting at first. We have compiled everything you need to know about hiring a car in Costa Rica and driving yourself in this thorough guide.

Driving in Costa Rica may differ significantly from the etiquette, road conditions and rules that you’re used to in your home country. Knowing the Costa Rican driving laws and what to look out for can help you have a stress-free trip. We’ve hired cars all over the world, from Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii to Wales, Italy and Croatia. Road tripping is one of our favourite ways to travel as it gives you complete freedom to go where you want when you want. Hiring a car in Costa Rica can definitely be intimidating at first, but there’s really no reason to worry. We’ve amalgamated everything we learned driving in Costa Rica with useful, practical information and mistakes we made so you don’t have to, so you can have a worry-free and enjoyable adventure.

Do you need a car in Costa Rica?

Getting around Costa Rica without a car is possible but likely to be expensive, time-consuming and uncomfortable. Local public transport is very limited in most places and, like in many other countries, not always on time.

Bus travel around Costa Rica is possible but uncomfortable and requires lots of changes and a lot of planning. Tourist shuttles are more reliable but are also more expensive. Hailing a taxi is even more expensive again and not a good option for long journeys.

If you’d like to truly experience the country’s diverse landscapes and wildlife, hiring a car in Costa Rica and driving yourself is really the best option.

Why drive in Costa Rica

Driving in Costa Rica gives you complete freedom over your whole itinerary.

Being somewhere as soon as it opens means you often have the location all to yourself – a luxury when a lot of popular attractions can become very crowded by midday. In the case of national parks and wildlife reserves like Manuel Antonio National Park, this also gives you the best chance of seeing local animals.

Hiring a car and driving in Costa Rica can also end up cheaper in the long run, especially if there are two or more of you. Public transport is often most popular with backpackers, but the journeys can add up, especially as you need to pay per journey per person. Depending on the length and timing of your visit, hiring a car, especially if it includes your accommodation like a camper car, can save you money in the long run.

Is it OK to rent a car in Costa Rica?

Many first-time travellers to Costa Rica are nervous about hiring a car, but it’s a safe and reliable way to get around.

You do not need an international driver’s license or any other official documents so it’s easy to rent a car and drive around.

Your comfort in hiring a car abroad will depend on your driving experience, but Costa Rica is a great place to drive, even if it’s your first time driving abroad. There are just a few things to be aware of before setting off, which we’ll cover below.

Do tourists drive in Costa Rica?

Yes, many tourists do choose to drive in Costa Rica. It gives you more freedom to visit destinations you are interested in and is a popular mode of transport for vacationers.

Another reason many tourists choose to hire a car and drive is because public transport can be limiting, expensive and uncomfortable. Driving in Costa Rica is not likely to be too different to what you’re used to at home, although there are some small unique differences.

Renting a car in Costa Rica

The best place to rent a car in Costa Rica is the capital, San José. This has the widest selection of car rental companies to choose from and offers the lowest prices as there’s more demand. A few car rental agencies are also found in major tourist destinations like La Fortuna and Tamarindo.

We booked through Nomad America as their 4×4 camper rental cars looked epic for exploring more off-the-beaten-path destinations. And we had the best time driving one of their Toyota Prado campers around the country.

Car Insurance

The mandatory types of car insurance in Costa Rica are:

You may also choose to add:

Drivers in Costa Rica are required to have third-party liability insurance. This must be bought in the country (usually from your rental agency), which means you cannot use insurance you have at home or that might be included by your bank or credit card. Third-party liability insurance is usually provided by your car rental company and covers damages or injuries to others or their property.

You also need a collision damage waiver to drive in Costa Rica but, unlike third-party liability, it doesn’t have to be bought in-country. We wouldn’t recommend buying this separately as car rental companies can reject it and demand you buy their policy instead.

We always recommend you choose the full insurance option with your rental agency, inclusive of third-party liability, damage, collision and theft, with the lowest excesses. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to driving. While skimping on insurance might be the cheaper option, it’ll cost you a lot more in the long run if anything does go wrong and can set you up for some of the common car scams, which we’ll go into a bit later.

Inspect the car thoroughly and record any damage with the agency before setting off. Take photos and videos around the inside and outside of the car. This isn’t necessary if you have full insurance but it gives you peace of mind that the company won’t try and charge you for any pre-existing damage when you hand the car back. It also means you can contest any damage the company might say that you created (known as ghost damage).

We’ve literally never had a hire car where we haven’t had some kind of scratch, chip or dent during the rental. We’ve had a car be scratched in a car park, stones flying up and scratching the paint, and even an acorn falling and chipping a windshield. We’ve always been thankful to have full insurance with the company as we didn’t have to worry about any of these damages or pay for them.

Emergencies

You can usually also add on a roadside assistance option when adding insurance to your rental. This covers callouts for things like a burst tyre or a flat battery (which we’ve also been a victim of twice). We’d recommend adding this option, especially for driving in Costa Rica where you can go really remote and the road conditions are not always smooth. Keep a copy of the car rental agency’s contact information and your roadside assistance information available for emergencies.

What kind of car should I drive in Costa Rica?

The kind of car you need to hire in Costa Rica depends on where you plan to visit. For major destinations like San José and La Fortuna, the roads are in good condition and you can get away with a standard car. If you plan to stick to the main roads on the Pacific Coast, you’ll be fine without an SUV as these roads are fairly new.

If you plan to travel to more remote areas or on unsealed roads, a 4×4 is going to be necessary. Many of the roads in smaller destinations and beach towns like Dominical are unpaved and you won’t be insured (and it wouldn’t be smart) to drive a 2WD car on them.

Most cars for rent in Costa Rica are automatic, which are super easy to drive, but sometimes you will get a manual car. This is just like driving a manual anywhere else – even if you’re used to right-hand drives, the gears work the same, you just need to use your other hand. We wouldn’t recommend hiring a manual if you’ve only ever driven an automatic. Although it can be cheaper, it’ll be more to think about and can increase your chances of an accident as you’re not used to it.

Do you need a 4×4 car in Costa Rica?

Whether you need a 4×4 car depends on when you plan to visit Costa Rica. The short answer is yes, probably! Unless you are sticking to the big towns along the Caribbean coast in the height of dry season, we would say that a 4×4 is a must-have. You definitely need a 4WD if you plan to go anywhere off-road or more remote. This includes if you plan to camp in Costa Rica as campgrounds are often more remote and down unsealed tracks. A 4×4 allows you to tackle almost any terrain with minimal effort (and minimal stress).

Destinations you need a 4×4 car for in Costa Rica include Monteverde, some parts of the Nicoya Peninsula, and more remote peninsulas like Osa and Tortuguero.

Hiring a 4×4 is also a good idea in the rainy season between June to November when the roads are wet, muddy, slippery and full of potholes. Having higher ground clearance is super handy, and is imperative if you take any routes that include river crossings or dirt roads.

How much is a car rental in Costa Rica?

Car hire in Costa Rica runs between $25 to $50 USD a day for a standard car. 4×4 and SUV hire starts at around $80 USD a day, while a camper car is about $100 USD a day. Prices may vary depending on the season, and lower daily rates are usually available if you book a longer rental. Booking well in advance can also help you to secure the cheapest rates.

You’ll likely see car hire advertised in Costa Rica for as little as $5 USD a day. The saying ‘if something is too good to be true, it probably is’ is relevant here. These are often scams to entice travellers who want cheap car hire in Costa Rica, but the agencies whack on a bunch of hidden fees when you go to pick-up and charge you twice to three times more than you should be paying.

On top of your total hire cost, rental agencies will likely need to take a pre-authorisation on your cars. This is where a certain amount of money is held while you have the car. Sometimes you can reduce or omit this authorisation by choosing the full insurance option, but not always. If you damage the car, the amount you owe the agency is taken from this pre-authorisation. If you don’t damage the car, or damage is covered with no excess by your insurance, then the hold amount is returned to you. It’s good to budget a couple of hundred US dollars for this.

Why is it so expensive to rent a car in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is more expensive than its Central American neighbours and hiring a car can cost as much as you’d expect back home. It’s particularly expensive to rent a car in peak season (December to April) as there’s more demand and fewer cars available. Booking last minute also means there are fewer cars available and rental agencies increase their prices as they know you have no other option.

Other things that make car hire in Costa Rica more expensive include additional fees for young drivers, one-way pick-up and drop-off, not getting full insurance or zero excess and not reading the fine print.

To get a cheaper car rental in Costa Rica, we’d recommend booking in advance, shopping around on a car comparison website like DiscoverCars.com and opting for full insurance with zero excess.

Common Costa Rica Car Scams

Hidden fees are rife when hiring a car and common scams usually include withholding extra fees, including insurance, waivers, administration fees, debit card charges, young or extra driver fees, taxes and roadside assistance.

Cheap hires always exclude these fees, but many of these extras (like third-party liability and a collision damage waiver) are actually mandatory to drive in Costa Rica. This means your total is going to be a lot higher when you go to pick up the car. Local and regional taxes, which can be up to 13%, may also not be included in your quote but are also mandatory and will be included at pickup.

Even with insurance, sometimes the fine print states that you are still liable for an amount, usually 20%. Agencies will then allow you to reduce your excess to zero with an added-on excess reduction fee. You need to check your car hire does not state 20% liability before you get to the pickup as this is not full coverage.

You may choose a cheaper rental price that excludes insurance, but it’s not something we’d recommend. This means you are not covered for any kind of damage and will have to pay out of pocket.

It’s also fairly common for car agencies to target tourists who don’t opt for insurance by claiming damage at the end of a hire and charging your card when you’ve left the country. Unless you have timestamped photos and videos to prove you didn’t cause the damage, you’re unlikely to get this money back (and even if you do, it’s up to the company to honour it, which they likely won’t).

Always check your contract as most car rental agencies require you to return the car with the same amount of fuel, or a full tank and will charge extra fees if this is not met. There is usually also a clause about the state of cleanliness the car needs to be returned in and extra charges may be added for cleaning services if you return the car and it is not clean enough.

To avoid Costa Rica car scams, you should always:

Who Should I Rent a Car from in Costa Rica?

Most major international car companies operate in Costa Rica, including Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Thrifty. You can compare all their cars and rental agreements and find the cheapest price on DiscoverCars.com.

If you’re looking for a 4×4, we’d recommend Nomad America. Their 4×4 cars come with a rooftop tent and all the equipment you need for cooking and sleeping, so can save you a lot of money on accommodation too.

Driving in Costa Rica

The idea of driving in another country can be quite daunting at first, especially if you haven’t done so before. To make this easier (and less scary), we have broken the driving elements down for you in the next section, including our own personal experience of driving in Costa Rica.

Is driving easy in Costa Rica?

Driving in Costa Rica is not that different from a lot of other countries. Road markings are pretty much the same as in the Western world: double lines indicate passing is not allowed, while hatched (dotted) lines mean overtaking is permitted. Most roads are single-lane, but you do occasionally come across more modern dual-carriageways. Signage is in Spanish but intuitive, although less frequent than you may be used to.

Is it safe to rent a car and drive in Costa Rica?

One of the most pressing questions people have when planning a trip is “Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica as a tourist?”, and this is definitely something we asked before our visit too. It is never 100% safe to drive in any country but Costa Rica is definitely safe to drive in.

Although some remote roads may need a 4×4, most major roads are well-paved, well-marked and easy to drive on. You may need to adapt your driving style a little, but most visitors have no problems driving in Costa Rica.

Our experience driving in Costa Rica

Our experience driving in Costa Rica was mostly great. We felt very comfortable on the road and got the hang of driving on the wrong side (sorry, the right-hand side) quickly. We did make a few small mistakes which we’ll share so you don’t have to.

The worst experience we had driving in Costa Rica was nearly being run off the road by a truck. This happened at a merge onto a main road. In the UK, merges are long lanes with gradual hatched lines. In Costa Rica, there are short lanes that stop suddenly at a straight line. We made the mistake of continuing past this line to try and get around the front of the truck which wasn’t letting us in. This was a mistake because 1) he still didn’t let us in and 2) there are no hard shoulders in Costa Rica so we nearly ended up nose-first in a deep drain. Luckily we had a 4×4 and managed to avoid the ditch and got in behind the truck. The lessons we learned were:

1. Don’t assume anyone will let you merge. We found Costa Rican drivers to have an attitude where everyone is out for themselves. It’s best to drive defensively and not make assumptions.
2. Stop at the line on the merge lane (something you would never do in the UK as we’re taught to speed up to merge).

Besides that, our experiences were minor and included:

Some really great experiences we had driving in Costa Rica included road-tripping the Pacific Coast, seeing some amazing wildlife, camping by the beach every night, taking the scenic ferry to the Nicoya peninsula and having complete freedom to explore as much as we could in the time that we had.

Which side of the road do they drive on in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica drives on the right-hand side of the road. This is the same as in the USA, Canada and most of Europe. Those from the UK (like us), Ireland, Australia and New Zealand might be slightly nervous to drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, but you get used to it really quickly.

We find little tips like saying “right-hand side of the road” whenever we set off helpful. Car parks can be especially disorientating and we like to say “left long way round” and “right short way round” at junctions as a reminder.

Are road signs in Costa Rica in English?

Road signs in Costa Rica are in Spanish. It can be helpful to learn some basics, especially phrases you see often when driving. Having offline Google Translate is also a really useful tool for quickly translating a sign. Here are some of the most common words you need to know:

Can you turn right on red in Costa Rica?

Just like in the USA, you can turn right at a red light in Costa Rica. You need to check both ways are clear and there are no other cars or pedestrians before turning. You cannot turn right through a red light when a sign prohibits it, so double-check before manoeuvring.

What is the driving etiquette in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a laidback destination and attitudes to driving are fairly relaxed. You may find that there’s one rule for locals and another for foreigners. It’s common to see vehicles speeding or breaking the law, but it’s not advisable to follow suit.

We also found drivers in Costa Rica have an attitude of self-preservation. Without stereotyping, we personally found a lot less politeness from drivers than in countries like New Zealand or Hawaii. Very rarely did other drivers give way or manoeuvre out of our way. This means that you need to adopt an attitude of proactiveness and drive defensively. Assuming another driver is going to do something or behave in a way you’re familiar with may actually cause more harm than good.

Driving in Costa Rica at Night

Costa Rica’s infrastructure is still developing and there is a nationwide lack of street lights. This means you have to solely rely on your car’s headlights at night. A lot of wildlife is more active at night, making your risk of a collision much higher. Unexpected rain can also make night driving dangerous. If you have to drive at night, try to stick to short distances when it’s dry. A general rule of thumb for headlights is to turn them on at dusk around 18:00 and only turn them off when it’s fully daylight, usually around 06:00.

Costa Rica Driving Distances

Many trips in Costa Rica involve driving long distances. It’s important to take regular breaks and never drive when you are tired. Long journeys should be avoided at night or during heavy rain or storms. We found on our road trip that the longest distances we were driving in a day weren’t really more than 3-5 hours. You can plan your stops to involve breaks or sightseeing and break up the journey. We listed more driving distances between popular road trip routes in our Pacific Coast road trip itinerary.

Costa Rica Driving Times

You’ll find out quite quickly that the time a journey is quoted on Google Maps, Waze or GPS is incorrect. Costa Rica’s roads can be windy and the speed limits slow. You normally need to add at least half an hour to an hour onto the journey time quoted. Overestimate how long a journey will take you and plan to take breaks or stop off on the way.

Costa Rica Road Conditions

It’s not just driving a car that you have to consider, but also the road you’re driving the car on. Not all roads in Costa Rica are made the same and conditions can vary greatly depending on how remote you travel and the season.

What are the roads like to drive in Costa Rica?

In general, the roads in Costa Rica are easy to drive and navigate. Roads near large cities like San José are paved and well-marked. If you stick to the main tourist hotspots, you’ll likely not encounter any problems. In smaller cities and beach towns, the roads can be narrower and windier. This is especially true for mountainous regions like Monteverde. As you get more remote, roads can be replaced by dirt tracks.

Costa Rica is a tropical destination and can get a lot of rain in certain places, particularly in wet season (May-November). This can lead to conditions including flooding, washouts, mud and potholes. Costa Rican potholes are another level – they’re huge, but normally only a problem on more rural roads. This isn’t really an issue on the main roads, which are often repaved and are in good condition.

Road Markings

Roads are marked by painted lines that are similar to other parts of the world. You cannot cross a solid line, only a hatched (dotted line).

Hard shoulders don’t exist as they do in other parts of the world, the road in Costa Rica often drops off into a steep drainage channel.

Speed limits are painted on the floor but not very often, so it’s good to make a mental note of one when you pass it.

River Crossings

There are some roads in Costa Rica that cannot be driven without passing a river crossing. There are a few safety things to think about here. First, always check the depth of a river or stream before crossing it. Asking locals for advice or watching someone cross first can help provide you with more information.

A tip for crossing rivers in Costa Rica is to put your car into 4×4 mode or a low gear and go slowly. Know where the exit is – sometimes you need to go up or downstream to exit, rather than go straight across.

Often, you are not insured for river crossings, even if you’ve hired a 4×4, so it’s not worth risking it. If in doubt, find another route.

Bridges

When a river crossing is unnecessary, you’ll likely be able to pass over by bridge. Sometimes these are two-lane bridges, but it’s also common to come across one-lane bridges. There is usually a sign to indicate who has the right of way. When there is no signage, the general rule is that whoever got there first has the right of way.

Ferry Crossings

Some routes, like the one to Montezuma, involve a ferry crossing. These often require joining a queue and paying for your ticket at a ticket office. There’s little accurate information online about these crossings, so it’s best to research your ferry crossing in advance. Ensure your car hire insurance includes ferry crossings at the booking stage and then follow instructions from employees when boarding.

Costa Rica Driving Laws

Knowing the Costa Rica driving laws before you go can save you a lot of trouble and secure you a safe and stress-free vacation. You are likely to see breaches of these driving rules all over Costa Rica but it’s not smart to follow suit.

Foreigners are most likely to be penalised for breaking Costa Rica’s driving laws and the fines can be really heavy. Fining tourists is a quick and easy way for the government to pull in some extra money.

It’s important to thoroughly research the laws of a country before you visit, but we’ve listed the most important Costa Rica driving rules, laws and restrictions below.

Costa Rica Driving Restrictions

It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs or to use a cell phone when driving in Costa Rica.

Passengers must wear a seatbelt at all times. Children under 12 must ride in a child safety seat in the back of the car. Child safety seats can usually be added to your car rental when booking.

It is also illegal to drive on beaches, to conserve them and protect wildlife like iguanas and turtles. You can still camp by the beach, but it must be behind the shoreline (the line that marks high tide).

Costa Rica Road Measurements

Costa Rica uses the Metric system. This means that speed is measured in kilometres per hour (km/h) and gasoline is measured in litres (L).

Costa Rica Speed Limits

We asked several local guides what we should know about driving in Costa Rica before we picked up our car. Every single person said “do not speed”. While the limits do feel painfully slow at times (we were the only car on the road for half an hour and felt like we were crawling at 60 km/h), it’s not worth speeding in Costa Rica.

There are heavy fines for speeding which can exceed $500 USD. Authorities really crack down on speeding and have installed a vast network of speed cameras. It’s also common to pass police speed traps (we saw someone get pulled over at one). Abide by the speed limit at all times.

Speed limits in Costa Rica are posted on the signs by the side of the road, as well as painted on the floor. Highway speed limits are usually 90-120 km/h. In large cities like the capital San José, the speed limit is 60 km/h. In rural areas, the speed limit is usually 80 km/h. Speed limits are set for your safety and they’re a limit, not a target.

If you do get a speeding ticket in a rental car, you need to let your rental agency know, as you’ll need to pay for it when you return the car. It’s also common for rental agencies to charge an administration fee to process fines.

Costa Rica Police Checks

Costa Rica’s driving laws are upheld by the Transisto (Traffic Police). You may find police patrols or checks set up, especially on major routes and by borders. If you get pulled over by a police officer, firstly relax. Most of the time they’ll just check your documents and send you on your way.

It’s a good idea to have a copy of your passport and the page with your entry stamp. This means you don’t need to hand over your actual physical passport. You’ll also need to show your valid driver’s license.

Costa Rica Driving Fines

If you’re stopped for an offence like speeding, you’ll likely be issued a ticket. You can pay the ticket at a Banco de Costa Rica, or hand it into your rental agency and pay it at the end of your trip.

While corruption is a lot less common in Costa Rica than it is in its Central American neighbours, we have heard of people being let off a speeding ticket by paying the officer immediately. While bribing is illegal, and not as commonplace as in Mexico for example, it does happen. Never offer a bribe.

Sometimes police cars will have their light on, even if it’s not in an emergency. This is common. If you’re being pulled over, they’ll flash or indicate to you instead.

Costa Rica Driving Age

The legal driving age in Costa Rica is 18. However, many car rental agencies do not rent to anyone under 21 and it’s common practice for a young person driving fee to be added for any driver under the age of 25.

Resources for Driving in Costa Rica

Here are some really handy resources, apps and products that we’d recommend checking out before driving in Costa Rica.

What you need to know about Driving in Costa Rica

We know this is a lot of information but hopefully it’s useful if you’re planning to drive in Costa Rica. To round-up, here are our top tips and what you need to know before you go:

Read next:

A Perfect Costa Rica Pacific Coast Road Trip Itinerary

When to Visit Costa Rica for Weather and Wildlife

The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Costa Rica

The 14 Best Hanging Bridges Parks in Costa Rica

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