Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hire & Insurance
There are car-rental agencies in San José and in popular tourist destinations on the Pa-
cific coast.
All of the major international car-rental agencies have outlets in Costa Rica, though you
can sometimes get better deals from local companies.
Due to road conditions, it is necessary to invest in a 4WD unless travel is limited only to
the Interamericana.
Many agencies will insist on 4WD in the rainy season, when driving through rivers is a
matter of course.
To rent a car you need a valid driver's license, a major credit card and a passport. The
minimum age for car rental is 21 years.
Carefully inspect rented cars for minor damage and make sure that any damage is noted
on the rental agreement. If your car breaks down, call the rental company. Don't attempt
to get the car fixed yourself - most companies won't reimburse expenses without prior
authorization.
Prices vary considerably, but on average you can expect to pay over US$200 per week
for a standard SUV, including
kilometraje libre
(unlimited mileage). Economy cars are
much cheaper, as little as US$80 a week. The price of mandatory insurance makes this
more expensive, often doubling the rate.
Costa Rican insurance is mandatory, even if you have insurance at home. Expect to pay
about US$15 to US$25 per day. Many rental companies won't rent you a car without it.
The basic insurance that all drivers must buy is from a government monopoly, the Institu-
to Nacional de Seguros. This insurance does not cover your rental car at all, only dam-
ages to other people, their cars, or property. It is legal to drive only with this insurance,
but it can be difficult to negotiate with a rental agency to allow you to drive away with only
this minimum standard. Full insurance through the rental agency can be up to US$50 a
day.
The roads in Costa Rica are rough and rugged, meaning that minor accidents or car
damage are common.
Note that if you pay basic insurance with a gold or platinum credit card, the card com-
pany will usually take responsibility for damages to the car, in which case you can forgo
the cost of the full insurance. Make sure you verify this with your credit-card company
ahead of time.
Most insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding or driving through a
river, so be aware of the extent of your policy.
