What to look for when renting a car in Costa Rica

Published On: March 9, 2022Categories: Costa Rica, Transportation

Top three things to look for when renting a car

Of course, the base price, which is usually quite attractive and gets your attention
Liability Insurance: this is mandatory in Costa Rica. If you do not see this on your estimate, keep looking because you will have to pay it! This is the one that is most commonly left out of your quote as it can add hundreds of dollars to your bill, depending on vehicle size and length of rental.
Collision Damage Waiver- While this is not actual insurance, it is a waiver of financial responsibility in case of an accident or theft. There are restrictions, so be sure to read this carefully. If you have proof of your coverage, you may waive this. Usually, your credit card (Visa) has this coverage for you already, but you will need proof from your credit card company. There are usually restrictions from the credit card companies on this as well, so make sure you are well informed before you sign off.

Renting a car in Costa Rica

There are many, many toll booths along the highways. Be sure to always have some colones with you to pay for these. They usually charge between 400-850 CRC at each booth.
If your car is filthy inside and out ( blood, alcohol or food stains, etc.) upon returning, you will want to take it to a car wash, where they usually charge around $20. If it has to be professionally cleaned, the rental company usually charges around $100 for this service, so you are much better off getting it done yourself.
There is absolutely NO SMOKING allowed in rental vehicles. If you do, you will be fined around $100 for this.
If you get a traffic ticket, pay the traffic ticket. There are laws in place that can prohibit you from exiting the country upon non-payment.
Car seats are required for children under 12 yrs old. Usually, these can be rented with a car, but check with your agency first. Other add-ons may include GPS, surfboard racks, or bike racks and will need to be booked ahead of time.
If you have an accident, be sure to report it immediately to both the authorities and the rental agency. ‘Forbid you do get into sn accident, in Costa Rica, you must not move the vehicle. Where the accident occurred is where it must be once the traffic police arrive. To ensure proper measurements’
Even Though you may see most people not wearing seatbelts here, it is the law for every person in the vehicle to be strapped in.
Driving while under the influence is never covered under any insurance, nor is water damage from driving through rivers, etc. if you set the car on fire or drive it off a cliff… not likely covered either!