Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Costa Rica car rentals can be a world to navigate. I get it. I felt so intimidated the first time I went to rent a car and I had to do so much research. Thankfully after more than six times renting a car in Costa Rica with multiple companies and road tripping the country, I feel confident to share this information with you and recommend my favorite company.
Common Car Rental Questions in Costa Rica:
Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica? Yes, but everyone’s experience is different depending on their driving experience and comfort levels.
Is it true that there are mandatory insurances for car rentals in Costa Rica that skyrocket the price of the rental? There is no sugarcoating it so yes. There are mandatory insurances in Costa Rica car rentals and most of the time the insurance price will end up being higher than the car rental price. It is the law there and it is part of traveling to Costa Rica.
What are those insurances and how do they work? Refer to this blog post from ADOBE Car Rental to learn more about them. But in overview, two of the insurances are mandatory and the third one is optional.
Can I use my credit card insurance to wave them? The first mandatory insurance no. The second mandatory insurance yes, but you must be very careful with this as 1) not all insurances cover Costa Rica, 2) make sure the company you are renting from allows this and if there are any changes in the deposit because of it, and 3) make sure you have complete proof of this - even sometimes a letter from your credit card insurance - to make sure you do not run into any issues.
Is there a company that will not surprise me with hidden fees when I get to the country? Million time yes!!!! Thankfully such a company exists and I am going to introduce it to you next.
What company do you recommend to rent a car in Costa Rica? Yes, ADOBE Car Rental is without a doubt my recommendation for you.
Why ADOBE?
There are many companies in Costa Rica for car rentals. There are local companies as well as internationally recognized companies. Among those local companies there are the big established ones as well as small local people that would rent you a car. So why do I recommend ADOBE?
First of all, they are a local company. I am a huge believe that supporting local matters and it is essential when traveling. Second, I have rented with them many times and every experience has been flawless. From getting to the office, the shuttle pickups, the respectful and kind customer service, and the vehicle, they have all been amazing and have contributed to a great travel experience. On top of that, I have loved these things about ADOBE:
1) How easy it is to navigate their website, find answers to my questions, and book my vehicle. They are transparent with their insurances and fees so you are not surprised when you go to pick up the car.
2) They have provided quick and thorough help at the office and through whatsapp. So helpful to be able to chat with them!
3) They have 14 offices covering a lot of the country which is always helpful to plan my trip drop offs and pick ups more efficiently and to have in person support if needed.
4) When renting from areas near an office, they help with free drop off and pick up from your accommodation. This was the case when I rented a vehicle for a couple of days to take a quick roadtrip. I was staying at Potrero and they dropped off and picked up the vehicle from my airbnb as they have an office in Huacas/Tamarindo.
5) They change their fleet every 28 months, always having vehicles that perform well and that you can trust during your trip. As mostly a solo traveler this makes me feel safe when I travel.
6) They strongly prefer credit cards for payment and deposits, but under special circumstances they also take debit cards (only for foreigners) if needed which provides more options.
7) For monthly rentals, there is a very significant discounted rate, making it very affordable.
Fabi, how can I rent with ADOBE?
Their process is seamless and I have the most exciting news for you. Here is a 10% discount code for you so you can rent with ADOBE today and have a fun and stress free adventure in Costa Rica. You can either go to https://www.adobecar.com/en/ and use the code NT46J or you can go directly to this link and book your vehicle.
Using this code you get all the amazing benefits mentioned above plus you get a free second driver for your booking and a free child seat if needed. On top of that you are supporting a local company in Costa Rica including many local lives and an entrepreneur.
I am so grateful you took the time to read this post. If you have any questions about renting a car or roadtripping in Costa Rica do not doubt on reaching out to me. If you choose to book with ADOBE and save yourself a 10% on your booking I wish you the best in your trip. Enjoy Costa Rica, the Pura Vida, and continue growing as you travel!!!
Off you go on your next adventure!
