This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in Costa Rica with a pick-up date of 1/10 and drop-off date of 29/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Driver's age: 25-65
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Costa Rica car hires in 2026
Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car hire in Costa Rica. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on 9 September 2026.
Explore the most popular car models available for hire in Costa Rica and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car hire companies and was last updated on 9 September 2026.
small car is the cheapest car type you can hire in Costa Rica this past week from 711 hire locations out of 67 hire agencies. Prices for a Costa Rica small car hire start from £4/day. Check out available deals for 3 car types currently offered at listed car hire agencies here:
Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car hire deals in Costa Rica. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect hire option for your needs. There are currently 8 hire car agencies in Costa Rica with an average daily rate of £8. Data was last updated on 9 September 2026.
Kia Stonic£4/day
Citroen C3£4/day
Volkswagen Caddy£4/day
Cheapflights insights for Costa Rica car hires
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you hire a car in Costa Rica, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should I hire a car in Costa Rica?
Book your car hire in Costa Rica 7 days before your pickup date to maximise your savings. Car hire prices are around £17/day on average when booked 7 days ahead, which saves you 30% off the average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica, the most affordable car hire company right now is FlexWays, offering prices from just £9.19/day over the past two weeks. Another budget-friendly choice is JUMBO CAR , with rates starting at £9.66/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Costa Rica?
Planning to hire a car in Costa Rica? September is the cheapest month, costing about £8 per day. In contrast, December is the most expensive, with an average daily rate of £37. Monthly average car hire prices are listed below. Remember, prices can change based on when you book, the type of car, and availability.
January
£26
February
£30
March
£27
April
£14
May
£11
June
£11
July
£16
August
£13
September
£8
October
£9
November
£11
December
£37
What car do most people hire in Costa Rica?
The most popular types of cars to hire in Costa Rica are the following: SUV cars (Jeep Wrangler or similar), Mini cars (Class Mini Car or similar), and Standard cars (Chevrolet Groove or similar).
Which car hire company has the most locations in Costa Rica?
Avis has 22 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. L&M Car Rental has the second-highest number of locations in Costa Rica at 5.
What are the car hire prices for popular cities in Costa Rica?
Discover the price range for hiring a car in popular cities across Costa Rica, helping you budget and make informed decisions for your upcoming travel. There are 100 pickup locations in Costa Rica to choose from. Price data has been averaged over the last 12 months and was last updated on 9 September 2026.
Among the most popular cities in Costa Rica, San José offers the lowest average car hire price at just £8/day. Other affordable options include Liberia (£10/day), Tamarindo (£26/day), and La Fortuna (£27/day).
Explore the leading car hire agencies in Costa Rica known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car hire companies in Costa Rica. Reviews were last updated on 9 September 2026.
Friendly easy pick up. But only open 9-5 so difficult to return.
2.0
Poor|Apr 2023
un desastre, nunca mas contrato ni con uds ni con avis nos quisieron cobrar cualquier cosa, me retuvieron 500 dolares que no me estan devolviendo, no pudimos contratar el auto perdimos mas de dos horas, malos modos y malos tratos una verguenza, nunca los voy a recomendar
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
The Avis in Liberia sent us off the lot with an old, dilapidated tire that came apart in pieces as we were driving. The office did not pick up the phone or respond to us when we called in with the problem, but thankfully we were able to get in touch with the insurance provider who sent someone to change the tire. He was shocked at how old and rundown the tire was compared to the three others on the vehicle and told us we were very lucky it didn’t cause an accident. When I returned to Liberia and was finally able to connect to the Avis service people in person, they told me it was my fault for driving the car off the lot and charged me $280 for the tire. I have a report filed to try and resolve this, but this was one of the worst car rentals AND customer experiences I have ever had.
4.0
Mediocre|Mar 2023
Probably the worst condition rental car ever. Rusted, bad tires, high mileage. Yet expensive.
8.0
Very Good|Mar 2023
Pretty happy with the service including the shuttle to the airport. The location has a coffee machine on site which is nice for travelers, however, the trash can was way too full and the table where the sugar and cups were kept wasn't wiped. This area could be kept cleaner. All the rest was good.
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
Price ended up being 3x what was quoted on your website. Had to pay over $40 a day for insurance. $12.50 a day for a phone that did not work. Also charged $100 for a 1/4 tank of gas. The staff was rude on pickup and drop off. I will never use Avis again. Very disappointed.
Everything was great! Only thing that could have been better is that we were made aware of the shuttle offered from and to the airport. We ended up having to pay for a driver to take us to the car because we didn’t know. Was extra cost we didn’t have to have if we would have known.
8.0
Very Good|Dec 2024
Quick service
2.0
Poor|Feb 2024
They don’t tell you about the mandatory insurance! And $2500.00 US deposit! Plus the vehicle I got wasn’t what I requested, and the pick up at the airport was an hour late. Horrible experience overall, would not recommend. And I won’t be ever renting from them ever again!!!
2.0
Poor|Feb 2024
The vehicle was very good and clean. The staff were disaster, rude and disrespectful. No due deference.
4.0
Mediocre|Feb 2024
It's way more expensive than advertised
4.0
Mediocre|Sept 2023
Not the car they said I was getting and tried to give me a manual when I’d reserved an automatic, also still waiting for my deposit to be released two weeks later. Would not recommend.
Awful. They FORCE you to buy $300 insurance. It is not optional and it is not given back to you. They don’t tell you anywhere on the website. We didn’t find out until we showed up. We even bought insurance and the website ($65) and they said it ‘didn’t count’ and you need to purchase theirs. Awful experience. $80 turned into $380 for a rental car.
10.0
Wonderful|Jan 2024
Great staff. Don't buy the insurance online in Costa Rica, you have to buy it at the dealership. Really liked the staff at this location, they were very helpful and courteous, spoke great english.
2.0
Poor|Apr 2023
I was ask to pay almost two times more the amount of the original deal
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
They double thé Price once you get in their office!!!!
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
Unexpected fees! The price we booked said it included ALL taxes and fees. However upon arrival the rental car agency said we were required to pay $500 in mandated insurance on TOP of the advertised price. really misleading.
2.0
Poor|Feb 2023
Didn't end up renting the car that we booked. Car rental would not honor that we had insurance coverage from our credit card company so the cost of the car more than doubled. This has never happened to us before.
From when we were greeted by the shuttle driver on arrival,to being served by Alex at the company, and receiving our car, to the final return with Ricardo and the young lady, everything was perfect! The price could be a bit lower, but we were very satisfied.
10.0
Wonderful|Feb 2024
You guys do what promise and that's usually what counts. No hidden surprises or secret up charges.
10.0
Wonderful|Jan 2024
Our experience with National was very good. The check out was quick and easy. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The car was new, clean and comfortable. Check in was easy and quick and we were on our way back to the airport in no time. Shuttle service to and from airport was easy and quick. Overall, I would recommend National Car Rental if visiting Liberia and Costa Rica.
6.0
Okay|May 2023
I had rented a car previously in Costa Rica and was able to wave the added protection as I am covered through other insurance and credit cards at national they would not let me so add an additional $15 a day to the price
Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in Costa Rica, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 9 September 2026.
What are the requirements to hire a car in Costa Rica?
Whilst many agencies do not allow car hire in Costa Rica until you’re 25, some will accept drivers that are 18 and who have held a licence for at least one year. Luxury car hire in Costa Rica often requires you to be older, though. If you want to hire cars in Costa Rica, you will need a valid driving licence and a passport. If your licence contains non-Roman characters, then you’ll need an international driving permit for your Costa Rica car hire. You can pay for your car hire in Costa Rica with credit or debit cards; some agencies allow you to use cash, but it needs to be guaranteed with a credit card.
What are the rules for driving in Costa Rica?
When you drive your cheap car hire in Costa Rica, everyone needs to wear seat belts. Children under 12 or smaller than 145 cm must also be in a child restraint seat. If you are breathalysed, even when driving your Costa Rica car hire, the legal limit of alcohol allowable is 0.75 mg of alcohol per ml of blood. Speed limits are different in Costa Rica than the UK and are also shown in kilometres rather than miles. On motorways, you can go 100 kph (62 mph), whilst in urban areas, you can go either 40 kph (25 mph) or 60 kph (37 mph). You will also need to drive on the right-hand side of the road rather than the left. If you want to find out more about local road laws, then call the Costa Rica local authorities before you drive, to see if there have been any recent changes to the law.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a picturesque country in Central America, which you can explore entirely by car. The type of car hire in Costa Rica that you need depends on where you decide to go. If you are looking to hire cars in Costa Rica to explore the great outdoors and the national parks, then you might want to opt for something like a Nissan Kicks SUV, which can manage the tougher terrains and steep gradients. This way you can get to great viewing points along the coast with ease. Whereas, if you’re just looking for a cheap car hire in Costa Rica that will get you around the city, then a compact car should do the job. For instance, you could go for a Chevrolet Beat, which will enable you to drive down narrow streets and also park in smaller spaces.
What is the most popular car hire provider in Costa Rica?
When hiring a car in Costa Rica, the most popular provider of hire cars among Cheapflights users is FlexWays, and with prices around £26/day, it’s easy to understand why. The most popular car type from FlexWays is SUV, which starts as low as £8/day.
What is the cheapest city to get a rental car in Costa Rica?
At £42/day, it is 3% cheaper on average to rent a car in Liberia than any other city in Costa Rica. The cheapest price found in Costa Rica was for £19/day in Liberia.
What side of the road do you drive on in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica, drivers are expected to drive on the right side of the road.
Car hires by fuel type in Costa Rica
Browse car hires by fuel type in Costa Rica. Currently, Petrol/Diesel cars are the cheapest to rent in Costa Rica. Deals were last updated on 9 September 2026.
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