Costa Rica Airport Car Rental

Renting a car at a Costa Rica airport can be convenient, but the pickup process depends on the airport and rental location. San José (SJO) and Guanacaste/Liberia (LIR) are the main international visitor gateways, while rental options also exist at several regional airports. Some locations use a counter and shuttle; others coordinate vehicle delivery or direct travelers to a nearby office.

Which Costa Rica airports have car rental locations?

The current Enterprise Costa Rica directory lists 11 airport rental locations:

Cóbano Airport (ACO)
Golfito Airport (GLF)
La Fortuna Airport (FON)
Liberia International Airport / Guanacaste Airport (LIR)
Limón Airport (LIO)
Nosara Airport (NOB)
Puerto Jiménez Airport (PJM)
Quepos Airport (XQP)
San José Costa Rica International Airport (SJO)
Tamarindo Airport (TNO)
Tobías Bolaños Airport (SYQ)

Alamo and National also publish airport and destination locations across Costa Rica. Availability, hours and pickup procedures should be checked for the exact brand, airport and date.

Search your arrival airport and dates to compare current vehicle availability and rental terms. If returning elsewhere, enter the intended drop-off location from the beginning.

SJO or LIR: where should you rent a car?

For most international travelers, the choice is between Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near Alajuela and Guanacaste Airport (LIR), officially Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, near Liberia.

SJO is a practical starting point for the Central Valley, La Fortuna, the Caribbean, Central Pacific and South Pacific. LIR is generally better positioned for Guanacaste and the northern Pacific coast.

Choose the airport that fits the complete itinerary rather than looking only at the first hotel.

How does rental car pickup work at SJO?

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise SJO instructions direct arriving renters through baggage claim and customs to the respective rental counter. After counter processing, travelers are taken by shuttle to the rental facility to complete the agreement and collect the vehicle.

“Airport car rental” therefore does not always mean a vehicle waiting directly outside the terminal. Allow time for immigration, baggage claim, customs, rental processing and the shuttle before starting a long drive.

How does rental car pickup work at LIR?

Current Enterprise instructions for LIR use a similar process: after baggage claim and customs, renters proceed to the car-rental counter and are then transported by shuttle to the rental facility.

Guanacaste Airport is about 12 kilometers west of downtown Liberia on Route 21. It is a useful starting point for Guanacaste road trips, while travelers planning several car-free resort days may prefer an airport transfer first and a later rental.

Regional airport car rentals work differently

An airport-named rental location does not necessarily mean the office or vehicle is inside the terminal.

Current Enterprise instructions show the difference. At Cóbano Airport, the vehicle can be delivered to the terminal. For La Fortuna, Nosara, Quepos and Tobías Bolaños airport locations, published directions send travelers to a separate local or downtown office.

For regional flights, verify the meeting point before departure rather than assuming the procedure will resemble SJO or LIR.

Should you rent immediately after an international flight?

Rent at the airport when you want to begin driving immediately and are comfortable starting the route after flying. Consider waiting until the next day when the flight arrives late, the first hotel is easy to reach without a car, or the vehicle would remain unused.

Allow margin for immigration, baggage, rental processing, traffic, rain and darkness before committing to a long first-day drive.

What should you verify before airport pickup?

Check the exact reservation:

Rental brand and precise location.
Counter, shuttle, delivery or off-airport instructions.
Opening hours and after-hours policy.
Required documents and payment method.
Coverage and security-deposit terms.
Vehicle category and luggage capacity.
One-way return availability and charges.
Contact procedure for flight delays.

After-hours service is not uniform. Current brand policies show it may require advance arrangements at some locations, while other branches do not offer after-hours returns.

Can you pick up at one airport and return at another?

A one-way airport rental may be possible, but it should be booked that way from the start. Current Enterprise, Alamo and National Costa Rica terms reviewed for this page state that one-way rentals must be arranged in advance, are subject to availability and can carry a charge.

For an SJO arrival and LIR departure, or the reverse, search using different pickup and return airports before finalizing the itinerary.

Rental car or airport shuttle?

A rental car makes sense when independent driving is part of the trip. A private or shared airport transfer may be more practical when the first destination is several hours away, the flight arrives late, or the vehicle would sit unused.

A hybrid trip can also work: take a shuttle from SJO or LIR, then rent locally when independent driving becomes useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main airports for renting a car in Costa Rica?

For most international visitors, SJO and LIR are the main arrival gateways. Costa Rica’s civil aviation authority also classifies Tobías Bolaños and Limón as international airports, while rental locations are listed at several regional airports including Cóbano, Nosara, Tamarindo, Quepos, La Fortuna, Golfito and Puerto Jiménez.

Are rental cars located inside SJO airport?

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise SJO instructions send renters to a branded counter after customs and then by shuttle to the rental facility. The counter is part of the airport arrival process, but vehicle collection takes place at a separate facility.

Are rental cars located inside Liberia Airport?

Current Enterprise LIR instructions direct renters to the car-rental counter after customs and then to a shuttle to the rental facility. Procedures can vary by brand, so follow the instructions for the specific reservation.

Can I rent a car after a domestic flight?

Yes. Rental locations are listed for several regional airports, but handoff procedures differ. Some use nearby offices, while Cóbano currently publishes a terminal-delivery procedure. Confirm the exact meeting instructions before flying.

What happens if my flight arrives late?

Do not assume the location will remain open or automatically provide after-hours pickup. Policies vary and may require advance arrangements. Check the confirmed reservation and contact the rental location if a delay affects your pickup time.

Can I rent at SJO and return at LIR?

A one-way rental may be available, but availability and charges must be confirmed for the selected brand, vehicle and dates. Search with SJO as pickup and LIR as return rather than assuming the return can be changed later.

Is airport or destination pickup better?

Airport pickup works best when you need the vehicle immediately. Destination pickup may be better if you prefer a transfer after landing, will spend several days without driving or do not want to begin a long route after a late flight.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

Airport locations, operating hours, pickup procedures, one-way availability and rental terms can change. The terms displayed for the selected brand, location, rate and reservation govern the rental transaction.

Costa Rica Airport Car Rental | SJO, LIR & Regional