Documents Needed to Rent a Car in Costa Rica

Documents Needed to Rent a Car in Costa Rica

International travelers should arrive at the rental counter with a valid driver’s license, passport, the qualifying credit card required by the reservation and any written coverage documentation they intend to use.

Additional documents can apply depending on the rental brand, pickup office, vehicle category and driver’s-license format.

Do not assume that requirements shown for one rental location automatically apply throughout Costa Rica. Check the terms attached to the exact reservation before traveling.

Quick Answer

For most international Costa Rica car rentals, prepare:

• A valid, unexpired driver’s license.

• Your original passport.

• A qualifying credit card in the main renter’s name.

• Your reservation confirmation.

• An International Driving Permit or accepted translation when required.

• Written proof of outside coverage if you intend to rely on qualifying external protection.

• A valid license for every additional driver.

• A second qualifying credit card when required for certain larger vehicle categories.

The exact documents required at pickup depend on the rental brand, office, renter and vehicle category.

For the broader eligibility rules, review the Costa Rica car rental requirements.

What Documents Should You Bring?

The safest approach is to prepare the documents before leaving for Costa Rica rather than waiting until you reach the rental counter.

For most international renters, bring:

• Your valid driver’s license.

• Your passport.

• The qualifying credit card required for the rental.

• Your reservation information.

• Any required IDP or translation.

• Any written insurance or coverage documentation you plan to present.

• Driver’s licenses for all additional drivers.

Alamo Costa Rica currently lists passport, valid driver’s license and credit card among its basic rental prerequisites and specifically asks for a current physical license.

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise airport policies reviewed for San José International Airport (SJO) and Liberia International Airport (LIR) require a valid, unexpired driver’s license and a qualifying major credit card in the renter’s name.

After confirming your documents, compare current Costa Rica car rental options for the exact dates and pickup location.

Do You Need the Original Driver’s License?

Bring the original driver's license whenever your country issues one physically.

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica rental policies require a valid, unexpired license from the renter's country of residence. The airport policies reviewed also state that temporary driving permits and renewal documents are not accepted.

Alamo Costa Rica separately describes its requirement as a current physical driver's license.

A photograph or scanned copy of a physical driver's license should therefore not be treated as a substitute.

Costa Rican law has an important exception for officially issued digital licenses.

The current Article 91 of Costa Rica's Traffic Law recognizes a foreign driver's license issued officially in digital form by the driver's country of origin or residence. It also states that physical presentation cannot be required under that legal rule when the license is officially issued digitally.

This is different from taking a photograph of a physical license. A phone photo, screenshot or scanned copy should not automatically be treated as an officially issued digital driver's license.

Some rental-company pickup requirements still refer to physical licenses. If your country provides your license only in an official digital format, confirm acceptance with the exact rental office before arriving.

For more detail, review Foreign Driver's Licenses in Costa Rica.

How Long Is a Foreign Driver’s License Valid in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's current legal rule is no longer a universal 90-day limit.

Article 91 of the Traffic Law now allows qualifying visitors and travelers in transit to drive the same type of vehicle authorized by their foreign license for a period identical to their authorized legal stay in Costa Rica.

The driver's license must remain valid.

Some current Alamo, Enterprise and National Costa Rica location pages still publish older language stating that a foreign license is valid for up to 90 days and that an International Driving Permit is required afterward.

That published rental-company wording does not reflect the newer statutory time period.

For an ordinary short vacation this discrepancy will rarely matter. Travelers planning to rent for longer than 90 days should confirm the exact rental office's pickup policy before booking.

Do You Need a Passport?

International travelers should bring the original passport used to enter Costa Rica.

Alamo Costa Rica explicitly lists a passport among its rental prerequisites.

The renter-requirement sections currently reviewed for National and Enterprise at SJO and LIR focus primarily on the driver's license, age eligibility and credit card rather than stating a passport requirement in the same way.

However, a passport remains useful because a foreign visitor's legal authorization to drive is linked to legal immigration status in Costa Rica.

Keep the passport and relevant entry information available when collecting the vehicle.

Is an International Driving Permit Required?

Not for every international renter.

Costa Rica does not impose a general International Driving Permit requirement simply because your driver's license was issued in another country.

The key issue for many rental-company policies is the format of the license.

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica airport policies state that when a driver's license uses a non-Latin script, such as Chinese, Arabic or Cyrillic, the renter must provide an International Driving Permit or an accepted notarized English translation.

An IDP supplements your original driver's license.

It does not replace it.

If your license is written in English, Spanish or another Latin-based alphabet, the rental policies reviewed do not impose an IDP requirement solely because the license is foreign.

For a detailed explanation, see Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Costa Rica?.

What Credit Card Should You Bring?

Bring the qualifying credit card in the main renter's name.

Make sure it has sufficient available credit for the authorization required by the reservation.

Current Alamo, Enterprise and National airport terms reviewed for Costa Rica list major cards including:

• American Express.

• Discover.

• Mastercard.

• Visa.

The cards presented for the rental must be in the renter's name under the reviewed policies.

A credit card is particularly important because the security authorization is separate from simply paying the final rental balance.

Do not assume that:

• Cash can replace the required credit card.

• A debit card can replace the required credit card.

• A spouse's or travel companion's card can be used instead.

• Paying online eliminates the card requirement at pickup.

Some policies permit cash or debit cards for settling an outstanding final balance, but that does not mean those payment methods satisfy the authorization required to release the vehicle.

For more information, review Costa Rica car rental payment methods.

How Much Available Credit Should You Have?

The required authorization depends on the reservation.

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise airport policies reviewed for Costa Rica publish a US$500 security deposit plus the estimated cost of the rental.

The authorization is placed on the qualifying card at the beginning of the rental.

This means you should consider available credit, not simply the total rental price.

Do not treat US$500 as a universal amount for every rental company, location or reservation. Always check the authorization shown for the exact rental.

Can the Vehicle Category Change the Documents Required?

Yes.

This is particularly important when reserving larger vehicles.

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed for SJO and LIR state that renters selecting Standard SUV or higher categories must present at least two credit cards in the renter's name.

The listed categories include:

• Standard SUVs.

• Full-Size SUVs.

• Premium SUVs.

• Luxury SUVs.

• Pickup trucks.

• Vans.

• Commercial trucks where offered.

Under those current policies, one of the two cards must also meet the premium-card criteria specified by the rental location.

Travelers often focus on the number of passengers or luggage when upgrading to a larger rental vehicle and overlook this additional pickup requirement.

If you are considering one of these categories, review Why Some Costa Rica Rentals Require Two Credit Cards before reserving.

Do Both Credit Cards Have to Be in the Renter’s Name?

Yes, under the current Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed for the larger vehicle categories.

Do not plan to satisfy the two-card requirement with one card belonging to the main renter and another belonging exclusively to a spouse, friend or other passenger.

The policies state that the required cards must be in the renter's name.

Confirm the specific category requirement before travel because payment and card policies can change.

What Do Additional Drivers Need?

Every person who will drive the rental vehicle should bring a valid driver's license and be prepared to appear at the rental counter.

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise policies state that additional drivers must:

• Meet the applicable rental requirements.

• Appear at the rental counter.

• Present their driver's license.

• Be added to the rental agreement.

Do not allow an unlisted traveler to drive simply because that person has a valid license.

Additional-driver fees and other conditions can also apply separately.

Do Additional Drivers Need Their Own Credit Cards?

Do not assume that every additional driver has the same payment-card requirement as the main renter.

The principal card requirements generally apply to the renter opening the rental agreement.

However, some specific conditions can vary, and the current policies also contain additional provisions for Costa Rican citizens and certain vehicle categories.

If an additional driver will play a significant role in the rental arrangement, confirm the exact terms for the selected reservation rather than assuming the driver's license is the only requirement.

Do You Need Written Proof of Outside Coverage?

Bring written documentation if you plan to rely on qualifying outside coverage and the rental company permits it.

The current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica terms reviewed distinguish between liability involving third parties and protection related to damage, theft or loss of the rental vehicle.

The rental companies require acceptable proof when a renter seeks to rely on qualifying outside coverage under circumstances where the rental terms allow it.

For example, current Alamo airport terms state that renters presenting qualifying existing coverage in Costa Rica must provide acceptable proof. The same terms specifically require valid written proof of liability coverage that applies in Costa Rica when a renter seeks to satisfy the Third Party Liability requirement through outside coverage.

Do not arrive with only a general assumption that your credit card "covers rental cars."

Before travel:

• Contact the card issuer or insurance provider.

• Confirm that the coverage applies in Costa Rica.

• Ask for the required documentation in writing.

• Confirm what type of protection the document addresses.

• Verify with the rental location that the documentation will be accepted.

For Third Party Liability, CDW-TP, deductibles and protection packages, use the dedicated Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance Guide.

Does Credit Card Coverage Replace Third Party Liability?

Do not assume it does.

Credit-card rental benefits commonly focus on loss or damage involving the rented vehicle.

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica terms treat Third Party Liability separately and state that liability insurance associated with U.S. credit or debit cards is not an accepted substitute for the TPL requirement.

If you intend to use outside liability coverage, it must meet the rental company's requirements and the accepted written proof must specifically apply in Costa Rica.

This is why the phrase "my credit card includes rental insurance" is not enough information by itself.

What About Temporary Licenses or Renewal Documents?

Do not rely on them for pickup.

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise airport renter policies reviewed for Costa Rica require a valid, unexpired license and state that temporary driving permits or renewal documents are not accepted.

If your permanent license will expire shortly before or during your trip, complete the renewal early enough to travel with the final credential accepted by the rental company.

Can You Rent With a Photo or Photocopy of Your License?

Do not plan on it.

A personal photograph, photocopy or scanned image of a physical license is not the same as a government-issued digital driver's license.

Alamo Costa Rica currently asks for a physical license, while the Alamo, National and Enterprise airport policies reviewed require a valid, unexpired driver's license and reject certain temporary or renewal documents.

Bring the original credential whenever one is issued physically.

Pickup-Day Document Checklist

Keep the essential rental documents in your carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage.

Before heading to the rental counter, confirm that you have:

• Valid driver's license.

• Original passport.

• Qualifying credit card in the main renter's name.

• Second qualifying card if required for the vehicle category.

• Reservation confirmation.

• IDP or accepted translation when applicable.

• Written proof of outside coverage when applicable.

• Driver's licenses for all additional drivers.

Also make sure the required credit card has sufficient available credit for the rental authorization.

Before signing the agreement, confirm that the renter name, authorized drivers, vehicle category, return location, protection selections and card authorization correspond with the reservation.

Common Document Mistakes to Avoid

Several pickup problems can be prevented before traveling.

Do not arrive with:

• Only a photograph of a physical driver's license.

• An expired license.

• Only a temporary renewal document.

• Only an IDP without the original home-country license.

• A credit card belonging only to another traveler.

• Insufficient available credit.

• One card when the selected vehicle category requires two.

• A verbal assumption about outside insurance without the required documentation.

Reviewing the exact renter requirements before departure is considerably easier than trying to resolve a document problem at the rental counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main documents needed to rent a car in Costa Rica?

For most international travelers, prepare a valid driver's license, original passport, qualifying credit card in the main renter's name and reservation confirmation. An IDP, translation, second credit card or written insurance documentation can also be required depending on the license, vehicle and reservation.

Do I need the physical driver's license?

Bring it when your country issues a physical license. Costa Rican law recognizes an officially issued digital foreign license, but some current rental-company procedures still request a physical credential. A photograph or screenshot of a physical card should not be assumed to qualify.

Can I rent with a photocopy or photo of my driver’s license?

Do not rely on one. A personal copy or photograph is different from an officially issued digital driver's license. Current rental-company policies require a valid license and may specifically require the physical credential.

Do I need an IDP if my license is in English?

The Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica policies reviewed do not require an IDP simply because a valid foreign license is in English or another Latin-character format.

What if my driver’s license is in Arabic, Chinese or Cyrillic?

Current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica airport policies require an IDP or an accepted notarized English translation when the original license uses a non-Latin script. Bring the original license as well.

Is a foreign driver’s license valid for only 90 days in Costa Rica?

Not under the current Article 91. The legal period is tied to the visitor's authorized legal stay. Some current rental-company pages still display older 90-day wording, so travelers renting for more than 90 days should confirm the exact office's pickup policy.

Does every additional driver need a license?

Yes. Each additional driver must meet the applicable rental requirements, appear at the counter and present a valid driver's license to be added to the rental agreement.

Can I use someone else’s credit card for the rental deposit?

Do not assume so. Current Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed require cards presented for the rental to be in the renter's name.

Do some rental cars require two credit cards?

Yes. Current Alamo, Enterprise and National Costa Rica policies reviewed require two credit cards in the renter's name beginning with Standard SUV and certain higher vehicle categories. One must also satisfy the premium-card criteria specified by the rental location.

Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card?

Do not assume a debit card can replace the qualifying credit card required to open the rental. Some policies allow debit cards or cash for settling final balances, but that is different from the credit-card authorization required at pickup.

Should I bring a credit-card insurance letter?

Yes, when you intend to rely on qualifying outside coverage. Obtain written proof from the card issuer or insurer and confirm before travel that the rental location will accept it for the protection you intend to decline.

Prepare the Documents Before You Travel

A Costa Rica car rental can be straightforward when the required documents are prepared before arrival.

Start with the valid driver's license, passport and qualifying credit card. Then check whether your license format requires an IDP or translation, whether the selected vehicle requires two credit cards and whether outside coverage requires written documentation.

Finally, review the exact requirements for the rental brand, pickup office, vehicle category and rate.

Last reviewed: August 2026.