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 documents they intend to use. Exact rules can vary by rental brand, pickup office, vehicle category and license format, so check the terms for the specific booking before travel.

What Documents Should You Bring?

For most international renters, prepare:

• A valid, unexpired driver’s license from your country of residence.

• Your original passport.

• The qualifying credit card required for the rental, 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 plan to rely on it.

• A valid license for every additional driver.

Alamo Costa Rica lists passport, valid driver’s license and credit card among its prerequisites and specifies a current physical license. National and Enterprise airport policies reviewed for SJO and LIR require a valid, unexpired license and a major credit card in the renter’s name.

Check current vehicle availability, then review the renter requirements for the exact pickup location and vehicle category.

Do You Need the Original Driver’s License?

Bring the original license whenever possible.

Current National and Enterprise SJO and LIR policies require a valid, unexpired license from the renter’s country of residence and state that temporary driving permits or renewal documents are not accepted. Alamo Costa Rica describes its requirement as a current physical license.

Costa Rican law is broader regarding officially issued digital licenses. Article 91 of the Traffic Law recognizes a foreign license for the same period as the visitor’s authorized legal stay and says a physical license cannot be required by law when the driver’s country officially issues that license digitally.

A rental company can still apply its own pickup requirements. If your country provides only a digital license, confirm acceptance with the exact location before arrival.

Do You Need a Passport?

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

Alamo Costa Rica explicitly lists a passport as a rental prerequisite. The National and Enterprise SJO and LIR renter-requirement sections reviewed focus on the driver’s license, age eligibility and credit card rather than listing a passport as a universal counter requirement.

Costa Rica’s tourism authority states that visitors must enter with a valid passport or accepted travel document and that the permitted length of stay is determined at entry.

Is an International Driving Permit Required?

Not for every traveler.

Current National and Enterprise Costa Rica policies require an International Driving Permit, or IDP, for licenses written in a non-Latin script such as Chinese, Arabic or Cyrillic, unless the renter provides the accepted notarized English translation described by the location. An IDP supplements the original license; it does not replace it.

Some rental-brand pages still show older 90-day wording for foreign licenses. Costa Rica’s amended Article 91 now ties legal foreign-license validity to the traveler’s authorized period of legal stay. Extended-stay travelers should verify both current law and the rental company’s pickup policy.

What Credit Card Should You Bring?

Bring the qualifying card in the main renter’s name and make sure it has enough available credit for the required authorization.

Current National and Enterprise SJO and LIR policies accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa and require cards presented to be in the renter’s name. Alamo Costa Rica likewise states that its security deposit must be made with the main driver’s credit card.

Do not assume cash, a debit card or another traveler’s card can replace the card required to open the rental agreement.

Can the Vehicle Category Change the Documents Required?

Yes. Higher vehicle categories can carry extra card requirements.

Current National and Enterprise SJO and LIR policies state that Standard SUV and higher categories, including larger SUVs, pickups and vans, require at least two credit cards in the renter’s name, with one meeting the premium-card criteria specified by the location.

Check the exact category terms before reserving a larger SUV, pickup or van.

What Do Additional Drivers Need?

Every person who will drive should bring a valid license and be prepared to appear at the counter.

Current National and Enterprise SJO and LIR policies state that additional drivers must meet the rental requirements, appear at the counter and present their driver’s license. Driver fees and other conditions are separate.

Do You Need Written Proof of Outside Coverage?

Only when you intend to rely on outside coverage and the rental location accepts it.

Alamo Costa Rica says renters using card or third-party coverage must verify that it applies and bring written proof. Current National and Enterprise Costa Rica airport terms also require acceptable proof when a renter seeks to rely on qualifying outside coverage instead of certain rental-company protections.

Ask the card issuer or insurer for documentation that identifies the applicable coverage and confirm acceptance before travel. For Third Party Liability, Collision Damage Waiver–Theft Protection and deductibles, use the dedicated Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance guide.

Pickup-Day Document Checklist

Keep your license, passport, qualifying payment card and any required coverage letter in your carry-on luggage. Have your reservation number and selected vehicle category available on your phone or in print.

Before signing, confirm that the main renter, authorized drivers, return location, vehicle category, card authorization and protection selections match the reservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

For an international traveler, the safest core set is a valid driver’s license, original passport and the qualifying credit card required in the main renter’s name. Extra documents can apply because of the brand, office, vehicle category, license format or outside coverage.

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

Do not rely on one. Alamo Costa Rica asks for a current physical license, while current National and Enterprise airport policies require a valid, unexpired license and reject temporary permits or renewal documents.

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

Current National and Enterprise Costa Rica policies do not impose an IDP requirement simply because a license is foreign when it uses Latin characters. Different documentation applies to non-Latin scripts.

Does every additional driver need a license?

Yes. Current National and Enterprise SJO and LIR policies require additional drivers to meet rental requirements, appear at the counter and present their driver’s license.

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

Do not assume so. Current National and Enterprise airport policies require cards presented to be in the renter’s name. Alamo Costa Rica states that the security deposit must be made with the main driver’s credit card.

Should I bring a credit-card insurance letter?

Yes, if you intend to rely on outside coverage and the rental location allows it. Bring written proof from the card issuer or insurer and verify before travel that it satisfies the location’s current requirements.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

Rental-document requirements can change by brand, office, renter, vehicle category and rate. The terms shown during booking and the final rental agreement govern the transaction.