Costa Rica Car Rental Locations

Costa Rica has rental car locations far beyond San José and Liberia. Current official Alamo and National directories each list 64 locations, including international and regional airports, downtown branches, tourism towns, marinas, hotels and selected resorts. The best pickup point depends on where you plan to start driving, not simply where your flight lands. Check the exact branch, pickup process, one-way options and current rental terms before reserving.

Where can you rent a car in Costa Rica?

Travelers can collect rental cars at major airports, regional airports, city branches and many tourism destinations. Some locations are associated with hotels or resorts, and some branches offer pre-arranged delivery or collection.

Airport pickup works well for a road trip that starts immediately. If you are spending your first night near the airport or staying somewhere you do not need a car, collecting it later may reduce unnecessary driving and rental days.

Check current vehicle availability for your dates, pickup location and preferred return location. Review the terms for the exact branch and rate selected.

Costa Rica airport car rental locations

The main international-airport rental hubs are San José Costa Rica International Airport (SJO) and Liberia International Airport (LIR). Current location instructions for both airports show a rental-counter process after customs followed by a shuttle to the rental facility. Do not assume the vehicle itself is immediately outside the terminal.

The current network also includes locations associated with these regional airports:

Cóbano Airport (ACO)
Golfito Airport (GLF)
La Fortuna Airport (FON)
Limón Airport (LIO)
Nosara Airport (NOB)
Puerto Jiménez Airport (PJM)
Quepos Airport (XQP)
Tamarindo Airport (TNO)
Tobías Bolaños Airport (SYQ)

Regional-airport pickup can be useful when you fly domestically and only need a vehicle for part of the trip.

Popular car rental locations by region

San José and the Central Valley

Branches appear around Belén, downtown San José, Paseo Colón, Rohrmoser, Curridabat, Heredia, Cartago, Lindora and airport-area hotels. This makes it possible to stay near SJO or in San José and collect a vehicle the next morning.

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

Current directories include Liberia, Coco, Brasilito, Flamingo, Tamarindo, Sámara, Nosara, Nicoya, Las Catalinas and several Papagayo-area resorts. Cóbano and Malpaís add pickup options farther south on the peninsula.

Arenal, Monteverde and northern Costa Rica

La Fortuna has town and airport-related options, while Ciudad Quesada and Monteverde also appear in the current network. These locations can suit travelers who take a shuttle first and rent locally for day trips or the next stage of the itinerary.

Central and Southern Pacific

Rental locations are available in or near Jacó, Herradura and Los Sueños, Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Pérez Zeledón, Golfito, Puerto Jiménez and the Osa Peninsula.

Caribbean side

Current directories include Guápiles, Limón and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Local pickup can work well if you prefer organized transportation from the airport but want a car later.

Can a rental car be delivered to your hotel?

At some branches, yes. Current Alamo and Enterprise location policies show that delivery and collection can be available when arranged in advance, but service area, notice, cost and eligible accommodations vary by location. Some hotel or resort branches are also restricted to guests of that property.

Confirm the exact address and delivery terms when booking rather than assuming the same policy applies nationwide.

Is airport pickup always the best choice?

No. Airport pickup is useful when you want to begin driving immediately. A later pickup can be better when you arrive late, will stay near the airport, plan several car-free days, or prefer not to drive after a flight.

A hybrid itinerary can work well: use a private or shared shuttle for the arrival transfer, then collect a rental car in La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, Uvita or another destination with a local branch.

Can you return a rental car somewhere else?

Possibly, but not every branch combination permits it. Current Alamo terms state that one-way rentals must be booked in advance, are subject to availability and may have a one-way charge. Policies can differ by brand, vehicle and location.

Enter the intended pickup and drop-off points when searching. Do not build the itinerary around an unconfirmed one-way return.

How should you choose a rental location?

Before reserving, confirm:

Exact pickup and return locations.
Airport counter or shuttle instructions.
Opening and after-hours conditions.
Hotel delivery or collection availability.
One-way return availability.
Vehicle category and luggage capacity.
Coverage, payment and deposit terms for the selected rate.
Whether your route calls for extra ground clearance or four-wheel drive.

The closest location is not always the most practical if its hours, delivery rules or return options do not match your trip.

When a shuttle may be more practical

A rental car is useful for multi-stop itineraries, rural lodging and independent day trips. A shuttle may be simpler when you only need an airport-to-destination transfer, prefer not to drive after a flight, or will stay somewhere where most activities are walkable or tour-based.

You can also combine both: travel by shuttle first and rent locally when the car becomes useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many car rental locations are there in Costa Rica?

The current official Alamo and National Costa Rica directories each list 64 rental locations. They include airports, cities, tourism towns, hotel and resort branches, marinas and neighborhood locations. The exact network and availability can change.

What are the main airport car rental locations?

SJO and LIR are the principal international-airport rental locations. The current network also includes branches associated with ACO, GLF, FON, LIO, NOB, PJM, XQP, TNO and SYQ regional airports.

Can I rent a car in La Fortuna, Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio?

Yes. Current official directories include La Fortuna, Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio. Availability depends on your dates, vehicle category and branch, so search the exact pickup location before finalizing the itinerary.

Can a rental car be delivered to a hotel or vacation rental?

Some branches offer pre-arranged delivery and collection, but terms vary. Eligible distance, advance notice, fees and property types are not identical at every location. Confirm the exact address with the selected rental location.

Can I pick up at SJO and return at LIR?

A one-way rental may be possible, but it must be confirmed for the selected brand, dates and vehicle. Current Alamo terms state that one-way rentals are subject to availability and charges. Search SJO as pickup and LIR as return before relying on that plan.

Are all hotel and resort rental locations open to everyone?

No. Some current directories explicitly identify certain resort locations as guest-only. Check the exact branch name and eligibility before choosing it as a pickup or return point.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

Rental locations, operating conditions, delivery services, one-way availability and vehicle inventory can change. The terms displayed for the exact location, rate and reservation govern the rental transaction.

Costa Rica Car Rental Locations | Airports & Towns