Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Costa Rica

Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Costa Rica

For the Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed in Costa Rica, the minimum rental age is 21. Drivers ages 21 through 24 are subject to an additional daily young-driver fee. Alamo Costa Rica currently publishes that fee as US$10 per day; the Enterprise and National location pages reviewed confirm an additional daily fee but do not state the amount. Other rental companies may use different age rules.

What Is the Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?

If you are booking through Alamo, National or Enterprise in Costa Rica, plan on a minimum renter age of 21.

Current airport policies reviewed for San José International Airport (SJO) and Liberia International Airport (LIR) state that renters must be at least 21 years old. The same policies state that drivers ages 21 through 24 incur an additional daily fee.

Published policies from other rental companies can differ, so 21 should not be treated as a universal rule for every company in Costa Rica.

[CAR RENTAL BOOKING WIDGET]

Search vehicles for your travel dates, enter the renter's correct age, and review the exact rate and location terms before confirming.

Can You Rent a Car in Costa Rica Under 25?

Yes. Being under 25 does not automatically prevent you from renting with Alamo, National or Enterprise in Costa Rica.

For the locations reviewed, renters ages 21, 22, 23 and 24 are eligible but fall into the young-driver age band. Alamo Costa Rica's current FAQ lists the underage fee as US$10 per day. Enterprise and National state that an additional daily fee applies to ages 21–24, but their reviewed location pages do not publish a specific amount.

Once the renter is 25, the published 21–24 surcharge no longer applies.

Can a 20-Year-Old Rent with Alamo, National or Enterprise?

Not under the current Costa Rica location policies reviewed for these three brands. Their published minimum rental age is 21.

A traveler younger than 21 should not assume an extra fee will override the minimum. Other rental companies may use different age thresholds, so travelers under 21 must verify eligibility directly with the company they are considering.

Is the Young-Driver Fee the Same for Every Brand?

No. Treat the surcharge as brand- and location-specific.

Alamo Costa Rica currently publishes a US$10-per-day underage fee for eligible drivers under 25. Current Enterprise and National Costa Rica location pages confirm an additional daily fee for drivers ages 21–24 but do not give the amount in the policy text reviewed for this guide.

Use the booking terms for the exact location, dates and rate to determine the final charge.

Do Additional Drivers Have to Meet the Same Age Requirement?

Yes. At the reviewed Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations, additional drivers must meet the rental requirements.

An older primary renter therefore does not automatically allow a person under the minimum age to drive. Every authorized driver must satisfy the applicable age and driver's-license conditions and be properly added to the agreement.

Additional-driver charges and young-driver charges are separate policy items. Check the reservation to determine which fees apply.

Is There a Maximum Rental Age?

The current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica location policies reviewed for this page state that there is no maximum rental age.

Older renters must still satisfy the normal requirements, including a valid driver's license, payment-card rules and any conditions attached to the reservation.

Does Age Affect Which Vehicle You Can Rent?

Do not assume every vehicle category has identical eligibility rules.

The Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica age sections reviewed publish the 21-year minimum and the 21–24 young-driver fee, but they do not provide a separate nationwide list of vehicle categories prohibited specifically for renters ages 21–24.

Vehicle eligibility can still depend on the brand, branch, rate, payment requirements and category. Verify the selected vehicle before planning around a specific SUV, pickup, van or premium category.

What Should Drivers Ages 21–24 Check Before Booking?

Before reserving, verify:

• The minimum age at the exact pickup location.

• The young-driver fee shown for the reservation.

• Whether every additional driver meets the age requirement.

• Driver's-license and passport requirements.

• Credit-card and security-deposit requirements.

• Any vehicle-category restrictions.

• Insurance and liability terms.

Compare the complete reservation conditions rather than only the base vehicle rate.

Why Do Some Websites Give Different Minimum Ages?

Rental-company policies are not identical.

Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed for this guide publish a minimum age of 21, while another international rental company currently publishes a lower minimum for some Costa Rica rentals. Companies may also distinguish between the minimum rental age, the age at which a surcharge applies and higher thresholds for certain vehicle categories.

Always check the company and location actually handling the reservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to rent a car in Costa Rica?

For the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations reviewed in August 2026, you must be at least 21 years old. Other rental companies may publish different minimum ages, so check the company and pickup location before booking.

Can a 21-year-old rent a car in Costa Rica?

Yes, with the Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed for this guide. A 21-year-old falls within the 21–24 young-driver age band and is subject to an additional daily fee.

How much is the under-25 fee in Costa Rica?

There is no single amount for every rental company. Alamo Costa Rica currently publishes a US$10-per-day underage fee. Enterprise and National location policies reviewed for this page confirm an additional daily fee for ages 21–24 but do not publish the amount in that section.

Can someone over 25 rent the car and let a 20-year-old drive?

Not under the reviewed Alamo, National and Enterprise policies. Additional drivers must meet the rental requirements, so an underage or unauthorized person should not drive simply because someone older signed the agreement.

Is there a maximum rental age?

The current Costa Rica location policies reviewed for Alamo, National and Enterprise state that there is no maximum rental age. The renter must still satisfy the other license, payment and reservation requirements.

Does the young-driver fee apply to additional drivers?

Additional drivers must meet the applicable age requirements. Young-driver and additional-driver charges are separate policy items, so review the exact reservation to see which charges apply to each driver.

Search current vehicle availability once you know who will be the main renter and which travelers need to be authorized drivers. Review the exact age policy and young-driver charge before confirming.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

Rental age rules, fees, vehicle eligibility and location policies can change. The terms displayed for the selected brand, pickup location, rate and reservation govern the rental transaction.