Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Costa Rica
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Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Costa Rica
Introduction
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed in Costa Rica, the minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21 years old.
Travelers ages 21 through 24 can rent, provided they meet the other renter requirements, but they fall within the young-driver or underage category and are charged an additional daily fee.
Current Costa Rica FAQs for Alamo, National and Enterprise publish that underage fee as US$10 per day.
Once the renter reaches age 25, that published 21–24 surcharge no longer applies.
Age policies are set by the rental company and location, so 21 should not automatically be treated as the minimum age for every car-rental company operating in Costa Rica.
Before booking, enter the renter's actual age and review the conditions attached to the selected vehicle, brand, pickup office and dates.
For the complete renter checklist, review the Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements.
Quick Answer
For Alamo, National and Enterprise in Costa Rica, travelers can currently rent from age 21.
Drivers ages:
21: Eligible, with young-driver fee.
22: Eligible, with young-driver fee.
23: Eligible, with young-driver fee.
24: Eligible, with young-driver fee.
25 and older: The published 21–24 young-driver surcharge no longer applies.
The current young-driver fee published by the Costa Rica FAQs for all three brands is US$10 per day.
The rental locations reviewed also state that there is no maximum rental age.
Other rental companies can use different minimum ages, age surcharges or vehicle restrictions, so always review the terms for the company actually providing the vehicle.
Quick Minimum-Age Information
Minimum Age – Alamo Costa Rica: 21
Minimum Age – National Costa Rica: 21
Minimum Age – Enterprise Costa Rica: 21
Young-Driver Age Band: 21 through 24
Current Published Young-Driver Fee: US$10 per day
Fee Ends: From age 25 under the currently published policy
Maximum Rental Age: No maximum stated in the reviewed Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica location policies
Additional Drivers: Must independently meet rental requirements
Minimum Age Is Universal Across Costa Rica: No
Vehicle Eligibility: Depends on the exact brand, office, vehicle and reservation requirements
What Is the Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
If you are renting through Alamo, National or Enterprise, the current Costa Rica location policies reviewed for San Jose Airport (SJO), Liberia Airport (LIR) and other locations state that the minimum rental age is 21 years old.
This means a 21-year-old can rent when all other requirements are satisfied.
The renter must still meet requirements involving:
Driver's license.
Passport.
Credit card.
Security authorization.
Vehicle eligibility.
Rental protections.
Reservation conditions.
Age alone does not guarantee that a particular reservation can be completed.
Travelers should use the Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements Guide before booking.
Why Do Some Rental Pages Say You Must Be 25?
This wording can cause confusion.
The Costa Rica FAQs for Alamo, National and Enterprise describe the standard requirement as being 25 while immediately explaining that drivers 21 through 24 are also allowed to rent when they pay the underage fee.
The individual rental-location age policies are clearer: they state that the minimum rental age is 21 and that drivers ages 21–24 incur an additional daily fee.
For practical planning:
21 is the minimum rental age.
25 is the age at which the published young-driver surcharge stops applying.
Travelers should therefore not interpret “25” as meaning that everyone younger than 25 is prohibited from renting.
Can You Rent a Car in Costa Rica Under 25?
Yes.
Being under 25 does not automatically prevent you from renting a car in Costa Rica.
With the Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed, travelers ages 21 through 24 are eligible renters when they meet the other requirements.
They simply fall into a young-driver pricing category.
For a complete explanation aimed specifically at younger travelers, see Renting a Car in Costa Rica Under 25.
How Much Is the Young-Driver Fee?
Current Costa Rica FAQs for Alamo, Enterprise and National publish an underage fee of US$10 per day for eligible drivers ages 21–24.
For example:
A 21-year-old renting for 3 days would have US$30 in young-driver charges.
A 23-year-old renting for 7 days would have US$70 in young-driver charges.
A 24-year-old renting for 10 days would have US$100 in young-driver charges.
These examples represent only the young-driver surcharge.
They are not complete rental quotes.
The total reservation can also include:
Base rental price.
Protection products.
Taxes.
Location-related charges.
Additional-driver fees.
One-way charges.
Optional equipment.
Other reservation-specific costs.
Always enter the renter's correct age when searching vehicles so the final terms can be reviewed accurately.
Does the Fee Apply at Age 24?
Yes.
A renter who is 24 years old remains within the published 21–24 young-driver category.
The additional age fee no longer applies under the currently published policy once the renter reaches 25.
Do not enter age 25 during the booking process if the driver will actually be 24 on the pickup date.
The age on the rental start date and the identification presented at pickup must support the reservation.
Can a 20-Year-Old Rent with Alamo, National or Enterprise?
Not under the current Costa Rica policies reviewed for these brands.
The minimum rental age is 21.
A traveler who is 20 should not assume that paying a larger young-driver surcharge will override the minimum-age requirement.
The underage fee applies to eligible renters ages 21–24. It does not create an exception for someone younger than the minimum.
Other rental companies can use different age rules, so travelers under 21 would need to research the exact company they are considering.
Can an 18-Year-Old Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
Not through the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations reviewed for this guide.
Their current minimum age is 21.
This does not mean Costa Rican law establishes one universal rental-car age of 21 for every company.
Rental eligibility is contractual, and individual rental companies can establish different age requirements.
A traveler younger than 21 should therefore verify eligibility directly with the company before making travel plans around a rental vehicle.
Is the Young-Driver Fee the Same for Alamo, National and Enterprise?
The current Costa Rica FAQs for all three brands publish US$10 per day for drivers in the 21–24 age band.
Their individual airport-location policy pages use more general wording, stating that an additional daily charge applies without necessarily displaying the amount in that section.
Because fees can change, the actual reservation terms should govern the transaction.
The most reliable process is:
Enter the correct renter age.
Select the exact pickup location.
Choose the actual vehicle.
Review the rate details.
Confirm all age-related fees before booking.
Is the Young-Driver Fee Charged Per Rental or Per Day?
The current policy describes it as a daily fee.
That means the total age surcharge increases with the length of the rental.
A traveler who is under 25 planning a long Costa Rica road trip should therefore include this amount when comparing:
Rental car.
Shared shuttles.
Private transportation.
Domestic flights.
Combination transportation.
The base vehicle rate alone does not represent the complete cost.
Do Additional Drivers Have to Be at Least 21?
Yes, under the Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed.
Additional drivers must meet the applicable renter requirements.
An older primary renter cannot simply add someone younger than the minimum age and allow that person to drive.
Every authorized driver must satisfy requirements involving:
Minimum age.
Driver's license.
Identification.
Rental agreement.
Any applicable young-driver requirements.
The additional driver must also be properly added to the rental contract.
Can Someone Over 25 Rent the Car and Let a 20-Year-Old Drive?
No, not under the reviewed policies.
The person driving the vehicle must be an authorized driver who meets the rental requirements.
Putting the reservation in the name of an older traveler does not make an underage person eligible to drive.
An unauthorized driver can also create serious contractual and protection problems if there is an accident or vehicle damage.
Only drivers properly approved and listed according to the rental agreement should operate the vehicle.
What If the Additional Driver Is 21–24?
The younger additional driver still needs to meet the rental requirements.
Age-related charges and additional-driver charges are separate policy items.
For example, adding a 23-year-old as a second driver does not automatically make the young-driver rule disappear simply because the primary renter is 35.
Review the exact reservation to determine which charges apply to each driver.
Is There a Maximum Age to Rent a Car?
The current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica location policies reviewed state that there is no maximum rental age.
An older traveler must still satisfy the ordinary rental requirements.
These can include:
Valid driver's license.
Passport when applicable.
Credit-card requirements.
Vehicle-category requirements.
Reservation conditions.
Age alone is therefore not presented as a maximum cutoff in the reviewed policies.
Can a 70-Year-Old Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
Under the Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed, there is no published maximum age preventing an otherwise eligible 70-year-old from renting.
The driver must still have a valid acceptable license and meet all other renter requirements.
The same principle applies to travelers in older age groups unless the specific reservation or rental company states otherwise.
Does Age Affect Which Car You Can Rent?
Do not assume every vehicle category has identical eligibility requirements.
The age-policy sections reviewed for Alamo, National and Enterprise do not publish a general Costa Rica rule prohibiting renters ages 21–24 from particular vehicle categories solely because of age.
However, vehicle eligibility can still depend on other requirements.
Certain larger or higher vehicle categories can have additional credit-card or renter qualifications.
For this reason, a 22-year-old should not choose a particular SUV, pickup, van or premium category based only on the general 21-year minimum.
Search the actual vehicle and review its specific terms.
Can Drivers Under 25 Rent an SUV?
Potentially, depending on the selected vehicle and reservation conditions.
The current age sections do not publish a blanket “no SUVs under 25” rule for the Costa Rica locations reviewed.
However, some higher categories can have separate payment or card requirements unrelated to the young-driver fee.
The exact vehicle terms control.
Choose the vehicle according to:
Road conditions.
Number of passengers.
Luggage.
Accommodation access.
Payment requirements.
Rental eligibility.
Do not automatically rent a larger vehicle simply because Costa Rica has rural roads.
The Costa Rica Driving Routes Guide can help determine the type of vehicle that fits the itinerary.
Does Being Under 25 Increase the Security Deposit?
The age policies reviewed do not publish a separate security-deposit amount specifically because the renter is 21–24.
The young-driver fee is a rental charge, not a replacement for the security deposit.
Normal deposit and card rules still apply.
Travelers should review:
Deposit amount.
Credit-card requirement.
Available credit.
Rental estimate.
Vehicle-category requirements.
before arriving at the counter.
Do Young Renters Still Need a Credit Card?
Yes, when the reservation terms require one.
Being 21–24 does not remove the normal payment and security requirements.
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica reservations reviewed, a qualifying credit card in the renter's name is an important pickup requirement.
Higher vehicle categories can have additional card requirements.
Review the Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements before making the reservation.
Driver's License Requirements for Young Renters
Young renters must satisfy the same driver's-license requirements that apply to other eligible renters.
The license should be:
Valid.
Acceptable to the rental company.
Appropriate for the vehicle being driven.
Presented in the required format.
Current Costa Rica FAQs also state that the license should have been issued for at least the applicable required period.
International renters should check whether their license format requires additional translation documentation.
For more detail, review Foreign Driver's Licenses in Costa Rica.
Passport Requirements
International renters should bring their original valid passport when required by the selected rental location.
The passport and driver’s license perform different functions.
The passport helps establish identity and immigration information.
The license demonstrates driving authorization.
Travelers should not assume that one document substitutes for the other.
See the Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements Guide for the complete document checklist.
Can an International Driving Permit Change the Minimum Age?
No.
An International Driving Permit does not allow someone younger than the rental company's minimum age to rent a vehicle.
An IDP is primarily a supporting translation document when applicable.
It does not override:
Minimum age.
Driver's-license validity.
Passport requirements.
Payment requirements.
Vehicle-category restrictions.
A 20-year-old cannot become eligible with these brands simply by presenting an IDP.
Renting at San Jose Airport Under 25
The current Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed for San Jose International Airport (SJO) list a minimum rental age of 21.
Drivers ages 21–24 incur an additional daily charge.
International travelers should also prepare their license, passport, credit card and reservation information.
Travelers arriving through the Central Valley can review San Jose Airport Car Rental for airport-specific pickup procedures.
Remember that SJO is located in Alajuela, not downtown San José.
Renting at Liberia Airport Under 25
Current Alamo, National and Enterprise policies for Guanacaste Airport / Liberia Airport (LIR) also publish:
Minimum rental age: 21.
Young-driver surcharge: ages 21–24.
No published maximum rental age.
Travelers arriving through Guanacaste can review the Liberia Airport Car Rental Guide.
Do not assume that airport pickup means the vehicle is physically parked outside the terminal.
The current Alamo, National and Enterprise airport procedures use a rental counter followed by transportation to the rental facility.
Airport or Local Rental Location?
Young travelers do not necessarily need to collect a car immediately after their international flight.
Costa Rica has rental locations at:
Major airports.
Regional airports.
Tourism towns.
Beach destinations.
Cities.
Selected hotels and resorts.
A traveler can therefore take a shuttle from the airport and rent a vehicle later when the road-trip portion actually begins.
This can reduce:
Rental days.
Young-driver fee days.
Airport-arrival driving.
Time spent with an unused vehicle.
Browse Costa Rica Car Rental Locations to compare pickup points.
How to Reduce the Cost When You Are Under 25
You cannot legitimately remove the age fee by entering an incorrect age or placing the booking in another person's name while planning to drive yourself.
However, you can reduce the total trip cost through better itinerary planning.
For example:
Rent only for the days you actually need a vehicle.
Take a shuttle to the first destination.
Collect the rental car locally later.
Return the car before spending several days at a walkable resort.
Compare one-way rentals with private transfers.
Compare the complete rental cost with shared transportation.
Because the US$10 fee is daily, reducing unnecessary rental days also reduces the total young-driver surcharge.
Example: 10-Day Trip but Only 5 Driving Days
Consider a 23-year-old visiting Costa Rica for 10 nights.
If the traveler rents a car for the entire 10 days, the current young-driver charge alone would be US$100.
If the traveler uses airport transportation first and only rents for five days, the age surcharge would be US$50.
Whether this approach is actually cheaper depends on shuttle costs, rental rates, one-way charges and the itinerary.
It demonstrates why travelers under 25 should compare the complete trip rather than automatically renting from airport arrival through departure.
Shared Shuttle or Rental Car for Travelers Under 25?
A rental car can still be worthwhile for younger travelers when the itinerary includes:
Several destinations.
Remote accommodations.
Independent day trips.
Rural areas.
Flexible schedules.
A shared shuttle may be more economical when the trip consists primarily of direct transfers between major tourism destinations.
Compare:
Rental car: vehicle rate + US$10/day young-driver fee + applicable protections + fuel + other charges.
Shared shuttle: per-person route fares with fixed schedules.
For two or more travelers taking multiple trips, a rental vehicle may still make financial sense even with the young-driver fee.
Private Transportation or Rental Car?
Private transportation can be attractive when:
The traveler does not want to drive.
The trip has only a few long transfers.
Airport arrival is late.
Mountain or rural driving is not appealing.
The rental car would sit unused for several days.
A rental car is usually more valuable when independent mobility will be used repeatedly.
The correct decision depends on the itinerary, not simply the renter's age.
Does an Additional Driver Make the Rental More Expensive?
Potentially.
Additional-driver fees and young-driver charges are separate.
If two travelers will drive, review:
Age of each driver.
Additional-driver charge.
Young-driver charge for each applicable driver.
License requirements.
Credit-card requirements.
Rental protection conditions.
Do not compare prices as though only the main renter's age matters when several people plan to drive.
Why Do Different Websites Show Different Minimum Ages?
Rental policies vary between companies.
Different websites may also be referring to:
Another rental brand.
Old information.
A different pickup country.
A different Costa Rica location.
Age before surcharges.
Minimum age for certain vehicle categories.
Minimum age without an underage fee.
This is why travelers can see both “21” and “25” while researching Costa Rica rentals.
For Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica, the current policy is best understood as:
Minimum eligible age: 21
Young-driver surcharge: ages 21–24
No 21–24 surcharge from age 25
Do All Costa Rica Rental Companies Use Age 21?
No.
The information in this guide applies specifically to the Alamo, National and Enterprise locations and policies reviewed.
Other companies can establish:
Lower minimum ages.
Higher minimum ages.
Different underage fees.
Different vehicle restrictions.
Different maximum-age policies.
Always identify the actual company fulfilling the reservation.
This is particularly important when booking through an online travel agency, broker or comparison website.
Booking Through a Third-Party Website
When using a broker or travel-booking website, verify which company will actually provide the vehicle.
A generic listing may show attractive pricing without making all renter rules equally prominent.
Before payment, confirm:
Rental company.
Pickup office.
Renter age.
Young-driver fee.
Vehicle category.
Deposit.
Insurance requirements.
Additional-driver conditions.
The actual rental agreement and location terms govern the vehicle handover.
What Drivers Ages 21–24 Should Check Before Booking
Before confirming a Costa Rica rental, verify:
Minimum age at the exact branch.
US$10 young-driver fee or other displayed age charge.
Driver's-license requirements.
Passport requirements.
Credit-card requirements.
Security deposit.
Vehicle eligibility.
Additional-driver fees.
Protection requirements.
One-way charges.
Pickup and return procedures.
Enter the real age of the driver during the reservation process.
Do not wait until the rental counter to discover that the total cost differs from the base price.
Young-Driver Checklist
Before traveling, make sure you have:
Valid driver's license.
Original passport when required.
Qualifying credit card.
Reservation confirmation.
Correct renter age on the booking.
Enough available credit for the required authorization.
Any IDP or translation required for your license format.
Details for all additional drivers.
Confirmation of the selected vehicle category.
Travelers can use Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements as the broader preparation checklist.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
Age is only one factor in selecting a Costa Rica rental vehicle.
The vehicle should also fit:
Passenger count.
Luggage.
Roads.
Accommodation access.
Weather.
Planned destinations.
A larger SUV is not automatically necessary throughout Costa Rica.
Likewise, choosing the cheapest small car is not always appropriate if the final accommodation is on a difficult rural access road.
Use the Costa Rica Driving Routes Guide before choosing the vehicle.
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, you must be at least 21 years old.
Other companies may have different minimum ages.
Can a 21-year-old rent a car in Costa Rica?
Yes.
Alamo, National and Enterprise currently allow eligible renters beginning at age 21.
A young-driver fee applies.
Can a 22-year-old rent a car?
Yes, under the reviewed Alamo, National and Enterprise policies.
The driver falls within the 21–24 underage-fee category.
Can a 23-year-old rent a car?
Yes.
A 23-year-old can rent if all other requirements are met and the applicable young-driver surcharge is paid.
Can a 24-year-old rent a car?
Yes.
Age 24 remains within the current young-driver category.
Do you have to be 25 to rent a car in Costa Rica?
Not with the Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed.
Eligible renters can begin at age 21.
Age 25 is the point at which the published 21–24 young-driver fee stops applying.
How much is the under-25 fee?
Current Alamo, Enterprise and National Costa Rica FAQs publish a US$10-per-day underage fee for eligible drivers ages 21–24.
Check the actual reservation because fees can change.
Does Enterprise Costa Rica charge an under-25 fee?
Yes.
Enterprise Costa Rica currently publishes a US$10-per-day fee for eligible drivers ages 21–24.
Does National Costa Rica charge an under-25 fee?
Yes.
National Costa Rica currently publishes a US$10-per-day fee for drivers in the 21–24 age category.
Does Alamo Costa Rica charge an under-25 fee?
Yes.
Alamo Costa Rica currently publishes an underage fee of US$10 per day for eligible renters ages 21–24.
Can a 20-year-old rent from Alamo in Costa Rica?
No, not under the current Alamo Costa Rica policy reviewed.
The minimum age is 21.
Can someone over 25 rent the car for a younger driver?
An older renter cannot legally bypass the rental requirements for the person who will actually drive.
Every authorized driver must satisfy the applicable minimum age and other rental requirements.
Can my 20-year-old child drive my rental car?
Not under the Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed.
A driver younger than the minimum age should not operate the rental vehicle.
Do additional drivers need to be 21?
Yes, under the policies reviewed.
Additional drivers must meet the rental requirements and be properly added to the agreement.
Does a 22-year-old additional driver pay both fees?
Potentially.
The additional-driver charge and young-driver charge are separate policy items.
Review the exact reservation for the charges that apply.
Is there a maximum age for renting a car?
The current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica location policies reviewed state that there is no maximum rental age.
Can a 75-year-old rent a car in Costa Rica?
The reviewed Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica policies do not impose a maximum age.
The renter must still meet all other license, card and reservation requirements.
Can drivers under 25 rent an SUV?
Potentially.
The reviewed age policies do not publish a blanket prohibition on SUVs for renters ages 21–24.
The specific vehicle can have other payment or eligibility requirements.
Does being under 25 increase the deposit?
The reviewed age-policy sections do not state a separate deposit simply because the renter is 21–24.
The normal security-deposit and credit-card requirements still apply.
Can an IDP let someone under 21 rent?
No.
An International Driving Permit does not override the rental company's minimum-age policy.
Is age 21 the minimum with every Costa Rica rental company?
No.
Age requirements are company-specific.
This guide focuses on Alamo, National and Enterprise.
Where can I rent a car in Costa Rica?
Rental locations are available at major airports, regional airports, cities and tourism destinations.
Browse Costa Rica Car Rental Locations.
Where can I learn more about renting under 25?
See the dedicated Costa Rica Under-25 Car Rental Guide.
Before You Reserve
If the main renter or any additional driver is 21 through 24, enter the correct age when searching for a vehicle and review the complete cost rather than only the advertised base rate.
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica policies reviewed:
Minimum rental age is 21.
Drivers 21–24 can rent.
The current published underage fee is US$10 per day.
The young-driver surcharge stops from age 25.
There is no published maximum rental age in the reviewed location policies.
Every additional driver must meet the applicable rental requirements.
Other companies may use different rules.
Before payment, verify the exact brand, pickup location, rate, vehicle category, driver age, young-driver fee, deposit, card requirements and additional-driver conditions.
For complete planning, review Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements, Renting a Car in Costa Rica Under 25, Costa Rica Car Rental Locations, and the Costa Rica Driving Routes Guide.
Last reviewed: August 30, 2026.
Rental age rules, young-driver fees, vehicle eligibility, credit-card requirements and location policies can change. The terms shown for the selected brand, pickup location, vehicle, rate and reservation govern the rental transaction.
