Passport and Entry-Stamp Requirements for Car Rentals

Passport and Entry-Stamp Requirements for Car Rentals in Costa Rica

International renters should bring their valid passport to vehicle pickup in Costa Rica. Alamo Costa Rica lists a passport among its rental prerequisites and advises travelers to verify that it shows the date-of-entry stamp. This matters because Costa Rican law ties the period in which a visitor may drive on a foreign license to the traveler’s authorized legal stay. Requirements can vary by brand and location.

Do You Need a Passport to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?

International travelers should plan to present their original valid passport when collecting a rental car. The passport does not replace the driver’s license; it provides identity and immigration information.

Alamo Costa Rica currently lists a passport, valid driver’s license and credit card among its rental prerequisites. Enterprise and National publish their own renter requirements, so check the terms for the exact brand and pickup office selected.

Do not assume a photocopy or phone image can replace the original at the rental counter.

Check current vehicle availability, then review the renter requirements for your selected brand, pickup office and travel dates.

Why Does the Costa Rica Entry Stamp Matter?

For visitors driving with a foreign license, the entry date and immigration status help establish how long the person is legally authorized to remain—and therefore drive—in Costa Rica.

Article 91 of Costa Rica’s Traffic Law states that qualifying foreign-license holders may drive the same vehicle type authorized by their license for a period identical to their authorized legal stay. Costa Rica’s official tourism guidance says the maximum legal stay is determined by immigration at entry.

Alamo Costa Rica specifically advises renters to verify that their passport contains the stamp showing the date of entry.

Is the Legal Driving Period Still Limited to 90 Days?

Costa Rican law no longer uses a blanket 90-day rule for every visitor. The current Article 91 links foreign-license driving privileges to the period authorized for the traveler’s legal stay.

Some rental-company location pages still publish 90-day wording. Follow the current Costa Rican statute for the legal driving rule while also complying with any separate document requirements imposed by the rental company and pickup location.

What Should the Entry Stamp Show?

The practical purpose of the entry record is to establish when you entered Costa Rica and the period of stay authorized to you.

Costa Rica’s official tourism guidance says immigration determines the maximum legal stay and may indicate a different authorized period in the passport. It also recommends keeping a copy of the passport page containing the entry stamp during the trip.

What If Your Passport Has No Visible Entry Stamp?

Contact the exact rental office before pickup and ask what documentation it will accept to verify lawful entry and authorized stay.

Do not assume a boarding pass, passport photo or other travel record will substitute unless that office confirms it.

Do You Need to Carry the Passport While Driving?

Costa Rica’s official tourism guidance recommends carrying a photocopy of the passport with the entry stamp during your stay. Rental pickup is different: bring the original passport when the rental company requires it.

Keep your passport information, foreign driver’s license and rental agreement accessible and secure.

Passport and Entry-Stamp Checklist Before Pickup

Before collecting the vehicle, confirm that you have:

• Your original valid passport.

• Your valid driver’s license in the format accepted by the rental location.

• A visible Costa Rica entry stamp, or documentation the office has confirmed it will accept if the stamp is missing or unclear.

• The credit card and payment documentation required by the rental terms.

• Your reservation details.

• Backup copies of important travel documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume a passport copy will be accepted at pickup because it is convenient to carry while traveling. Do not rely on an old statement that every foreign license is valid for exactly 90 days. Do not assume Alamo, National and Enterprise—or every Costa Rica rental office—use identical document rules.

Review the terms attached to the exact reservation and resolve any passport or immigration-status question before pickup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a passport required to rent a car in Costa Rica?

International renters should expect to present a valid passport. Alamo Costa Rica expressly lists a passport among its rental prerequisites. Check the specific reservation for other brands and offices because counter requirements can vary.

Why does a rental company need my Costa Rica entry stamp?

The entry record helps establish when you entered the country and your lawful stay. Under the current Costa Rican Traffic Law, driving with a qualifying foreign license is tied to the period authorized for your legal stay.

Can I rent a car with a photocopy of my passport?

Do not assume so. Costa Rica’s tourism authority recommends carrying a copy of the passport and entry stamp during your stay, but that is different from a rental pickup requirement. Bring the original when required.

What if immigration did not stamp my passport?

Contact the exact rental office before pickup and ask what it will accept to verify your entry and authorized stay. Do not assume that a boarding pass, screenshot or other travel document will automatically be accepted.

How long can I drive with my foreign license?

Current Article 91 allows qualifying visitors to drive the vehicle type authorized by their foreign license for the same period as their authorized legal stay in Costa Rica. The license must also remain valid and meet the rental company’s requirements.

Do Alamo, National and Enterprise have identical passport rules?

Do not assume they do. Alamo Costa Rica expressly lists a passport and publishes guidance about the entry-date stamp. Enterprise and National publish their own renter requirements by location, so review the terms attached to the selected reservation.

Before You Pick Up Your Rental Car

Check your passport, entry documentation and driver’s license before traveling to the rental office. If the entry stamp or authorized stay is unclear, confirm acceptable documentation with the selected location in advance.

Search vehicles for your travel dates and review the current rental terms before booking.

Last reviewed: August 2026.