Costa Rica Car Rental Payment Methods | Cards & Cash
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Accepted Payment Methods for Costa Rica Car Rentals
Introduction
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations reviewed in August 2026, a qualifying major credit card in the renter’s name is the principal payment instrument required when collecting a rental vehicle.
The current location policies reviewed accept major credit cards issued by:
American Express
Discover
Mastercard
Visa
A credit card is particularly important because the rental company uses it for the rental authorization and security deposit at pickup.
Debit cards can be accepted for eligible final payments, but travelers should not assume a debit card can replace the qualifying credit card required to collect the vehicle.
Cash treatment requires additional care. Current Costa Rica location policies reviewed for Alamo, National and Enterprise state that cash can be used to settle certain outstanding balances at the end of the rental. However, local Alamo and Enterprise FAQs explicitly describe credit and debit cards for final payment without giving the same broad cash wording. If you intend to pay in cash, confirm the procedure with your exact branch before pickup.
For the complete renter checklist, review the Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements.
Quick Answer
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed in Costa Rica, bring a qualifying major credit card in the main renter’s name.
The currently reviewed location policies accept:
American Express
Discover
Mastercard
Visa
The standard published security requirement is US$500 plus the estimated rental cost.
Debit cards may be accepted to pay an eligible balance when the rental closes, but they should not be treated as substitutes for the credit card needed for the initial security authorization.
Some larger vehicle categories have stricter requirements. Current Costa Rica policies reviewed for Standard SUV and higher categories require at least two credit cards in the renter’s name, with one meeting a specified premium-card requirement.
Quick Payment Information
Major Credit Cards Accepted: American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa
Cardholder: Cards presented must be in the renter’s name
Credit Card Required at Pickup: Yes under the Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed
Standard Security Deposit: US$500 plus estimated rental cost
Debit Card for Security Deposit: Do not rely on it; Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica specifically state that the security deposit must be on the main driver’s credit card
Debit Card for Final Payment: Accepted under the reviewed policies
Cash for Initial Deposit: No
Cash for Final Balance: Some location policies say yes; confirm the exact office because local FAQ wording is more restrictive
Standard SUV and Higher: Additional two-credit-card requirement applies under the policies reviewed
Virtual / Prepaid Cards: Do not rely on them without direct branch confirmation
Credit-Card Rental Coverage: Separate from payment eligibility and does not automatically satisfy all Costa Rica protection requirements
Which Credit Cards Are Accepted?
Current Costa Rica location policies reviewed for Alamo, National and Enterprise list the following major card networks:
American Express
Discover
Mastercard
Visa
Cards presented must be in the renter’s name.
This means the person named as the primary renter should arrive with the qualifying card that will be used for the rental authorization.
Do not assume a card belonging exclusively to:
A spouse.
Parent.
Friend.
Travel companion.
Employer.
Additional driver.
can automatically secure a rental booked in your name.
The renter requirements for the exact reservation control.
For a focused comparison of card types, read Credit Card vs Debit Card for Costa Rica Car Rentals.
Does the Credit Card Have to Be in the Renter’s Name?
Yes.
The Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica location policies reviewed state that all cards presented must be in the renter’s name.
This is particularly important for families and couples where one traveler normally handles all household payments.
For example, if the rental contract is in Alex’s name but the only qualifying credit card belongs to Jordan, do not assume the office can simply use Jordan’s card while leaving Alex as the renter.
Resolve the renter and payment-card arrangement before traveling.
If another person will be the principal cardholder and renter, that person must also meet the applicable:
Age requirements.
Driver’s-license requirements.
Passport requirements.
Vehicle requirements.
Rental conditions.
Why Is a Credit Card Required?
The credit card is not used only to pay the displayed rental price.
It also provides the financial authorization used to secure the rental.
At pickup, the rental company can authorize an amount that includes:
Estimated rental cost + security deposit
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations reviewed, the currently published standard deposit is US$500, in addition to the estimated rental cost.
This is why a traveler can have enough money to pay the rental price but still be unable to collect the vehicle if the credit card does not have enough available credit for the authorization.
Payment and Security Deposit Are Different
The rental payment and security deposit should not be treated as the same thing.
Rental Payment
This covers the charges associated with the rental agreement, which may include:
Vehicle rate.
Protection products.
Taxes.
Additional drivers.
Equipment.
One-way charges.
Fuel charges.
Other applicable items.
Security Deposit
The security deposit provides financial backing for the rental transaction.
Current Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica FAQs describe the deposit as an amount blocked on the main driver’s credit card.
The currently published baseline amount is:
US$500 + estimated rental cost
The authorization is established at the beginning of the rental.
For a broader explanation of deposits, cards and renter documents, review the Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements.
How Much Available Credit Do You Need?
You should have enough available credit to cover more than the advertised vehicle price.
For example, suppose your estimated rental total is US$700.
Under a US$500 baseline deposit structure, the card may need sufficient available credit for approximately:
US$700 estimated rental + US$500 deposit = US$1,200 authorization requirement
This is only an example.
The exact authorization can depend on:
Brand.
Branch.
Vehicle category.
Rate.
Rental duration.
Protection choices.
Outside coverage.
Additional charges.
Do not transfer or spend most of your card limit shortly before pickup without checking the available amount required for the rental.
Is the US$500 Deposit Universal?
Do not treat it as a universal Costa Rica car-rental rule.
The US$500 deposit is the amount currently published by the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations reviewed.
Another rental company can use a different deposit.
A different reservation, payment arrangement or future policy can also change the authorization requirement.
The correct figure is always the amount displayed or confirmed for the actual rental company, branch, vehicle and reservation.
Is the Deposit a Charge or an Authorization Hold?
Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica describe the security deposit as an amount that is blocked on the renter’s credit card.
This means it reduces available credit while the authorization remains active.
After the rental closes and there are no unresolved amounts, the rental company releases the authorization.
The renter’s bank can then take additional time to make that credit available again.
This distinction matters because the amount may appear differently depending on:
Bank.
Credit-card issuer.
Online banking interface.
Currency.
Authorization processing.
If you have a low credit limit, the temporary reduction in available credit can affect other spending during your trip.
How Long Does It Take for the Deposit to Be Released?
Current Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica FAQs state that the rental company releases the security deposit after the vehicle is returned.
They also warn that the renter’s bank may take approximately 3 to 10 business days to make the amount available again.
The exact timing is controlled partly by the financial institution.
Do not assume the credit will become available immediately when you hand back the keys.
If you need the same credit line for hotels, flights or another rental, plan accordingly.
Can You Rent a Car With a Debit Card?
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica policies reviewed, travelers should not plan on collecting the vehicle with only a debit card.
Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica specifically state that the security deposit must be placed on the main driver’s credit card and that a debit card cannot be used for that deposit.
National’s reviewed location policies likewise require a major credit card in the renter’s name at pickup.
A Visa Debit or Mastercard Debit logo does not automatically turn the card into a qualifying credit card.
If you have only a debit card, contact the exact rental office before making travel plans around the reservation.
For more detail, read Credit Card vs Debit Card for Renting a Car in Costa Rica.
When Can You Use a Debit Card?
A debit card can be useful when the rental is being closed.
Current Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica FAQs state that final rental payment can be made using a credit or debit card.
The Costa Rica location policies reviewed for Alamo, National and Enterprise also state that debit cards can be used to settle applicable outstanding balances at the end of the rental.
This creates an important distinction:
Pickup: qualifying credit card required.
Eligible final payment: debit card may be accepted.
Do not confuse those two stages of the rental.
Can You Pay With Cash?
Cash is not an acceptable substitute for the qualifying credit card used to secure the vehicle at pickup.
The current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica location pages reviewed say that cash may be used to settle outstanding balances at the end of the rental.
However, the local Alamo and Enterprise FAQs explicitly state that final rental payment may be made by credit or debit card and do not describe cash in the same way.
Because of that difference in published wording, travelers intending to pay in cash should confirm directly with the exact branch.
Do not arrive assuming:
“Cash accepted at end” = “I can rent without a credit card.”
You still need to satisfy the pickup authorization requirements.
Can You Pay the Entire Rental in Cash?
Do not plan on using cash as your only financial method.
Even where a branch allows an eligible final balance to be settled in cash, the initial rental security still requires the qualifying credit card under the policies reviewed.
A practical setup can therefore involve:
Credit card at pickup → eligible alternative payment at return
rather than a cash-only rental.
Can Someone Else Pay the Final Balance?
The reviewed policies require cards presented for the rental to be in the renter’s name.
If another traveler intends to pay the final bill, confirm that arrangement with the exact office.
Do not assume the branch will allow a payment card belonging to someone who is not the renter simply because that person is traveling in the same group.
The safest approach is for the main renter to have an accepted payment method available throughout the rental.
Do Some Vehicles Require Two Credit Cards?
Yes.
This is one of the most important payment requirements to review before selecting a larger vehicle.
Current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica policies reviewed apply an additional requirement beginning with Standard SUV and extending to categories including:
Standard SUVs.
Full-Size SUVs.
Premium SUVs.
Luxury SUVs.
Pickup trucks.
Vans.
Commercial trucks.
For these categories, renters must present at least two credit cards in their own name.
Travelers considering these categories should read Why Some Costa Rica Rentals Require Two Credit Cards before booking.
What Type of Credit Cards Are Needed for Larger Vehicles?
Under the reviewed policies, both cards must be in the renter’s name.
At least one must satisfy a specific premium-card requirement.
The current wording names qualifying Visa, Mastercard or American Express cards in the applicable Black or Infinite category.
This is narrower than the normal accepted-card list.
For a regular qualifying rental, Discover appears in the general accepted-card networks.
For the premium-card requirement associated with Standard SUV and higher categories, the policy specifically names Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
Always check the booked category, not just the example vehicle model.
Can the Second Card Be a Debit Card?
Do not assume so.
The published requirement says two credit cards.
A debit card that can be used for an eligible final payment should not automatically be counted as one of the two qualifying credit cards required for the larger vehicle category.
If you have only one credit card, choose a category whose financial requirements you can meet or contact the pickup office before booking.
Can the Second Credit Card Belong to Your Spouse?
Do not assume so.
The published requirement states that the cards must be in the renter’s name.
Two travelers generally cannot simply combine one card from each person to satisfy a rule requiring two cards belonging to the main renter.
Confirm any exception directly with the location before reserving the higher vehicle category.
Does Requiring Two Credit Cards Mean Two US$500 Deposits?
No.
These are separate requirements.
The reviewed policies publish a baseline US$500 security deposit plus the estimated rental cost and separately establish the two-card requirement for certain higher vehicle categories.
They do not state that a Standard SUV automatically requires two separate US$500 deposits merely because two cards are needed.
For a detailed explanation, read Why Some Costa Rica Rentals Require Two Credit Cards.
Which Vehicle Category Matters?
Rental fleets commonly use language such as:
Toyota RAV4 or similar
Toyota Fortuner or similar
Toyota Hilux or similar
The card requirement is associated with the reserved category, not a guaranteed make and model.
Do not decide that one credit card is enough merely because a particular example vehicle sounds smaller than expected.
Check the category shown on the reservation.
What If You Arrive With the Wrong Payment Card?
You may not be able to collect the reserved vehicle.
Possible problems include:
Card is not in the renter’s name.
Card is actually a debit card.
Available credit is insufficient.
Only one card is available for a category requiring two.
Premium-card requirement is not met.
Card issuer declines the authorization.
Do not assume the rental office can waive the requirement.
A different vehicle category may also not be available.
Confirm the payment conditions before traveling rather than trying to resolve them after an international flight.
What Happens If the Card Is Declined?
A valid credit card can still be declined.
Possible causes include:
Insufficient available credit.
Fraud-prevention block.
International transaction restrictions.
Incorrect PIN or verification requirement.
Bank security system.
Authorization amount exceeding the card limit.
Before traveling to Costa Rica, consider telling your issuer about the trip if your bank recommends travel notifications.
Also confirm the amount of available credit.
If the rental requires two cards, check both.
Should You Have a Backup Credit Card?
It can be useful.
A second qualifying card can help if your primary card encounters a bank authorization issue.
For some larger categories, a second card is not merely a backup—it is part of the published renter requirement.
Keep rental cards accessible when going to the counter rather than packing them in checked luggage.
Can You Use a Virtual Credit Card?
The Costa Rica location policies reviewed do not clearly establish virtual-only cards or mobile-wallet cards as substitutes for the qualifying physical credit card required at pickup.
Do not rely on:
Apple Pay.
Google Pay.
Virtual card number.
One-time-use card number.
App-only card.
without confirmation from the exact rental office.
The physical card and renter name remain important elements of the policies reviewed.
Can You Use a Prepaid Card?
Do not rely on a prepaid card to secure the rental unless the exact location explicitly confirms that it is acceptable.
The reviewed Costa Rica policies emphasize major credit cards in the renter’s name for the security authorization.
A prepaid card should not be assumed to have the same status as a qualifying credit card simply because it carries a Visa or Mastercard logo.
Can You Use a Corporate Credit Card?
If you intend to use a company card, check whether it satisfies the requirement that cards presented be in the renter’s name.
A corporate card showing the employee’s name may be treated differently from a card displaying only the company name.
Business travelers should resolve this question before pickup rather than assuming all corporate cards are accepted identically.
Does Paying With a Credit Card Include Rental Car Insurance?
No.
Payment eligibility and rental-car protection are separate issues.
A credit card can be accepted as a payment method without providing any relevant rental protection.
Another credit card may provide collision or theft benefits but still not satisfy all of the rental company’s Costa Rica protection requirements.
Some cards provide benefits for:
Collision damage.
Theft.
Loss of use.
Towing.
Actual coverage depends on:
Card issuer.
Card product.
Country.
Rental duration.
Vehicle type.
Payment requirements.
Benefit exclusions.
Review Can Credit Card Insurance Cover a Rental Car in Costa Rica? before relying on card benefits.
Does Credit-Card Coverage Replace Third Party Liability?
Do not assume so.
The current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica protection terms reviewed separate Third Party Liability (TPL) from protection related to damage to or theft of the rental vehicle.
The reviewed location policies specifically warn that liability insurance accompanying U.S. credit or debit cards is not accepted as substitute TPL coverage.
That means:
Accepted credit card ≠ automatic acceptance of the card’s insurance benefit for every rental requirement
Review the Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance Guide before deciding which coverage to accept or decline.
What If Your Credit Card Includes Collision Coverage?
Contact the card issuer before traveling.
Ask specifically whether the benefit applies to:
Costa Rica.
Your exact rental dates.
Selected vehicle category.
Rental duration.
Primary or secondary driver.
Theft.
Collision.
Loss of use.
Administrative charges.
Other relevant losses.
Also ask what documentation the insurer can provide.
The rental company and credit-card insurer have separate contractual relationships with you.
Do not assume a rental employee can determine what your outside card benefit covers.
Can Outside Coverage Change the Authorization?
Potentially.
Protection choices and outside coverage can affect financial responsibility and, in some cases, additional authorization requirements.
Current reviewed rental terms state that a renter who provides acceptable outside coverage and declines certain rental-company waivers can face additional credit-card authorization depending on the arrangement.
This is another reason available credit should be checked after choosing the protection setup, not simply based on the advertised car rate.
Renting at San Jose Airport
Travelers collecting a vehicle at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) should prepare the payment card before arrival.
The reviewed Alamo, National and Enterprise SJO terms publish:
Major credit card in renter’s name.
US$500 security deposit.
Estimated rental cost authorization.
Additional card qualification for Standard SUV and higher categories.
Review the San Jose Airport Car Rental Guide for pickup procedures, documents and other SJO-specific requirements.
Renting at Liberia Guanacaste Airport
Travelers arriving at Guanacaste Airport / Liberia Airport (LIR) should follow the same principle: review the exact renter and card requirements before landing.
The current Alamo, Enterprise and National LIR information used by Costa Rica Shuttles also publishes a US$500 security deposit plus the estimated rental cost.
Review the Liberia Guanacaste Airport Car Rental Guide.
Remember that LIR airport rental pickup involves the rental counter and company transportation to the vehicle facility rather than simply collecting a car immediately outside the terminal.
Does Renting Outside the Airport Change Payment Requirements?
Possibly, but do not assume it does.
The same payment wording appears across several current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica non-airport location pages reviewed.
However, renter requirements remain branch-specific.
Always select the real pickup office before deciding:
Which card to bring.
Deposit amount.
Whether two cards are required.
Whether cash can settle the final balance.
What payment method can be used.
Browse Costa Rica Car Rental Locations when comparing offices.
Should You Pay in Colones or Dollars?
Your credit-card statement conversion depends on how the transaction is processed and the terms of your card issuer.
Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica FAQs state that the applicable dollar exchange rate depends on the bank associated with the credit card.
Travelers should check:
Foreign transaction fees.
Currency conversion.
Card issuer exchange rate.
International authorization rules.
Do not assume a rental company controls the final conversion rate displayed on your credit-card statement.
International Transaction Fees
The rental company’s acceptance of your credit card does not mean the card issuer provides fee-free international transactions.
Your bank may charge:
Foreign transaction fee.
Currency conversion fee.
Other international-card charges.
Check the card terms before traveling.
For a significant rental total, a small percentage fee can become noticeable.
Using Discover in Costa Rica
The current Costa Rica rental-location policies reviewed list Discover among the accepted major credit-card networks.
However, travelers should still confirm the exact branch and reservation.
Remember that the special premium-card requirement for Standard SUV and higher categories specifically names qualifying Visa, Mastercard or American Express cards, so general Discover acceptance should not be confused with that separate vehicle-category rule.
Using American Express
American Express appears on the current general accepted-card list.
It also appears among the card networks identified in the higher-category premium-card requirement.
The card must still satisfy:
Renter-name requirement.
Available-credit requirement.
Applicable premium-card category when required.
Bank authorization.
Using Visa or Mastercard
Visa and Mastercard are both included in the current general accepted-card list.
They are also among the networks that can satisfy the specified premium-card requirement for higher vehicle categories when the card meets the applicable classification.
A Visa or Mastercard debit card should not be treated as equivalent to a credit card solely because it has the same network logo.
What Should You Do Before Leaving Home?
Before your Costa Rica trip:
Confirm the card is in the renter’s name.
Check that the card has not expired.
Confirm sufficient available credit.
Check foreign-transaction settings.
Review international fraud settings.
Verify whether your vehicle requires two cards.
Confirm whether a premium card is required.
Save the reservation terms.
Bring a backup card when possible.
Contact the branch if your payment situation is unusual.
Doing this before travel is considerably easier than resolving a payment issue at the counter.
Common Payment Mistakes to Avoid
Do not assume that a debit card is acceptable for the security deposit because it displays a Visa or Mastercard logo.
Do not assume that cash eliminates the need for a credit card.
Do not use another traveler’s credit card for a reservation in your name without confirming acceptance.
Do not reserve a Standard SUV or higher category without reviewing the two-card requirement.
Do not compare only the vehicle’s base daily price.
Do not forget that the credit-card authorization reduces available credit.
Do not assume credit-card rental benefits automatically satisfy Costa Rica liability requirements.
Do not rely on a virtual or prepaid card without confirmation.
Payment Checklist Before Pickup
Before collecting the vehicle, confirm:
Correct rental brand.
Exact pickup location.
Main renter’s name.
Accepted credit-card network.
Available credit.
Estimated rental total.
US$500 baseline deposit where applicable.
Whether two credit cards are required.
Whether a premium card is required.
Debit-card final-payment policy.
Cash policy if applicable.
Protection selection.
Outside-coverage documentation.
Foreign transaction considerations.
For the broader preparation list, use Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit cards are accepted for Costa Rica car rentals?
The Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations reviewed currently list:
American Express.
Discover.
Mastercard.
Visa.
Cards presented must be in the renter’s name.
Is a credit card required to rent a car in Costa Rica?
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise policies reviewed, a qualifying credit card in the renter’s name is required for the rental authorization at pickup.
Other rental companies may use different policies.
Can I rent a car with only a debit card?
Do not plan on it with the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica policies covered here.
Alamo and Enterprise specifically state that the security deposit must be placed on the main driver’s credit card, while National’s reviewed policies require a major credit card at pickup.
Can I use a Visa debit card?
A Visa logo does not make a debit card equivalent to a credit card.
The qualifying pickup card needs to satisfy the location’s credit-card requirement.
Can I pay with a debit card at the end?
Yes, under the current Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica FAQs and the location policies reviewed.
A debit card can settle eligible final balances even though it does not replace the qualifying credit card required for the security deposit.
Can I pay the final bill in cash?
Some current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica location policies state that cash can settle outstanding balances at the end.
However, local FAQ wording is not identical and explicitly discusses credit/debit payment.
Confirm cash acceptance with the exact pickup branch before relying on it.
How much is the Costa Rica car-rental deposit?
The Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed currently publish a US$500 security deposit plus the estimated rental cost.
The actual reservation terms should always be checked.
Is the US$500 deposit charged to my card?
Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica describe it as an amount blocked or authorized on the credit card as security for the vehicle.
It reduces available credit until the authorization is released and processed by the bank.
How long does it take for the deposit to return?
Current Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica FAQs state that the rental company releases the deposit after the rental closes, while the cardholder’s bank may take approximately 3–10 business days to make the amount available again.
What if the deposit is accidentally processed on a debit card?
Current Alamo and Enterprise FAQs warn that a refund involving a debit card can take significantly longer, potentially up to 30 days.
Does the card have to belong to the driver?
The reviewed policies state that cards presented must be in the renter’s name.
The main renter should therefore arrive with the qualifying card required for the reservation.
Can I use my spouse’s credit card?
Do not assume so if the card is not in the renter’s name.
Confirm the renter/cardholder arrangement with the exact branch before pickup.
Do I need two credit cards?
Not for every vehicle.
Current policies reviewed require two credit cards beginning with Standard SUV and higher categories, including certain larger SUVs, pickups and vans.
What cards do I need for a Standard SUV?
The reviewed policies require at least two credit cards in the renter’s name.
At least one must meet the specified Visa, Mastercard or American Express premium-card qualification.
Review Why Some Costa Rica Rentals Require Two Credit Cards before booking.
Can the second card be a debit card?
Do not assume so.
The policy calls for two credit cards.
Can the second card belong to another driver?
Do not assume so.
The published requirement says the cards must be in the renter’s name.
Does a larger vehicle require a larger security deposit?
The reviewed policies publish the same US$500 baseline deposit for all vehicle categories.
The two-credit-card requirement is separate.
Other authorization amounts can still apply depending on the reservation and protection selections.
Can I use Apple Pay or a virtual card?
The Costa Rica policies reviewed do not clearly establish virtual-only cards or mobile wallets as substitutes for the qualifying pickup card.
Confirm directly with the rental office before relying on them.
Can I use a prepaid Visa or Mastercard?
Do not assume that a prepaid card qualifies for the initial rental authorization.
Bring the type of major credit card specified by the rental location.
Does paying with a credit card automatically include insurance?
No.
Payment eligibility and rental-car protection are separate.
Some cards provide rental benefits, but coverage must be verified with the issuer.
Can my credit-card insurance replace Costa Rica rental coverage?
It depends on the type of coverage and rental terms.
Credit-card collision benefits do not automatically satisfy Third Party Liability requirements.
Review Credit Card Rental Car Insurance in Costa Rica and the Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance Guide.
What payment method should I bring to SJO?
Bring a qualifying major credit card in the main renter’s name and sufficient available credit for the rental authorization.
Review San Jose Airport Car Rental for the exact SJO pickup requirements.
What payment method should I bring to LIR?
Bring the qualifying credit card required by your reservation.
Review Liberia Guanacaste Airport Car Rental before arrival.
Before You Reserve
For the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations reviewed, the safest payment preparation is to bring a qualifying major credit card in the main renter’s name with enough available credit for the estimated rental and security authorization.
The currently reviewed standard payment framework is:
Accepted major cards: American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa
Security deposit: US$500 plus estimated rental cost
Debit card: useful for eligible final payment, but not a substitute for the initial qualifying credit card
Cash: not a substitute for the security card; final-payment acceptance should be confirmed with the branch
Standard SUV and higher: additional two-credit-card requirement
Remember that payment method, security deposit and rental-car protection are separate parts of the transaction.
Before payment, review the Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements, Credit Card vs Debit Card Guide, Two Credit Cards Guide, and Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance Guide.
Travelers collecting at Costa Rica’s main international airports should also review San Jose Airport Car Rental or Liberia Guanacaste Airport Car Rental.
Last reviewed: August 30, 2026.
Payment methods, security deposits, authorization amounts, accepted cards and vehicle-category requirements can change by rental brand, branch, rate, vehicle and travel date. The terms shown for the actual reservation and signed rental agreement govern the transaction.
