Costa Rica Car Rental Payment Methods | Cards & Cash

Accepted Payment Methods for Costa Rica Car Rentals

For the Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica locations reviewed in August 2026, major credit cards are the primary payment method required at pickup. American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa are accepted, and cards presented must be in the renter’s name. Debit cards and cash may settle certain balances at the end, but travelers should not rely on them for the initial security deposit.

Which Credit Cards Are Accepted?

The current Alamo, National and Enterprise Costa Rica location policies reviewed accept:

• American Express

• Discover

• Mastercard

• Visa

Cards presented must be in the renter’s name. At pickup, a qualifying credit card is required for the estimated rental amount and security authorization established by the location.

Search current vehicle availability, then review the payment rules for the exact brand, pickup office, vehicle category and rate before confirming.

Can You Rent a Car With a Debit Card?

A debit card may be accepted for final payment, but it should not be treated as a substitute for the credit card required to secure the rental.

Alamo Costa Rica and Enterprise Costa Rica currently state that the security deposit must be placed on the main driver’s credit card and that debit cards are not accepted for that deposit. Their FAQs allow credit or debit cards for payment at the end of the rental.

National’s current San José Airport policy similarly allows debit cards to settle outstanding balances at the end while requiring a major credit card in the renter’s name at pickup.

If you only have a debit card, confirm eligibility with the exact rental office before relying on the reservation.

Can You Pay With Cash?

Cash is not a substitute for the credit card required to secure the vehicle.

The Alamo, National and Enterprise location policies reviewed state that cash may be used to settle outstanding balances at the end of the rental. Because local FAQs do not describe cash payment as broadly as the location policies, confirm with the pickup office if you intend to pay a final balance in cash.

Payment vs. Security Deposit

The rental payment and security deposit are different.

The rental payment covers the vehicle and applicable charges. The deposit is a credit-card authorization used as financial security during the rental.

Current Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica FAQs publish a baseline security requirement of US$500 plus the estimated rental cost and state that it must be placed on the main driver’s credit card. The reviewed Alamo, National and Enterprise location policies also publish a US$500 deposit in addition to the estimated rental cost.

Other circumstances can require additional authorization, so the final amount should always be checked in the reservation terms.

Does the Credit Card Have to Be in the Renter’s Name?

Yes. The reviewed policies state that all cards presented must be in the renter’s name.

Do not plan to arrive with only a spouse’s, parent’s, friend’s or another person’s card. The main renter should have the qualifying credit card available at pickup together with the required license, passport and reservation information.

Do Some Vehicles Require Two Credit Cards?

Yes. Some higher vehicle categories have additional card requirements.

The current Alamo, National and Enterprise San José Airport renter requirements state that Standard SUV and higher categories, including specified larger SUVs, pickups and vans, require at least two credit cards in the renter’s name. One must be a Visa, Mastercard or American Express in the Black or Infinite category.

This is a location- and category-specific requirement, so verify it before booking a larger or premium vehicle.

How Much Available Credit Do You Need?

Available credit must cover the authorization required at pickup, not merely the base rental price.

Under the reviewed policies, the normal authorization includes the estimated rental cost plus a US$500 deposit. Certain protection choices can produce additional authorization requirements.

Check the card’s available credit before pickup. A valid card with insufficient available credit may still prevent the rental from being completed.

Is the Deposit a Charge or a Hold?

The local Costa Rica FAQs describe the security deposit as an amount blocked on the renter’s credit card.

The rental company releases the authorization after the vehicle is returned and the rental is closed, subject to unresolved charges. Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica advise that the renter’s bank may take several business days to restore the available amount.

Can You Use a Virtual or Prepaid Card?

The official Costa Rica policies reviewed do not clearly establish virtual-only cards, prepaid cards or mobile wallets as substitutes for the qualifying credit card required at pickup.

Do not rely on these methods without confirmation from the exact rental location.

Does Paying by Credit Card Include Rental Coverage?

No. Payment method and rental-car protection are separate issues.

A credit card may offer rental-vehicle coverage, but that depends on the issuer, card product, vehicle, country and coverage terms. Confirm the benefit directly with the card issuer and verify the rental company’s requirements before relying on outside coverage.

Payment Checklist Before Pickup

Verify:

• The credit card is in the renter’s name.

• The card network is accepted.

• Available credit is sufficient for the rental and authorization.

• Any two-card requirement for the selected vehicle.

• Whether debit or cash can be used for the final balance.

• The exact deposit and payment rules for the reservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit cards are accepted for Costa Rica car rentals?

The Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa. Cards presented must be in the renter’s name. Always verify the exact pickup location because policies can change.

Can I rent a car in Costa Rica with only a debit card?

Do not assume so. Alamo and Enterprise Costa Rica require the security deposit on the main driver’s credit card, while debit cards may be used for final payment. National’s reviewed location policy also requires a major credit card at pickup.

Can I use cash to rent a car?

Cash may settle an outstanding balance at the end at the locations reviewed, but it does not replace the qualifying credit card required to secure the rental at pickup.

Does the credit card need 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 credit card required by the reservation.

How much is the security deposit?

The reviewed Alamo, National and Enterprise policies publish a US$500 deposit plus the estimated rental cost. Additional authorization can apply depending on the rental terms and protection choices.

Can I pay with a debit card when I return the car?

Yes, the policies reviewed allow debit cards to settle applicable balances at the end. That does not mean a debit card can replace the credit card required for the initial security deposit.

Can I use someone else’s credit card for the deposit?

Do not plan on it. The reviewed policies require cards to be in the renter’s name, and the local Alamo and Enterprise FAQs specifically require the main driver’s credit card for the security deposit.

Review your card and available credit before booking, then check current vehicle availability and the exact payment terms for your dates and pickup location.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

Payment methods, deposits and card requirements can vary by brand, office, vehicle category, rate and date. The terms shown for the actual reservation govern the transaction.