Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements

Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements

To rent a car in Costa Rica, international travelers should arrive with a valid driver’s license, passport, a major credit card in the main renter’s name, and any coverage documents required for the reservation. The Alamo, National and Enterprise airport policies reviewed allow rentals from age 21, with an additional fee for drivers ages 21–24. Exact requirements can vary by brand, location, vehicle category and rate.

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

Prepare these items before pickup:

• A valid driver’s license for the vehicle type you are renting.

• Your passport and legal entry information.

• A major credit card in the main renter’s name.

• Your reservation confirmation.

• Written proof of outside coverage if you plan to rely on it.

Bring the physical driver’s license whenever possible. Costa Rican law recognizes certain foreign licenses issued digitally, but a rental company may apply stricter pickup requirements.

Search vehicles for your dates, then review the renter requirements, deposit, payment rules and protection terms for the exact brand and pickup location.

What Is the Minimum Rental Age?

For the Alamo, National and Enterprise San José Airport policies reviewed in August 2026, the minimum rental age is 21. Drivers ages 21–24 are subject to an additional daily fee.

Alamo Costa Rica’s FAQ currently quotes a US$10-per-day underage fee. National and Enterprise state that an additional fee applies but do not publish the amount on the SJO policy pages reviewed. Check the price shown for your reservation rather than assuming one fee applies everywhere.

What Driver’s License Do Tourists Need?

Costa Rican law allows visitors with a valid foreign driver’s license to drive the same vehicle type authorized by that license for the period of legal stay granted in Costa Rica. This replaces older guidance that limited foreign-license use to 90 days.

An International Driving Permit, or IDP, is not normally necessary when the rental company accepts your home-country license. Current National and Enterprise policies state that an IDP or notarized English translation is required when the license uses a non-Latin script such as Chinese, Arabic or Cyrillic.

Alamo Costa Rica specifically asks for a current physical license. Travelers should therefore bring the original card even if their home country also provides a digital version.

Do You Need a Passport?

International renters should bring their passport. Alamo Costa Rica explicitly lists it among its rental prerequisites, and legal use of a foreign license is tied to the traveler’s authorized stay.

Keep your passport and entry information available at pickup because documentation can vary by brand or office.

Do You Need a Credit Card?

A major credit card in the main renter’s name is required in the Alamo, National and Enterprise terms reviewed. Current National and Enterprise SJO policies list American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.

Those policies publish a US$500 security deposit plus the estimated rental cost. Alamo Costa Rica’s FAQ describes the same basic structure and states that the security deposit must be placed on the main driver’s credit card.

Debit cards or cash may be accepted for settling some final balances, but that does not mean they can replace the credit card required for the pickup authorization.

Do Additional Drivers Meet the Same Requirements?

Yes. Additional drivers must meet the rental requirements, appear at the counter and present their own valid driver’s license.

The current Alamo, National and Enterprise SJO policies reviewed list a US$5-per-day additional-driver fee. Verify the charge for the actual reservation because fees can change.

Are Insurance and Coverage Separate Requirements?

Yes. Identity, age and payment requirements are separate from protection choices.

Third Party Liability, Collision Damage Waiver–Theft Protection, credit-card benefits and brand protection packages have different conditions. Do not assume a credit card automatically replaces every protection required by the rental location.

If you intend to rely on outside coverage, obtain written confirmation before traveling and verify that the rental company accepts it. Use the dedicated Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance guide for the full explanation.

What Can Vary by Brand or Location?

Young-driver charges, additional-driver fees, deposit authorization, accepted documents, coverage conditions and some vehicle-category requirements can vary.

Enterprise’s Costa Rica country page also states that a driver must have held a license for at least two consecutive years, while its current SJO renter-requirements section focuses on having a valid, unexpired license. If you are newly licensed, verify this point for the exact pickup location before booking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not arrive with an expired license, a temporary renewal document or a credit card held only in another traveler’s name. Do not assume a phone image of your license will satisfy the rental company, and do not treat an IDP as a replacement for the original license unless the company explicitly permits it.

Also leave enough available credit for the authorization. The hold can include both the security deposit and estimated rental cost.

Before You Reserve

Confirm the requirements for the exact brand, office, vehicle and rate. Save your confirmation, bring the required original documents and review the deposit and protection terms before pickup.

If you prefer not to drive immediately after a long flight, a shared shuttle or private transfer can also be combined with a rental later in the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do I need to rent a car in Costa Rica?

Bring a valid driver’s license, passport, major credit card in the main renter’s name and your reservation confirmation. If you plan to use outside vehicle-damage coverage, also bring any written proof required by the rental company.

Can I rent a car in Costa Rica if I am under 25?

Yes. The Alamo, National and Enterprise SJO policies reviewed allow rentals from age 21. Drivers ages 21–24 pay an additional daily fee. Confirm the amount for your exact reservation.

Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Not normally if your valid home-country license is accepted. National and Enterprise currently require an IDP or notarized English translation when a license uses a non-Latin script.

Can I use a digital driver’s license?

Costa Rican law recognizes a foreign digital license when it is officially issued that way by the country of origin or residence. A rental company may still require a physical license for pickup, so bringing the original card is the safer option.

Can I rent with a debit card?

Do not assume so. The terms reviewed require a major credit card in the renter’s name for the pickup authorization or security deposit. Debit cards or cash may be accepted for some final balances.

How much is the security deposit?

The National and Enterprise SJO policies reviewed publish a US$500 deposit plus the estimated rental cost. Alamo Costa Rica’s FAQ publishes the same basic structure. Verify the amount shown for your reservation.

Does every additional driver need a license?

Yes. Each additional driver must meet the rental requirements and present a valid driver’s license at the counter. Additional-driver fees can apply.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

Rental requirements, fees, deposits and documentation can change by brand, office, vehicle and rate. The conditions shown during booking and in the signed rental agreement govern the transaction.