Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements
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Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements
To rent a car in Costa Rica, international travelers should generally arrive with a valid driver's license, passport, qualifying major credit card in the main renter's name and reservation confirmation.
If you plan to rely on outside coverage accepted by the rental company, you may also need written proof of that coverage.
Exact renter requirements can vary by rental brand, pickup location, vehicle category and rate, so always review the terms attached to the specific reservation before traveling.
Quick Answer
Prepare these items before collecting your rental car:
Valid driver's license for the type of vehicle you are renting
Passport and legal entry information
Qualifying major credit card in the main renter's name
Rental reservation confirmation
Written proof of outside coverage when required for your reservation
Bring the original physical driver's license whenever possible. Even when a foreign digital license is legally recognized, a rental company can apply stricter documentation requirements at pickup.
For a more detailed checklist, see the guide to documents needed to rent a car in Costa Rica.
What Is the Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
The Alamo, National and Enterprise San José Airport policies reviewed in August 2026 list 21 as the minimum rental age.
Drivers ages 21 through 24 are subject to an additional daily fee.
Alamo Costa Rica's information reviewed for this guide quotes an underage fee of US$10 per day. The National and Enterprise SJO policies reviewed state that an additional fee applies but do not publish the amount there.
Do not assume that one young-driver charge applies to every brand, location or reservation.
For more detail, review the minimum rental age in Costa Rica and the guide to renting a car under age 25.
What Driver's License Do Tourists Need?
International visitors should bring a valid driver's license that authorizes them to drive the type of vehicle being rented.
The supplied legal information states that visitors with a valid foreign driver's license can drive the same vehicle type authorized by that license during the period of legal stay granted in Costa Rica.
This differs from older guidance that treated foreign-license validity as a fixed 90-day period.
Rental-company requirements can still be more restrictive than the general legal rule. Alamo Costa Rica, for example, specifically requests a current physical driver's license.
Travelers should therefore bring the original license rather than relying only on a photograph, scanned copy or mobile version.
See the dedicated guide to foreign driver's licenses in Costa Rica for additional details.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit?
Not normally when the rental company accepts your valid home-country driver's license.
However, the National and Enterprise policies reviewed state that an International Driving Permit (IDP) or notarized English translation is required when the original license uses a non-Latin script, such as Chinese, Arabic or Cyrillic characters.
An IDP should not automatically be treated as a replacement for the original driver's license.
Bring the original license as well as any translation or IDP required for the reservation.
For a fuller explanation, see Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Costa Rica?.
Do You Need a Passport to Rent a Car?
International renters should bring their passport.
Alamo Costa Rica specifically includes a passport among its rental prerequisites, and the legal use of a foreign driver's license is connected to the traveler's authorized stay in Costa Rica.
Keep your passport and relevant entry information available when collecting the vehicle.
Documentation procedures can vary by rental office, so review the exact branch requirements before pickup.
The passport and entry requirements for Costa Rica car rentals guide provides more detail on this requirement.
Do You Need a Credit Card?
The Alamo, National and Enterprise terms reviewed require a major credit card in the main renter's name for the rental authorization.
This is an important distinction: the payment method used to settle the rental and the card required to secure the rental at pickup are not necessarily the same thing.
The National and Enterprise SJO policies reviewed list American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa among qualifying major cards.
Review the accepted car rental payment methods in Costa Rica before traveling, especially if you plan to use a payment method other than a standard credit card.
Can You Rent a Car with a Debit Card?
Do not assume that a debit card can replace the credit card required at pickup.
The policies reviewed for this guide require a qualifying major credit card in the renter's name for the security authorization or deposit.
Debit cards or cash may be accepted for settling certain final balances, but that does not mean they satisfy the pickup authorization requirement.
The dedicated credit card vs debit card car rental guide explains this distinction in more detail.
How Much Available Credit Do You Need?
The National and Enterprise SJO terms reviewed publish a US$500 security deposit plus the estimated rental cost.
Alamo Costa Rica's information describes the same basic deposit structure and states that the security deposit must be placed on the main driver's credit card.
The authorization is separate from simply paying the rental price.
This means the renter should have sufficient available credit for the required authorization when collecting the vehicle.
Deposit requirements can vary by reservation, so review the exact terms rather than assuming US$500 applies universally.
For more detail, see the guide to security deposits and authorization holds.
What Requirements Apply to Additional Drivers?
Additional drivers must also meet the applicable rental requirements.
Each additional driver should appear at the rental counter and present a valid driver's license.
The Alamo, National and Enterprise SJO policies reviewed list a US$5-per-day additional-driver fee, but charges can change and may differ by reservation.
Verify additional-driver terms before adding another person to the rental agreement.
Are Insurance and Protection Requirements Separate?
Yes.
Driver identity, age, documents and payment requirements are separate from rental-car protection selections.
Third Party Liability, Collision Damage Waiver–Theft Protection, credit-card benefits and rental-company protection packages have different purposes and conditions.
Do not assume that having a credit card automatically replaces every protection or liability requirement imposed by the rental location.
If you intend to rely on outside coverage, obtain the required written documentation before traveling and verify that the rental company will accept it.
For the detailed explanation, use the Costa Rica car rental insurance guide.
What Can Vary by Rental Brand or Location?
Not every Costa Rica rental office applies identical conditions.
Depending on the brand, office, vehicle and rate, differences can include:
Young-driver fees
Additional-driver fees
Deposit authorization
Accepted documentation
Credit-card requirements
Outside-coverage documentation
Protection conditions
Requirements for particular vehicle categories
There is also a documentation point worth checking if you recently obtained your driver's license.
The supplied Enterprise materials are not identical on this issue: its Costa Rica country information states that a driver must have held a license for at least two consecutive years, while the SJO renter-requirements information reviewed focuses on having a valid, unexpired license.
If you are newly licensed, confirm the requirement for the exact Enterprise pickup location before booking.
Common Rental Requirement Mistakes to Avoid
Do not arrive at the counter with only an expired driver's license, temporary renewal document or a credit card belonging exclusively to another traveler.
Do not assume that a photograph of your license on your phone will satisfy the rental company's pickup requirements.
An IDP should also not automatically be treated as a substitute for the original driver's license.
Finally, account for the available credit required for the authorization. The hold can include both the security deposit and the estimated rental cost.
What Should You Check Before Reserving?
Before confirming a Costa Rica rental car, verify the requirements for the exact:
Rental brand
Pickup location
Vehicle category
Main renter
Additional drivers
Payment card
Rate
Protection selection
Save your reservation confirmation and prepare the original documentation required for pickup.
Also review the deposit, payment and protection terms before traveling rather than waiting until you reach the rental counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to rent a car in Costa Rica?
Bring a valid driver's license, passport, qualifying major credit card in the main renter's name and your reservation confirmation.
If you plan to rely on outside 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 beginning at age 21.
Drivers ages 21 through 24 are subject to an additional daily fee. Confirm the exact charge for your reservation.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Not normally when the rental company accepts your valid home-country license.
National and Enterprise policies reviewed for this guide require an IDP or notarized English translation when the license uses a non-Latin script.
Can I use a digital driver's license?
The supplied information states that Costa Rican law recognizes a foreign digital driver's license when it is officially issued in that format by the country of origin or residence.
A rental company can still require a physical license at pickup. Bringing the original physical license is therefore recommended.
Can I rent a car with a debit card?
Do not assume that a debit card can replace the required credit card.
The terms reviewed require a major credit card in the renter's name for the pickup authorization or security deposit, even though other payment methods may be accepted for certain 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 information describes the same basic structure.
Deposit requirements can vary, so verify the amount shown for your specific reservation.
Does every additional driver need a driver's license?
Yes. Every additional driver must meet the applicable rental requirements and present a valid driver's license at the counter.
Additional-driver fees can also apply.
Prepare for Your Costa Rica Car Rental
Before searching for a vehicle, identify the correct pickup location and travel dates.
Then review the renter requirements, driver's license rules, payment card, deposit and protection terms for the exact reservation.
Preparing the required original documents and sufficient available credit before pickup can make the rental process considerably more straightforward.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
Rental requirements, fees, deposits and documentation can change by brand, office, vehicle and rate. The conditions displayed during booking and in the final signed rental agreement govern the transaction.
