Renting a Car in Costa Rica Under 25 | Young Drivers

Renting a Car in Costa Rica Under Age 25

Travelers ages 21 through 24 can rent a car with Alamo, National and Enterprise at the Costa Rica locations reviewed in August 2026. The minimum age is 21, and the three brands’ Costa Rica FAQs currently publish a US$10-per-day underage fee for drivers in this age group. You must still meet the normal license, passport, credit-card and location requirements, and the exact terms shown for your reservation govern the rental.

Can You Rent a Car in Costa Rica If You Are Under 25?

Yes, if you are at least 21 and meet the rental requirements for the selected Alamo, National or Enterprise location.

Being younger than 25 does not automatically prevent you from renting. Instead, drivers ages 21–24 fall into a young-driver or “underage” fee category. Current Costa Rica FAQs for all three brands publish that fee as US$10 per day.

Enter the renter’s correct age when searching. Compare current vehicle availability and review the age-related charge shown in the terms before confirming.

How Much Is the Young-Driver Fee?

Alamo Costa Rica, Enterprise Costa Rica and National Costa Rica currently publish an underage fee of US$10 per day for eligible renters ages 21–24.

For example, a seven-day rental would add US$70 in young-driver fees before considering any other applicable rental charges. This is an example based only on the published daily age fee, not a total rental quote.

Rates and policies can change, so the reservation terms for the selected brand, location, vehicle and dates should always be checked.

Does the Fee Apply at Age 24?

Yes. The published age band is 21 through 24. A renter who is 24 is still within the young-driver category.

The Costa Rica airport location policies reviewed for Alamo, National and Enterprise state that drivers between ages 21 and 24 incur an additional daily charge. The age surcharge no longer applies once the renter reaches 25 under those published policies.

Can Someone Under 21 Rent Through These Brands?

Not under the current Costa Rica policies reviewed for Alamo, National and Enterprise. Their location pages publish 21 as the minimum rental age.

This is not a universal minimum for every rental company in Costa Rica. Travelers younger than 21 should verify eligibility directly with any other company they consider.

What Documents Does an Under-25 Renter Need?

Young renters must satisfy the same core pickup requirements that apply to other eligible renters.

The Costa Rica FAQs reviewed list a valid driver’s license, passport and credit card among the core requirements. Alamo also specifies that the license should be current and physical.

International visitors should verify that their license remains valid for driving in Costa Rica for the full rental period.

Can a Parent or Older Traveler Rent the Car for You?

An older traveler cannot simply sign the agreement and allow an unauthorized younger person to drive.

At the Costa Rica locations reviewed, every additional driver must meet the rental requirements, appear at the counter and present a driver’s license. The location policies also publish a US$5-per-day additional-driver fee.

If an additional driver is 21–24, verify the reservation carefully because the additional-driver charge and the young-driver charge are separate policy items.

Are Vehicle Choices Restricted for Drivers Under 25?

The Costa Rica age-policy sections reviewed do not publish a blanket vehicle-category ban specifically for renters ages 21–24.

Vehicle eligibility can still be affected by other requirements. For example, current Alamo, National and Enterprise renter policies at major Costa Rica locations state that Standard SUV and higher categories require additional credit-card qualifications.

Choose the vehicle based on the actual reservation terms rather than assuming every category has the same payment or eligibility requirements.

Does Being Under 25 Change the Security Deposit?

The age sections reviewed do not state a separate security-deposit amount specifically for renters ages 21–24.

A young-driver surcharge is a rental fee, not a substitute for the normal deposit or credit-card authorization. Review the forms-of-payment and deposit section for the exact location and rate before booking.

How to Compare the Real Cost When You Are 21–24

Do not compare rental cars using the base vehicle price alone. For a useful comparison, review the full reservation with the renter’s actual age entered.

Check:

• Base vehicle rate.

• US$10-per-day young-driver fee where currently published.

• Additional-driver charges, if another person will drive.

• Protection or insurance terms.

• Security deposit and card requirements.

• Taxes and airport or location-related charges shown in the booking.

• Vehicle-category requirements.

The booking widget should be used for current availability and pricing rather than relying on a static total.

Is a Rental Car Still Worth It for a Young Traveler?

It can be, especially when the itinerary includes several destinations, remote accommodations or places where independent transportation saves significant time.

For a solo traveler or couple on established tourism routes, the daily fee makes it worth comparing the full rental cost with shared or private transportation. The better option depends on itinerary, luggage, driving confidence, schedule and total trip cost rather than age alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 21-year-old rent a car in Costa Rica?

Yes. Alamo, National and Enterprise locations reviewed in Costa Rica currently allow rentals from age 21, provided the renter satisfies the other requirements. Drivers ages 21–24 are subject to an additional daily young-driver fee.

What is the under-25 fee with Alamo in Costa Rica?

Alamo Costa Rica currently publishes a US$10-per-day underage fee for eligible drivers ages 21–24. Check the terms attached to the exact reservation because fees and policies can change.

Does Enterprise Costa Rica charge drivers under 25?

Yes. Enterprise Costa Rica’s current FAQ states that renters ages 21–24 may rent and that a US$10-per-day underage fee applies. Current Enterprise location policies also confirm an additional daily fee for that age band.

Does National Costa Rica charge a young-driver fee?

Yes. National Costa Rica’s current FAQ publishes a US$10-per-day underage fee for drivers ages 21–24, while its location pages confirm that this age group incurs an additional daily fee.

Can two people under 25 share the driving?

They can only do so if both meet the rental requirements and are authorized under the agreement. Additional drivers must appear at the counter and present their licenses. Check the reservation for both the additional-driver and young-driver charges that may apply.

Can I avoid the young-driver fee by putting the reservation in someone else’s name?

The person actually driving must be authorized under the rental agreement and meet the applicable requirements. Using an older renter’s name does not make an ineligible or unauthorized driver permitted to operate the vehicle.

Is renting under 25 more expensive than taking a shuttle?

It may be for some itineraries because the young-driver fee increases the rental total, but the comparison depends on trip length, number of travelers, route and how often you need a vehicle. Compare the complete rental price with the relevant shared or private transportation costs.

Search current vehicle availability using the renter’s real age, then review the complete rental terms before payment.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

Rental policies, fees and vehicle eligibility can change by brand, location, rate and date. The terms presented for the actual reservation govern the transaction.