Costa Rica car hire

If you want to make the most of your time in beautiful Costa Rica, car rental is an essential element of your trip. Read on to discover more about this amazing nation and to whet your appetite for a Central American adventure.

Language: Spanish | Currency: Costa Rican colón | Avg. Flight time: 10 hrs 50 mins

Find out why it’s a great idea to book great-value Costa Rica car hire with TravelSupermarket...

Known for its astounding environmental credentials and the huge diversity of flora and fauna that are native to Costa Rica, this blossoming garden of Central America has more up its sleeve than green fingers.

Surfers ride the swells of the Pacific Ocean coastline in the west, while on the cool beaches of the east coast, where the Caribbean Sea laps the sands, sun worshippers soak up the rays.

Journey into the mist-shrouded forests and spot some of nature’s most vibrant creatures. You can’t miss the native tree frogs, with their billiard-ball eyes and bright green skin. The tropical cocktail of colours that make up a toucan’s beak make these birds hard to miss, too. It might take a bit more squinting to spot a sloth, though those lovable lazy tree huggers are going nowhere in a hurry.

In the capital of San José, daily life creates a tornado of activity amid the historic buildings, skyscrapers and markets that constitute the cityscape. The vibrant and friendly atmosphere of San José pervades much of Costa Rica, making this one of the most popular holiday spots in all of Central America.

To give you an idea of the size of Costa Rica (it’s a bit smaller than the Republic of Ireland), you could drive from north to south in around eight hours or east to west in about five hours, with major routes running via San José.

Car hire in Costa Rica is an affordable option that gives you the freedom to go where you want when you want. Taking your own updated satellite navigation system is recommended, or you can add one to your car-rental booking. It makes sense to book Costa Rica car hire in advance to save money and to secure a vehicle that suits you. This is especially true during the drier, hotter and busier summer months between December and April. There are numerous options for car collection, including airport sites and downtown locations.

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When you rent a car, Costa Rica opens up its chest of treasures...

And what a glimmering haul of prizes you’ll feast your eyes upon when you tour this charming destination.

Nature is the star turn in Costa Rica. Most visitors come for journeys into the ecosystem, combined perhaps with a little sun, surf and sea. The volcanoes of Costa Rica also attract tourists, while others get their kicks from rafting, bungee jumping and zip-lining through this diverse landscape of peaks and valleys.

For cultural pursuits, San José is the tourism centre. Many international flights arrive here, so it’s a great place to pick up a car before setting off to see the sights elsewhere.

On the west coast you can check in at beachside hotels in popular holiday hotspots such as Montezuma, Playa Hermosa and Tamarindo. If you get bored of the Pacific Ocean you could drive across to the east coast to savour the laidback flavours of the Caribbean Sea. This coast is much less developed for tourism, which means fewer amenities and a more traditional feel. Puerto Viejo is hailed by surfers and beach lovers.

One look at a map of Costa Rica reveals a land dotted with green spots. The national parks of Costa Rica welcome many tourists. Take the time to see Arenal National Park for the mighty volcano of the same name. Other popular parks include Tenorio, Manuel Antonio, and Cahuita.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.