🇨🇷 Drive Costa Rica with Confidence
Know the rules. Carry the right documents. Enjoy the road.
Do You Need an IDP in Costa Rica?
Recommended for All Visitors
Visitors can drive in Costa Rica on a valid home licence together with the passport showing their entry stamp, for the duration of their legal stay. An IDP is recommended, especially if your licence is not in Spanish — it provides a certified translation that rental desks and police can read at a glance.
San José Plate Restrictions
Downtown San José restricts cars on weekdays by licence-plate number. The rule applies in the city core only — if you are heading straight for the beaches or volcanoes, it will rarely affect you.
Driving Rules in Costa Rica
Drive on the Right
Costa Rica drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. Overtake on the left, and watch for unpaved or potholed stretches on rural roads.
Strict Alcohol Limits
Costa Rica's legal limit is 0.05% (0.02% for drivers licensed under three years and professional drivers), and driving above 0.075% is a criminal offence. Tránsito police run checkpoints, especially at weekends.
Toll Roads
Costa Rica has a small number of toll roads, including Route 27 from San José towards the Pacific coast. Tolls are inexpensive and paid at booths — keep small change in colones handy.
Speed Limits
Limits are posted and change frequently: typically 40–60 km/h in towns, 60–80 km/h on rural roads, and up to 90–100 km/h on major highways such as Ruta 27. Follow the signs rather than assuming a national default.
Mandatory Equipment
Rental cars in Costa Rica come with the locally required safety equipment, such as a warning triangle. Check it is present before driving off — and consider a 4x4, as many rural roads are gravel.
Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has rental desks at the international airports and in tourist hubs. Here is what you need to know.
Required Documents
Most visitors need a valid IDP alongside their home licence and passport. A credit card in the driver's name is required for the security deposit. Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old.
Typical Costs
Compact cars start from around US$35–60/day, but mandatory local liability insurance adds a significant daily fee on top of the headline price — budget for the total. A 4x4 is worth it in the rainy season; book early for December–April.
Top Rental Companies
Adobe Rent a Car — well-regarded local company. Vamos — popular with visitors for transparent pricing. Budget — international brand at the main airports.
“We drove from San José to La Fortuna and on to the coast. Some stretches were rough gravel, so we were glad we booked a 4x4 — and having our IDP made the rental pickup completely hassle-free.”
Read our guide: Family Road Trip Abroad: The Complete IDP Checklist
Get Your IDP for Costa Rica — From $29
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Costa Rica IDP FAQ
Visitors can drive in Costa Rica on a valid home licence together with their passport for the duration of their legal stay. An IDP is recommended, especially if your licence is not in Spanish, and rental desks may ask for one.
Costa Rica has a small number of toll roads, including Route 27 between San Jose and the Pacific coast. Tolls are inexpensive and paid at booths, so keep small change in colones handy.
Costa Rica has no low-emission zones, but downtown San Jose restricts cars on weekdays by licence-plate number. Outside the capital there are no such restrictions.
Costa Rica drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. Overtake on the left, and watch for unpaved or potholed stretches on rural roads.