One of the most common questions we receive from our readers is about the car seats in Costa Rica for when they rent a car. Costa Rica is a top destination for families and parents need to take the necessary precautions when it comes to traveling with their kids in a different country.
Because we’ve received these questions many times, we did our own research on the Internet to see what information is out there on the car seats in Costa Rica required by law. To be honest we couldn’t find too much, so we went to the closest police station to get things straight. In this article, we’ll share with you the information we found so you’ll know exactly what is needed for your trip.
If you’re traveling to Costa Rica with your little ones and renting a car, don’t miss the end of this article because we have an awesome deal for you!
Types of Car Seats in Costa Rica
These are the guidelines by Costa Rican law.
Types of seats, weight and height
This is what Costa Rica’s driving law says about kids seats. This law applies for all rental cars.
Infant car seat
This seat must be used for newborn babies to 1 year with maximum weight of 13 kilograms (28.6 lbs) and maximum height of 75cm (2’5 feet). It must be put in the back seat and positioned looking towards the back of the car.
Baby car seat
This is for babies 1 to 4 years old weighing between 9 to 18 kilograms (19.8 to 39.68 lbs) and having a maximum height of 110 cm (3’6 feet). The seat has to be in the middle of the back seat.
Baby booster seat
The booster seat must be in one of the sides of the back seats and it is for children 4 to 6 years old with a weight between 15 to 25 kilograms (33 to 55 lbs) and a maximum height of 145 cm (4’7).
Kid booster seat
This seat is for older children from 6 to 12 years old with a weight between 22 to 36 kilograms (48.5 to 79.37 lbs) and a maximum height of 145 cm (4’7).
Recommendations when you rent a car
Car rental companies in Costa Rica have two seats available for rent: a baby car seat and booster seat. If you need to rent one, a baby car seat will work for for toddlers to about 4 years of age and then the booster seat is for kids until 12, legally.
This is a baby car seat from Adobe Rent a Car, you can adjust the straps for newborns to toddlers. However, if you’re bringing a newborn, you need to bring a specific infant seat yourself. Our friend Emily recommends bringing a convertible infant seat which can seat newborns to toddlers (about 3-4) and can be faced forward or backward.
Special discount
For those of you who need a baby or booster seat, we have a great deal for you! Our partners, Adobe Rent a Car is offering Mytanfeet readers free baby or booster seats, as many needed when you rent through our website! So parents, you not only get a car rental discount but you can save more on your Costa Rica vacation!
Get the car rental discount and your free baby & booster seats here!
We hope this post helps clear up any confusion about the car seats in Costa Rica required. Don’t forget to check out our other travel tip posts below.
Ross says
Here is the citation if anyone else is like me and gets nervous, when other websites conflict. Mytanfeet is correct.
https://babyseat.fundacionmapfre.org/children/regulations/legislation-countries-car-seats/
Gessell says
Very helpful tips. It’s interesting how different laws can be regarding car seats around the world. For example, here in Amsterdam by law you are not required to use a car seat in taxis. Kind of a culture shock!
Sammi says
It is very interesting to see the rules around the world for sure!