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Guide to the Types of Car Seats in Costa Rica

August 8, 2016 By yeison 3 Comments

One of the most common questions we receive from our readers who are renting a car in Costa Rica and traveling with their family is about the car seats in Costa Rica.

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 planning on renting a car, make sure to check out our Costa Rica car rental discount and extra freebies to save some money!

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.

Kinds of Car Seats in Costa Rica When Renting a Car

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.

15 things to know about Costa Rica before you go

Tips for driving

Filed Under: Costa Rica Travel Tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ross says

    August 10, 2019

    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/

    Reply
  2. Gessell says

    August 12, 2016

    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!

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      August 13, 2016

      It is very interesting to see the rules around the world for sure!

      Reply

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