If you are renting a car in Costa Rica, you’re probably trying to decide which car to rent. What car to rent will depend on three things: budget, number of people and destinations. In this post, I will go over the popular types of cars to rent in Costa Rica.
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The prices below are for car rental price, not including insurances, fees, taxes or extras and may vary depending on availability, time of year, car rental company and other factors. Prices are the car rental rate only, an estimate for high season and are quoted in USD.
Read our tips for renting a car in Costa Rica post for more information.
Compact Car: Hyundai i10, Hyundai Gran i10, Hyundai Atos
The Hyundai i10 and Gran i10 are two common compact cars for rent in Costa Rica. They generally come in automatic and manual transmission and can fit up to 4 people. It also comes in a hatchback version. The Hyundai Atos is the smallest compact vehicle and is manual transmission.
You can see what the Hyundai Grand i10 looks like in this video.
Cost: The Hyundai Gran i10 is the cheapest car to rent in Costa Rica. A hatchback manual i10 is around $30-45 a day to rent and the automatic is around $40-55 a day.
Number of people: This car can fit up to 4 passengers but the trunk is not big. If you are a group of 4 each with a piece of check in luggage, you will need a bigger car.
Destinations: This car is perfect for major destinations and cities. You can go to many main destinations in Costa Rica in this car. This car will not be suitable for anywhere more remote or rural or if you plan to explore. Likewise, this car does not have a big engine.
Sedan: Hyundai Venue
A common sedan to rent in Costa Rica is the Hyundai Venue which is very similar or Honda Civic in size. The Venue comes in manual and automatic transmission.
Cost: An Venue manual runs around $55 a day, an automatic is around $60.
Number of people: Has 5 seat belts but is recommended for 4 plus luggage.
Destinations: This car works for most roads in Costa Rica and major destinations. We don’t recommend it for going off the main road, but it is an excellent city car to get from main destinations to main destinations.
Hyundai Iconic Hybrid Automatic
Some agencies are now carrying the Hyundai Ionic Hybrid, automatic transmission. This is a hybrid car so it is more gas friendly. It costs around $60 USD a day and holds up to 5 people. It’s just a teeny tiny bit bigger than the Accent.
Small Manual 4×4 SUV: Suzuki Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny is an economy SUV that comes in manual transmission only and 4×4. It’s an excellent car if you want a 4×4, can drive manual and are visiting alone or as a couple. This is one of the best cars to rent for 2 people in Costa Rica as it can go to all the roads. It’s a great little 4×4 car.
Here is a video on the Jimny.
Cost: The Jimy is around $80 a day.
Number of people: It’s a 2 door car and fits up to 2 people. You can technically fit 4 people but the backseat and trunkspace is tiny for 4. Definitely not recommended for 4 people but for 2 with luggage, it is great.
Destinations: The Jimny is an awesome 4×4 and can go anywhere in Costa Rica.
Compact SUV: Mitsubishi ASX and Geely Gx3
The Geely Gx3 and Mitsubishi ASX are two compact SUV’s that are one of the most popular types of cars to rent in Costa Rica because it’s great value. The Mitsubishi ASX is 4wd, the Geely Gx3 is NOT 4wd, it is only 2wd.
Both cars are automatic.
Mitsubishi ASX video
Geely GX3 Video (2wd)
Cost: The ASX costs around $90 a day. The Geely is around $65 a day.
Number of people: Both fit up to 4 people.
Destinations: The ASX is a 4wd so that one is a great options for those who want more security than a sedan. Keep in mind that these cars are a little bit higher than a sedan but not as high as a full size SUV.
SsangYong Korando 4wd Manual (Compact SUV)
Another option for a compact SUV that is 4wd and manual is the SsangYong Korando. It costs around $80 a day and holds up to 4 passengers.
Mid size SUV: Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Tucson Superior, Toyota Rav 4
Popular mid size SUVs to rent in Costa Rica are the Hyundai Venue and Hyundai Tucson. The Venue is a 2wd and Tucson is 4wd and both come in automatic. Although the Venue is not 4wd, it does have a higher clearance than a sedan.
The Toyota Rav4 is more of a premium car and not found in all agencies. It’s also more expensive (Toyota in general is more expensive in CR).
Hyundai Venue 2wd with higher clearance
Hyundai Tucson Superior 4wd automatic
Cost: The Venue runs around $85 a day and the Tucson Superior is around $105 a day.
Number of people: Both cars can fit up to 5 people. The Tucson is a bit bigger than the Venue though. However, for bigger sized people and those bringing a lot of luggage, you may need to rent a full size SUV instead. Both cars will be very tight for 3 people in the backseat if they are bigger/really tall.
Destinations: These cars can go to pretty much all roads in Costa Rica. Keep in mind the Venue is not 4×4 but it is higher than a normal sedan and works well for unpaved or gravel roads in dry season. However, if you need to go up mountains or steep roads, you may need an actual 4×4.
Full size SUV: Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Ford Explorer
For larger groups, a full size SUV is the best option. All these cars are 4×4, automatic and are super spacious.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Cost: These cars are more expensive since they are bigger and 4×4. You can get the Mitsubishi in diesel though, which does save on gas because diesel is cheaper than gas in Costa Rica. The Chevrolet and Montero Sport around $120 a day. Ford Explorer is more expensive as it’s considered more of a premium car and costs around $140 a day.
Number of people: These cars can fit up to 7 people as they have a third row of seats you can pull up. The luggage space does get a lot smaller when all three rows of seats are used, so keep that in mind if you are bringing a lot of luggage.
Destinations: These 4wd cars will get you to your destination in Costa Rica even if it’s up a steep mountain or through some muddy roads in the rain. Just remember to put on the 4wd/4×4 if you need to.
Pick up truck: Mitsubishi L200
A popular pick up truck to rent in Costa Rica are the Mitsubishi L200. This car is a powerhouse, built for hauling big loads and going up rough roads. If you’re a group of surfers or for some reason, need to move a big load, this is the best car to rent. The Mitsubishi L200 comes in manual.
See what the Mitsubishi L200 looks like in this video.
Cost: The Mitsubishi L200 costs around $110 per day.
Number of people: These trucks have a double cabin so it can fit up to 5 people.
Destinations: Anywhere in Costa Rica.
Van: Hyundai H1 and Hyundai Staria
For even bigger groups, a Hyundai H1 is a great option. It fits up to 12 people without luggage, 9 with. It’s not 4wd or 4×4 but does have higher clearance than a sedan. It comes in both automatic and manual. See what the Hyundai H1 looks like in this video.
Another van that is very similar to the H1 is the Hyundai Staria. This is the newer model and is recommended for 7 people with luggage but can fit up to 10-11 people without luggage. Here is a video of it below. When you rent this category of car, you will get either the H1 or the Staria.
Cost: The Hyundai H1 costs around $100 for both automatic and manual.
Number of people: 9 with luggage, 12 without for the H1. 7 with luggage, 10-11 without for the Staria.
Destinations: All touristic areas and main roads but not great for steep unpaved hills. It can make through normal gravel roads.
Don’t forget to get our Costa Rica car rental discount to save $$$ on your car rental!
Read our tips for driving in Costa Rica if you’re worried about driving. You’ll find all you need to know such as road signs, road conditions, safety tips and more!
Stephanie says
Hi,
I’m considering renting the Creta, 4/3 (SJO) – 4/9 (LIR). We are two adults and two children (13 &10) with 4 carryon pieces of luggage and 4 backpacks. Would our carryons and a couple of backpacks fit in the trunk of the Creta? Thanks so much! Stephanie
Sammi says
Hi Stephanie, we sent you an email with more information
Addie says
Hi,
Thank you so much for all the wonderful information you provide throughout your site!
What is the difference between the Hyundai Tucson and the Hyundai Tucson Superior?
Thank you. 🙂
Sammi says
The Superior is the 2022 model and the exterior is very different, the normal Tucson is the 2020 and 2021 models. The 2022 has a 1.6L turbo engine instead of a naturally aspirated 2.0 engine of the 2022 and 2021 models. Internally, the size is about the same with 5 seatbelts for both models
Addie says
Thank
You so much! 🙂
Amy says
Would a Hyundai H1 be difficult to drive on narrow roads due to how large the vehicle is? I will be going from Conchal to Monteverde, Monteverde to La Fortuna, and La Fortuna to Liberia. Would you recommend this vehicle for a group for these routes?
Sammi says
Hi Amy, The h1 is a commonly used vehicle by tourism vehicles in Costa Rica so it can navigate those roads, I would just recommend to take Route 606 to Monteverde and just go very slow and carefully up the mountains on that road.
Sammi says
It will depend on your hotel/where you’re staying and what you plan to do – the Route 606 is mostly asphalted over (with some pot holes) but the roads in and around Monteverde are not good, if your hotel is right in downtown Santa Elena and right off the road you could drive a regular car, park it there for the time you’re in Monteverde and take a taxi or the buses up to the reserves and get transportation from the parks if you plan to go to any.
But you will need to check your lodging and see where it’s located, and ask your host what kind of car can make it to the property
Stephen says
Hello!
We are looking at renting the Hyundai Accent and wondering if that will do well driving to Monteverde Cloud Forest?
Thanks for all your helpful tips!
yeison says
Hello Keith,
Thank you for your comment.
The ASX will work fine in Montezuma we have had many readers that have use this car to go south in the Papagayo Peninsula and everything went well. Regarding the ground clearance the ASX has 185 mm to 195 mm clearnace and the Outlander 190 mm to 200 mm this according to the manufacture website.
Keith says
Hi Sammi,
Thank you for all the excellent info on your blog. So helpful. Our trip includes Montezuma, so we should get an AWD. Do you know the ground clearance of Mitsubishi ASX? Your article implies that it’s the same as a sedan. Would that work for Montezuma? We do like to explore but not too crazy. I couldn’t find the height info on the web but the supposedly US equivalent model Outlander was said to have 8.3 inches which would be similar to Suzuki Jimny. We could get a Suzuki Jimny, but only I drive manual. It would be nice if my wife could drive our rental car also. Also it didn’t appear Adobe has Suzuki Jimny at this point. We are looking to rent for 10 days in mid December. Thank you again!
Nicole says
Hello,
One more question. It says Adobe will drop your car off at your hotel if the hotel is within range. We are thinking of staying at the Country Inn and Suites in San Jose. Would this hotel be within the range for dropping off the car for us at the beginning of the trip and also for dropping us off after the river rafting at the end. Thanks so much! Nicole
Sammi says
Hi Nicole! Yes Adobe can deliver the car to Country Inn and Suites in San Jose (hours are 830 AM to 430 PM). If you want to get your car after rafting, you will need to go to the Adobe office because you will return from the rafting trip after 430 PM and Adobe doesn’t deliver after that time, you will need to go to the closest office which will be their airport and it’s open until 10 PM.
Nicole says
Hello,
Thanks for all of the excellent information. We are planning on coming to Costa Rica in January and renting a car. We would like to rent it in San Jose, but return it in Lafortuna and then do the river rafting trip with Rio Tropicales then taking us back to San Jose. Is this possible? If so, also wondering when we drop our car off in Lafortuna how we get back to our hotel. Thanks, Nicole
Sammi says
Hi Nicole! Yes you can do that, there is an extra fee for the different office locations (San Jose – La Fortuna is $35 USD). Adobe can pick up your car from hotels in La Fortuna (hours are 830 AM to 430 PM) so you don’t need to go to their office, but if you return it to their office, then you will need to find a taxi back to your place which Adobe can help you get.
Krista Friebel says
Hi,
A question for you about booking with Adobe. One of our drivers is 24 years old (he has had a driver’s licence for 7 years). Are there extra costs with Adobe when you have a driver this age.
Thanks again for all your work on this website. It is one of the most helpful sites for planning a trip to CR.
Krista
Sammi says
Hello Krista! That is completely fine, the minimum age is 23 to drive with Adobe 🙂