Planning to rent a car in Costa Rica? Learn from the most common mistakes and enjoy your trip with confidence — and the right vehicle.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Renting a car in Costa Rica is one of the best ways to explore the country’s stunning beaches, jungles, and volcanoes at your own pace. But if you’re not prepared, it can also become confusing, expensive, or even frustrating.
We’ve helped hundreds of travelers hit the road — and we’ve seen the same car rental mistakes over and over again.
The good news? They’re easy to avoid once you know what to look for.
1. Not Renting a 4×4 When They Actually Need One
Many visitors think a regular car or compact sedan will be enough. And in some cases, it is — if you’re just driving paved highways between cities.
But if your trip includes:
- Monteverde
- Santa Teresa or Nosara
- Río Celeste
- Dominical or Uvita
- Any rural lodge or eco-luxury stay
…you’ll absolutely want a 4×4 SUV.
Costa Rica’s terrain is wild, beautiful — and unpredictable. Think steep hills, unpaved roads, river crossings, and potholes big enough to make you wish you’d brought a kayak.
✅ Pro Tip:
If you’re ever unsure, rent the SUV. You’ll thank yourself later.
2. Underestimating Insurance Requirements
This one surprises a lot of travelers — especially those from the U.S.
In Costa Rica, car rental insurance is mandatory by law, specifically:
- Third-party liability insurance (PLI) — cannot be declined
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) — sometimes mandatory depending on the agency
Many people assume their credit card coverage is enough. It’s not — especially for liability.
✅ How to avoid this mistake:
Choose a rental company like Sun Valley Rent A Car, where third-party liability and CDW are already included in the price.
3. Booking the Cheapest Option Without Reading the Fine Print
You’ll see cheap rates on big booking platforms — but here’s what’s usually missing:
- Mandatory insurance (surprise at the counter!)
- Extra driver fees
- Airport fees
- License plate fees
- Taxes
- Basic things like a car seat or booster seat
By the time all those fees are added in, your “cheap” rental becomes much more expensive than it looked online.
✅ How to avoid this mistake:
Always ask for a final, all-inclusive price before booking. With Sun Valley, what you see is what you get — no hidden fees, no tricks.
4. Not Understanding Driving Conditions in Costa Rica
Even if you’ve driven in the U.S., Costa Rica is a whole different experience:
- Roads can be narrow, windy, and steep
- Sudden rain can turn dirt roads into rivers
- Google Maps doesn’t always reflect real-time road conditions
- Signage is minimal in rural areas
✅ How to avoid this mistake:
- Ask your rental company about your route
- Use offline maps (like Google Maps download or Waze)
- Leave early to avoid driving after dark
- And yes — rent a 4×4 if you’re heading anywhere off the beaten path
5. Not Booking Early (Especially in High Season)
High season in Costa Rica runs from mid-December to April, and SUVs go fast — especially the reliable 4x4s.
If you wait until the last minute:
- Prices go up
- Vehicle choices become limited
- You might miss out entirely
✅ How to avoid this mistake:
Book your rental at least 4–6 weeks in advance, especially if traveling during Christmas, Easter, or U.S. spring break.
✅ Final Tip: Rent Smart, Travel Free
At Sun Valley Rent A Car, we’ve designed our service with travelers like you in mind:
- 🚙 Only 4×4 SUVs — reliable, clean, and road-ready
- 🛡️ Insurance included in every booking
- 🎁 Free second driver, cooler, booster seat
- 🛬 Airport pickup/drop-off included
- 💬 Friendly, honest local support
👉 Book your SUV now and avoid the rookie mistakes. Travel smarter. Drive freer. Explore Costa Rica the right way.