Costa Rica rewards travelers who drive themselves: one morning among volcanoes and cloud forest, one afternoon on the beach, all on your own schedule. Getting behind the wheel starts with a short checklist, though — your driver’s license, age, identification and payment method all have to match what the rental company requires before you reach the counter. For most U.S. and Canadian visitors, that checklist is easy to clear once the right documents are in hand. This guide walks through amiGO Rent a Car’s currently published requirements, flags the exceptions worth knowing in advance, and shows exactly what to verify before pickup so nothing slows down the start of your trip.
Rental Requirements at a Glance
- Age: 21–75, with a US$20/day young-driver fee and vehicle limits for ages 21–24
- License: valid driver’s license held for at least one year
- ID: passport recommended as primary identification for U.S. and Canadian travelers
- International driving permit: generally not required with a valid home-country license
- Payment: American Express, Visa or Mastercard, plus a refundable security deposit
Details, exceptions and sources appear below — always confirm against amiGO’s live Terms & Conditions before booking.
What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car in Costa Rica?
Bring a valid driver’s license from your home country, a valid form of identification, and an accepted credit card. amiGO’s current terms require the license to have been held for at least one year, alongside valid ID.
For U.S. and Canadian travelers, a passport works well as the primary form of ID, since it’s already required for international travel to Costa Rica. Carry the originals rather than photos on your phone — a rental counter can’t verify a screenshot the way it can a physical document.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Costa Rica?
Usually, no. The Costa Rican Tourism Board confirms that visitors can drive on a legal driver’s license from their home country and don’t generally need an international driving permit. For most U.S. and Canadian visitors, that means your existing state or provincial license is enough on its own.
Think of an international driving permit as a translation of your license, not a substitute for it. If your license isn’t printed in the Latin alphabet, or uses an unusual format, it’s worth confirming requirements before you travel rather than at the counter.
What Is the Costa Rica Rental Car Age Requirement?
At amiGO, the current age range is 21 to 75. Every driver also needs to have held a valid license for at least one year — a rule that applies equally to the primary renter and to any additional authorized driver.
Drivers between 21 and 24 can still rent, but under a few extra conditions. amiGO currently publishes a US$20 per day young-driver fee for this age group, limits them to vehicle categories up to the Toyota RAV4 level, and excludes them from its Total Protection Package.
Example: a 23-year-old traveler from California with a license issued three years ago would likely qualify to rent, but should plan for the young-driver fee and double-check that the chosen vehicle category and coverage option are actually available at that age.
What Payment Method and Credit Card Do You Need?
AmiGO currently accepts American Express, Visa and Mastercard. A security deposit is also required at pickup, with the amount set by the vehicle category and coverage option you choose.
That deposit is placed as a hold on your credit card, not a separate charge — worth factoring into your available credit before the trip. The hold sits apart from the rental cost, and how quickly your credit frees up again once it’s released depends on your card issuer.
AamiGO’s payment policy also charges website reservations 48 hours before the rental period for time, mileage and mandatory taxes, while coverage is paid at the counter when you pick up the vehicle. In other words, an online prepayment is a deposit toward the trip, not the full final amount.
Scenario Matrix: Will You Meet the Rental Requirements?
| Traveler scenario | License | Age | Payment / ID | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. traveler, age 35 | Valid U.S. license held 1+ year | Eligible | Passport + accepted credit card | Deposit amount and coverage selected |
| Canadian traveler, age 23 | Valid Canadian license held 1+ year | Eligible, with conditions | Passport + accepted credit card | US$20/day young-driver fee, vehicle limits, coverage eligibility |
| License issued 6 months ago | Does not meet the 1-year rule | Age may qualify | Payment does not override the license rule | Contact amiGO before booking |
| Traveler age 76 | May be valid | Outside the published age range | Not sufficient by itself | Confirm alternative arrangements before travel |
| Traveler relying on debit or cash | May qualify | May qualify | Terms specify accepted credit cards and a card hold | Confirm payment eligibility before arrival |
Policies can change, and individual reservations may carry additional conditions. Confirm the exact requirements for your vehicle category and travel dates before you book.
What Can Prevent You From Renting or Driving the Vehicle?
Meeting the basic paperwork for a Costa Rica car rental doesn’t automatically clear every driver, vehicle or situation. amiGO’s current terms include a few operational rules worth understanding before you sign:
- Only drivers listed on the rental agreement are authorized to drive the vehicle.
- Additional drivers must meet the same age and license requirements; amiGO currently allows up to three additional drivers for a daily fee.
- amiGO vehicles cannot be taken outside Costa Rica.
- Vehicles must stay on authorized public roads — driving through rivers, lagoons or beaches breaks the rental agreement and can void coverage.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs voids coverage and violates the rental terms.
How Should U.S. and Canadian Travelers Prepare Before Pickup?
The smoothest rental experience is the one you prepare for before boarding the flight. A few minutes spent checking documents and credit availability can save real time at the counter.
- Confirm your license stays valid for the entire rental period and has been held for at least one year.
- Bring your original passport and driver’s license — not copies or photos.
- Use a credit card the rental company accepts, with enough available limit to cover both the rental and the deposit hold.
- If you’re 21–24, confirm the young-driver fee, eligible vehicle categories and available coverage in advance.
- Add anyone who might drive as an authorized driver rather than sharing the wheel informally.
- Read the full quote — rental price, taxes, coverage, deposit and extras — instead of comparing daily rates alone.
Why this matters when comparing quotes: a rental that looks cheaper online can carry a different deposit, coverage requirement or eligibility rule at pickup. Comparing the full set of requirements, not just the headline rate, gives a far more accurate picture of the true cost.
Publishing these details up front is where a local company adds real value. amiGO lays out its age rules, accepted cards, deposit mechanics, coverage requirements and driving restrictions in its public terms, so travelers can plan with confidence long before they reach the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to rent a car in Costa Rica? A valid driver’s license, valid ID, an accepted payment card, and compliance with the rental company’s age and deposit requirements.
Do Americans need an international driving permit in Costa Rica? Generally no. Costa Rica’s tourism authority says a legal home-country driver’s license is usually sufficient.
Do Canadians need an international driving permit in Costa Rica? Generally no. A valid Canadian driver’s license is normally sufficient for visitors, subject to entry and rental conditions.
What is the minimum age to rent with amiGO? amiGO currently publishes a minimum age of 21 and a maximum age of 75.
Can a 21-, 22-, 23- or 24-year-old rent a car? Yes, subject to amiGO’s published young-driver fee, vehicle-category limits, licensing requirements and coverage restrictions.
How long must I have had my driver’s license? amiGO currently requires the license to have been held for at least one year.
What credit cards does amiGO accept? The current Terms & Conditions list American Express, Visa and Mastercard.
Arrive Ready, Then Enjoy the Road
For most U.S. and Canadian visitors, the requirements to rent a car in Costa Rica come down to a short list: a valid license held for at least a year, valid identification, an accepted credit card, and enough available credit to cover the deposit. Age rules deserve a closer look if you’re between 21 and 24, while an international driving permit is generally unnecessary if you’re traveling on a legal home-country license. Verify the latest terms before departure, have your documents ready, and you’ll spend less time on paperwork at the counter — and more time on the road.
Ready to Reserve Your Costa Rica Rental Car?
Check vehicle availability, current rental conditions and coverage options directly with amiGO Rent a Car, then reserve through the official website: Reserve with amiGO Rent a Car Costa Rica
