FAQ

We offer our customers the widest and most solid fleet

What are the requirements to rent a car in Costa Rica with amiGO Rent a Car?
To rent a car in Costa Rica, you must present a valid passport with a current immigration entry stamp, a valid driver’s license from your home country (physical copy required, international permit only needed if in a non-Roman alphabet), and a major credit card under the primary driver’s name for the security deposit. The minimum rental age is typically 21 or 23 depending on the vehicle category.
Yes. Costa Rican law dictates that Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance—also known as SLI or API—is mandatory for all rental vehicles. This legal coverage protects against property damage and injury to third parties and cannot be waived by credit card policies or international personal insurance.
You can decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) if your credit card provides valid coverage for rental car damage in Costa Rica. To do this, you must present an official written letter from your credit card company specifying coverage for Costa Rica during your exact rental dates. However, the government-mandated Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance cannot be waived and must be purchased locally.
The standard minimum age to rent a car with amiGO Rent a Car is 21 years old. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 25 may be subject to a young driver surcharge and might be restricted from renting certain luxury, large SUV, or passenger van categories.
A 4×4 or high-clearance SUV is highly recommended if you plan to visit rugged or mountainous areas such as Monteverde, Santa Teresa, Drake Bay, or Arenal’s backcountry, especially during the rainy season (May to November). If you are strictly traveling between San José, Liberia, and popular paved highways like Jacó or Manuel Antonio, a standard sedan or 2WD crossover is perfectly sufficient.
No, amiGO Rent a Car prides itself on absolute transparency. Our online quotes include all legally mandated mandatory insurances, local taxes, and airport airport fees upfront. We recommend checking your quote carefully to ensure CDW options match your insurance approach so there are no surprises at the counter.
Security deposits generally range from $500 USD to $2,500 USD depending on the vehicle class and the insurance selection. If you accept full comprehensive insurance coverage locally, your deposit is significantly lower. If you decline CDW using credit card protection, a higher security deposit will be authorized on your card for the duration of the rental.
Yes! amiGO Rent a Car offers comprehensive airport services at both Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. We provide a complimentary, reliable shuttle service to bring you directly from the terminal exit to our nearby rental hub.
Yes, tourist driver’s licenses are fully valid in Costa Rica for the exact duration of your legal tourist stay (up to 90 days). The license must be clear, unexpired, and in a physical format. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is only required if your home license is printed in a non-Roman script (e.g., Arabic, Cyrillic, Mandarin).
No. Due to international legal frameworks, customs regulations, and insurance limitations, rental vehicles rented in Costa Rica are strictly prohibited from crossing borders into Nicaragua or Panama. Vehicles must remain within Costa Rican national territory at all times.
If you provide your correct flight airline and flight number during the booking process, the amiGO Rent a Car team will actively monitor your arrival status. Your vehicle reservation will be securely held. If unexpected delays occur, we advise contacting our emergency reservation desk via phone or WhatsApp as soon as possible.
Yes, all rentals are backed by our 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance program. Whether you experience a mechanical question, a flat tire, or require towing support anywhere in Costa Rica, our emergency center is available day and night to keep your road trip safe and seamless.
Yes, additional drivers can be added to the rental agreement when picking up the vehicle. Every additional driver must meet the standard age requirements and present a valid passport and driver’s license. A nominal daily surcharge applies per additional driver to cover insurance extensions.
We operate on a standard ‘same-to-same’ fuel policy. Your rental vehicle will be handed over with a specific fuel level (often a full tank), and you are expected to return it with that exact same level. Avoid returning the car short on fuel, as premium local refueling fees will apply.
A valid credit card under the primary driver’s name is mandatory for the security deposit hold at checkout. However, upon returning the vehicle, you can settle the final rental balance using major credit cards, debit cards, or cash (USD or CRC).
To rent a car in Costa Rica with AmiGO, you need: (1) a valid driver’s license from your home country (international permit not required), (2) a major credit card in the primary driver’s name for the security deposit, and (3) your passport or national ID. Drivers must be at least 21 years old. Licenses must be in Latin script; otherwise, an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Yes, basic liability insurance (TPL/SLI – Third Party Liability) is mandatory by Costa Rican law and must be purchased with any rental. Additional coverage options–such as Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Personal Accident Insurance–are optional but highly recommended. AmiGO includes mandatory insurance in all quotes with full transparency and no hidden fees.
Rental prices at AmiGO Rent A Car range from approximately $20-$35/day for economy and compact vehicles to $55-$90/day for SUVs and 4×4 vehicles. Prices vary by vehicle type, season, and rental duration. Mandatory insurance (SLI) is always included in our quotes. Book in advance during high season (December-April) for the best rates.
Yes! AmiGO Rent A Car has a dedicated pickup location at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela. Our team provides airport shuttle service to our nearby office, and vehicle checkout is fast and efficient. We also offer pickup at Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Tamarindo, Guápiles, and San Jose downtown.
Yes! AmiGO Rent A Car offers free one-way rentals between all our locations across Costa Rica at no extra charge. This is perfect for travelers flying into San Jose and departing from Liberia (or vice versa), allowing you to explore the country without backtracking.
Yes! AmiGO Rent A Car is one of the few car rental companies in Costa Rica that offers onboard WiFi in select vehicles. Stay connected during your entire road trip–perfect for digital nomads, navigation, and sharing your adventures in real time. Request WiFi-equipped vehicles when booking.
The minimum age to rent a car in Costa Rica with AmiGO is 21 years old. Drivers under 25 may be subject to a young driver surcharge. There is no maximum age limit, though senior drivers (over 75) should verify with our team. The credit card used for the deposit must be in the primary driver’s name.
No. Like all car rental companies in Costa Rica, AmiGO vehicles are not permitted to cross international borders into Panama, Nicaragua, or other neighboring countries. The rental agreement restricts use to Costa Rica’s public roads only. Attempting to cross borders will void your insurance coverage.
In case of an accident, you should: (1) ensure everyone’s safety and call emergency services if needed (911 in Costa Rica), (2) do not move the vehicle until police arrive, (3) contact AmiGO’s 24/7 emergency line immediately, (4) complete an accident report with police. If you have full coverage, AmiGO handles the rest. Our 24/7 roadside assistance is available throughout Costa Rica.
Driving in Costa Rica is generally safe for tourists. Roads vary from well-paved highways to rough unpaved tracks. Tips: drive during daylight, use Waze for navigation, watch for potholes and unmarked speed bumps (tumulos), never leave valuables in parked cars, and always carry your rental documents. During rainy season, avoid driving through flooded roads or rivers.
Some international credit cards offer car rental insurance coverage, but in Costa Rica, the mandatory Third Party Liability (TPL/SLI) insurance MUST be purchased regardless of credit card benefits. Your credit card may cover Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) if it provides rental car coverage. We recommend checking your credit card’s terms and contacting your card provider before declining optional insurance.
Reserving a car with AmiGO is easy: visit amigorentacar.cr, select your pickup/dropoff location and dates, choose your vehicle from our Toyota fleet, add any extras (WiFi, additional driver, child seat), and complete your booking online. You can also call us or email for personalized assistance. A deposit is charged at pickup; final payment is due when collecting the vehicle.
AmiGO Rent A Car operates an all-Toyota fleet including: economy cars (Toyota Yaris, Agya), compact sedans, intermediate 4×2 SUVs (Toyota RAV4), 4×4 SUVs (Toyota RAV4 4WD, Fortuner), and passenger vans/minivans for groups. All vehicles are regularly maintained and ideal for Costa Rica’s diverse terrain–from city streets to jungle roads.
Yes, AmiGO Rent A Car offers long-term rentals including weekly, monthly, and extended-stay packages–ideal for digital nomads, expats, and business travelers based in Costa Rica. Long-term rentals come with preferential pricing, flexible one-way options, and dedicated customer support. Contact us directly for custom monthly rental quotes tailored to your needs.