Driving in Costa Rica just isn't for everybody.  So be sure to know what you are moving into earlier than acquiring behind the wheel of a automotive in Costa Rica.  The following are the 7 most often requested questions on driving in Costa Rica.  These questions are available from my common podcast about Costa Rica from people from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

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1. What rather vehicles can be found for lease?

Renting a automotive in Costa Rica is costlier than inside the U.S. so most individuals lease the littler extra compact vehicles which are slightly cheaper.

Prices waver and in the course of the excessive season you'll pay extra.  Around $20 or extra per day.  Renting throughout Christmas/New Years will add one other $50 or extra per week.  I checked out 5 automotive rental firm vehicles in Costa Rica and the common for rental a small automotive like a Toyota Yaris will price round $205 per week. Please be aware this does not embody the required by regulation coverage which is able to add at the very to the last-place degree $10-20 per day.  So you are taking a look at $250-300 to lease a small automotive per week.

You will discover all the most important automotive rental businesses in Costa Rica akin to Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Budget, and others.

2. Is driving a good suggestion?

It relies upon.  Driving in Costa Rica in comparison with different international locations is normally a very chilling proposition for many.  Costa Rica has one of many highest car chance event charges on the planet.  Traffic legal guidelines and speed limits are sometimes ignored.  Crazy and unlawful turns throughout lanes of site visitors are frequent.  Turn alerts are hardly ever used and harmful passing is frequent.  So you would possibly driving in your lane when hurriedly right here comes a automotive in your lane going the inaccurate means as a result of they're passing on a blind spot.  The roads are in poor situation, and huge potholes which may trigger severe injury to your automotive is frequent.

Although Wall Street circumstances inside the seaboard areas are worse the precise driving is not as chilling since there may be much less site visitors and because the roads aren't one of the best individuals are inclined to drive slightly slower.

I wish to have my very own transportation so rental a automotive is one matter I love to do however it all relies on your consolation degree.  I've had family and friends who had by no means pushed exterior of the U.S. they discovered driving to be chilling yet a enjoyable journey.  So simply take it simple and sluggish and you can be tremendous.  Don't fear concerning the different drivers, simply do your factor.

3. Do I would like automotive rental coverage?

By regulation you will want the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) legal responsibility coverage regardless your individual automotive coverage protection or bank card protection.  The coverage required by regulation is called TPL, SLI, SLC or API.  The price ranges from $10-20 USD per day relying on the car.  This coverage exclusively covers redress to different individuals, vehicles, or property.  You might want to purchase supplemental protection to cowl redress to the rental automotive or your self.  However your individual automotive coverage coverage or bank card would possibly cowl that so name your coverage agent at residence earlier than departure for Costa Rica and ask her or him in case your coverage coverage covers you for redress in Costa Rica.  You may additionally need to name your bank card issuer and ask them the identical query.  If your individual coverage covers you in Costa Rica you are set and you do not want the supplemental protection.  If they don't cowl you, then I recommend taking out a supplemental coverage provided by automotive rental businesses.

Optional-CDW or LDW - collision injury discharge which covers the price of the automotive's deductible amount which varies relying on the rather automotive and company.  The price will vary between $10-20 USD per day.

Optional-Zero Liability - This will cut back your legal responsibility to zero towards thieving and vandalism, for instance, the associated fee for this coverage is between $5-20 USD per day relying on the company and automotive.

As you'll be able to see the supplemental coverage price can add up quick so it is essential that you simply examine on with your coverage agent and your bank card firm because you may not even want the non-obligatory/supplemental protection.

If your coverage agent provides you the thumbs up do me a favor and twig in writing!  You don't need any surprises.

4. What are automotive rental necessities in Costa Rica?

Requirements might waver relying on the automotive company you use so examine with them.  Most require a sound driver's license (one from your own home state or nation is ok), a sound passport on with your entry stamp, the Costa Rica mandated legal responsibility coverage, and also you have to be at the very to the last-place degree 21 years of age.

5. Is it protected to drive at night time?

The drawback driving at night time just isn't crime, it is simply the unsafe driving and poor street circumstances that are combined even worse when you may have poor visibility.  The roads will not be lit up properly and it will get pitch dark after 6:00 PM making it unsafe to drive for an unseasoned driver.

6. What are street circumstances like?

The street circumstances are very poor in comparison with the tremendous highways of the United States or the Autobahn in Germany.  Drivers should deal with unsafe driving habits of motorists, big potholes, and even the pike is a two-lane street.  The roads worsen in the course of the wet season since street washouts from the mudslides from the mountains are frequent.

7. What aspect of Wall Street do they drive on in Costa Rica?

On the fitting hand aspect, like inside the U.S. and Canada.

One remaining tip

Make a duplicate of the visibility webpage of your passport and your entry stamp and carry that with you onside on with your automotive rental papers.  You would possibly get obstructed by police and you will want to indicate this to them.  Do no carry your passport with you simply make copies.  The Costa Rican regime now lets you carry copies or els of your precise passport.


Driving And Renting A Car In Costa Rica - 7 Most Frequently Asked Questions