Costa Rica Car Rental Requirements: Licenses, Credit Cards and Deposits

Your reservation confirmation is ready, but the person driving has a recently renewed license and the credit card belongs to someone else. Those details are better resolved before you reach the rental counter.

Being legally permitted to drive and meeting a rental company’s requirements are separate checks. Confirm both for every person who will drive.

Foreign licenses: check the legal stay and vehicle class

The official publication of Law 10591 ties the driving authorization for the foreign-license holders covered by Article 91(a) to their authorized legal stay. It also limits that authorization to the vehicle allowed by their license. Do not assume every visitor gets an identical 90- or 180-day driving period. (Official Gazette — Law 10591, Article 91, pages 9–11)

For a tourist trip, check the permission granted at entry, the validity of your license and the class of vehicle you intend to drive. A license that expires during your rental needs attention before you book.

What about a digital license?

The same reform addresses licenses officially issued in digital form by the holder’s country of origin or residence. A photograph of a physical license is a different situation. Separately, ask your rental company what format it will accept at pickup. (Official Gazette — Law 10591, Article 91, pages 9–11)

Do you need an International Driving Permit?

Do not replace your national license with an IDP. Vamos publishes an IDP requirement for licenses from countries that do not use the Latin alphabet. Adobe also describes a requirement for non-Latin-alphabet licenses. Ask your chosen provider to assess your specific documents before travel. (Vamos — requirements and rental policies) (Adobe — rental requirements)

Age and license history depend on the provider

Adobe’s public requirements specify a minimum age of 23 and a license issued more than two years previously. Vamos publishes a minimum age of 18 without a minimum license-holding duration, with different protection conditions for younger drivers. Alamo describes rentals from 21 with an underage charge for younger renters. These are company policies, not one national rental-age rule. (Adobe — rental requirements) (Vamos — requirements and rental policies) (Alamo Costa Rica — FAQ and policies)

If a renewal card shows a recent issue date, ask which official evidence of earlier driving history the company will accept. Do not assume a renewed card automatically fails its rule.

Match the renter, driver and payment arrangements

Tell the company who will rent, who will drive and who holds the card. Ask which names must match, whether the cardholder must attend pickup and which physical or virtual cards it accepts.

Prepare sufficient available credit for the required guarantee and any rental authorization or payment. If using a card coverage benefit, confirm its payment rules too. For example, Chase describes qualifying payment and primary-driver requirements for its Sapphire benefit. (Chase — Sapphire auto rental coverage guide)

Before-pickup document checklist

• Valid license in the format accepted for your reservation.
• Passport and requested evidence of entry or authorized stay.
• IDP when required for your documents.
• Accepted card and sufficient available credit.
• Written confirmation of any unusual name or renewal situation.
• Coverage proof if declining a company waiver.
• Documents for every additional driver.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent with a debit card?

Ask separately about paying the rental and providing the guarantee. Acceptance for one does not establish acceptance for the other.

Does an IDP let me drive without my home license?

Do not rely on it alone. Confirm the documents required alongside your valid national license.

Can my partner’s card secure the rental?

Explain the arrangement before booking and get written acceptance. Provider and card-benefit rules may both affect it.

When does the deposit become available again?

Confirm the release or refund process with the provider and your bank. Do not depend on a universal number of days.

For the broader planning steps, return to our Costa Rica rental car guide; for card protection, see the insurance explanation.

If you are planning a La Fortuna stay, tell us your arrival details and transportation questions. Ask our local team, and share your dates, group size and itinerary so we can help you consider suitable options.