Destinations / Costa Rica
Driving in Costa Rica as a visitor
Not legally, but it is worth carrying. Costa Rica accepts foreign licences, and a permit removes any argument at the rental counter or a roadside check.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Costa Rica expects
| Permit needed | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Top speed limit | 100 km/h highways where signed |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Not required by law. Worth having if your licence is not printed in Latin script. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in CRC. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Local practice | Mandatory state liability insurance on rentals. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Roads | 4x4 advised for rural and rainy-season roads. |
On the road in Costa Rica
At the pump
All stations are full-service (attendant fills the tank, no self-serve) and prices are fixed nationwide by RECOPE/ARESEP; mid-2026 prices run about 753-756 colones/litre for super/regular and ~670 for diesel, with cards widely accepted at branded stations.
After a crash
Call 911 and notify the rental company immediately; by law you must NOT move the vehicles until the transit police (Transito) and the INS insurance inspector arrive and document the scene, even if you are blocking traffic.
Sources: adobecar.com · twoweeksincostarica.com · costaricavibes.com · globalpetrolprices.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Costa Rica?
Not legally, but it is worth carrying. Costa Rica accepts foreign licences, and a permit removes any argument at the rental counter or a roadside check.
Which IDP format does Costa Rica accept?
Costa Rica recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Costa Rica ask for one?
Mandatory liability insurance is added at the desk; an IDP helps non-Latin scripts.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.