Destinations / Costa Rica
Driving in Costa Rica as a visitor
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Costa Rica drives on the right and lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence for up to 90 days; an IDP is advised for non-Latin scripts.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Costa Rica expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| 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 | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| 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?
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Costa Rica drives on the right and lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence for up to 90 days; an IDP is advised for non-Latin scripts.
Which translation format is used for Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses the 1949 Geneva convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Costa Rica ask for a translation?
Mandatory liability insurance is added at the desk; an IDP helps non-Latin scripts.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Costa Rica?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Central America
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.