Car hire in San Jose, Costa Rica

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in San Jose

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find San Jose car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your San Jose pick-up location

There are 75 car hire locations in San Jose. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in San Jose

Choose from the best car hire companies in San Jose

Hiring a car in San Jose: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyEC Rent a Car
Most popular carCompact, SUV
Average daily priceRs15,415
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in San Jose

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your San Jose car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in San Jose

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in San Jose and get going for around Rs15,282 a day. From solo getaways to family escapes, we'll match you with a rental that works for you.

  • Reserve your ride in November and get the green light on savings. It's the cheapest month to rent a car in San Jose, with average daily rates of Rs11,910.

  • If you like to plan with precision, book about three weeks ahead to drive away with a cheap rental car in San Jose.

  • Trusted rental brands such as NextCar, Dollar and Europcar are great options for car hire deals in San Jose.

  • The coverage NextCar or another supplier offers for your San Jose car hire can vary, so be sure to check the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to land a good deal if the provider needs to move cars between branches. Discover the best available rates for a car for rent in San Jose by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Skip the sneaky refueling fees by booking a car hire in San Jose with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.

  • Hit every stop on your wish list by picking a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you go as far as you like with no extra cost.

  • If you have a flight to San Jose, you might prefer to skip the city pickup and grab one of the car rentals in Juan Santamaria International Airport instead. Toss your gear in the back and cruise straight to where you need to go.

Compare car hire types in San Jose

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in San Jose is all about getting you on the road for less. These zippy, fuel-efficient rides are great for short trips and city driving.

  • Medium: A reliable pick when you want something that's easy to manoeuvre but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller options.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and enhanced tech features, this San Jose car hire option includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and a better view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're winding through tough terrain or cruising down long stretches of highway, many offer all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.

  • Van: If you're looking for a car for rent in San Jose big enough for a small crowd (and their luggage), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group outings, moving or business use.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your San Jose car hire is damaged or stolen. While not compulsory, it's a safety net if something happens. Just remember that insurance policies vary between providers, so make sure you know exactly what's offered.

  • From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can totally transform your drive. Weigh up which features could make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in San Jose.

Good to know

  • Rental age requirements aren't the same everywhere. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you could be hit with extra charges or rules. Check the specific rules for each supplier before booking your rental in Costa Rica.

  • If the kids are coming with you, find out if you need to add a child car seat to your San Jose car hire reservation. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to ride.

Hit the road: Where to drive from San Jose

  • Check out the biggest attractions in the city once you've lined up a car hire deal in San Jose. National Park (Parque Nacional) and Jurassic World are a great opening act for your trip.

  • Stay close to the action in San Jose with a stay at Barceló San José or Costa Rica Guesthouse.

  • Around 18 kilometres north-west of central San Jose, Alajuela should feature on your itinerary. Head to must-see sights like Doka Estate Costa Rica Coffee Tour & Plantation and Botanical Orchid Garden.

  • Comfy accommodation options in Alajuela include Hotel Casa Tago and Hampton By Hilton San Jose Airport Costa Rica.

  • Or collect your cheap car hire in San Jose and then set off for Paraíso. Roughly 26 kilometres south-east of San Jose, Paraíso Park and Tour Valle de Orosi are among the highlights that are worth going out of your way for.

  • Take it easy after a day spent exploring Paraíso at Villas Valle Bello. Or swap the wheel for a well-earned rest at Orosi Lodge.

  • When the drive's been this good, why hit the brakes? Motor on to Nicoya, around 153 kilometres west of San Jose. From Nicoya Park to Colonial Church of Nicoya, it'll bring your trip to a memorable close.

  • Close your eyes and rest in Nicoya at Hotel Rio Tempisque. Hospedaje Angela has a cosy bed lined up for you too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in San Jose will set you back around Rs15,282 per day or Rs142 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in San Jose is a compact SUV. The most popular is Compact, SUV.
The cheapest car hire companies in San Jose are currently Keddy By Europcar and Green Motion.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in San Jose is currently November.
On average, around Rs142. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in San Jose is Rs118.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in San Jose for a whole month is Rs357,299. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore San Jose, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in San Jose that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of San Jose.
Most places – San Jose included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is Rs4,502 per day. The average price per day is around Rs13,245.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like EC Rent a Car, Budget and Sixt offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Europcar as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in San Jose.