Sedan
Nissan Tiida
Couples sticking to paved routes — San José, Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste's main beach roads.
5 seats
4 doors
3 suitcases / 2 bags
Automatic or manual
1.5L gasoline · A/C
Car rentals
The price you're quoted is the price you pay.
Renting a car in Costa Rica has one notorious trap: a low online rate that grows at the counter. Our local rental partner quotes the true bottom-line total — nothing is added when you land, and nothing is added when you hand the keys back. Their rates are among the most competitive in the country.
Free to use. We don't take payment — your quote comes straight from the rental company.
No hidden fees, ever
The total you're quoted is the total you pay. No surprise insurance charges bolted on at the desk.
24/7 roadside assistance
Support anywhere in the country, from a Guanacaste beach road to the Caribbean side.
Airport handover in minutes
Your car is waiting at the arrival terminal. Sign the printed contract at the quoted rate and drive.
Read this before you book anywhere
Why your $12-a-day rental becomes $60 a day
Many rental agencies in Costa Rica — including some of the big international names — advertise an artificially low daily rate online or quote one over the phone. Then you arrive to sign the paperwork, or worse, you get to the end of the rental, and the real total is far higher than what you were quoted. Mandatory liability insurance, administrative charges, airport fees and deposits appear that were never in the number you agreed to.
It is the single most common complaint travelers have about driving in Costa Rica, and it sours the first hour of a lot of vacations.
Our partner does not do this. The total they quote you is the true bottom line, with nothing added at any point. That is the whole reason we chose to work with them.
What your quote includes
- One all-in total for your dates — mandatory insurance already counted
- Unlimited mileage and airport delivery at the arrival terminal
- 24/7 roadside assistance anywhere in Costa Rica
- A printed contract showing the same rate you were quoted
- No deposit taken by us, and no payment on this website
Ask about optional extras when you get your quote: a mobile phone with unlimited in-country minutes for a flat $10/day, SIM cards for unlocked phones, and GPS units.
The fleet
Pick the right car for the roads you'll actually drive
A sedan is fine for Jacó and Manuel Antonio. Monteverde, Drake Bay and most gravel beach access want a real 4x4. Tap a vehicle and we'll put it on your quote request.
Compact 4x4 SUV
Daihatsu Bego
The budget way to reach Monteverde, La Fortuna's back roads and gravel beach access.
5 seats
5 doors
3 suitcases / 2 bags
Automatic or manual
1.5L gasoline · A/C
Standard 4x4 SUV
Suzuki Gran Vitara
Two to four travelers doing a multi-region loop with river crossings and steep gravel.
5 seats
5 doors
4 suitcases / 2 bags
Automatic or manual
2.0L gasoline · A/C
Mid-size 4x4 SUV
Honda CR-V
Comfort on long drives — Liberia to the Osa Peninsula with luggage for four.
5 seats
5 doors
5 suitcases / 3 bags
Automatic or manual
2.0L gasoline · A/C
Full-size 4x4 SUV
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Families of up to seven and the rough roads into Drake Bay, Santa Teresa or Rincón de la Vieja.
7 seats
5 doors
5 suitcases / 3 bags
Automatic
Turbo diesel · A/C
Family-size 4x4
Ford Expedition
Large families or two families traveling together who still want one vehicle.
9 seats
5 doors
6 suitcases / 4 bags
Automatic
V8 gasoline · A/C
Special 4x4
Jeep Wrangler
Surf trips and the truly rough stuff — Nosara, Santa Teresa, Playa Zancudo in green season.
5 seats
5 doors
5 suitcases / 2 bags
Manual
3.4L gasoline · A/C
4x4 pick-up truck
Toyota Hi-Lux Double Cab
Surfboards, dive gear and anyone hauling bulky kit over unpaved roads.
5 seats
4 doors
2 suitcases / 2 bags
Manual
2.5L turbo diesel · A/C
Minivan
Toyota HiAce
Groups of up to twelve — weddings, retreats and multi-family trips on main highways.
12 seats
4 doors
5 suitcases / 5 bags
Manual
3.0L · A/C
Toyota Yaris, Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota Fortuner are also available on request. The fleet is renewed continuously, so the exact model year varies.
How it works
01
Request
Send your dates and vehicle below. You get a reference code on the spot.
02
Land
Your car is waiting at the arrival terminal when you clear customs.
03
Sign
The printed contract shows the rate you were quoted. Just sign it.
04
Drive
In minutes you're on the road to your first destination.
What renters say
Reviews from our rental partner's customers
"It is always a positive experience when renting from your location. The staff is very professional and efficient and always smiling. And I always feel welcome and appreciated. The management is always prompt to solve any issue at any moment. Their efficiency and professionalism makes it my number one choice."
"This rental was the best rental experience ever! After completing all details online myself, the pick-up was super efficient, extremely friendly, and free of the usual five to ten minutes of very unpleasant drilling of why one is not signing up to all options — insurance and the rest. I was handed the keys and a clear printout."
"This was my first time renting from 506 Car Rental, and overall it was a wonderful experience — I have no complaints. The service rep helped me find the best rental to suit my needs. I also love the fact that you guys provide quality rentals at a great price. I will definitely rent with this company again."
Pick-up and drop-off
Collect at either international airport — or in San José
Fly into San José for La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, the Caribbean and the Osa Peninsula. Fly into Liberia for Guanacaste's beaches, Rincón de la Vieja and Nosara. You can pick up at one and drop off at the other — just say so on your request.
- Juan Santamaría International Airport (San José / SJO)
- Daniel Oduber International Airport (Liberia / LIR)
- Tobías Bolaños Airport — domestic flights and charters (San José / SYQ)
- 506 Car Rental office, San José
Good to know before you drive
- Drive times are longer than the map suggests. San José to La Fortuna is about three hours; Liberia to Santa Teresa is closer to five.
- The minimum driver age is 21, and the driver needs a valid licence and a credit card in their own name for the rental company's deposit hold.
- Avoid driving unfamiliar mountain or gravel roads after dark — most of them are unlit and unmarked.
Get your bottom-line quote
One short form. No card details, no deposit, no obligation — you'll get a single all-in total for your dates.
Common questions
Plan My Costa Rica refers travelers to independent local rental companies and is not the rental provider. See our liability disclaimer for details.