Car Hire at San José airport (SJO)
Content written by
German Giudici
.
Creator of the Aeropuertos del Mundo website network since 2007.
List of car rental agencies that operate within the San José airport (SJO)
Subject to change: schedules, listed companies and contact details may change due to commercial decisions or operational updates, so it is always advisable to check availability on the official website of the car rental company before booking.
Car rental counters are situated in the customs hall and the international arrivals exit lobby. After completing check-in paperwork at the counter, each rental agency provides a complimentary shuttle service to their nearby fleet lots adjacent to the airport.
- Alamo: 24/7 service.
- Budget: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.
- Dollar: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.
- Economy: 24/7 service.
- Enterprise: 24/7 service.
- Hertz: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.
- National: 24/7 service.
- Payless: Off-site office 600 m east of Fiesta Casino with shuttle transfer.
- Solid Car Rental: Located in Río Segundo de Alajuela, with free shuttle.
- Thrifty: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Schedules updated as of October 18, 2026.
Car Rental Requirements
To rent a car at San José Airport, drivers must fulfill the following general criteria:
- Driver's license: Valid physical driver's license from your home country. In Costa Rica, foreign licenses remain legally valid for the duration of the tourist entry stamp (up to 90 or 180 days).
- Passport: Valid original passport bearing the entry stamp into Costa Rica.
- Minimum age: Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old (specific higher-category vehicles may require 25 years). Renters between 21 and 24 years old typically face a daily young driver surcharge.
- Credit card: Major international credit card in the primary renter's name (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) to process the mandatory security hold. Debit cards and cash are generally not accepted for security deposits.
- Mandatory insurance: Under Costa Rican law, Third-Party Liability Insurance (SLI/TPL) is compulsory. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) may be provided through qualifying credit card coverage with an official coverage verification letter from your bank.
Latest updates: October 18, 2026
5 tips for renting a car abroad
- Make sure your driver's license is valid in the destination country. Some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP). Keep in mind that the IDP is not valid on its own: it must always be carried together with your national driver's license.
- Check the documents and insurance required by local traffic laws, and what coverage is included in your rental (collision damage waiver, third-party liability, deductible).
- Learn the traffic rules of the destination country: speed limits on highways and city streets, right of way at intersections without traffic lights, blood alcohol limits, tolls, etc.
- Check which side of the road traffic drives on, and whether the steering wheel is on the same side as in your home country.
- Know what to do if you are involved in a traffic accident: who to call, what to document and how to report it to the rental company.
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