Driving in Costa Rica

Driving through Costa Rica yourself

Driving in Costa Rica is a real adventure, but it is reasonable and not particularly dangerous. The traffic rules are in principle very similar to ours, but it is still completely different. The roads are often in pretty bad condition, but people still drive fast. You have to be very attentive.
Exploring Costa Rica by rental car is definitely a great way to explore the country. You are independent, you can stop where you want and you can organize your own time. In terms of price, it is also affordable and the calculations are quite nice.

A trip with the Interbus for two people on a medium-long route costs over US$110. A rental car including insurance without a deductible costs significantly less per day. Of course there is also petrol, but it is also much cheaper than in Europe. You have to calculate around one US$ per liter.

The following tips for self-drivers: you should never insist on your right of way. It's better to let 2-3 cars pass than get involved in a discussion or an accident. In contrast to their attitude in everyday life and their innate mentality, the Ticos are unfortunately quite aggressive in traffic.

Traffic police are often seen carrying out speed checks on main country roads: often in places where there are strict restrictions. We therefore strongly advise that you always adhere to the specified maximum speed; the penalties are high and you lose out in a discussion.

Hearts painted on the asphalt are often observed on the roads of Costa Rica: these are places where a road user has died.

We are happy to help you choose and rent a rental car, but there are a few things to keep in mind. You can find more information on alautentico-car rental (with current prices and rental conditions) or send it directly by email ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

For orientation, we recommend Waze - an online navigation system that works excellently in Costa Rica. You need an internet connection to do this; you can get the SIM cards from us at reception for a small fee. Both in Santa Ana and in the Caribbean. The SIM cards are free for alautentico customers.