Adobe Car Rental Costa Rica: Your Best Choice
Renting a car in Costa Rica gives you the freedom to explore stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and charming small towns at your own pace. Adobe Car Rental stands out as the best option, offering reliable vehicles, transparent pricing, and exclusive perks like free mileage and 24/7 roadside assistance. In this guide, you’ll discover why Adobe Rental Car Costa Rica is the top choice and how to book hassle-free while saving money.

TL;DR: Renting a Car with Adobe in Costa Rica
🚗 Best Choice for Travelers – Adobe offers reliable service, local expertise, and top-rated customer support, making it the ideal rental option for exploring Costa Rica.
💰 Exclusive Perks & Discounts – Enjoy benefits like unlimited mileage, a free second driver, and special savings when booking through our affiliate link.
🛣️ Drive with Confidence – Navigate Costa Rica’s roads easily with Adobe’s 4WD options, including insurance packages, and 24/7 roadside assistance.
🔗 Simple & Stress-Free Booking – Follow our step-by-step guide to reserve your car hassle-free and maximize your travel budget.
NOTE: This is just about everything you need to know about renting a car in Costa Rica. If you already know you want to rent a car and want a great deal, visit this link for a discount.
About Costa Rica Car Rental
Deciding to rent a car in Costa Rica is, in my opinion, hands-down the best decision ever. While it can be nerve-wracking to think about driving in another country, especially one that speaks Spanish, it is actually pretty easy to get around, and having your own car gives you a ton of flexibility.
Because I think renting cars is the best way to go, I have rented cars in Costa Rica for the past 20 years, and I can share some horror stories! Like the time we got to San Jose after our flight had been delayed 8 hours and the rental car company had given away our car because we were late.
Or the time we stopped to eat at a roadside restaurant and when we were done eating, the car wouldn’t start. We had to wait over 6 hours- with a baby (!) for the rental car company to come and get us and give us a new car.
Or the time the rental car company didn’t update the emissions sticker on the vehicle and I got pulled over by the police for not having the right paperwork.
What all these stories have in common is that I tried to get a great deal on a car by going with a less-than-reputable (and often transnational) company- and it negatively affected my vacation.
To avoid all of those types of problems, I currently only work with Adobe Rental Car, and we have never had a problem that they didn’t fix within an hour. (And the only problem we had was a nail in our tire, which was super easy to fix.)
In this post, I’ll tell you more about why Adobe Rent-A-Car is the best, and walk you through all of the important information you need to know to have a great rental car experience from start to finish.
SEE ALSO: Getting Around Costa Rica

Why Rent a Car in Costa Rica with Adobe Rent A Car?
Adobe-Rent-A Car is a Costa Rican-owned car rental company that has been in business since 1990. They are committed to giving customers the absolute best prices on rental cars with excellent insurance options and transparent pricing.
Since Adobe Rental is a local company, they know the ins and outs of how to work within the Costa Rican systems. This means they offer the most comprehensive and easy-to-understand insurance benefits. Their fleet is never more than two years old, and they can source the best prices on the newest vehicles through their local connections. They pass these perks directly on to their customers.
Where Adobe really shines? Customer service. Adobe Rent-A-Car is efficient at getting their clients into their rental cars efficiently, and everyone who works in their company is genuine and nice. Over the past ten years that I’ve worked with Adobe, I have come to know the rental agents, and that’s because I see the same people over and over. It says a lot about how Adobe Rental Car is able to retain its staff over the long term because it’s a great place to work.
Plus, it’s super easy to book your car online and make sure your reservation is secure because they send a lot of confirmation emails with clear instructions for the next steps.

Benefits of Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Freedom to Explore
As a parent, having the flexibility to move around the country when I want, instead of waiting on taxis or shuttles makes my vacation 1,000% better. And you can rent a car for the same price (or less!) as it would cost you to have a shuttle from place to place. A shuttle offers zero flexibility- which is especially relevant for parents who need bathroom and snack breaks on long rides.
Families often ask about public transportation during our rental car conversations. I’ll just say they are not really the best way to go. That’s because a public bus is very very slow. It’s dirt cheap, but with kids, it is long, hot and you still only get to the center of town before needing additional transportation. Plus, you’ll make countless stops on the way there, doubling or tripling your time as compared to a car. However, public transportation is by far the cheapest option in Costa Rica.
I also have an article about getting around Costa Rica in general- which covers all of the types of transportation available in Costa Rica, and which methods are best for different types of travelers.
SEE ALSO: TOP PLACES TO STAY IN COSTA RICA WITH KIDS
Off-the-Beaten-Path Access
Another huge advantage of renting a car with Adobe Rental Car is that they have a huge range of vehicles so you can safely and comfortably explore Costa Rica the way you want to.
For example, when I went on my own to Costa Rica to get some immigration business done, I only needed to drive around the Central Valley. I rented a tiny compact car for super cheap and never even used a full tank of gas on my trip.
On another trip, we were staying at Rancho Margot during the rainy season, and we needed at least a 4×2 to get to the farm. Adobe set us up with a Hyundai Creta that could go offroad and was also economical with gas.
And if you want to cross rivers and drive on the beach and do all the other crazy driving off-the-beaten-path in Costa Rica Adobe has awesome 4WD cars in their fleet for that too.

Convenience for Families
Also, renting a car can be more comfortable for families. Our family likes to be able to pull over at the restaurants we want, look at wild animals on the side of the road, or just take bathroom breaks when we want.
Adobe offers different types of car seats for families traveling with kids, so we don’t have to lug around car seats if we don’t want to. (Note that Adobe currently does not offer rear-facing car seats.)
I also really like Adobe’s cars. You do have to check if the trunk will be big enough for the type of luggage you will take. After that, we found the cars inside to be really comfortable, and the navigation systems were on point. Renting a car just makes things easier for families.
For my customers, you get free car seats and boosters when you book with Pura Vida Moms. Note- there are no rear-facing car seats offered at this time.
Related post: 7 Days in Costa Rica – With Kids!
Local Expertise
One of the things I love about Adobe Rent-A-Car is its employees. As I mentioned before, Adobe is a great place for Costa Ricans to work, and employees love to work there- and stay a long time.
Since Adobe employs so many locals, the rental agents have intimate first-hand knowledge of road and traffic conditions. As I write this article (November 2024), Costa Rica is experiencing some of the worst rainfall in recent history. I was on the phone with Adobe to find out alternate routes for a client, and they knew exactly where to send them.
There is also a WhatsApp account where you can chat with agents and ask them all kinds of questions about your trip, your route, your car, anything. It is sooo helpful, and they are incredibly responsive.
Finally- Adobe Rental Car has 14 offices throughout Costa Rica, and they are strategically located in high-traffic tourist areas. This means that if you need help, or have a question, an office is usually really close. It’s easy to ask your questions in person during your trip.
SEE ALSO: Top Excursions For Families In Costa Rica
About Adobe Car Rental
I love that Adobe has a commitment to integrating itself into the sustainable tourism movement in Costa Rica. They are also super flexible and open to meeting customers’ individual needs.
This means they are willing to pick up and drop off rental cars for my clients within a 30-minute drive of their nearest office. They also offer an airport dropoff, which has been a Godsend when we are running late for our departure flights.
Fleet Options
One of the best things about Adobe Rental Car Costa Rica is that they have a continually new fleet. The last time I rented with them I had a car that didn’t even have plates it was so new. They have everything from sedans to SUVs, it just depends on what type of car you need.
If you are unsure what type of car would be best for your trip, please do reach out to me and I can definitely help you narrow it down. I also often recommend that my clients ask their accommodations which type of car they recommend. We were in a situation where I never would have thought to rent a 4×4 car, but the last kilometer up to the vacation rental required a 4-wheel drive, and I was so thankful I had reached out. I will say, that’s the only time in 20 years we have actually needed one.
Special Amenities
Adobe also has a ton of add-ons for your rental car, which we find really helps us pack less.
They offer wifi, GPS, coolers, surf racks, booster seats, and forward-facing car seats. You can also add additional drivers to your reservation.
Exclusive Discounts
As a reader of Pura Vida Moms, you will receive extra benefits in your Costa Rica car rental- beyond the discount listed above. The extras include:
- Free car seats and boosters for your kids (see below)
- Up to 2 free additional drivers
- Free cooler
- Free airport shuttle (to and from the airport)
- Free door-to-door delivery (Adobe will drop your car off at your hotel within a 12-mile radius of the airports)
You just need to make sure to use the link here to rent your car and the discounts will be applied automatically.
Also, when you rent through Pura Vida Moms you are receiving a discount off of your total rental. Your discount will range from 5-10% off the regular price of the rental. The discount is automatically applied but doesn’t show up on your reservation, which is annoying.
I asked Adobe about this, and they said that they use an algorithm that calculates the best discount possible considering several factors including the dates of rental, length of rental, and type of car.
Book your Adobe Rental Car Discount Here

Tips for Driving in Costa Rica
I have another long-form post about using a car in Costa Rica. You can look at the article Driving in Costa Rica, where I talk about everything you need to know- especially if you are driving with kids.
Here I’ll go over some of the most important basics, which should also help you determine youe level of comfort with renting a car for your Costa Rica trip.
Navigating Costa Rican Roads
We love Adobe because almost all of their cars have screens that connect to your phone. You can get wifi from Adobe, but we use Holafly unlimited data, and the navigation app Waze, and away we go!
RELATED: How To Use Your Cell Phone In Costa Rica
Rental Car Security
Many people worry about parking their cars in Costa Rica, or having their rental car stolen. The best advice I can give you is to take all of your valuables out of the car before you park it.
We also make sure nothing is really visible- and most of Adobe’s cars offer a cover for the back of the car when there isn’t a trunk.
Most tourist areas also have parking attendants who will watch your car for a small fee. They are usually dressed in a construction vest and don’t speak much English, but we have never found someone who wasn’t trustworthy in watching over our car.
SEE ALSO: Costa Rica Safety Guide For Families
Getting Gas
Getting gas in Costa Rica is a dream! I love it. You can find gas stations in your navigation app, and I highly recommend looking at where the gas stations are on your route so you can plan accordingly.
When you pull into a gas station, an attendant will come to your car and ask you what you want. Make sure you ask the rental car company if the car you rented takes regular or super gas. Then you’ll just say “lleno (pronounced yen-oh) con regular” or “lleno con súper.” The attendant will do everything else- and often clean your windshield or check your tire pressure if you ask.
When it comes time to pay, you need to make sure that the amount you are paying matches the amount on the gas machine. One of the biggest scams in Costa Rica is when the attendant charges you extra. I also always turn the car on to make sure the gas is indeed in the car. Not adding gas to the car and then charging for it is another scam, although not as common.
Remember gas is measured in liters, not gallons. One cool thing in Cost aRica is that gas prices are regulated nationally, so every gas station charges the same. Expect to pay just over a dollar a liter, or a little less than $5 per gallon.
READ ALL ABOUT CURRENCY IN COSTA RICA

Road Signs
Road signs are in Spanish in Costa Rica, but the pictorial representations will use standard colors and shapes. Here are a few other important terms:
- Ceda = yield
- Despacio = slow
- Zona Escolar = school zone
- Alto = stop
- Velocidad Máxima = speed limit
- Puente = bridge
- Una vía = one-way
- No estacionar = no parking
Your speed limits will be in kilometers per hour, and the laws generally favor pretty slow speeds. To avoid speed traps, Costa Ricans will often blink their high beams to oncoming traffic to signal a speed trap. Waze will also alert you to a speed trap since it is user-generated real-time content.

If You Get Stopped
Costa Rican police and traffic officers will generally not stop tourists just for fun. Taking vibes is heavily frowned upon in Costa Rica, so there’s not really an incentive to pull people over.
More commonly, you will pass through a security checkpoint where officers are looking at license plate expiration dates, emissions stickers, and occasionally passports.
You might get pulled over for an infraction, or you might get in a wreck. In that case, make sure you get all the paperwork in order to let Adobe know as soon as possible exactly what happened.
If You Get A Flat Tire
We recently had a flat tire in our rental, and we just assumed the spare tire would be a small one like in the States. But it’s not! It’s a full-size tire. So if you get a flat tire, just change to the spare, and either get the old one fixed (it costs about $5 and takes a half hour) or just wait until you get back to the rental car office.
Driving At Night
You’ll see lots of information about driving at night in Costa Rica. The issue with driving at night is that the roads are generally not marked with center or side lanes. And lights? Forget about it.
So when it’s dark, it can be hard to see where the road stops and starts. This can be pretty exhausting to drive long distances because you have to pay really close attention to the road.
That said, going to dinner or an outing and heading back to your hotel at night is no problem! I just don’t recommend driving long distances from one place to another at night.
Adobe’s Road Assistance Services
Adobe has amazing roadside assistance. You can call or text the office anytime and the agents will help you with whatever problem you have. However- if you don’t have full coverage on your vehicle, you aren’t eligible for things like towing the car.
We used to not pay the full coverage insurance and just use our credit card insurance to save some money. But what I recently found out is that if you decline the insurance from Adobe in favor of your credit card’s insurance, you are responsible for paying the full amount of any damages before you leave Costa Rica, and then settling with the credit card company later. Adobe is great about providing all of the necessary paperwork, but it’s a pain. Now we just take the coverage Adobe offers so we don’t have to deal with it.
Otherwise, you will need to call Adobe immediately for the following reasons:
- If you get a ticket, call them, and don’t wait until you get back to the office. This way, they can have everything ready for you to settle the ticket right when you get to the office.
- If you have an accident, call them immediately as well.
Remember Adobe has 15 offices around the country, so there is a good chance you will be near one if you have a problem and need in-person help.

Insurance Options with Adobe
There are three types of car insurance you need to be aware of for your Costa Rica car rental. They are Liability Protection, Car Protection, and Extended Protection.
Keep in mind- Adobe Rental Car will always quote your rental price with the required insurance- this is why the price may seem higher than other companies at the outset. But when you arrive at the airport the rental company will hit you with the additional insurance because it’s required.
The Liability Insurance is $13.56 a day at the time of writing, and it is required by Costa Rican law. Your credit card will not cover that insurance for you.
The Car Protection is $16.95 a day and may be covered by your credit card. This coverage is for direct car damages, total or partial theft of the rental car, and basic third-party coverage up to $200,000.
In order to decline that coverage, you would need to contact your credit card company and get a letter from them stating that the card already covers the Car Protection. Make sure you bring the printed copy of the letter with you when you arrive at the rental car office. Keep in mind that you are responsible for paying all of the damages before you leave Costa Rica and then getting reimbursed by your credit card company later.
The Extended Protection is completely optional- at the time of writing it costs $20.34 per day. It comes with the following benefits:
- Direct car damages, collisions, and rollovers
- Total or partial theft of rental car
- Windows, car lights, vandalism damages, license plates, tow trucks, and roadside assistance.
- Increased coverage for third parties, up to $2 million.
No insurance will cover negligence with the vehicle. (Drinking and driving, for example).
Finally, Adobe has a $1,000 deductible, which is the most competitive price in Costa Rica after Economy, whose deductible is $950. This must be on a credit card for holding purposes, but at the end of the rental period, if you want to pay on a debit card, you can.
You can never pay cash for a rental at Adobe.
RELATED: ULTIMATE GUIDE To Costa Rica Weather

Booking Your Adobe Car Rental
- Click here to be taken to the Adobe Rental Car booking page. You can also click on the image below. You’ll fill in your dates and the type of car that you want. Simply going to the widget will give you the discount, you don’t need a special promo code. Note that the date appears as day, month, and year. So if you are renting on March 2, 2023, you’ll actually put in 2/3/23.
- Once you fill in the parameters of your rental, you will be taken to a new page where you can choose your vehicle type. Tip: Give yourself enough time to drop off the car and get on the shuttle to be at the airport 2-3 hours early.
- You’ll then be taken to a page where you can choose the insurance and extras that you want, and fill in your name and passport information.
- VERY IMPORTANT: Once you have completed the above steps, you have only told the system you want your Costa Rica car rental. In order to actually reserve the car, you will need to provide credit card info. This is done separately. You will receive an email with instructions on how to reserve using your credit card through a secure page. Your card WILL NOT BE CHARGED until you are at your rental location.
The first thing you will probably do when planning your Costa Rica trip is to start by comparing prices on rental cars. And you’ll find that Adobe’s prices come in higher than almost any other rental car company in Costa Rica. And then you’ll say, “Christa, what gives?”
In Costa Rica, there is mandatory liability insurance that isn’t covered by your credit card. In order to make prices transparent, when you see Adobe’s rental car rates, they will give you the base rate and then the liability insurance price on top.
Most of the other companies only provide you with the base rate, and when you arrive they hit you with the liability insurance bill. It is confusing for clients and feels kind of like a scam to me.
Once you reserve your car, you’ll need to check your email for a confirmation email. You’ll want to check this right away because, in order to guarantee your reservation, you’ll need to provide your credit card information through a secure website.
Your card isn’t charged, but this holds your reservation. Other car rental companies don’t ask for this info, but they also won’t always hold your car when your flight is delayed. This happened to me once with Dollar Rental Car and I was left with two toddlers and no car late at night at the San Jose Airport. Never again, I said.
A note on choosing your car– I generally say that if you are staying in the Central Valley you’ll really only need a sedan. If you are venturing onto some dirt roads, get a 4×2. If you are crossing rivers, especially in the rainy season, you’ll want to have a 4×4. You don’t have to have a 4×4 in Costa Rica, and not getting one will save you a TON of cash because the car is less expensive and the car uses less gas too.
SEE ALSO: The TOP 25 Day Trips From San Jose

Tips for Saving on Rental Costs
Some of you won’t ever see the offices at Adobe (more on that in a minute) and some of you will head to them right away. In either case, it’s important to know what to expect.
Adobe Car Rental Costa Rica provides free shuttle service from the airport to their office at the San José International Airport or from the Guanacaste International Airport in Liberia. You simply give them your flight information and they will have an agent waiting for you. They even track your flight so they know if it is delayed and can be there at the right time.
If you are like me and arrive late at night and don’t want to deal with the rental car until morning, you can book a hotel near the airport, and an Adobe Car Rental agent will arrive at your hotel the next morning before you leave.
As long as the hotel is within a 12-mile radius of the airport, you are good. The agent will bring the car and paperwork with them. You can do everything right at your hotel and be on your merry way. This also saves you 12 hours worth of rental fees because you aren’t paying for the car to sit in the hotel parking lot the first night of your arrival.
We stay at the Adventure Inn Hotel when we arrive in San Jose. When we arrive in Liberia we stay at different Liberia accommodations near the airport.
If you do go to the Adobe Car Rental Costa Rica office, the shuttles to and from the airport are clean and have wifi, and the agents are all completely bilingual (Spanish/English).
Adobe has 15 locations throughout the country, which is awesome for a couple of reasons. First, it means that if you only want ot have your car for part of the trip it’s no problem. You can pick up your car at one location and drop it off at another for a small fee (I think it’s $50).
The other reason I like this is that if you get into a situation where you need help, there is an office not too far away so Adobe can send someone easily.
RELATED POST: Which Airport Should I Fly Into?

Airport Pick-up/Drop-off Details
Once you are with an agent to get your car, you’ll present your passport and driver’s license to the agent. Most likely they will already know who you are based on the flight you came in on, but of course, they need to officially verify everything.
The next question you’ll be asked is what type of insurance you want to carry on the vehicle. You have to keep the liability insurance. The extended car protection is optional, and your agent will go over what that covers at the time of rental.
Adobe rental car also offers many extras for your convenience. They include:
- Wifi hotspot
- GPS
- car seats and/or boosters
- additional driver
- ebooks
- fuel tank refill
- seat covers for dogs
- cooler
Each of these is an additional charge, and since it fluctuates you’ll want to ask about the rates when you are there. I will note that if you book with the rental car discount through Pura Vida Moms you can get an additional driver, car, and booster seats, and a cooler for free with your rental.
Once you have confirmed all of this, you will then proceed to pay for the rental. You will need to have a credit card to have a deposit placed on your card, but you can pay for the car itself with a debit card. Adobe does not handle cash.
You’ll sign paperwork acknowledging your rights and responsibilities, and you’ll be shown your car. You and the agent will check your car for any damages and note them on the rental car agreement.
You are ready to be on your merry way! The agent will hand you the keys and you are off.
See also: Getting Around Costa Rica
Common Questions on Adobe Car Rentals (FAQ)
Do I need a car seat?
The short answer is yes and no. For a car seat and booster, most rental companies will include these or add them to the rental for a small fee. (When you use our Adobe discount code then you’ll not need to pay for the car seats).
I stay in contact with Adobe pretty regularly about their car seats, and they are decent. They don’t offer rear-facing infant seats or bases, so you need to bring your own. The forward facing car seats are 5 point harnesses and they are the Cosco brand. The boosters are also Cosco brand, and more than fine for what you need.
Which car should I choose?
Many years ago, people would complain about the roads in Costa Rica being full of potholes or very muddy during the rainy season. I will give Costa Rica some credit here- the roads have gotten much better in the last 20 years.
To that end, if you are a family going between any of the popular tourist spots (La Fortuna, San Jose, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, anywhere in the Central Valley, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita, Tortuguero, Tamarindo, Playa del Coco, etc) you are fine with a sedan.
On the other hand, if you are looking to go to off-the-beaten-path beaches (think Playa Junquillal), across rivers (driving to the Osa Peninsula), or in and out of Monteverde- especially in the rainy season- you’ll want a 4×4 car. So it depends on what you want to do. My favorite two cars right now are the Hyundai Creta and the Hyundai Kona.
You’ll Also Like: ULTIMATE GUIDE To Costa Rica Weather
In Conclusion
Adobe Car Rental is the best choice for a stress-free and reliable driving experience in Costa Rica, offering top-quality vehicles, unbeatable perks, and outstanding customer service. Whether you’re exploring remote beaches, national parks, or bustling city streets, Adobe provides the flexibility and peace of mind you need for an unforgettable trip.
Book your discounted Adobe Rental Car here.
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Meet Christa

Hi, I’m Christa! I help families plan stress-free, culturally immersive trips to Costa Rica. As a home chef, I also share my passion for Costa Rican food through authentic recipes. My mission is to help your family fall in love with Costa Rica through practical advice, unforgettable experiences, and delicious meals.
Your blog has been wonderful! Thank you for all the information. I am trying to book a car with your link. How do I know if I am getting a discount? I can’t see anything being taken off the price. Thanks for your help!
Hi! It will automatically give you the biggest discount that it can. It does depend on several factors- type of car, time of year, length of rental, etc. For example, if you are renting an SUV at Christmas- no discount. ? But if you are renting a compact car in November, you would probably get a 20% discount. What you can do is to use the link and see the price and then book the same without the link and see the price and compare that way. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Your site has been incredibly helpful while I plan our upcoming trip with two littles. Thank you so much!
Do you know how I would book with two baby seats? I have a petite 5 year old who probably doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for a booster and a 2 year old. Do I add a note about needing two in the comment section of the booking?
Is there a world in which we wouldn’t get two car seats without being notified in advance of our arrival, or are they pretty good about communicating those types of things?
I replied to your other one too, but no, if you request the baby seats they will be there, and if they don’t have them, you would know in advance. For you, I’d just email them quickly, feel free to cc me as well. pura vida moms at gmail dot com
Actually, I also can’t seem to get the free baby seats through your link. Both the baby seat and booster show up with a charge when I add them. Is this no longer part of your deal with them?
Hi! Still part of the deal. I will reach out to see what is going on. However, you can also just email them and let them know it is missing and I know they will not charge you for them. I’ll also reach out directly in case it is affecting anyone else. Thank you for letting me know!
You can email: reservas@adobecar.com
Pura vida!
Christa