San Jose Costa Rica Intl Airport (SJO) Car Rental

Customer must pre-arrange after hours service in advance.

After hours service is available at some locations.

Minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21, and there is no maximum rental age.

Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 will incur an additional daily fee.

Cross Border Policy-
Unrestricted Driving in Costa Rica.
Renters wishing to visit Nicaragua must prearrange at the time of rental for a vehicle exchange at the border. A three, 3, day minimum notice is required.
Customers can only rent the following vehicles- Economy, Compact, Intermediate SUV and Standard SUV

Upon vehicle exchange at the border, the original agreement is closed, a second rental agreement is issued by the other country, and the same rate is applied. A vehicle exchange fee totaling 50 USD for Nicaragua. When the renter returns to Costa Rica, the same process applies plus an additional 50 exchange fee.
Renters not planning to return to Costa Rica must notify the rental location in Costa Rica when prearranging the vehicle exchange.

Customer must pre-arrange delivery/collection  or pick-up/drop off of vehicle in advance

Delivery/Collection is available at no additional cost for hotels within 20 KM

Delivery/Collection is available at an additional cost for anything over 20 KM. Additional cost may range from $20- $150

Pick-up & Drop is available at no additional cost between San Jose Airport and the city of Alajuela

Pick-up & Drop is available at no additional cost between Liberia Airport to any nearby Alamo location

If you wish to discuss or dispute any matters concerning damage to your rental vehicle then please contact the Rental Company using the contact information below: customer.service@national.cr (506)2242-7878

 

All one way rentals must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. 

One way charges apply and are payable at time of rental. 

One way charges cannot be prepaid.

Collision Damage Waiver- Theft Protection (CDW-TP) is not insurance. The purchase of CDW-TP is optional in order to rent a vehicle in Costa Rica or the customer can purchase National Protection Package (NPP) which includes CDW-TP. If you purchase CDW-TP, the rental company contractually waives your responsibility for all or part of the cost of damage to, loss or theft of the vehicle during the rental period in Costa Rica unless you invalidate the coverage as provided in the rental agreement.

A deductible of up to $1,500 for CDW depending on car class, and a deductible of $2,000 for Theft Protection will apply.

Please be aware that most auto insurance policies from outside Costa Rica do not provide coverage in Costa Rica. Liability insurance purchased on third party travel websites is not an acceptable form of coverage. Employees of the local rental car company are not qualified to evaluate the adequacy of the customer's personal auto insurance coverage. The renter should contact their insurance company prior to arrival with any questions regarding their specific coverage. Further, if the renter provides acceptable proof of current coverage in Costa Rica and declines both CDW-TP and NPP, the renter is responsible for the full value of damage to or loss of the vehicle and an additional authorization on the renter's credit card will be taken at the time of rental in the amount of $500 USD plus the estimated cost of the rental.

As a customer, you have a choice as to how you would like to pay for fuel.

Option 1  Prepay Fuel
This option allows the renter to pay for the full tank of gas at the time of rental and return the tank empty. No refunds will be issued for unused gas.  Prepaid gas is available at 5 percent less than the local fuel prices

Option 2  We Refill
This option allows the renter to pay Alamo at the end of the rental for gas used but not replaced. Price per gallon will be higher than local fuel prices. A 50 percent surcharge will apply.

Option 3 You Refill
This option allows the renter to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas to avoid extra fuel charges.

National Protection Package (NPP) is a package product which includes Collision Damage Waiver-Theft Protection (CDW-TP), Tire and Windshield Protection (TWP), Deductible Protection (DP), and Third Party Liability (TPL) at a discounted price. NPP is not insurance. If you purchase NPP, the rental company contractually waives your responsibility for the cost of damage to, loss or theft of the vehicle, and up to the policy limits for damages and injuries to third parties during the rental period in Costa Rica, subject to the actions listed on the rental agreement that invalidate the coverage as described in the rental agreement.

No deductible applies.

Major Credit Cards are accepted if issued by:
• American Express
• Discover Card
• Mastercard
• Visa

All cards presented must be in the renter's name.

Debit cards and Cash can be used to settle any outstanding balances at the end of the rental.

A security deposit plus the estimated cost of the rental will be taken at the time of rental.

The deposit is $500 USD for all vehicle categories.

Roadside Assistance (RSP) - If selected and paid for at the time of rental, Roadside Assistance is available 24/7 without additional charges.

RSP includes towing (not related to an accident), flat tire service (if no inflated spare is available, vehicle will be towed), and lockout service (if keys are locked inside the vehicle). Jumpstarts and fuel delivery service for up to 5 gallons (or equivalent liters) of fuel is also provided. Tire damage beyond repair as a result of driver neglect is the responsibility of the renter.

RSP does not include the replacement of lost keys (including remote entry devices), the replacement cost of the key is 500.00 USD and will be added to the rental agreement.

Customers must have a valid drivers license from the country of origin.  Temporary driving permits or driver's license renewal documents are not accepted.  Must meet the locations minimum age requirements to rent. Must present a major credit card in the renters name at the time of rental.  A customer can drive in country using their drivers license from country of origin for up to 60 days. If staying in country longer, they will need an International driving permit.  International drivers must provide a valid license from their country of residence. In addition to the driver's license, if the characters are not in English or Latin Characters an international driver's permit is recommended. If the driver's license is in characters other than Latin, an International Permit is required, or a Notarized English Translation is accepted.

Toll pass devices are available at the locations for an additional daily fee. The toll pass allows the customer to breeze through the toll facilities. Just drive thru and take the "fast" lane.

Third Party Liability (TPL) The purchase of Third Party Liability (TPL) is required by the rental location on all vehicles unless you provide proof of liability coverage or purchase the National Protection Package (NPP), which includes TPL.

Customers can obtain coverage for damages and injuries to third parties under the local rental car company's insurance by purchasing its TPL protection, and such a purchase is required unless the customer presents valid written proof of current liability insurance specifying coverage in Costa Rica or if the customer purchases National Protection Package (NPP) which includes TPL. TPL provides coverage for incidents which occur during the rental period in Costa Rica. TPL coverage is subject to the actions listed on the rental agreement that invalidate the coverage as described in the rental agreement. A maximum deductible of 5,000 USD will apply. The minimum deductible is 250 USD.

Please be aware that most auto insurance policies from outside Costa Rica do not provide coverage in Costa Rica. Liability insurance purchased on third party travel websites and insurance that accompanies US credit or debit cards are not acceptable forms of coverage. Employees of the local rental car company are not qualified to evaluate the adequacy of the customer's personal auto insurance coverage. The renter should contact their insurance company prior to arrival with any questions regarding their specific coverage.