When planning a trip to Costa Rica, it’s important to think about how you prefer to travel around the country. Some people prefer public transportation for a number of reasons (including not having a driver’s license) while some prefer the autonomy that renting a vehicle provides.

There are many unmistakable benefits to having your own car: freedom to plan your days without being limited to public transport schedules, the ability to travel alone away from large crowds, complete control of the radio, and more. Despite this, many people still feel more comfortable taking a bus or a taxi and that is perfectly fine as well.

In this article, we will explore all the reasons you might want to rent a vehicle in Costa Rica.

Why rent a vehicle in Costa Rica?

If we could sum up all the reasoning behind renting a vehicle in Costa Rica in one word it would be flexibility. When you have your own vehicle in Costa Rica, you have the flexibility to:

  • Change your route as you please
  • Alter your departure times
  • Navigate off the beaten path
  • Spend more time doing activities

Most car rentals in Costa Rica include a GPS system so you can easily go where you want at your leisure with little to no hassle. This allows you to avoid planning your activities around potentially unreliable bus schedules or having to locate taxis on a whim.

Moreover, renting a vehicle gives you the comfort of traveling without a crowd and having as much luggage space as you need. If you are feeling venturesome, you also have the freedom to explore nearby areas and small villages that you would otherwise miss out on.

In addition to saving time, being more comfortable and having independence, car rentals can actually be less costly overall than public transport expenses.

Why not rent a vehicle in Costa Rica?

While renting a car on vacation is often more convenient, some people just don’t feel comfortable driving in a country they have never been to. This is entirely reasonable and if this is how you feel, you may want to consider public transportation including buses and taxi services.

Other reasons include poor road quality in certain areas, denser traffic in larger cities and if you are easily stressed when driving. If any of these things concern you, spend a bit more time researching the area you are visiting to make an informed decision.

It’s worth noting that if you are an anxious driver, companies like Target Car Rental give you the possibility to register an additional driver at no extra cost.

How to rent a vehicle in Costa Rica

Vehicle rental in Costa Rica is a piece of cake. On the Target Car Rental main page, you simply need to enter your pick-up and drop-off dates and times with your desired vehicle model to get a quote. Car rental services including GPS navigation, baby seats and an extra driver are even offered at no additional charge. Nothing could be as simple.

If you are interested in renting a vehicle on your next trip to Costa Rica, don’t hesitate to contact our team.