Do You Need a Rental Car in Playas del Coco?
One of the most commonly asked questions we get is, “do I need a rental car in Playas del Coco?” To be honest, the answer is… it depends! Whether or not you’ll be renting a car depends on the activities you plan for your time in Playas del Coco.
There are many things to consider, including whether you’ll be using a tour to explore or you’ll be traveling on your own and even how many people you will be traveling with. Learn all about renting a car in Playas del Coco below!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
Pros and Cons of Renting a Car in Coco
As you might imagine, there are some pros and cons to renting a car in Playas del Coco.
Pros
- You’ll be able to have easy access to explore nearby beaches, towns, and attractions that you need a car to visit, like Rincon de la Vieja.
- It’s easier to stay in places not as close to public transportation, like Ocotal, Hermosa, and even the luxury houses on Cacique Hill.
- Renting a car will give you tons of freedom and flexibility so that you won’t be tied to a public transportation schedule.
Cons
- Car rentals can be expensive in Coco, so it may (or may not) end up being more costly than using public transportation.
- It’s very different driving in Costa Rica versus your home country, which can be a bit intimidating, especially at first.
- If you know you won’t be exploring outside Coco at all, there’s honestly no need to rent a car unless you want one.
Who Should Rent a Car in Coco
Before you start thinking deeper about car rentals in Coco, it’s important to consider who should actually rent a car while here. Below are some great examples of people who should rent a car in Coco.
- People who know that they want to leave Coco and get off the beaten track to explore
- Those who don’t want to join in on group tours (you’ll easily be able to travel to Rio Celeste or even Guachipelin without a group and save money)
- Big groups, which will definitely save money by renting a car
How Much Does a Rental Car Cost? Will It Save Me Money?
As with most other countries, car rental costs change a lot depending on the type of car you rent and the dates you plan to book, and how far in advance you book them.
Here are a few examples of what car rentals could look like throughout the year with pickup and drop-off from Liberia International Airport. Note that these costs were generated in August 2021 and will vary, as mentioned above.
- Renting for a week over Christmas costs around $958 to $1318 USD
- Renting for two weeks in January costs around $983 to $3057 USD
- Renting for a week in July costs around $205 to $445 USD
Whether or not a rental car will actually save you money during your trip is going to mostly depend on what you plan on doing as well as the number of people you’re traveling with. For example, if you’re only traveling with a group of two people or more and plan on going on lots of adventures, you will save money if you choose to rent a car and drive versus joining a tour.
Is insurance required on rental cars in Costa Rica? Do I need it even if my credit card has insurance?
Yes, it is! We know that Costa Rica insurance can be a bit daunting, but when booking through Adobe, you’ll have a few options.
The primary required insurance in Costa Rica is Liability Protection which will cover all of your more basic damages and has coverage with a maximum of $20,000 USD. It also has up to $100,000 USD coverage for any third-party damages of people not directly in your car. You can’t rent a car in Costa Rica without this.
Adobe also offers Car Protection insurance which is good for any theft, collision, damages, and rollovers. This is another type of insurance that’s required by law in Costa Rica. However, you can waive this insurance if you get a letter from your credit card company saying they’ll cover the damages this insurance covers.
The last type they offer is Total Protection insurance which isn’t required. This would include things like roadside assistance if you were to need something like new tires on your car during the rental period.
Do I Need a four-wheel-drive car?
This is another question that honestly depends on where you plan on going! In most cases, you can get by without a four-wheel-drive car if you won’t be visiting during Costa Rica’s rainy season. However, if you plan on leaving Coco and going towards Monteverde, the Osa Peninsula, or the Nicoya Peninsula, you’re going to want four-wheel drive.
I’m already in Coco – how do I get a rental car?
No need to worry at all! This is one of the things we love most about Adobe; they’ll bring it right to you.
What’s the best place to rent cars in Playas del Coco?
Our top recommendation for renting cars in Costa Rica is Adobe, which we always use! There are many reasons that we use and love them.
They’re locally owned, so it’s a great way to support a local business. Plus, they’re very attentive with fantastic customer service, they have honest pricing, and you always know exactly what you’re getting. They’ve been running their business for more than twenty years and are one of the biggest companies for car rentals in all of Costa Rica!
