Costa Rica Questions

[WhereAway]

Greetings,

Sorry, if this does not fit this forum. It's the closest I could find.

While I don't want to, my family decided to take a vacation in Costa Rica. Does anyone have experience renting a car there (San Jose)? I was thinking about just renting a car for a weekend and getting the locally offered insurance.

Going to be there Feb 4, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026

What stories do you have about Costa Rica? The good as well as the bad are helpful.

Thanks in advance

Scott

[AA3JY]

Our boat, a Cabo Rico, was made at the old Leyland Motors factory in San Jose. If interested read ‘Sailing down the Mountain’ by Ben Harrison

[Lostcoast]

I have been to Costa Rica many times. Both as a land tourist and on my boat. I have driven the country from the southern border with Panama to the Northern part almost to Nicaragua. Driving around the capital of San Jose can be hectic like any other big city. Be careful in some of the outlying areas as manhole covers get stolen for scrap metal leaving a large hole in the road. As you get farther off the beaten path most rules of the road are ignored as in many Central American countries. Most Ticos are courteous drivers. The big rig drivers are another story. A lot of goods in CR come via the costal highway from Panama. Trucks will pass each other two wide around blind corners. Nothing like coming around a bend and seeing trucks two wide. Try not to speed the cops will pull over a rental car as they let the locals fly by. I have driven thousands of miles throughout Costa Rica and never had a problem.

[WhereAway]

Originally Posted by AA3JY

Our boat, a Cabo Rico, was made at the old Leyland Motors factory in San Jose. If interested read ‘Sailing down the Mountain’ by Ben Harrison

Thank you for the information

[WhereAway]

Originally Posted by Lostcoast

I have been to Costa Rica many times. Both as a land tourist and on my boat. I have driven the country from the southern border with Panama to the Northern part almost to Nicaragua. Driving around the capital of San Jose can be hectic like any other big city. Be careful in some of the outlying areas as manhole covers get stolen for scrap metal leaving a large hole in the road. As you get farther off the beaten path most rules of the road are ignored as in many Central American countries. Most Ticos are courteous drivers. The big rig drivers are another story. A lot of goods in CR come via the costal highway from Panama. Trucks will pass each other two wide around blind corners. Nothing like coming around a bend and seeing trucks two wide. Try not to speed the cops will pull over a rental car as they let the locals fly by. I have driven thousands of miles throughout Costa Rica and never had a problem.

Thank you. I will report how the trip was. When I get back.