Car hire at Juan Santamaria Airport from $8/day

Class Compact Car

or similar Small

$8/day

Hyundai Elantra

or similar Medium

$12/day

Suzuki Jimny

or similar SUV

$26/day

Hyundai i10

or similar Small

$12/day

Hyundai H-1

or similar Van

$52/day

Kia Sorento

or similar SUV

$23/day

Class Compact SUV

or similar SUV

$8/day

Class Standard SUV

or similar SUV

$9/day

Suzuki Vitara

or similar SUV

$28/day

Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

Useful Info

Most popular car type
Compact

KAYAK’s insights & trends for San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport?

You should book your car hire in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport around 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car hire company in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport are Avis (5.3, 41 reviews), Payless (5.1, 42 reviews), and Europcar (4.5, 29 reviews).

Avis

Rated 5.3/10

Payless

Rated 5.1/10

Europcar

Rated 4.5/10

keddy by Europcar

Rated 10.0/10

What is the most popular car to hire in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport?

Intermediate cars (Suzuki Vitara or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport. Intermediate cars in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport cost $85/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as $85/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport?

The cheapest month to hire a car in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport is June at an average cost of $18/day. December is the most expensive month to hire a car in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport when prices are $74/day on average, which tends to be 231% above the yearly average hire price for San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport.

Which rental car company has the most locations in in in?

Amigo Rent A Car, Economy Rent a Car and Sunnycars operate 2 locations each in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, more than any other car hire company.

Find deals

Getting a car hire at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport means starting your trip to Costa Rica with total flexibility. Public transport in Costa Rica requires significant planning ahead due to most buses being privately owned with different routes and fees that can be difficult to research. Thus, it is quite easy to get on the wrong bus. Many don't have air conditioning so your own vehicle is the best way to stay cool in hot weather. Having your vehicle waiting at the terminal or a nearby depot means you won't need to worry about planning every detail and can experience Costa Rica at your own pace right from the start of your trip.
Alamo offers an accelerated check-in which allows you to upload documentation such as your driving licence and passport which would usually be processed at the service desk. It can then be verified ahead of time to expedite the process when you get to the service desk. So you can simply present your booking confirmation and payment information and be on your way. Alamo and Economy Rent-A-Car are both open 24h a day. National offers one-way hire at no extra cost.
You may wish to take your San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport hired car out of Costa Rica and into neighbouring countries. Bear in mind that cross border hires must be arranged at least 3 days in advance so we recommend organising this when you process your booking at the terminal, if possible. Most companies will not allow you to take the same vehicle over the border, however, companies like Alamo and National will allow you to travel to another depot at the border and exchange your vehicle for an extra fee.
Make sure you know the returns process when you pick up your vehicle and note down the deadline or time slot you are expected to return the vehicle by to avoid late fees. If you are transferred via shuttle to a different depot to pick up your vehicle, this is likely where you will be asked to return it, after which you will be provided with a shuttle to the terminal. Take note of whether you need to refuel your vehicle before returning it. You may wish to consider prepaid fuel, offered by companies such as Alamo and Enterprise where you pay ahead of time for the full petrol tank and can return it empty at a discount to the local fuel prices.
Book your car hire at Juan Santamaria Airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

Where are the service desks located?
The services providing car hire at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport are located in the arrival hall. After you have gone through baggage claim, most providers will have service desks just past customs. After they have processed your documentation and booking, you will either be directed to your vehicle at the parking lot outside or be transferred via shuttle to a nearby depot where you can pick up your vehicle. Some providers will have a staff member meet you in the arrivals hall with your name written on a board and take you straight to a nearby depot.
What documentation is required?
Before driving your vehicle, you will first need to present identification and payment information to the service desk. This includes your driving licence issued by your home country, an international driving licence and your passport. You will also need to present a confirmation of your booking, we recommend obtaining a printout of your receipt or confirmation email. Finally, you will need a credit card with an expiry date after your return date, note that most companies will not accept debit cards.
What vehicles are available?
Many different vehicles can be selected for car hire at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport. Compact vehicles and minis are perfect for those wishing to travel light and minimise fuel consumption. SUVs are available in both intermediate, standard and full sizes for those who need extra space for luggage or passengers.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Juan Santamaria Airport?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Juan Santamaria Airport to off-airport locations include Ace, ADOBE , Adobe Rent A Car, Alamo, Apex, Avis, Budget, Dollar, easyCar, and Economy Rent a Car.

Avis

5.3

Fair

Read 41 reviews

Best rated

Cleanliness

6.4

Comfort

6.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.2

Value for money

4.6

One location in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Locations in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Juan Santamaria Intl Apo

+506 2509 5950

Monday	05:00 - 22:30
Tuesday	05:00 - 22:30
Wednesday	05:00 - 22:30
Thursday	05:00 - 22:30
Friday	05:00 - 22:30
Saturday	05:00 - 22:30
Sunday	05:00 - 22:30

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Alexandra, June 2025

Full-size SUV

There was a bit of waiting for pickup and drop off but everything was fine. Best car I have rented in Costa Rica.

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Jan 2025

Intermediate SUV

You have to purchase insurance through Avis directly, I purchased it through Kayak with my booking however they said it didn’t count and made me buy another.

4.0 Mediocre

Ignacio, Sept 2024

Full-size

I rented a full size sedan for a price of $28. At the location, they added mandatory Costa Rica Insurance, concessonary fee, etc for a total of $156 for a Nissan Quashqai. Very deceiving pricing which creates a lot of friction with the customer. Wasnt aknowledge as a AVIS Preferred member.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Economy

the price was higher than in the reservation and I am not talking about additional insurance. scammers

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2023

Disappointing customer service: Never got an answer from Avis Costa Rica on the additional insurances despite few reminders. Cancelled the car rental booking and chose another company

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2022

Don¨t rent in Avis.

Payless

5.1

Fair

Read 42 reviews

Cleanliness

6.9

Comfort

6.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.2

Value for money

4.6

One location in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Locations in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Juan Santa Maria Intl Apo

+506 2430 4647

Monday	06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:00
Thursday	06:00 - 23:00
Friday	06:00 - 23:00
Saturday	06:00 - 23:00
Sunday	06:00 - 23:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Kosta, Apr 2025

Compact SUV

The vehicle was fine, but my $140 reservation ended up being $504 by the time they added all the "mandatory fees". They refused to accept my insurance. It's one thing to have a few taxes or roadside assistance to pay, but the final cost was more than triple what I was quoted!

2.0 Poor

hemen, Jan 2025

Standard SUV

They charges us an additional 400 dollars on the day of pick up even though i had already paid the full price plus bought the additional insurance from Kayak website . They said i have to pay the additional fee which includes there own insurance or else they will not release the car . They said my problem was that i bought the insurance from Kayak and not them so if i dont want it i should go on the website and cancel . They already knew that i cant cancel cause it was less than 24 hours . What a scam . very disappointing from Kayak website to advertise and offer their services on your website . Never again

4.0 Mediocre

Lev, Dec 2024

Standard SUV

Awful. I was quoted $112 for the car. I was over $250 out the door.

2.0 Poor

Ray, Apr 2024

Passenger van

We had cut our trip shorter by four days and the price quoted changed very little. When I questioned this I was told because I HAD to purchase additional insurance on the car we were driving. Also, our flight left before the dealer opened so I was told I had to leave the car at the airport, but not where at the airport. There are no signs or public parking lots around the airport so I drove around asking people where to leave it at 4:00 am in the morning, but no one knew. I finally took it to Payless and parked it in the front and took an Uber back to the airport. It was a real hassle.

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Mini

Very friendly people, good car. The drop-off location took some time to open (~20 mins), so that may affect some travel plans

2.0 Poor

AKARSH, June 2023

SUV

terrible. they have you buy additional insurance for hundreds of dollars and enormous deposit amount.

Europcar

4.5

Mediocre

Read 29 reviews

Cleanliness

4.8

Comfort

4.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.4

Value for money

4.1

One location in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Locations in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Carretera Aeropuerto Internacional

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, June 2024

Economy

They were not honest and tried to rip me off, I was charged for a rental that I booked online and was told that they didn't charge me and ultimately did not get Rental from them.

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Standard SUV

First car had a broken side mirror, so was given another car. Nicer car but rear wiper didn’t work, which was an issue when it was raining.

2.0 Poor

Allison, May 2021

Cons:

It was a total scam, they end up charging you just as much as name brand companies through forcing you to buy unnecessary insurance which is not disclosed when I made my non-refundable reservation.

4.0 Mediocre

Jennifer, Mar 2021

Cons:

Didnt have our reservation. Had to wait for hours.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2021

Pros:

Staff was super friendly!

Cons:

The advertised price is not what you end up paying when the mandatory insurance is added on. BEWARE!

4.0 Mediocre

EJ, Jan 2021

Cons:

The car was fine, but I left feeling like I was scammed. I had to pay for Liability insurance, which I was prepared for, but Europcar’s cost for this was twice as much as other rental places for no reason. And they wouldn’t accept my credit card’s CDW coverage (a first) and made me pay for that as well. Overall, it more than doubled the cost of the rental de me. A nasty surprise at the counter, but at that point, they know they’ve got you. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

keddy by Europcar

10.0

Wonderful

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Locations in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

San Jose Airport

+506 2519 9308

Monday	06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:00
Thursday	06:00 - 23:00
Friday	06:00 - 23:00
Saturday	06:00 - 23:00
Sunday	06:00 - 23:00

National

10.0

Wonderful

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Locations in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

La Asuncion De Belen

+506 2242 7878

Monday	00:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	00:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	00:00 - 23:59
Thursday	00:00 - 23:59
Friday	00:00 - 23:59
Saturday	00:00 - 23:59
Sunday	00:00 - 23:59

Dollar

9.6

Wonderful

Read 3 reviews

Cleanliness

9.6

Comfort

9.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.3

Value for money

8.3

One location in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Locations in San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport

Juan Santamaria Intl Ap

+506 2431 4865

Monday	06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:00
Thursday	06:00 - 23:00
Friday	06:00 - 23:00
Saturday	06:00 - 23:00
Sunday	06:00 - 23:00