How to book your rental Car in Costa Rica with FAQ

The biggest question I get is about Insurance. This bears repeating and you will find it in this list of questions several times.

You are required by Costa Rican law to purchase Third Party Liability(TPL), your credit card won’t cover this so you need to add that by checking the box for it.

The car rental company requires you to have coverage for damage to the vehicle (CDW or LDW), your credit card could possibly cover that, please check with your bank to verify what you are covered for. The car rental company may require documentation proof of coverage.

🇨🇷 Required Car Rental Insurance

1. Mandatory Third-Party Liability Insurance (TPL or SLI)

What it is: This coverage protects you against damage you cause to third-party property (like other cars, buildings, etc.) and covers injuries or death to third parties (people outside your rental vehicle) in the event of an accident.
Mandatory Status: Required by Costa Rican law. You must purchase this from the rental company, regardless of any existing insurance you have at home or on your credit card.
Cost: This is a daily fee (often around $15–$25 per day) that is in addition to the base rental rate and is often not included in initial online quotes, but on this form it is

2. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW or LDW)

Mandatory Status: While not mandatory by law, rental companies typically require you to have this coverage.This is the one you may be able to cover with your credit card.

What it is: This coverage (technically a waiver) limits your financial responsibility for damage to or theft of the rental car itself. It usually comes with a deductible (your out-of-pocket maximum) if you purchase it through the rental company.

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