Two Weeks in Costa Rica
Travel and Moving Blog
Costa Rica Rental Car Discount – Save 10-20%
Last Updated: September 2, 2024
If you need a rental car for your upcoming trip to Costa Rica, we’ve got great news. We’ve teamed up with Adobe Rent a Car to offer a special discount and free extras to our readers.
Adobe is one of the most reputable rental car companies in Costa Rica. They have 15 offices throughout the country, newer cars (less than 3 years old), great customer service, and are carbon neutral!
Adobe’s prices are competitive, even before this added discount and they don’t have hidden fees. We’ve rented from them many times and always send friends and family to them to ensure a great experience.
Rental Car Discount – How it Works
1. To get the special discount, click here or on the image below. Simply put in your search parameters (pick-up and drop-off date, time, and location) and click Go.
2. You will be taken to Adobe’s website to complete your reservation using their reservations’ system. You will know you are receiving the discount because when you click on a car “TWO WKS IN CR” will appear under the “fare” section.
- A discount will be automatically applied. It will be 10% or more off Adobe’s current best base rates.*NO SPECIAL ADOBE PROMO CODE OR DISCOUNT CODE IS NEEDED.
- GPS will be $6/day (regularly $9/day) plus tax.
- Our readers also get a free second driver, free delivery/pick up to nearby hotels, and free car seats or booster seats. Coolers and surf board racks are also free, when available. Just write in the notes when you make your reservation online which of these extras you need.
3. After you complete the reservation-request form, click Reserve. You will then receive an email from Adobe with the details of your reservation.
IMPORTANT: Please note that selecting Save Quotation will not actually hold the car; it will only send you a copy of the quote. You must select Reserve to make a booking. If you do not receive an email with a confirmation number after making a reservation, let us know and we can contact Adobe. Our email is bookings(at)twoweeksincostarica(dot)com
*Adobe’s rates fluctuate, but our discount should always be at least 10% off the car base price (not the total with insurance).
To compare the discount with Adobe’s regular rates, open the Adobe website in a private tab or different browser: https://adobecar.com/
Use a different browser to check the Adobe site or the system with get confused and remove our discount code.
If you have any problems, contact us at bookings(at)twoweeksincostarica(dot)com so we can get you a manual quote. If you need immediate assistance or a last minute rental, contact Adobe directly (reservas(at)adobecar(dot)com) and request the discount through Two Weeks in Costa Rica.
FAQs About Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Below are some common questions about driving in Cota Rica. For more information, be sure to check out our article Driving in Costa Rica: What to Know Before You Go.
Q: What is Costa Rica’s mandatory insurance, is it included, can I decline it?
A: Costa Rica has a government-imposed basic liability insurance on rental cars. Adobe and all rental car companies must charge this and you can’t decline it by law, even if you have other forms of coverage. Unlike many companies, Adobe includes the mandatory insurance in its quotes. It is a separate line item called Liability Protection on the booking screen online and in the confirmation that they email after you make a reservation.
Car Protection is separate and covers damage to the rental car. This can be declined only if you can show proof that you have coverage through your credit card. The documentation should be a letter from your credit card company with your name on it and the last four digits of your card. The letter should say that you have collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage in Costa Rica. Usually you can get this letter with a quick phone call to your credit card company.
A third type of insurance, Extended Protection, is available through Adobe and can be purchased when booking or at the counter. This is a more comprehensive coverage.
Questions? We have written a detailed article about renting a car in Costa Rica, which covers insurance: Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Clearing Up the Confusion.
For specific insurance questions, we recommend contacting Adobe directly. Email: info(at)adobecar(dot)com. Phone (Costa Rica): (506) 2542-4800.
IMPORTANT: When comparing different rental companies, make sure that they are including the mandatory liability insurance in the quote. Since this insurance cannot be declined, it will be added to any quote once you arrive, potentially adding hundreds of dollars to your reservation. Other rental car companies and also booking engine sites like Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity often seem a lot cheaper but it’s just because they don’t include this fee upfront.
Q: What is the deposit?
A: All companies put a hold/deposit on your credit card at the time of rental in the event of damage to the car. Adobe’s deposit is $1,000-1,500. A credit card is required for the deposit; debit cards are not accepted.
This is something else to watch out for. We have heard of deposits up to $8,000 with some companies!
Q: Is there an airport surcharge?
A: No. Adobe does not have a surcharge to pick up from the airport. Some of the other rental companies and third-party booking sites do have an airport surcharge so be sure to look out for it.
Q: Airport Pick-ups/Drop-offs – Can I get the car right from the airport?
A: None of the rental companies have cars at the airport (at either San Jose or Liberia), but their offices are not far away. Include your flight details when making your reservation and they will be waiting outside the airport for you, holding an Adobe sign. They will then take you to their office in an air conditioned shuttle van a few miles down the road where you will pick up the car.
There are often a lot of people right outside the airport and it can be hectic and chaotic. The Adobe rep will be looking for you and will be wearing a blue shirt. If you don’t immediately see them, just ask someone to point them out. Generally, they stand in the same place all the time and other companies, drivers, taxi services, will be able to lead you that way.
Q: Free Hotel Delivery – Will Adobe deliver my car to my hotel?
A: Yes. Adobe offers free delivery to hotels within 12 miles (19 km) of their offices. This is a convenient option if you’re flying in late or have an early morning flight.
Q: I don’t see an Adobe location where I want to rent or drop-off. Is there a delivery/drop-off service?
A: Yes. Adobe can deliver a car to you or pick it up from your location for free or a fee, depending on how far away their closest office is. This is common for people traveling to La Pavona/Tortuguero.
For a full list of the towns Adobe serves and delivery/drop-off fees, visit their website. When booking with our widget, you’ll want to choose the closest Adobe office to the location and then add specific details in the comment section of the rental form. For example, to pick-up/drop-off in La Pavona, choose the Guapiles/Guarumos Restaurant office. To pick up near Jaco/Esterillos choose the Quepos Office. For La Fortuna/Arenal, use the Ciudad Quesada office.
Q: What is the minimum age to rent? Young drivers
A: For Adobe, you have to be at least 23 years old. Other companies accept younger drivers but there may be an additional daily charge.
Q: What is the maximum age to rent? Senior drivers
A: Adobe does not have a maximum age. If the driver has a valid license and feels comfortable and fit to drive, they are welcome to rent a car.
Q: Does Adobe Rent a Car have car seats?
A: Yes, they have car seats and booster seats. Two Weeks in Costa Rica readers get them for free. Just be sure to request them when reserving online.
For more on the types of car seats available and whether you should rent one or bring your own, check out our full article about Car Seats in Costa Rica.
Q: Do I need four-wheel drive?
A: You don’t need four-wheel drive everywhere in Costa Rica and can save some money by not getting a 4×4 unless necessary. Most of the roads leading to well-known tourist destinations are well paved but there are exceptions. Parts of Costa Rica remain rugged, and an SUV with higher clearance and four-wheel drive can be both necessary and more comfortable for driving on rough dirt roads. If you’re visiting any of the following areas, opt for 4-wheel drive: Monteverde, Nosara, and San Gerardo de Dota. Many roads around Uvita and Dominical lead into the mountains and also require 4×4. Additionally, if you plan to explore off the main roads anywhere in the country, a 4-wheel drive would be useful.
For more information on the road conditions of all major routes in Costa Rica, read our separate post.
Q: Do I need Wi-Fi or GPS?
A: Costa Rica is infamously known for its poor signage. You will rarely see any road signs, and directions are typically given based on landmarks, for example “100 meters past the old mango tree.” (Check out this humorous Wall Street Journal article for more.) Driving in and out of the capital city of San José is particularly difficult and it is very easy to get lost. GPS units can work but are a little slow and out of date. Our tip is to enable your phone for use in Costa Rica, purchase a SIM card, or rent a Wifi stick through Adobe. This way, you can use your favorite maps or the popular Waze navigation app, which works really well.
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: You can find more details about insurance and Adobe’s policies on their website. For a comprehensive article about what to look for on your rental quote, read our post: Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Clearing up the Confusion.
More Help
If you are having trouble reserving a car through our website, you can contact us by e-mail at bookings(at)twoweeksincostarica(dot)com.
When using the form above, you will be taken to Adobe Rent a Car’s website, a third-party site. Any transactions, agreements, or disputes that occur as a result are between you as the customer and Adobe Rent a Car. Two Weeks in Costa Rica, Inc. accepts no responsibility or liability for the negligent acts or omissions of Adobe Rent a Car. Our relationship with Adobe Rent a Car is based solely on referring customers in exchange for a commission on each sale.