Private Shuttle vs. Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Which is Right for You?

One of the most important decisions when planning your Costa Rica trip is how you'll get around. Both car rental and private shuttle services have their place—the right choice depends on your travel style, group size, and what kind of experience you're looking for.

Option 1: Renting a Car

Car rental gives you flexibility but comes with considerations many travelers don't expect:

The Real Costs

• Base rate: $35-70/day depending on vehicle type
• Mandatory insurance (LDW/CDW): Often required, adds $15-25/day
• Gas: Costa Rica has higher fuel prices than the US
• GPS rental: Essential since signage can be confusing
• Parking fees at hotels and beaches
• 4x4 often needed for unpaved roads

The Driving Experience

• Navigating unfamiliar mountain roads
• Driving in challenging conditions (rain, unpaved roads)
• Missing the scenery while focused on the road
• Finding safe parking at each destination
• Managing potential breakdowns or flat tires
• Arriving tired after long driving days

Best For:

• Travelers who want complete flexibility to stop anywhere
• Those comfortable driving in varied conditions
• Solo travelers or couples on tight budgets
• Itineraries requiring very remote locations
• People who've driven in Costa Rica before

Option 2: Private Shuttle

A private shuttle offers a completely different experience—one focused on comfort and enjoyment rather than logistics:

What You Get

• Door-to-door service from hotel to hotel
• Professional bilingual driver who knows the roads
• Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
• Freedom to relax, nap, or enjoy the views together
• Local insights and recommendations from your driver
• No worries about navigation, parking, or vehicle issues

Best For:

• Families and groups (price is per vehicle, not per person)
• First-time visitors to Costa Rica
• Travelers who want to maximize relaxation
• Those with defined itineraries between major destinations
• Anyone arriving on late-night flights
• People who value local experience and insights

Many of our guests tell us the private transfer was one of the best decisions of their trip. Instead of arriving stressed, they arrived excited and ready for adventure.

The Smart Approach: Combine Both

Experienced travelers often use private shuttles for long transfers between regions, then rent a car only where they need it for local exploration. For example: take a private transfer from the airport to La Fortuna, rent a car for a few days to explore the volcano area, return the car and continue by shuttle to your next destination.