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Driving in Costa Rica is not for everyone. To make sure you know what you are getting before behind the wheel of a car in Costa Rica. The following are the 7 most frequently asked questions about driving in Costa Rica. These questions are in my favorite podcast about Costa Rica from people in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

1. What kind of cars are available for rent?

Renting a car in Costa Rica is more expensive than in the U.S., so most people rent the smaller compact cars that are a little cheaper.

Prices vary during peak season, you pay more. Around $ 20 or more per day. Rent during Christmas / New Year, a further U.S. $ 50 or more per week. I looked at five car rental cars in Costa Rica and the average rent for a small car like a Toyota Yaris costs about $ 205 per week. Please note this is not the legally required insurance, at least $ 10-20 per day. You are looking at $ 250-300 to rent a small car, per week.

Here you will find all major car rental agencies in Costa Rica such as Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Budget, and others.

2. Drives a good idea?

It depends. Driving in Costa Rica compared to other countries can be a very scary proposal for the most. Costa Rica has one of the highest vehicle accident rates in the world. Traffic rules and speed limits are often ignored. Crazy and illegal in lanes of traffic are. Turn are rarely used and dangerous past. So you can drive to your track, when all at once here comes a car in your lane is the wrong way because they are passing on a blind spot. The roads are in poor condition, and large potholes, which constitute a serious danger to your car is widespread.

Although the street in the beach are the real bad driving is not so scary, because there is less traffic, and because the roads are not the best people tend to see a little slower.

I have my own transportation so renting a car is something I like to do, but it all depends on your comfort. I have friends and family who have never driven outside the United States found it eerie to drive, but a fun adventure. So just take a simple and slow, and you are good. Do not worry about the other drivers, just not your thing.

3. Do I need rental car insurance?

By law, you need the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) liability insurance, regardless of one's own automobile insurance coverage or credit card coverage. Insurance is required by law is known as TPL, SLI, SLC or API. The cost of $ 10-20 USD per day depending on the vehicle. This insurance only covers damage to other people, cars or property. You need to buy additional coverage for damage to the car or you. However, car insurance or credit card might be that so please contact your insurance agent at home before leaving for Costa Rica and ask him if your insurance covers you for damage in Costa Rica. You can also use your credit card issuer and ask them the same question. If you own your policy covers you in Costa Rica you, and you do not need additional coverage. If they do not apply to you, then I suggest the conclusion of a supplementary policy of car rentals.

Optional LDW or CDW - Collision Damage Waiver, based on the cost of the car of the deductible amount, depending on the vehicle and agencies. The costs are between $ 10-20 USD per day.

Optional Zero Liability - This reduces your liability to zero against theft and vandalism, for example, the cost of this insurance is between $ 5-20 USD per day, depending on the agency and the car.

As you can see, the additional insurance costs may be fast, it is important that you are familiar with your insurance agent and your credit card company, because you might not even need the optional / supplementary coverage.

If your insurance agent gives you the thumbs up to me a favor and writing! You do not want any surprises.

4. What are car rental in Costa Rica?

Requirements may vary depending on the vehicle of the Internet use, so please contact them. Most will need a valid driver's license (one from your home state or country is fine), a valid passport with entry stamp, the Costa Rica Contract liability insurance, and you must be at least 21 years old.

5. Is it safe for the night?

The problem of driving at night is not crime, it's just insecurity and bad roads, conditions are even worse when poor visibility. The streets are not lit and it is pitch dark after 6:00 PM is not in order for an inexperienced driver.

6. What are the road conditions like?

The roads are very bad in comparison to the super-highways of the United States or the Autobahn in Germany. Drivers must comply with unsafe driving habits of motorists, huge potholes, and the highway is a two-street. The roads get worse during the rainy season because of road washouts mudslides from the mountains are.

7. Which side of the road in Costa Rica?

On the right side, as in the U.S. and Canada.

One last tip

Make a copy of the profile page of your passport and entry stamp and carry that with you along with your rental car papers. They could be stopped by the police and you must show that to them. You shall not bear your passport with you, just make copies. The government of Costa Rica, you can now replace the copies of the actual passport.

Alan Petersen is the host of Costa Rica Talk Radio, a popular podcast - Internet radio show about Costa Rica. Alan was born and raised in San Jose Costa Rica to an American father from Minnesota, USA and a mother from Tica Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Go to my website and discover Costa Rica: http://www.CostaRicaTalkRadio.com