Can I modify, extend, or cancel my reservation?

You can modify, extend, or cancel your reservation in San Jose Airport through your manage booking section or through the app.

What documents do I need to rent a car at San Jose Airport?

You will need a full, valid driver's license along with a passport or identity card when picking up your car. More detailed information can be found in our rental information. These rules vary from country to country so please always check local regulations before making your travel arrangements.

Can I book a long-term car rental at San Jose Airport?

Easily book a long-term rental at San Jose Airport by entering trip dates and pickup/drop-off locations.

Do I need to purchase insurance or protection packages with my rental at San Jose Airport?

It is not required to do so. However, you are able to purchase a range of protection packages and insurances to reduce your liability.

Can I add an additional driver to my rental?

You can add additional drivers to your booking as an optional extra.

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Car rental San Jose Airport, Costa Rica

Google Maps San Jose Airport, Main Passenger Terminal, Alajuela, 20101, Costa Rica

Additional Information

Shuttle

Once you have collected your luggage, proceed to our SIXT counter in the arrival hall to receive your rental agreement. Our complimentary shuttle service will be waiting at the exit to bring you to the vehicle collection point. The bus runs regularly, approximately every 5-10 minutes. The journey takes approximately 6-10 minutes.

Your way to SIXT

Once you have collected your luggage, please proceed to the arrivals hall. Our service counter is conveniently located directly inside the terminal and is clearly signposted for your convenience. To streamline your experience, you can complete the check-out process and sign your rental agreement directly at the airport counter. This allows you to save time and avoid unnecessary delays at the operational base. After completing the administrative formalities, our complimentary shuttle service will be waiting at the exit indicated by our staff to provide a comfortable transfer to your vehicle collection point. The shuttle operates throughout our entire opening hours and runs approximately every 5-10 minutes. The transfer to the vehicle collection point takes approximately 6-10 minutes. The shuttle is an orange electric bus, clearly visible and easily recognizable by our logo.

Return information

The return of the SIXT vehicle is directly at the SIXT branch: Autopista General Cañas, Rio Segundo de Alajuela. At our SIXT branch, meet one of our SIXT representives, who will quickly process your return by shuttle back to the airport.

Directions

9.993900299072266, -84.20880126953125

San Jose Airport

24h Return

Address

Main Passenger Terminal, Alajuela, 20101, Costa Rica

Business hours

Mon - Sun

00:00 - 02:00 06:00 - 00:00

Public Holidays

00:00 - 02:00 06:00 - 00:00

Out of hours

Do you want to return your vehicle outside of opening hours?

4.2

Our customers love us

4.2 stars from 1,463 reviews at San Jose Airport.

Flexible returns

Don't worry when you bring your car back with 24hr returns.

More flexibility

Change or cancel bookings at no extra cost at most of our locations worldwide.

Our services at San Jose Airport

SIXT Car rental at San Jose Airport (SJO)

Booking a rental car at San Jose Airport (SJO) with SIXT is your top option for seeing the most that Costa Rica offers. SIXT’s fleet of premium vehicles is ready to go at San Jose Airport, formally known as Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). When you rent a car in San Jose, professional, English-speaking staff can help you select your ideal vehicle, or book it all on our app for maximum efficiency. Costa Rica’s reputation for outdoor recreation is unparalleled, and SIXT provides you with everything from tough and roomy trucks to spacious minivans to accommodate your trip and all the gear that goes along with it.

Explore San Jose in your car rental from San Jose Airport (SJO)

When you opt for a car rental in San Jose, you're ready to explore Costa Rica’s urban center, as well as both coasts. As Costa Rica’s lush natural landscape is its main attraction, it’s important to understand the country’s driving culture.

Before renting

Identification: Pack your driver's license and consult our help center for everything you need to know.
Download our app: The SIXT app lets you book and modify reservations, and you can confirm bookable extras like sat radio or unlimited mileage.
Peruse cars: Our fleet is structured with vehicles that average three months old, and browsing cars in advance can help you determine your best option, whether that’s a compact sedan for the city or an all-wheel drive SUV for road trips.

While renting

Keep right: Roads in both cities and rural areas of Costa Rica may be missing painted lines and demarcations. Drive on the right side of the road and keep right except to pass. Be alert for unmarked, shifting traffic patterns.
Signs: Road signs in Costa Rica are in Spanish, so familiarize yourself with the looks of common signs, such as Alto (Stop) and Una Via (One Way).
Rush hour: As San Jose is Costa Rica’s largest city, there may be rush hour traffic during the mornings and afternoons on weekdays. Plan your voyages accordingly, and use a GPS for your rental car to always find the best route.

After renting

Drop off: SIXT understands that visitors to San Jose need flexibility, so you can drop off your rental 24 hours per day using our key drop. Opt for prepaid refueling to make it even more streamlined.

More information for your car rental at San Jose Airport (SJO)

San Jose is packed with interesting museums, historic churches, and galleries devoted to local artisans, and it boasts a location surrounded by several national parks. A rental car in San Jose makes it easy to design your ideal itinerary, and SIXT makes it that much more efficient:

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica: Don't miss the National Museum that showcases Costa Rica’s culture, archaeology, and natural history. Just a 13.5-mile drive (around 1 hour) from the airport, is a must-see.
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo: Located 19.5 miles (a little over 1 hour) from the airport, this lush rainforest park with diverse wildlife, waterfalls, and hiking trails is the perfect spot to relax.
Spirogyra Butterfly Garden: Unwind in this tranquil garden featuring tropical plants. If you want to learn more don't miss the educational exhibits. Just 12.6 miles (around 50 minutes) from SJO, it’s an easy and convenient drive.

Our branch at San Jose International Airport (SJO) features flexible hours, allowing you to pick up your rental car upon arrival and begin your Costa Rica adventure immediately. And if you are flying through both of Costa Rica’s major airports, San Jose (SJO) and Liberia International Airport (LIR), SIXT offers one way rentals, so you can see the most without the stress of travel logistics.

Customer reviews & feedback

4.2

4.235646

Based on 1463 reviews

from our Customer Excitement Score survey*

What our customers are saying

4.5

4.4

Michel O.

5.0

Good car, friendly staff, everything Went smoothly

Carlos B.

4.0

The SIXT car rental facility in San Jose was flexible and cooperative because I had to switch my pick up from the Liberia Airport which was closed to San Jose. The car itself was ok but I recommend reserving the top of the line cars because SIXT is reasonably priced.

Kate P.

5.0

Sixt Rent a Car is my favorite car rental company near SJO and I have been renting cars in Costa Rica for almost 20 years! Excellent, very prompt customer service and great cars at really good rates. Highly recommend!

*Our Customer Excitement Score is based on a survey sent to all customers who booked at San Jose Airport. The score is an average of all customer responses.

Good to know when renting at San Jose Airport

How much does it cost to rent a car at San Jose Costa Rica Airport?

Find the cheapest car rental rates for San Jose Costa Rica Airport and your travel dates in our booking funnel. The final price will depend on your trip's dates and length, if you make your reservation online in advance or if you choose to book some add-ons for instance. You can also check our latest car rental deals that might apply to your trip. Read more on car rental prices

Do I need to refuel the car before returning it?

Yes, you can refuel the car yourself before returning it or we can take care of it for you. Learn more about our prepaid fuel options here.

Can I drop off my car at a different location and is there a one-way fee?

Yes, you can return your rental car to a different location, depending on availability. Find here more information about one-way rentals.

To rent a car with SIXT at San Jose Airport you need to be at least 21 with a valid license. Some car categories have a higher minimum rental age, and an underage driver fee may apply.