It's not possible to travel from Europe to Costa Rica with your own car, but renting a car in Costa Rica is relatively straightforward. To rent a car, the driver must be at least 21 years old and should present their international driver's license, a credit card, and have at least two years of driving experience when dealing with the car rental company.
In order to rent a car in Costa Rica, insurance is a requirement. On average, the cost of car rental in Costa Rica starts from 27,000 CRC, and it's important to note that the price of gasoline in Costa Rica is not included in the rental amount.
It's worth mentioning that the roads in Costa Rica, while generally in decent condition, do have their share of cracks and potholes. If you decide to explore the country by car, it's advisable to opt for a sturdy vehicle, such as a four-wheel-drive jeep.
Police are present on all roads in the country, and traffic fines in Costa Rica are often issued for speeding. To avoid this, it's essential to be aware that Costa Rica enforces speed limits. Within populated areas, the speed limit is no more than 50 km/hr, while outside of them, it's 80 km/hr.
Costa Rica's road rules also stipulate that the blood alcohol content must not exceed 0.5 ppm, and cars must have right-hand drive. Additionally, all passengers, including those in the rear, are required to wear seat belts. Due to the relatively higher prices in the country compared to other parts of Central America, the cost of a liter of gasoline in Costa Rica ranges from 650 to 700 CRC.