Central America car rentals

On average a rental car in Central America costs C$ 33 per day.

Economy (Toyota Rush or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Central America.

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Rent-A-Wreck (C$ 7/day), U-Save (C$ 8/day) and Europcar (C$ 11/day).

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Central America are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.6, 92 reviews), National (7.5, 62 reviews), and Alamo (7.3, 295 reviews).

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Central America are Liberia (42% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Central America), San José (29%) and San Salvador (9%).

On average a rental car in Central America costs C$ 231 per week (C$ 33 per day).

On average a rental car in Central America costs C$ 989 per month (C$ 33 per day).

Yes. A car rental in Central America allows you to create your own itinerary and travel at your preferred pace. You can stop wherever you like and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. Moreover, Central America has many beautiful and remote areas that are not easily accessible by public transportation. A Central America car rental allows you to reach these hidden gems and explore places not covered by traditional tours, including Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, La Mosquitia, Honduras, and Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica. In addition, you can save time on travel by avoiding multiple transfers and long waits at bus terminals.

Driving a car rental in Central America can be a unique and sometimes challenging experience. Road conditions can vary significantly from country to country. Nevertheless, major highways are generally well maintained, but you may encounter potholes, speed bumps (known as "topes"), and rough roads, especially in rural areas. Road signs may not always be clear, and many are in Spanish. Consider familiarizing yourself with common road signs and using navigation tools or maps to help with directions. Remember that driving habits can be aggressive, and drivers may not always follow traffic rules, such as using turn signals or obeying speed limits. Defensive driving is essential.

The minimum age requirement for renting a car in Central America can vary by country and rental car company, but it ranges from 21–25. Additionally, drivers under the minimum age may be required to pay extra fees, such as a "young driver surcharge." Usually, this fee is not part of the rental fee and is paid separately at the counter. Lastly, some agencies limit luxury cars and SUVs to drivers over 25.