Central America car hire
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Car rental directory
National car hire locations in Central America
97 Locations
Alamo car hire locations in Central America
95 Locations
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Central America
93 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in Central America
78 Locations
Avis car hire locations in Central America
62 Locations
Budget car hire locations in Central America
62 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in Central America
46 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in Central America
43 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in Central America
41 Locations
ADOBE car hire locations in Central America
33 Locations
Economy Rent a Car car hire locations in Central America
30 Locations
Sixt car hire locations in Central America
29 Locations
Good to know
Most popular car type | Mini |
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When to book a rental car in Central America
Top tips for hiring a car in Central America
- Book your rental car in Central America at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Mini rental cars in Central America are around 83% more expensive than other car types, on average
- As with the whole of Central America, drunk driving is taken very seriously. If you are found to be over the limit you will be prosecuted accordingly. In Costa Rica, you will be considered to be over the limit if you have more than 0.05% blood alcohol content. In Honduras, the maximum limit is 0.07% blood alcohol continent, whilst in Nicaragua and El Salvador it’s 0.05%, and in Belize and Guatemala it’s 0.08%. In Panama, there is zero tolerance.
- It’s important that you adhere to any child safety laws when driving and ensure your child is safely restrained in your moving vehicle. The laws tend to vary from country to country, but it’s safe to assume that children younger than 12 or those who weigh under 18 kg will fall into the bracket of those requiring safety restrictions. You should put your child in a child restraint even if the country doesn’t have set laws in place. You can find out more information, as well as arrange for a child seat, by speaking to your car hire agency.
- Many car hire companies in Central America will permit you to travel across the border to neighbouring countries. However, you must get written permission for this to be possible. If you don’t have permission, you will likely be turned down at the border, or alternatively, your insurance will be void. Remember that you will also need specific visas to enter different countries.
- It’s worth noting that Central America is a vast continent and can be very rural at times. This means that petrol stations can be very spread out in the less populated areas. So if you’re off exploring, it’s strongly recommended that you top up your petrol before you travel. Most petrol stations are located in major urban dwellings or on motorways.
FAQs about hiring a car in Central America
What is the most popular car hire in Central America?
Mini (Suzuki Jimny or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Central America.
What is the best car hire company in Central America?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Central America are Alamo (7.6, 231 reviews), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.6, 74 reviews), and National (7.4, 54 reviews).
How can I find car hires near me in Central America?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Where should I hire a car in Central America?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Central America are San José (60% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Central America), Tegucigalpa (20%) and San Salvador (20%).
Should I hire a car in Central America?
It’s a great idea to hire a car in Central America, as you can leave and depart at times suitable to you as well as reach more remote locations that public transport doesn’t travel to. Central America has some beautiful scenery to visit, with a hire car being one of the best ways to get to a range of these sights. For example, with a hire car, you can go to popular attractions such as Reserva de Biosfera Maya in Guatemala, Reserva Natural Bosawas in Nicaragua and Parque Nacional Corcovado in Costa Rica.
What is driving like in Central America?
Driving in Central America is an interesting experience, with the driving style and quality of roads being quite different to what you’re used to in the UK. Roads, especially rural ones, are not maintained that well, meaning you will have to be cautious about potholes. The driving style on this continent is relatively respectful; however, in cities and larger urban areas, drivers have a lot less patience and can drive aggressively. Roads here tend to be narrower than what you might be used to as well, making manoeuvring harder. Additionally, signage isn’t always that clear, so it’s helpful to have a sat nav for your journey.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Central America?
The age range of getting a Central American hire car varies depending on the agency you are using. As a rule of thumb, you need to be at least 18 years of age to hire a car in Costa Rica, 21 years of age in Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, and 25 in Belize. Drivers who are younger than 25 will most likely need to pay a young person’s surcharge. In addition, there will be age restrictions on some vehicle types. It’s recommended that you contact your chosen agency ahead of your hiring period so that you understand their policy.