Renting with Adobe Rent a Car in Costa Rica: requirements, deposit, insurance, cancellation and cashback
Adobe Rent a Car is a Costa Rican car rental company with offices in San José, Alajuela near the SJO airport and Liberia. This guide is for travellers who book from abroad. Instead of shipping, the points that count here are the requirements at the counter, the deposit, mandatory insurance, cancellation and where you can drive.
What you need at pick-up
The minimum age is 23. You need a valid driver's licence that was issued more than two years ago and is valid for your stay. If it is not in the Latin alphabet, bring an International Driver's Licence as well; digital licences are accepted. Foreigners must show an original passport with the entry stamp, and photocopies or photos of documents are not accepted. A credit card in the name of the person picking up the car is needed for the deposit. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express are accepted.
Deposit and payment
Adobe holds a deposit of US$1,000 on your credit card, and it is released again free of charge once you return the car undamaged. Debit cards, cash and virtual cards cannot be used for it. If you return the car undamaged and free of traffic violations, Adobe asks the card issuer to release the amount, and how long that takes depends on your bank. The shop says cash is not accepted for the rental, and daily rates and insurance can be paid by debit or credit card. The terms also state that the full rental cost and extras are charged to your credit card when you pick up the car.
Insurance
Third-party liability insurance (PLI) is mandatory by Costa Rican law and is charged as a daily rate, so the first quote should include it. It does not cover damage to the rental car. On top of that you need either Adobe's Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or your own credit card cover. The LDW comes with a deductible of US$1,000, or US$1,130 once tax is included, which you owe in case of damage to the rental car. You can decline it if your card covers rentals in Costa Rica for the vehicle type, but then you pay for damage up front and claim the money back yourself. Some premium Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards do not need a proof letter, others do. The optional Supplemental Protection Plan (SPP) brings the deductibles to zero and also covers tires, windows and roadside assistance.
Booking changes and cancellation
You can change a booking up to 72 hours before the start, subject to availability and without a penalty. A late cancellation within 72 hours or a no-show costs two days of rent without insurance. The shop counts you as a no-show after two hours of delay without contact. If you return the car early, a partial refund applies.
Rules on the road
The rental period is 24 hours, and after four hours of late return the daily rate is charged. Cars cannot leave Costa Rica. An additional driver costs US$4 per day, and one-way rentals need a booking, a minimum of 3 days and a surcharge. Mileage is free for rentals shorter than 30 days. Smoking in the car is prohibited, and if it smells afterwards the minimum charge is US$100.
Pick-up and return
With flight details, an Adobe representative meets you at the external arrival gates. Without them, you can call for the free shuttle at San José or Liberia airport. Adobe also delivers to hotels within a limited distance of any office at no extra cost. If you need to return the car at SJO before 8:30 am, there is a drop-off procedure in the airport car park, and a US$10 parking charge applies.
| At a glance | Adobe Rent a Car |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 23 years |
| Deposit | US$1,000 on a credit card, released free of charge after a clean return |
| Insurance | PLI mandatory, LDW or card cover, optional SPP |
| Change a booking | Up to 72 hours before, no penalty |
| Leaving Costa Rica | Not allowed |
Using cashback
Open the Adobe Car Rental page at daily cashback, where the current rate (4%) and the offers are listed with the date we last checked them. Press the shop button, then book and pay as you normally would. In your free account the cashback first shows as open and becomes confirmed once Adobe has reported the booking. If a booking is cancelled, the cashback for it is deducted.
Practical tips
- Take your original passport and driver's licence in your hand luggage, because copies are refused at the counter.
- Ask Adobe before you decline the LDW whether your card cover applies in Costa Rica.
- Finish the booking in one visit and pause your ad blocker on the site, because it can break the cashback click.
As of October 2026.