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Central America car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65

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Car rental directory

  • national

    National car rental locations in Central America

    98 Locations

  • alamo

    Alamo car rental locations in Central America

    97 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Central America

    94 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car rental locations in Central America

    86 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car rental locations in Central America

    63 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car rental locations in Central America

    62 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car rental locations in Central America

    56 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car rental locations in Central America

    49 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car rental locations in Central America

    46 Locations

  • economy

    Economy Rent a Car car rental locations in Central America

    35 Locations

  • adobe

    ADOBE car rental locations in Central America

    33 Locations

  • sixtrentacar

    Sixt car rental locations in Central America

    29 Locations

Good to know

Most popular agency

Avis

Most popular car type

Compact

Average price

₱1,552/day

Good deal

₱1,524/day

When to book a rental car in Central America

Average daily price per month
Rental car prices as pick-up date approaches

Top tips for renting a car in Central America

  • 25% of our users found rental cars in Central America for ₱1,524 or less
  • Book your rental car in Central America at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Compact rental cars in Central America are around 2% 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.
See more tips

FAQs about renting a car in Central America

  • What is the most popular rental car in Central America?

    Compact (Nissan Kicks or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Central America.

  • What is the best rental car company in Central America?

    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, 70 reviews), Alamo (7.5, 214 reviews), and Dollar (6.6, 68 reviews).

  • How can I find car rentals near me in Central America?

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

  • How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Central America?

    On average a rental car in Central America costs ₱10,863 per week (₱1,552 per day).

  • How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Central America?

    On average a rental car in Central America costs ₱46,555 per month (₱1,552 per day).

  • 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.  

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Car rental locations in Central America

Everything you need to know for your car rental in Central America

Complete your trip to Central America

Flights to Central America
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The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.

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