I may start to sound like a broken record at this point when I tell you again that self-drive road trip is our top favorite way of experiencing Costa Rica.
In about 8 years of traveling in Costa Rica, we have used our own car, as well as have rented from different rental car companies, global, local and hyperlocal.
So, after testing all waters (and selling our car), we now stick to renting from Adobe Rent a Car, a 100% Costa Rican company and a locally trusted name known for their transparent pricing, excellent fleet of new cars and efficient customer service.
On most occasions, we end up renting a car from Adobe at San Jose Airport (SJO), also known as Juan Santamaria Airport.
If your Costa Rica itinerary starts from and ends at the SJO Airport and if you are planning to rent a car for your Costa Rica trip, keep reading to know what to expect, from touchdown to highway.
🚗 Rent your car with Adobe Rent A Car and get 10% discount and other freebies →
Do You Need to Reserve Adobe Rental Car in Advance?
Yes. We highly recommend reserving your Costa Rica rental car in advance using Adobe’s online booking system.
For high season months, rental cars at Adobe get booked months in advance.
For low season months, book a few weeks in advance to secure Adobe’s good deals and low season special rates.
Adobe Rental Car from San Jose Airport (SJO)
The first thing to know about renting a car from Adobe at San Jose Airport (SJO) is that their airport car rental office is NOT located inside or next to the airport.
The office lies about 3 km (less than 2 miles) away from the airport, which is a 5-10 minute drive, subject to traffic conditions.
But you need not worry about that as Adobe offers complimentary shuttle transfers from and to the airport.
Here is what to do for the transfer:
Landing in Costa Rica, at Juan Santamaria International Airport, clear immigration and customs, collect your luggage and head towards the exit.
Upon exiting the terminal, you will be met with representatives from various agencies holding signs. Spot your representative from Adobe Rent A Car holding the sign with your name.
Update: In May 2026, Juan Santamaria Airport opened a new international arrivals section. It’s bigger and more organized than before. Now, once you clear customs, you will walk into this big arrival hall, where you can find an information desk for Adobe Rent A Car, on your right.
The representative will lead you to the Adobe shuttle transfer vehicle, can assist you with luggage loading and then this vehicle will drive you to the nearest Adobe Rent A Car office in Alajuela.
The Adobe shuttles are air-conditioned minivans, and in our experience, they are clean and well-maintained, and offer a comfortable ride for the quick and convenient transfer.
➡️ Related Reading: Renting a Car from Adobe at Liberia Airport (LIR)
📃 We have created a PDF guide, explaining everything you need to know about driving and renting a car in Costa Rica. Grab your free copy below.
SJO Airport Adobe Rent A Car Office Experience
Facilities at the Adobe Office
The Adobe office near SJO is neat, modern and well-organized. Whenever we are there to pick up our rental car, we are always greeted warmly and directed to the check-in counter.
Just outside the check-in desks zone, there is a seating area with multiple chairs. While you do the paperwork, your family or travel companions can wait here with the luggage. There is a water dispenser and a snacks vending machine in this area, in case you want a little something.
Paperwork
If you have reserved your Adobe rental car online in advance, the paperwork at the office is not too time consuming.
Understand the insurance coverage well. Take note of the phone number and the QR code in case you need to contact Adobe during the course of your road trip in Costa Rica.
I take the time to check the document, reading all the line items and inclusions, and their corresponding charges, and glancing through the Terms and Conditions, and then make the payment.
We appreciate that the representatives at the Adobe office are patient, and they never pressure us into buying any unnecessary add-ons.
The entire paperwork can be completed in less than 20 minutes.
About Car Rental Insurance
At the time of booking your rental car, you would have opted for the different insurance options that you wish to buy.
If you haven’t booked the car yet, here is a summary of the terms used by Adobe Rent A Car for rental car insurance:
| Insurance Type | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Liability Protection | Covers damages to “third party”. Mandatory by Costa Rican law, cannot be waived. |
| Car Protection | Covers damages to your rental car. Can be waived if your credit card provides coverage (Letter needed from the card issuer) |
| Extended Protection | Includes everything, with 24/7 roadside assistance. No deductible. |
➡️ For more details, read our post on Simplifying Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance
We always opt for Extended Protection cover. It gives us the peace of mind, knowing Adobe will take care of everything in the unwanted case of any minor or major incident.
While it can increase the daily rate by about 20 USD, I think, the stress-free driving experience is worth every penny, even for things very small.
We know because once we hit the ramp and got scratches on the side of the car door, when leaving the Adobe office, right after picking our rental car!
Payment
We use credit card to make the payment for our Adobe rental car. They accept VISA, Mastercard and AMEX.
Here are a few things that you need to note about Adobe rental car payment:
Balance Due: At the time of payment during rental car pickup, Adobe charges 10 USD lesser on your card than the total amount due. This balance amount is charged when you return the car and the transaction is formally closed.
Security Deposit: A hold of 1000 USD will be put on your credit card. Debit card or cash are not accepted. This hold will be canceled when you return the car.
Cardholder: The person renting the car needs to use their own credit card, that is, the cardholder name and the rental car customer name need to match.
💰 For free additional drivers, baby seats, booster seats and cooler, and a 10% discount on base rate of your Adobe rental car, click here to book →
Getting Our Rental Car
Vehicle Inspection
After completing the paperwork, we are escorted to the big parking area inside, where all the vehicles are.
An Adobe staff member conducts a thorough inspection with us, noting every existing scratch, dent or mark on a diagram on paper. On most occasions, they have the markings ready prior to our arrival, and it is just a validation of the same when we look at the car together.
This is crucial. Take your time here to review all the details.
Make sure to check the following:
- Exterior condition: body, windows, lights
- Tire condition and spare tire
- Interior features and cleanliness
- Fuel level (full tank)
- Basic functions (AC, lights, wipers)
For additional documentation, we use our phones to take videos of the car from all angles before getting in the car.
Although we are not liable for any damage, big or small, when getting the Extended Protection cover, we still prefer to do this additional step. There’s no harm in sparing that extra minute, right?
Vehicle Type
When you reserved your rental car online in advance, you must have selected which vehicle you wished to rent.
Please note, at the time of pickup, you will either get the exact same car, or a similar one belonging to the same category.
Occasionally, you may also be in for a surprise. For example, for one of our road trips in Costa Rica, we had reserved a Hyundai Creta, but at the time of pickup, we got a Hyundai Kona, which turned out to be an excellent choice, even for driving from La Fortuna to Monteverde.
If you haven’t booked your rental car yet and are wondering what type of vehicle to get for your Costa Rica road trip, here are some we can recommend:
| Sedan | Kia Soluto Hyundai Grand i10 |
| SUV | Hyundai Creta Hyundai Tucson Hyundai Kona |
| Sturdy 4X4 | Suzuki Jimny 4WD Suzuki Vitara 4WD |
We just listed the ones that we are familiar with. Of course, you will find a much wider choice of options here on the Adobe booking platform.
If you are getting a 4WD vehicle, your Adobe representative will show you how to operate the 4-wheel system. Also, if you would like, also ask for a quick overview of your rental car’s features.
➡️ Related Reading: Do you need a 4X4 vehicle for Costa Rica road trip?
Costa Rica Road Trip Starting from SJO Airport: What to Expect
Hitting the Road from SJO
After the rental car pickup, with keys in hand and our luggage loaded in the boot, we were ready to begin our yet another road trip adventure in Costa Rica.
The car was clean and well-maintained. Since Adobe maintains a fairly new fleet of cars, the odometer reading was low, at less than 10000 km.
We rolled up the windows, connected the music setup and played our favorite road trip special playlists.
Navigation Tips
Here are a few things to note when starting your Costa Rica road trip from Adobe San Jose Airport office:
- Adobe SJO airport office is close to Ruta 1, a major highway, making it relatively easy to start the journey.
- Do NOT rely on Google Maps. It may send you on unwanted routes. Use Waze for navigation, like everyone else in Costa Rica.
- Pay attention to road signs.
- Look for unmarked speed bumps.
- Keep the Adobe contact handy for 24/7 roadside assistance.
Road Conditions
The main highways in Costa Rica are well-paved and are mostly in excellent conditions. However, once you get off the main routes, conditions can vary dramatically. Here is an overview of what to expect on different types of routes:
- Ruta 1, in most parts, is excellent
- Coastal roads are generally good but can have potholes
- Mountain roads may require 4WD, especially in the rainy season. If not 4X4, a vehicle with higher ground clearance is a must.
- Always budget extra time. What looks like a short distance on the map can take much longer due to road conditions, terrain and traffic.
If your first destination from San Jose Airport is Manuel Antonio or La Fortuna or Santa Teresa, read our detailed “How to Get from/to” guides here:
Little Planning Essentials
When renting a car from Adobe at San Jose Airport (SJO), to help you get a smooth start, here are our tips on some little essentials for your road trip:
Groceries and Road Trip Essentials
To stock up on groceries and other essentials for your Costa Rica road trip, head to this Walmart store, which is only a 5-minute drive from the Adobe Rent A Car SJO office. They have ample free parking space and you are likely to find all your essentials here.
However, if you are looking for things of specific brands from the US, you may want to check out this Auto Mercado store. It is a 10-minute drive from the Adobe SJO office.
Coffee with a View
Did you know that Costa Rica is home to the world’s only Starbucks with its own coffee farm? It’s called Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm.
You can get gorgeous views of mountains, waterfall and coffee plantations here, while sipping on your coffee.
This Starbucks is only half an hour’s drive from Adobe SJO office. So, depending on your route and itinerary, you can plan to include a stop here on the first or last day of your Costa Rica road trip.
About Parking
Unfortunately, luggage theft from rental cars, especially when left unattended, is not unheard of in Costa Rica.
To avoid anything like that happening to you, follow these practices when parking your rental car:
| Always | Never |
|---|---|
| Lock the car doors and windows. | Leave valuables inside the car. |
| Park in secure and designated parking areas with guards. | Leave luggage visible and unattended. |
👀 If you decide to stop randomly by the roadside to soak in the views (the temptation is real!), park the car at a place where you can easily keep an eye on it, at all times.
📃 Do not forget to purchase travel insurance for your trip. We use:
- Heymondo Travel Insurance (get 5% discount, auto applies), OR
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
* Discount not applicable for US residents
Returning the Car to Adobe
Tank Refill
At the end of your Costa Rica road trip, remember you need to refill the tank before returning the rental car to Adobe.
There are several options of gas stations within 5-10 minutes of driving distance from Adobe SJO office. This one, Estación de Servicio Pacific, is just a 2-minute drive from the Adobe SJO office.
🏨 If you would like to get closer to the airport a day before your flight, check out our recommendations on best hotels near SJO airport to spend a night.
The Return Process
Every time we rent a car from Adobe SJO office, the return process is quick and efficient. Here is how it goes:
We pull into Adobe’s outdoor parking lot and park the car in one of the many spots marked with the sign “Parking Return”.
An Adobe staff member greets us and leads us to their office inside. The primary renter of the vehicle can do this rental car return formality while the rest of your group can rest in the waiting area.
While I waited at the counter inside, a staff member performed a return inspection of the car. It is usually quick, not taking more than 5 minutes.
Once done, I was given the final receipt. I used my card to pay the balance 10 USD to formally close the transaction.
We like that the final bill at Adobe Rent A Car always matches with what we originally book for. No hidden fees or unexpected charges are added later.
🚗 Rent your car with Adobe Rent A Car and get 10% discount and other freebies →
Airport Shuttle Return
By now you already know that Adobe Rent A Car San Jose Airport office is not located inside or next to the airport. So, the same as pickup, an Adobe shuttle will drop you off at the airport.
On one of our recent road trips in Costa Rica, we needed to head to the Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) after returning the rental car at Adobe office. By the time we completed the return process, one shuttle was already ready to leave for the airport.
The driver helped with the luggage and the ride to the airport took less than 10 minutes. The Adobe shuttle dropped us directly at the departure terminal, thereby concluding our yet another memorable and stress-free road trip in Costa Rica.
Alternative: Returning Adobe Rental Car at SJO Airport
If you need to return your Adobe rental car before 8:30 am, without heading to the Adobe office, you can leave the car directly in the parking area second floor of Juan Santamaria Airport.
Adobe offers this service only for SJO airport for an additional fee of 10 USD.
All you need to do is send pictures of fuel level, odometer reading and parking spot to earlydrop@adobecar.com.
Leave the car keys in the glove box and you are all set. Please verify all the necessary details with an Adobe representative before opting for this rental car return directly at SJO airport.
FAQs: Adobe Rent a Car at SJO Airport
Location and Shuttle Transfer
(1) Is Adobe Rent A Car located inside SJO Airport? No. Adobe’s “SJO Airport” location is an off-airport office here in Alajuela, about 3 km (under 2 miles) from the terminal.
(2) Does Adobe provide a free shuttle to/from SJO Airport? Yes. Adobe offers a complimentary shuttle for SJO airport pickups and drop-offs.
(3) Where do I meet Adobe after landing at SJO? Upon arrival, exit the SJO airport terminal and look for an Adobe representative holding a sign with your name. They will guide you to the shuttle.
(4) How long does the Adobe shuttle take from SJO to the office? About 5-10 minutes, subject to traffic conditions.
(5) What is the Adobe shuttle like? It is an air-conditioned minivan, suitable for a quick and comfortable transfer.
Reservation and Timings
(6) Do I need to book my Adobe rental car in advance for SJO? Yes. Reserve ahead, especially in high season when cars can sell out months in advance.
(7) How long does rental car pickup take at Adobe SJO office? With a prior online reservation, the paperwork typically takes less than 20 minutes.
Payment, Deposit and Charges
(8) What payment methods does Adobe accept? Adobe accepts card payments: Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
(9) Is there a deposit hold when renting from Adobe? Yes. For security deposit, Adobe places a 1000 USD hold on your credit card, released after return.
(10) Can I pay for Adobe security deposit with a debit card or in cash? No. Debit cards and cash are not accepted for security deposit, only credit card.
(11) Does the credit card need to be in the driver’s name? Yes. The cardholder name must match with that of the rental car customer.
(12) Can I pick up Adobe rental car at SJO and return the car somewhere else? Yes, it may be possible but one-way fees apply. Confirm availability and pricing in advance.
Driving from SJO: Routes, Navigation, Supplies
(13) Is it easy to start driving from Adobe’s SJO office? Yes. Adobe SJO office is close to the highway Ruta 1, making it straightforward to begin your trip.
(14) Should I use Waze or Google Maps for navigating routes in Costa Rica? Waze, always. Do not rely on Google Maps.
(15) Is there a place to stock up on supplies near Adobe SJO? Yes. Go to this Walmart, about 5 minutes away from Adobe SJO office.
(16) What road conditions should I expect leaving San Jose Airport? Expect major highways like Ruta 1 to be mostly in good conditions, but also potholes on coastal roads and rougher mountain roads where 4WD or higher clearance helps.
Flight Timings
(17) What happens if my flight into SJO is delayed? Contact Adobe as soon as possible with your updated arrival time. If you provided your flight details at the time of booking, they can usually adjust your pickup timing.
(18) Does Adobe offer after-hours pickup or return? You can check with Adobe for staff availability for your date and time. However, if you are arriving late in the evening or departing very early in the morning, we recommend you to spend the night at one of the hotels near SJO.
Plan Your Costa Rica Road Trip
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Travel Resources
- Flights: Skyscanner
- Hotels: Booking.com | Expedia
- Tours: Viator | GetYourGuide
- Travel Insurance:
- Heymondo (get 5% off)
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- eSIMs:
- Transfers: Bookaway. Code PARADISE5 for 5% off
Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or a booking through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
