Driving In Costa Rica On A Tourist Stamp: How Long Your License Is Valid
If you rent a car or drive your own vehicle in Costa Rica on a foreign license, there is one date that matters more than any other: the date on your passport entry stamp. Since a 2024 reform, that stamp is your driving deadline.
This guide explains how long tourists can legally drive, what changed, how border runs affect your license, and the rules for motorcycles and scooters.
What Changed In 2024
For years, tourists could drive on a foreign license for only three months, even after Costa Rica raised the maximum tourist stay to 180 days in September 2023. Many long-stay visitors had to do a border run just to keep driving.
Lawmakers approved a reform to Article 91 of the Traffic Law in April 2024, and it took effect when published in the official gazette, La Gaceta, in May 2024. The three-month cap is gone. You can now drive for as long as your permitted stay, as written on your entry stamp.
Your Stamp Is Your Driving Deadline
- If the officer granted you 180 days, you can drive on your foreign license for 180 days.
- If you were granted 90 days, you can drive for 90 days, even though your nationality could have received more.
- Once your permitted stay ends, so does your right to drive, even if you are still in the country.
Check how many days you were given at every entry. Our guide to how long tourists can stay in Costa Rica explains how stamps work.
What A Border Run Does For Driving
A border run resets your permitted stay, and with it your driving period. When you come back with a new stamp, your driving deadline moves to the new date.
Plan the run before your stamp expires. If you overstay, you are also driving without a valid license, which can cause problems with traffic police and rental car insurance. See overstaying in Costa Rica and our Costa Rica border run guide.
Motorcycles And Scooters
According to reporting on the reform, tourists with a foreign license equivalent to Costa Rica’s B-1 class or higher may ride motorcycles and mopeds up to 125 cc, on secondary roads only and not on primary highways. Electric and hybrid two-wheelers are capped at about 11 kW. Larger bikes need the matching license class.
What To Carry When Driving
- Your valid foreign driver’s license
- Your passport, or a copy including the entry stamp page (police may want to see the stamp)
- Vehicle registration and insurance documents, or your rental agreement
Driving Across The Border
Taking a car into Nicaragua or Panama involves extra paperwork on both sides, and most rental companies do not allow it without written permission. Many border runners park on the Costa Rican side and walk across. See Peñas Blancas and Paso Canoas for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a tourist drive in Costa Rica?
For as long as the permitted stay on your entry stamp, up to 180 days.
Do I need an international driving permit?
A valid foreign license is generally accepted for tourists. An international driving permit can help if your license is not in a Latin-script language.
Does a border run reset my driving period?
Yes. Your new entry stamp sets a new driving deadline.
Can I drive after my stamp expires if I am leaving soon?
No. Once your permitted stay ends, your foreign license is no longer valid for driving in Costa Rica.
Plan Your Next Run
Know your stamp date, plan your border run ahead of it, and carry proof of onward travel for the return. Fast Onward Tickets can provide a reservation in minutes.