Tourists can drive with a license from their home country as long as their passport entry stamp is valid. If you have a work permit or residency, then you can more than likely use your license until it expires. However, you should go to the Ministry of Transport to obtain a Costa Rican license. You must present your valid license and a 'medical' exam (which you should readily pass if you have a heartbeat and are not legally blind!). If your license is expired you must pass the medical exam and a driving test, but do not have to take the written exam.

Driving in Costa Rica is an adventure. Driving in San Jose is not recommended until you get your bearings (street markings are poor or non-existent downtown) and have a feel for how the Costa Rican drivers behave (or misbehave). Nationwide the driving conditions are challenging due to potholes, sudden rainstorms, narrow bridges, farm animals and traffic jams. For rental or purchase, 4 wheel drive vehicles are recommended if you will spend a lot of time in rural or outlying areas. If most of your driving will be in the city or on good highways, then you will appreciate the economy of a compact automobile. For those who live on the beach, an ATV is a good choice for economy, natural air conditioning and road conditions.