You've booked the flights, the villa and the rental car. Then someone asks, "So what are you doing about the car seat?" If you're flying into Liberia with little ones, it's the question most parents get stuck on. This guide covers car seat rental in Costa Rica, the car seat laws, and which seat fits your child, based on what we've learned from handing car seats to families at LIR and delivering them to villas across Guanacaste.
Should you bring your car seat to Costa Rica or rent one?
Plenty of families bring their own, and that can work. But think about the full day. You're carrying the seat through two airports, maybe gate-checking it, and hoping it comes off the plane in one piece. Then you land in Liberia, tired, with bags, kids and a drive to the coast still ahead.
Renting means one less thing to carry. The seat is ready when you land, and you hand it back at the end of the trip.
A few reasons parents tell us they rent:
- Car seats are bulky and easy to damage in the hold.
- If you're renting a car in Costa Rica, not every company has seats available, and you won't know the model, the age or the condition until you're standing at the counter.
- Getting two kids through an airport is enough on its own.
Costa Rica car seat laws
Costa Rica's child seat laws require children under 12 who are shorter than 1.45 meters (about 4 feet 9 inches) to ride in a child restraint that fits their age, weight and height. Older children in this group ride in a booster seat in the back seat with a three-point seat belt. Once a child is taller than 1.45 meters, sits with their back against the seat and has their feet flat on the floor, they can use the regular seat belt.
The driver is responsible, and there is a fine if a child isn't properly buckled in. Our honest advice: plan on a proper seat for every child under 12 for every drive, including the ride from the airport. The drive to the coast is highway, then town, then back roads. You'll want them safe for all of it.
Rules can change, so check the latest from Costa Rica's road safety authorities before you travel.
Choosing the right car seat or booster seat for your child
The right seat depends on your child, not just their age. Height and weight matter more.
We rent one seat, the Diono Radian 3R, and it covers all three stages.
- Rear-facing, 5 to 50 lbs. Babies and toddlers ride rear-facing for as long as the seat allows.
- Forward-facing with a five-point harness, 22 to 65 lbs. The next step, until they outgrow the harness.
- High-back booster, up to 120 lbs and about 57 inches. The adult belt sits correctly across the hips and shoulder.
So there's no separate booster to book, and nothing to work out about which seat a five-year-old needs. It's slim enough for almost any rental car, and the steel core makes it solid. It's also heavy, which is part of why most families would rather not fly with one.
Tell us each child's age when you book. We'll check height and weight when we confirm, and say so if we think something else fits better.
Car seat rental at Liberia airport (LIR)
We deliver your car seat to your villa, rental or resort, and if you're flying into Liberia, an LIR airport handoff is always available, timed around your flight. We'll meet you with the car seat, plus any stroller or travel crib you booked, so you can get everyone buckled in and start the drive.
Renting a car? We can coordinate with your car rental company so the seat is ready when you collect the car.
Taking a taxi or shuttle? Tell us who's picking you up and when. We'll coordinate the timing so the seat is there for that ride too.
The LIR handoff fee is $40 one way, or $35 one way on orders of $300 or more. If you'd rather hand the seat back at the airport on your way home, we can arrange that too.
Prefer to collect it yourself? Scheduled pickup is at Sardinal for the Coco area and at Rayos del Sol for the Nosara area.
Car seat delivery in Guanacaste: Nosara, Coco and nearby beaches
We cover the wider Nosara area, including Guiones, San Juanillo, Marbella, Garza and Ostional, plus Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa and the area around them: Panama, Ocotal, Matapalo, Las Catalinas, Papagayo and Zapotal. We don't currently serve Santa Teresa. You can see the full delivery area on our site.
How we clean every car seat
Every seat is wiped down with disinfectant when it comes back, and washed properly if it needs it. We check the straps and buckles before it goes out again. We know exactly what ends up on a car seat.
How to book your car seat rental
- Choose your gear and dates on our website, or send us a message.
- Tell us your flight time, where you're staying and each child's age.
- Pay online with PayPal, or choose Pay Later and pay cash in USD or colones.
- We confirm your order by WhatsApp or email within 24 hours, and we'll check each child's height and weight then so we know the seat fits.
A 25% refundable security deposit applies. You can read the details in our rental agreement.
Have a question first? WhatsApp us at +506 8658 7960 or email info@beachbabycr.com. We're parents too, and we're happy to help you work out what you actually need.
FAQ
Do I need a car seat in Costa Rica?
Yes. Children under 12 who are shorter than 1.45 meters need a child restraint suited to their age, weight and height. Older kids in that group use a booster with a three-point belt in the back seat. The driver gets the fine if a child isn't buckled in properly.
Can you rent a car seat in Costa Rica?
Yes. We rent the Diono Radian 3R for $7 a day in Guanacaste. We deliver it to your villa, rental or resort in the Nosara and Coco areas, or hand it to you at Liberia airport (LIR). You can also pick it up in Sardinal (Coco area) or Rayos del Sol (Nosara area).
Do taxis in Costa Rica have car seats?
Usually not. Costa Rica's car seat rule doesn't apply to taxis or regular route buses, so drivers don't have to carry one. If you're taking a taxi or shuttle from the airport, tell us who's picking you up and when, and we'll time the handoff so your child's seat is there for the ride.
Can you meet us at Liberia airport (LIR) with the car seat?
Yes. An LIR handoff is always available, timed around your flight. The fee is $40 one way, or $35 one way on orders of $300 or more. We can also coordinate with your car rental company, taxi or shuttle.
What car seat do you rent?
We rent the Diono Radian 3R 3-in-1 convertible car seat for $7 a day. It works rear-facing from 5 to 50 lbs, forward-facing with a harness from 22 to 65 lbs, and as a high-back booster up to 120 lbs (height about 18.1 to 57 inches). The seat weighs about 25.9 lbs and measures 16 x 17 x 28.5 inches, so it fits in almost any vehicle. Tell us your child's age when you book. We'll check height and weight when we confirm, so you know the seat fits.
Are the car seats clean?
Yes. After every rental each seat is wiped down with disinfectant, washed if needed, and its straps and buckles are checked.
How do I pay?
Pay online with PayPal, or choose Pay Later and pay cash in USD or colones. We confirm every order by WhatsApp or email within 24 hours, and a 25% refundable security deposit applies.
Ready to land lighter? Book your car seat rental in Costa Rica with Beach Baby, family-run baby and beach gear rentals in Guanacaste. WhatsApp +506 8658 7960.