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Every year, rental cars are swept away or drowned in Costa Rican rivers — many of them 4x4s driven by visitors who trusted a GPS shortcut. Here’s what you need to know.
Quick answer: None of the main tourist routes require crossing a river. Crossings appear on coastal back roads on the Nicoya Peninsula, the road to Drake Bay via Rancho Quemado and remote Osa roads. Rental insurance almost never covers water damage, so avoid them unless you have a 4×4, local advice and dry-season conditions.
Where the river crossings are
- Nicoya Peninsula coast: between Sámara, Nosara, Ostional and the coastal route from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa (Río Ario, Río Bongo and others).
- Road to Drake Bay via Rancho Quemado — most visitors park in Sierpe and take the boat.
- Puerto Jiménez to Carate on the Osa Peninsula.
Why your insurance won’t help
Standard rental contracts exclude damage caused by water entering the engine, driving through rivers and off-road use. A flooded engine can cost thousands of dollars — and you’ll pay it.
The local rules before crossing
- Stop and look. If you can’t see the bottom or the water is moving fast, don’t cross.
- Watch someone else cross first — ideally a local in a high vehicle.
- Check the depth. Above the middle of the wheel is too deep for a typical rental SUV.
- Cross slowly in low gear without stopping, creating a small bow wave.
- If in doubt, turn around. The inland route is always an option.
Rain upstream matters. A river that was ankle-deep in the morning can rise to a dangerous level within an hour after a storm in the hills — even if it’s sunny where you are.
Bottom line
You can have an amazing Costa Rica road trip without ever driving through water. When in doubt, take the longer paved route — our route guides always show it.
Frequently asked questions
Are there river crossings on the way to Monteverde or Arenal?
No. The main routes to Monteverde and Arenal are bridged.
Does rental car insurance cover river crossings in Costa Rica?
Almost never. Water damage is excluded in standard contracts.
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