“My time’s limited… how do I choose? “
Automobile rental is really a hot topic for tourists headed to Costa Rica. Recent research executed by the Puerto Rican Institute involving Tourism (ICT) signifies that, after hotels, renting an automobile is the greatest expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day vacation.
The Internet is buzzing along with negative reviews talking about overcharging, poor client service and mechanical breakdowns. You may possibly have even published one yourself!
Some sort of typical midsize (3 – 4 adults) 4X4 rental operates between $58 in addition to $65 daily with third party insurance policy and rates can easily vary just as much as something like 20 percent among carrental companies, so looking at a quick examine will probably be time effectively spent once a person calculate the cost savings.
So the problem is; which leasing company offers the particular best balance of fair price, competent customer service and dependable vehicles? I’ve explored all this for you, so continue reading!
Disclosure: This research seemed to be conducted in May : July 2013. Typically the following companies had been selected because these people are by far the most extensively used in Costa Rica. Some are community companies; others are really international franchises involving recognized manufacturers. Side by side comparisons include: customer support, prices and the booking process. The services are listed in an alphabetical order but not based in personal or on the internet preferences.
Think about this details before renting:
Insurance coverage
One of the biggest causes regarding complaints is coming from the stack associated with unforeseen charges presented to the tenant once standing at the rental industryâs counter. Vacationers happen to be typically tired following a long flight after which are confronted by costs that were not necessarily anticipated, explained or even budgeted.
Topping typically the list of issues is the non-disclosure of fees associated with the mandatory third-party insurance coverage at the time the reservation will be made.
According to be able to Costa Rican legislation, every driver is definitely required to have liability coverage to insure against accidents to 3rd parties. Vehicle rental companies generally refrain from disclosing the cost regarding this policy in the quoted local rental rate to show up more competitive. Mandatory third-party insurance can easily sometimes be just as much as double the vehicle’s rental cost. Really the only guarantee against insurance policy confusion is to inquire if the estimate includes the third party insurance plan and insist upon a written offer.
Price of Mandatory Insurance plan (also called Third Party or SLI)
Expect to spend between $12 and even $15 daily just for this insurance, depending upon the make and model of the rented motor vehicle and the local rental car agency. This is a legitimate condition of your local rental agreement and is usually generally not covered by credit greeting cards and cannot end up being waived. It goes without saying associated with renting an auto within Costa Rica.
Accident Damage Waiver (CDW)
As the name suggests, this isn’t very insurance, but a waiver, which alleviates the renter from any liability regarding damage to the particular rental car right after the deductible is paid (usually through $750 to $1, 500). Some organizations require renters to purchase their CDW policy; thereby stopping any credit credit card program. For a good additional fee, several agencies do offer a zero liability choice where the tenant will be separated from investing in any kind of damage to the automobile. Some companies may well put pressure on renters to order the zero the liability coverage; nevertheless , that is entirely recommended, unless it is usually in the fine print of their local rental agreement.
Credit credit card insurance programs might cover the CDW to get a rental car. Seek advice from your picked rental car business to find which in turn proof of insurance is needed after which demand that through your credit rating card company just before arriving. If an individual use your own card’s CDW policy, anticipate to pay a higher deposit on typically the vehicle; around $1, 500 to $2000 is common. The increased deposit makes sure that typically the credit card owner has enough monetary reserves to include damages if necessary. You should consider of which if using CDW coverage provided by the credit card (in lieu of the particular rent an automobile operator), all damages might be billed to the renter’s credit cards. The credit card company will likely then reimburse the card owner for damages.
More Insurance
Tires in addition to windshields are almost never included in insurance plans, although additional guidelines may be removed for covering these types of frequently damaged things. Neither the indoor nor the under from the vehicle may be covered. Constantly read the okay print.
Standard Procedure
Your credit greeting card will be incurred, or even a ‘hold’ placed, for that rental automobile might be the local rental agreement; i. e. from picking back up the rental right up until you return it. Debit cards usually are generally not appropriate.
Additional Charges
Normally have surcharges for added drivers, car seats/boosters, cell phones, refridgerators, GPS and/or roof racks. The expenses vary from business to business, but since these types of extras are billed at the daily rate, it truly is worth examining the total expense — additional options can add way up very quickly! The GPS is about $8 to 10 dollars per day; however , some operators may well offer discounted units. Expect to shell out around $5 day-to-day for any child seats as well as dollars a day for the some other ‘niceties’. Vamos is notable for offering up most of these kinds of options and, during some promotions, still the GPS leasing complimentarily. Alamo, Budget, Hertz and National charge one of the most for such additional choices; whereas another businesses listed, charge even more reasonable prices.
Surcharges
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Most companies add small incremental charges, like license menu and environmental fees, in the total tally. Be wary of employees who insert these types of additional charges into the small print involving the rental agreement. Vehicles rented primary at the air-port incur airport taxation, which can be a monstrous 12% of the rental cost!
The rental vehicle needs to be returned with the same amount of fuel, unless normally indicated. If certainly not, companies may fee above gas station rates for missing fuel.
Vehicles
There is an argument over the cars given by rental companies: Older cars let the driver to be able to blend in more than a shiny, new car. Having an old model may have the particular indirect benefit for being less scrutinized by simply car rental companies for recent grazes and scratches, in contrast to a newer motor vehicle. However , a newer vehicle could possibly be a lot more roadworthy. This discussion carries on into the different vehicle makes. Generally, Costa Rican firms are able to rent their particular vehicles for the reduce rate because their particular cars are generally a few to five many years old (versus a couple of to three). Online reviews indicate that the local companies have no a lot more complaints concerning automobile quality than transnational franchises; research on forums, such because TripAdvisor. com, seems to indicate that will customers frequently love driving a less-than-new vehicle through the particular wilds of Playa Rica. The causes are plenty, from road disorders towards the notion of less-then-new vehicles blending in better — a newer vehicle might draw more undesired attention.
The choices of carrental inside Costa Rica are generally limited to produces and models that maintain a competing resale value, are a common brand in the nation, and are affordable to maintain. As this sort of a rent-a-car operator’s fleet will not always be as diverse like the United States. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai make up the mainstay manufacturers of most lease fleets.
Sometimes, individuals are charged for supposed ‘damages’ to the vehicle upon return. Once receiving the vehicle, renters need to meticulously check for pre-existing flaws and even compare it with the vehicle assessment document used by the particular rental car agent. Some renters recommend photographing or videoing the vehicle by all angles, to avoid any predicament between pre-existing in addition to recently damaged items.
Pricing
Car rentals in Costa Rica are usually pricier compared in order to other countries. Tasks on vehicles will be high (as significantly as 50% of their value! ), parts are more expensive and unforgiving street conditions lead to larger wear and split, generating higher servicing costs.
The concept is that you simply get just what you pay intended for — additional options than those rental companies listed right here, but are not outlined for the good reason. They simply fail to offer basic customer support and/or a suitable vehicle condition necessary for a (nearly) trouble-free vacation.
When comparing rental auto charges, it is certainly best to go straight to the Costa Rican website of the car hire firm, rather than wanting to use their world format or a good intermediary (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, ain al. ). For the similar vehicles and booking dates, the costs provided by the respected international vs. Playa Rican websites intended for Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty differed substantially.