Information to Auto Rental Companies in Costa Rica

Charge Comparisons for 2015

Car or truck rental in Costa Rica is a chance to take a look at the remote seashores and peaceful corners of the breathtakingly attractive country. Travel with no restrictions set by general public transportation timetables and with freedom above group tours. To the unprepared traveler; having said that, vehicle rental fees and expert services might be a rude shock along with a blow to that getaway finances.

Leasing a car for your family vacation will probably be the most costly element of the finances, so understanding the terms and controlling anticipations is vital. The data beneath just isn't intended to get an exhaustive guide, but it surely really should established you on The trail to an informed decision for your car rental requirements in Costa Rica.

Why is automobile rental so pricey?

Readers from beyond Costa Rica are often surprised by the cost of car rental. Whilst hotel rooms, restaurant expenses and tours are lower than the prices paid in the home, it might surface Bizarre that motor vehicle rental should be more costly.

There are 2 simple factors for this large Expense:

All automobiles in Costa Rica are imported as well as a tax is imposed. As a result of this large taxation, the expense of buying a car or truck is better than It will be in other industrialized international locations. There are numerous car or truck rental operators who hire more mature autos as a way to minimize their expenses.

The cost of mandatory insurance policies (see underneath).
Variables that Influence Auto Rental Prices

• Required Insurance plan

Third-social gathering insurance policies, which may be called TPI, PDW (Partial Harm Waiver), SLI (Supplementary Liability Coverage) and various acronyms, is usually a lawful prerequisite. Automobile rental operators need to charge the customer for this protection which might or might not be very clear within the quotation received by The shopper.

The insurance plan by itself is not the difficulty. In spite of everything, a number of other nations need car renters to pay for a compulsory insurance; together with: New Zealand, Italy and Mexico, in addition to a amount of the U.S. states, like California. The problem that causes contention in Costa Rica is this Charge is just not usually displayed Evidently on the vehicle rental operator's Web site or in a quotation. Buyers then uncover the extra Charge of their rental upon arrival.

The expense of necessary insurance may differ from corporation to company and may count on the vehicle category that is remaining rented likewise. The fee for a small sedan may very well be as minor as $12 per day, Whilst a high quality 4x4 automobile could be about $twenty five for insurance policies each day. This is often Besides the rental Expense.

Bank cards in North The usa typically present auto insurance policy as an additional perk to your bank card holder and so North Americans specifically, are unused to needing to pay for coverage along with rental expenses. Having said that, no bank card will include this insurance plan necessity.

Do inquire If your presented quote incorporates third-bash insurance policies and Verify the costs on the car rental operator's Web-site.

• Collision Hurt Waiver

It's not insurance policies, but a waiver. The fundamental degree will include a deductible that may differ, but can be about $1,500. For a greater everyday price, a zero deductible CDW might be procured To ease the renter of any fiscal responsibility in the event of damage to, or theft thereof, the car or truck.

Numerous renters will attain their CDW as a result of their charge card. Nonetheless, it is actually worthy of noting the duty for producing any insurance policy claim is on The shopper instead of While using the automobile rental operator. Some renters may opt for to invest in further in-home protection in order to avoid getting this responsibility.

There'll be vehicle rental businesses which difficult offer their very own protection plans by means of guaranteeing relief, but eventually, This is actually the renter's decision. It truly is truly worth remembering that vehicle rental firm employees, like in other aspects of the world, will from time to time make commission for coverage revenue.

If The client's charge card does not give CDW, The shopper will probably be expected to purchase this in-property protection.

Automobile rental operators have to have created evidence that The shopper's credit card gives CDW. Ask the car rental operator for the precise aspects of the things they have to have and in what sort. Some may acknowledge a forwarded email from your charge card business, but Some others might request a printed duplicate to get presented at time of rental.

• Deposit

The deposit quantity required will depend upon whether The client chooses to utilize the vehicle rental operator's in-house CDW or normally takes this coverage by way of a credit card. Assume to pay a Considerably higher deposit In the event the in-household CDW is declined. The deposit might also depend upon car or truck model rented. This sum, that may be held on the renter's credit card right up until the top of the rental time period, might be from $750 nearly just as much as $3,500. The deposit should really consider no more than 5 times to be refunded for the bank card to the auto's return. Some automobile rental organizations will take debit cards for deposit maintain, nevertheless the return time for this volume normally takes weeks.

Do make sure that the deposit is calculated while in the family vacation finances being an unexpected hold of a few thousand bucks on the charge card could otherwise severely Reduce into holiday vacation spending.

• Airport Taxes

Clients that rent from a vehicle rental operator's counter inside of an airport constructing are obliged to pay for the airport tax.

People car or truck rental operators which has a counter at San Jose's Juan Santamaria Intercontinental Airport (SJO) are: Alamo/Countrywide, Spending budget, Dollar, Economic climate and Hertz. These businesses will insert a further twelve% tax to your rental Charge.

All those motor vehicle rental operators which has a counter at Daniel Oduber Quiros Intercontinental Airport (LIR) are: Avis, Budget and Economy. These businesses will include an extra three% tax for the rental Expense.

To prevent this tax, get an airport shuttle While using the motor vehicle rental operator to an Business Found beyond the airport grounds.

• Surcharges together with other Taxes

There are a variety of other obligatory costs that auto rental operators may well insert into your rental Price tag, Display screen on-monitor or demonstrate while in the quotation, or depart undisclosed right up until The client's arrival. These possibly hidden prices may well appear to be modest when seen independently, but these are typically every day prices, so they will increase up speedy!

These may well consist of:

• License Plate Fee: Less than $two day-to-day, but differs from organization to business.

• Environmental Tax: Less than $one each day.

• Income Tax: All income transactions in Costa Rica are subjected to some 12% governing administration-imposed gross sales tax.

• Motor vehicle Washing Payment: Deliver again an exceptionally soiled car or truck as well as cleaning fee could be added onto the final payment. A single auto rental operator rates $twenty for this extra services.

• Gas Costs: In case the gasoline tank is not really loaded to the exact same stage as it was At the beginning in the rental time period, then the car rental company will demand (usually to the closest eighth of the tank). This charge is dictated by the car rental operator and It isn't issue towards the governmentally set gasoline rate that would be located at any fuel station.

Where Should I Reserve the Vehicle?

A common confusion for tourists scheduling a rental car or truck may be the discrepancy concerning Global Web sites for motor vehicle rental operators and also the Costa Rican Web site for a similar brand. Usually the international Sites are unaware of, or are unsuccessful to reveal, insurances, taxes and surcharges that could be billed for the counter. This can be as a result of The point that many regarded car rental operator brands in Costa Rica are not a foreign department with the branded auto rental operator, but alternatively certainly are a franchise operation. This component can be worth taking into consideration with regard to anticipations regarding customer care and other finer particulars. The Costa Rican franchise Business could have their own personal sort of running, other than the exact same guidelines and guidelines that The shopper may have skilled in other parts of the globe.

Understandably then, a web-based reservation is greatest created with the regional Web-site rather than the Intercontinental web site, wherever feasible. Several firms don't have a local website. In such a case, do Look at the main points with a neighborhood employees member by using the telephone and ask for created affirmation on the estimate. Encounter with live chat to the Intercontinental Web-sites implies that While team is educated on conditions and terms governing the primary Business (normally U.S.A.); they fully grasp minimal on the policies that has to be adhered to in Costa Rica.

Motor vehicle Rental Comparisons

In May perhaps/June of 2013, I in contrast the pricing and expert services of quite a few automobile rental operators in Costa Rica and published the findings. To my shock, the post continues to be staying plagiarized frequently throughout the net which implies that it's continue to helpful and so an update was essential. The costs for this comparison were acquired in December 2014 and January 2015.

The ICT (Costa Rican Institute of Tourism) states there are thirty registered motor vehicle rental operators with eight Some others pending acceptance. Nevertheless, there are various extra businesses that rent automobiles to people. The vehicle rental operators selected are Individuals which might be most frequently utilized by tourists:

Adobe

Alamo

Avis

Budget

Dollar

Financial state

Fox

Hertz

National

Payless

Support

Thrifty

Toyota

USave

Vamos

Wild Rider

Exclusion of Firms from Ultimate Comparison

Budget, Financial system, Payless, and Toyota ended up contacted, but these 4 firms didn't deliver accurate on-line charges. Financial system and Spending plan's Web sites have a single price tag, whatever the dates entered and prospects need to reserve a car in order for them to honor the cost demonstrated. Toyota's Web page was regretably only Doing work up until eventually March. Further than that, the pricing exhibited $0 for the rest of the year. Payless has this disclaimer on their Site: "Taxes and surcharges will not be within just our Regulate and could improve without notice."

Sending individual inquiries for each time period resulted in inconsistent outcomes: Price range supplied precisely the same price for all three investigated time periods when receiving an email request, which is highly unlikely; Economic climate responded with various estimates for the same dates from various associates of workers; and Toyota's emailed rates for time intervals past March's rates indicated on the internet did not correspond towards the March premiums quoted (Probably the emailed quotations contained taxes which were not demonstrated on the net). Payless can offer quotations by means of e mail and phone, but were not per pricing for different seasons.

Avis is just excluded from the value comparison, as they do not have an intermediate SUV category in their fleet.

Comparison Information

Car rental rate, all taxes and surcharges, and 3rd-celebration insurance coverage expenses are (supposedly) calculated and ranked accordingly below dependant on the 7 days's rental of the BeGo or related intermediate 4x4 from the San Jose/Alajuela area (not from your airport).

Prices are calculated on a weekly basis and divided by 7 to offer a each day Value which can dubai exotic car rental be a lot more effortlessly similar. As not all pricing is completely transparent, the prices are as accurate as feasible dependant on the data presented through the automobile rental operators' Web sites, telephone calls, and/or e-mail. Airport taxes are certainly not A part of these figures.

Shoulder Period (Quote for July 13 as a result of twenty)

one. USave $forty three.37

two. Support $54.ninety two

three. Fox $fifty five.64

4. Hertz $fifty eight.seventeen

5. Adobe $60.13

six. Alamo $sixty.99

7. Wild Rider $sixty two.86

eight. Dollar $63.35

nine. Vamos $sixty four.fifteen

ten. National $67.04

eleven. Thrifty $seventy four.39

Minimal Period (Quote for May perhaps thirteen by means of 20)

one. Nationwide $37.04

2. USave $43.37

three. Greenback $46.49

four. Adobe $fifty two.fifty seven

5. Vamos $53.fifteen

six. Support $53.forty nine

seven. Hertz $54.59

eight. Fox $fifty five.64

9. Wild Rider $fifty five.seventy one

10. Alamo $sixty.ninety nine

11. Thrifty $74.39

Superior Season (Quotation for March thirteen by means of 20)

one. Dollar $55.ninety two

two. USave $56.22

three. Hertz $fifty six.37

4. Fox $59.36

five. Thrifty $64.69

six. Provider $66.63

seven. Vamos $67.fourteen

8. Alamo $sixty nine.fifty six

9. Wild Rider $70.00

ten. Adobe $70.sixty three

11. National $seventy three.90

Summary of Comparison

Interestingly, You can find not one particular very clear costly or cheap corporation from Individuals in contrast. The variation in rating in between seasons is marked and prospects ought to consider their family vacation dates When selecting the car rental operator. Such as, Thrifty appears as the most expensive for equally reduced and shoulder time, but are only in fourth placement within the rankings for top Year.

It's also sizeable that pricing is just not in step with position with auto rental operators in other vehicle types. Such as, Vamos' pricing is The most affordable to get a quality motor vehicle within the shoulder time; Despite the fact that they are not initially in any rankings with the intermediate group and Adobe which appears aggressive are the most expensive for this time period and motor vehicle group.

Information on Car Rental Operators

Adobe Rent-A-Car or truck is a neighborhood motor vehicle rental operator which has eleven offices across the nation. The website is easy and simple to use without having obvious concealed charges. The mandatory insurance plan Expense is exhibited as Portion of the web estimate. The company gets mixed testimonials on the web, but much more beneficial than damaging opinions are made. E-mail receive a reply within just 24 hours, but may well not totally remedy the concerns questioned.

Toll-Totally free Contact number: 1-855-861-1250

Baby Seat: $3/working day

Booster: $1/working day

Additional Driver: $3/day

GPS Procedure: $9/working day

Alamo operates in partnership with Countrywide and has 13 offices across the country. Just like numerous major names, Alamo Costa Rica is really a franchise rather than a branch of Alamo by itself. 3rd-get together coverage and simple CDW are A part of the online quotation, Even though the CDW may very well be refused on presentation of proof of protection through The client's charge card. This tends to make the pricing appear to be high on very first look, especially when, contrary to other car rental operators, Alamo contains airport taxes of their on the internet quotation and so their pricing is straightforward, but appears Substantially higher than other firms as a result. Pricing is different to the Global website of the business, Even though the stipulations do point out the fees that may be compensated on arrival. This pricing discrepancy will be the guide cause of damaging opinions for this company. Email messages are responded to within just 24 hours.

Toll-Free of charge Contact number: 1-855-533-1196

Youngster Seat: $three/day

Extra Driver: $six/day

GPS Process: $12/day

Avis' Internet site obliges a person to select a vehicle defense possibility, however it fails to Screen a remaining quotation total or value for that protection selected on the web until an emailed estimate is distributed. Coverage expenses could possibly be attained by clicking on the choice 'Protections Stated' at the bottom in the display screen.

No Toll-No cost Phone Number

Kid Seat: $5/working day

Supplemental Driver: $five/day

GPS Method: $9.ninety nine/working day

Spending plan has a website which is convenient to use, though the pricing given is as exactly the same for all seasons, suggesting that it is not proper. Electronic mail responses had been Typically rapidly, but some ended up remaining unanswered. Emailed quotes showed exactly the same pricing for all seasons as the website did. Necessary insurance policies will not be bundled on the online quote, however the tiny print states that this is payable with the counter. Finances gets blended online reviews.

No Toll-Totally free Telephone number, but Dwell Chat is obtainable

Boy or girl Seat: $5/day

Extra Driver: $5/day

GPS Method: $14.99/working day

Greenback seems to own incredibly aggressive fees, but airport taxes will be applied When the car is getting collected from your airport's counters. A single may possibly uncover this in their terms and conditions, but not in their on-line estimates. Automobile washing cost is enforced for really soiled autos. You can find four workplaces in Liberia and San Jose. E-mail response is inside 24 hours. Dollar receives mixed reviews from online vacation boards.

Toll-Free Contact number: one-877-767-8651

Kid Seat: $5/day

Extra Driver: $5/working day

GPS Procedure: $nine/working day

Overall economy has twelve workplaces throughout the region. They've got no Costa Rican Site. Scroll down on their web page to locate and click on insurance prices. Airport taxes are usually not A part of the estimate. E-mails obtain either a quick reaction or no response at all. Economy has the worst online standing of any major title auto rental operator in Costa Rica.

Toll-Cost-free Telephone number: 1-877-326-7368

Kid Seat: $10/working day

More Driver: $ten/day

GPS Method: $15/working day

Fox will work in partnership with USave. Places of work are located at the two international airports. Emails get a reaction inside of 24 hrs. On the internet critiques are generally weak.

Toll-Absolutely free Cell phone number: 1-800-225-4369

Kid Seat: $five/working day

Added Driver: $10/day (Except husband or wife)

GPS Program: $9.ninety nine/working day

Hertz has six offices during the place. Reservations could possibly be created through a Costa Rican Web-site. First on line quotation will not consist of sales taxes, but it surely does incorporate the CDW -- Though CDW may be waived with evidence of bank card coverage. Emails get a reaction inside of 24 several hours. Mediocre evaluations on journey message boards.

No Toll-Cost-free Cell phone number

Little one Seat: $five/day

Additional Driver: $thirteen/working day

GPS Program: $twelve/working day

Nationwide will work in partnership with Alamo and has thirty offices in Procedure across the country. The company features a Central American Internet site, plus the Global site, which Obviously shows the breakdown of pricing. CDW is A part of the net quote, but it could be unchecked to acquire a quote with just the required insurance plan. Be aware that the airport tax is A part of the online quotation at the same time. Immediate responses to thoughts can be obtained via Reside Chat on their own Internet site. Critiques are blended, but you can find much more beneficial than damaging.

Free Cell phone Contact Possibility Through Website

Little one Seat: $6/working day

Booster: $6/working day

Extra Driver: $five/day

GPS Procedure: $12/working day

Payless is a component of your Global vehicle rental corporation and it has no Costa Rican Web site. On line rates never contain 3rd-social gathering insurance, Despite the fact that the information on This can be found by looking through the policies to the San Jose location. E-mails receive a response in fewer than 24 hrs, but usually refer back to the web site, instead of new facts. Critiques tend to be more negative than constructive.

Toll-Free Phone Number: one-800-PAYLESS

Child Seat: $five/working day

Booster: $5/working day

Additional Driver: $10/working day

GPS Method: $nine.95/day

Company is a local corporation with five workplaces during the nation. On an usually distinct Internet site, click on 'Reserve Now' and never 'Have a Quote' for a web based rate Examine. Rember is definitely the employees member mentioned in evaluations on vacation forum for his valuable customer care and the organization normally receives excellent opinions. Emails are answered inside of 24 several hours and normally give asked for information.

U.S. Telephone number: one-305-897-3718

Child Seat: $3.fifty/working day

Extra Driver: $three/working day

GPS System: $7.fifty/working day

Thrifty does not have a neighborhood website, Hence facts is through the Worldwide Web page. Protection choices or data about third-get together insurance plan is not supplied about the reservation webpage right until 1 clicks 'Safety Facts'. E-mail receive a response in 24 several hours, but may well not solution area-precise questions. Critiques are usually detrimental due to pricing grievances.

Toll-Absolutely free Contact number: 1-800-344-1705

Kid Seat: $5/working day

Booster: $five/working day

Additional Driver: $12/day

GPS Technique: $eleven.ninety nine/day

Toyota is a large title; even so, Regardless that their website appears Skilled to start with look, it simply just does not function, or at the very least it wasn't operating so as to attain quotations later than March 2015. Their on-line rates never include revenue taxes. Email messages obtain rapidly responses, but prices for various seasons gave the impression to be contradictory. Having said that, Toyota has a good track record on travel discussion boards. Eight workplaces are located across the nation.

Cost-free Cell phone Simply call Possibility By using Website

Child Seat: $5/day

Cooler: $1.50/day

Extra Driver: $3/day

GPS Method: $10/day

USave performs in partnership with Fox and it has a few Office environment destinations. Coverage solutions are revealed for the web quotation, but it really must be selected and 'recalculate' pressed, before it is included in the pricing. Emails get a reaction in just 24 several hours. The corporation acquire In general weak assessments, Whilst usually there are some positive opinions built on vacation boards.

Toll-No cost Contact number: one-800-467-3659

Little one Seat: $five/working day

More Driver: $ten/working day

GPS Program: $9.95/day

Vamos is a local enterprise that is a well-liked option for Excursion Advisor and Lonely Earth professionals as a result of their customer support and pricing. The website is easy to use with itemized charges Evidently exhibited. The Stay Chat selection allows instantaneous customized estimates and answers from English-Talking staff members. The corporate has 3 workplaces.

Toll-Totally free Phone Number: one-800-950-8426

Boy or girl Seat: free

Booster: free

Supplemental Driver: absolutely free

GPS Technique: $8/day

Wild Rider is a little, community corporation Situated only in San Jose. The website is simple with 3rd-occasion insurance policies included in the pricing. In the beginning of this investigate, the pricing wasn't updated, but this has because been remedied. This car rental operator stands out by owning only beneficial testimonials and so is highly recommended by vacation Discussion board consumers. Owner, Thorsten, replies throughout the hour to inquiries through Place of work hours.

U.S. Contact number: one-917-477-7712

Youngster Seat: $five/day

GPS System: $eight/day

General Summary

Clarity

Adobe, Alamo, Countrywide, Provider, Vamos, and Wild Rider supply clear and entire costs on their websites. One other auto rental operators had been fewer clear with surcharges or taxes, including airport taxes or sales taxes. Pricing on more extras were not always quick to seek out, and Avis, Thrifty and Toyota had to be contacted for these aspects.

Conversation

Levels of interaction have improved because the main comparison, even though it would seem smart to request an area variety and confirm responses While using the Costa Rica Business office from the Intercontinental auto rental operators, as international chat operators or Those people replying to email messages, do not generally look a hundred% self-confident about local insurance policies and will even give incorrect information and facts.

Be ready to exchange a variety of email messages so that you can get entire answers to issues with several companies: Funds and Economic climate were being specifically liable to this -- requesting a good deal of information in an effort to give a quotation. It's not necessarily unreasonable that associates of staff members Functioning inside of a 2nd language may perhaps miss out on elements of an electronic mail, so current thoughts in very clear and straightforward language.

Reside Chat on both of those the Price range and Vamos Web-sites suggest information and facts could be provided instantaneously and remains documented, as opposed to a cellular phone get in touch with.

Pricing

The comparison higher than exhibits which the pricing in between corporations depends intensely on the period and motor vehicle class staying regarded as, in lieu of a clear Minimize preference among extra or cheaper rental premiums.

Customers ought to evaluate the pricing of other things, for instance extra motorists or GPS system, and households will want to match car seat rental pricing. Wild Rider delivers the main extra driver at no cost, Vamos usually do not cost for just about any extras, except the GPS, and generally, the Worldwide firms have greater rates for these extras compared to area firms.

So Who Do I Lease From?

It is clear that the regional car rental operators are still trumping the large names of their transparency and customer support when evaluating their Internet sites and on line testimonials. The main difference with the earlier level comparison from a number of decades ago would be that the pricing is now tougher to equate.

Adobe, Alamo, and National appear to charge nicely as Intercontinental automobile rental operators. It's worth noting that Nationwide is the costliest in substantial season to the intermediate group, nonetheless the cheapest in low period. Adobe and Alamo are middle-rated for pricing.

Wild Rider is exceptional in getting zero undesirable assessments, but is only based in San Jose and has a Considerably lesser fleet of vehicles. Of the other neighborhood companies, Assistance and Vamos occur out well and Vamos' free of charge added extras will attract spending plan-minded tourists and families with young youngsters. Provider also provides these extras at small daily prices.