Guideline to Car Rental Corporations in Costa Rica

Price Comparisons for 2015

Auto rental in Costa Rica is a chance to investigate the distant shorelines and quiet corners of the breathtakingly gorgeous country. Journey with no constraints set by general public transport timetables and with liberty more than team tours. With the unprepared traveler; even so, vehicle rental expenditures and solutions can be quite a rude shock plus a blow to that holiday vacation spending budget.

Renting a motor vehicle for your trip will probably be the most costly component of one's funds, so knowledge the terms and managing expectations is critical. The knowledge under is not intended to become an exhaustive manual, but it really must established you on the path toward an educated choice for your automobile rental demands in Costa Rica.

Why is automobile rental so costly?

Guests from outside of Costa Rica are often astonished by the expense of car or truck rental. When hotel rooms, cafe expenses and excursions are lower than the costs compensated at your home, it could surface strange that auto rental should be a lot more high-priced.

There's two easy motives for this high Expense:

All cars in Costa Rica are imported in addition to a tax is imposed. On account of this heavy taxation, the fee of buying a vehicle is increased than It could be in other industrialized nations around the world. There are many motor vehicle rental operators who rent older cars in order to minimize their expenditures.

The expense of obligatory insurance policy (see under).
Factors that Have an impact on Motor vehicle Rental Expenses

• Obligatory Insurance plan

Third-get together coverage, which may be often known as TPI, PDW (Partial Harm Waiver), SLI (Supplementary Legal responsibility Insurance) as well as other acronyms, is usually a legal necessity. Auto rental operators ought to demand the customer for this protection which might or might not be apparent in the quotation acquired by The client.

The insurance plan alone isn't the difficulty. After all, all kinds of other nations around the world involve motor vehicle renters to pay for a compulsory insurance plan; which include: New Zealand, Italy and Mexico, in addition to a amount of the U.S. states, like California. The problem that triggers competition in Costa Rica is this Value is just not generally shown Obviously on the car rental operator's Site or within a estimate. Clients then discover the additional Price of their rental on arrival.

The price of necessary insurance coverage differs from firm to enterprise and may rely upon the car category that is being rented in addition. The cost for a little sedan could possibly be as minor as $12 every day, While a top quality 4x4 automobile may be up to $25 for insurance policy each day. This is in addition to the rental Price tag.

Bank cards in North The united states normally supply automobile insurance policy as an extra perk towards the credit card holder and so North People especially, are unused to being forced to purchase insurance policies in addition to rental fees. Nonetheless, no credit card will deal with this insurance policy requirement.

Do talk to If your provided quote incorporates third-party insurance plan and Examine the costs on the vehicle rental operator's Internet site.

• Collision Harm Waiver

This is simply not insurance policy, but a waiver. The basic level will feature a deductible that varies, but may very well be up to $1,500. For a greater everyday level, a zero deductible CDW could possibly be purchased To alleviate the renter of any financial accountability in the event of damage to, or theft thereof, the motor vehicle.

Numerous renters will receive their CDW via their charge card. Even so, it truly is worth noting the responsibility for earning any insurance coverage claim is on The shopper rather than Along with the car or truck rental operator. Some renters may well decide on to get further in-dwelling coverage to stay away from getting this obligation.

There will be auto rental businesses which hard market their own coverage options via guaranteeing peace of mind, but finally, This can be the renter's selection. It is worthy of remembering that automobile rental enterprise personnel, like in other parts of the earth, will occasionally gain commission for insurance plan revenue.

If The shopper's bank card will not deliver CDW, The shopper will likely be demanded to buy this in-dwelling coverage.

Motor vehicle rental operators demand penned evidence that the customer's charge card gives CDW. Check with the car rental operator for the precise facts of what they demand As well as in what kind. Some may perhaps take a forwarded e mail in the bank card organization, but Some others could request a printed duplicate being presented at enough time of rental.

• Deposit

The deposit amount of money necessary will count on no matter whether The shopper chooses to make use of the car or truck rental operator's in-house CDW or normally takes this protection through a bank card. Hope to pay a Considerably larger deposit If your in-home CDW is declined. The deposit may additionally rely upon motor vehicle model rented. This amount, that can be held about the renter's charge card until the end on the rental interval, can be from $750 around up to $3,five hundred. The deposit should really consider no more than five times to generally be refunded for the bank card within the motor vehicle's return. Some auto rental businesses will acknowledge debit playing cards for deposit hold, however the return time for this volume usually takes months.

Do ensure that the deposit is calculated during the holiday vacation spending budget being an unpredicted keep of some thousand pounds with a bank card could normally seriously Slice into holiday vacation expending.

• Airport Taxes

Customers that rent from a car rental operator's counter inside an airport developing are obliged to pay the airport tax.

Individuals automobile rental operators using a counter at San Jose's Juan Santamaria Global Airport (SJO) are: Alamo/Nationwide, Funds, Dollar, Economic system and Hertz. These organizations will incorporate an extra 12% tax for the rental Value.

All those motor vehicle rental operators with a counter at Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) are: Avis, Spending budget and Overall economy. These providers will add an additional three% tax to your rental Charge.

To stay away from this tax, choose an airport shuttle Using the auto rental operator to an Office environment Positioned beyond the airport grounds.

• Surcharges and various Taxes

There are a number of other obligatory charges that automobile rental operators may possibly incorporate in the rental Price tag, Exhibit on-monitor or clearly show within the estimate, or depart undisclosed until finally The client's arrival. These most likely concealed charges may well feel compact when considered separately, but these are generally day by day costs, so they're going to insert up rapidly!

These may possibly contain:

• License Plate Payment: Under $2 every day, but differs from organization to organization.

• Environmental Tax: A lot less than $one day-to-day.

• Income Tax: All income transactions in Costa Rica are subjected into a 12% government-imposed revenue tax.

• Automobile Washing Charge: Carry back an exceptionally dirty motor vehicle as well as cleansing rate can be extra onto the final payment. 1 car rental operator fees $20 for this additional services.

• Fuel Charges: When the gas tank just isn't stuffed to exactly the same degree as it was Initially with the rental period of time, then the car rental organization will demand (normally to the nearest eighth of a tank). This charge is dictated by the vehicle rental operator and it is not issue to your governmentally set fuel rate that could be located at any gasoline station.

Exactly where Should really I Reserve the Car or truck?

A typical confusion for vacationers reserving a rental automobile will be the discrepancy among international Web-sites for car or truck rental operators as well as Costa Rican Web page for a similar brand name. Usually the Global Sites are unaware of, or fall short to disclose, insurances, taxes and surcharges that will be charged on the counter. This may be on account of The truth that many regarded auto rental operator manufacturers in Costa Rica will not be a international branch of the branded motor vehicle rental operator, but rather are a franchise operation. This aspect can also be worth looking at when it comes to expectations concerning customer support as well as other finer details. The Costa Rican franchise office can have their unique kind of operating, besides exactly the same policies and tips that the customer could possibly have knowledgeable in other aspects of the entire world.

Understandably then, an online reservation is finest created through the regional Site and not the Intercontinental internet site, wherever probable. A variety of organizations do not have an area Web page. In cases like this, do Test the details with an area workers member by using the telephone and request composed affirmation in the quotation. Expertise with Are living chat to the international Web-sites indicates that Whilst workers is skilled on conditions and terms governing the principle Business (typically U.S.A.); they have an understanding of small with the policies that need to be adhered to in Costa Rica.

Car Rental Comparisons

In May possibly/June of 2013, I as opposed the pricing and providers of a number of automobile rental operators in Costa Rica and published the results. To my shock, the post remains remaining plagiarized routinely throughout the web which implies that it is however useful and so an update was necessary. The costs for this comparison were received 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 approval. Nonetheless, there are plenty of extra businesses that rent automobiles to visitors. The car rental operators picked are Individuals which happen to be most frequently utilized by tourists:

Adobe

Alamo

Avis

Spending plan

Dollar

Financial state

Fox

Hertz

Nationwide

Payless

Assistance

Thrifty

Toyota

USave

Vamos

Wild Rider

Exclusion of Businesses from Ultimate Comparison

Spending plan, Financial state, Payless, and Toyota were contacted, but these four corporations did not offer precise on the net charges. Economic climate and Spending plan's Web sites have one particular price, whatever the dates entered and prospects require to order a motor vehicle to ensure that them to honor the price shown. Toyota's Web page was sad to say only Functioning up until eventually March. Beyond that, the pricing displayed $0 for the remainder on the calendar year. Payless has this disclaimer on their own website: "Taxes and surcharges aren't inside of our Management and could improve without notice."

Sending person inquiries for each period of time resulted in inconsistent success: Spending budget supplied the exact same rate for all three investigated time periods when obtaining an electronic mail request, which is very unlikely; Economic climate responded with distinct prices for a similar dates from unique users of staff; and Toyota's emailed rates for time intervals earlier March's price ranges indicated online did not correspond to the March prices quoted (perhaps the emailed estimates contained taxes that were not proven on the web). Payless can offer offers via email and telephone, but were not in keeping with pricing for various seasons.

Avis is barely excluded from the price comparison, as they do not have an intermediate SUV class within their fleet.

Comparison Details

Car or truck rental level, all taxes and surcharges, and third-party insurance policy expenditures are (supposedly) calculated and rated accordingly under depending on the 7 days's rental of the BeGo or related intermediate 4x4 from the San Jose/Alajuela spot (not with the airport).

Premiums are calculated over a weekly foundation and divided by 7 to offer a day-to-day Value that's additional simply similar. As not all pricing is completely transparent, the costs are as exact as is possible based upon the knowledge presented from your vehicle rental operators' Web sites, telephone calls, and/or e-mail. Airport taxes are not A part of these figures.

Shoulder Time (Estimate for July thirteen by means of 20)

1. USave $forty three.37

two. Provider $fifty four.ninety two

three. Fox $55.64

4. Hertz $fifty eight.seventeen

five. Adobe $60.13

6. Alamo $sixty.ninety nine

seven. Wild Rider $62.86

8. Greenback $sixty three.35

nine. Vamos $64.15

10. Nationwide $67.04

11. Thrifty $seventy four.39

Very low Year (Estimate for Could 13 via 20)

one. Countrywide $37.04

two. USave $43.37

3. Dollar $forty six.forty nine

4. Adobe $52.fifty seven

five. Vamos $fifty three.fifteen

six. Provider $53.49

seven. Hertz $fifty four.59

8. Fox $fifty five.sixty four

9. Wild Rider $55.seventy one

ten. Alamo $60.99

11. Thrifty $seventy four.39

Significant Year (Estimate for March thirteen by way of 20)

1. Greenback $fifty five.92

2. USave $fifty six.22

3. Hertz $56.37

four. Fox $fifty nine.36

5. Thrifty $64.sixty nine

six. Support $66.sixty three

seven. Vamos $67.14

eight. Alamo $sixty nine.fifty six

9. Wild Rider $70.00

10. Adobe $70.sixty three

eleven. Nationwide $73.ninety

Summary of Comparison

Curiously, There exists not a single very clear pricey or inexpensive company from those compared. The variation in rating involving seasons is marked and shoppers should really look at their getaway dates when choosing the car rental operator. By way of example, Thrifty appears because the most expensive for both equally minimal and shoulder season, but are only in fourth situation in the rankings for prime Period.

It is also sizeable that pricing will not be per ranking with car rental operators in other car or truck types. One example is, Vamos' pricing is The most affordable for just a premium car within the shoulder season; While they aren't initial in almost any rankings for that intermediate category and Adobe which appears aggressive are the costliest for this time frame and auto group.

Info on Vehicle Rental Operators

Adobe Lease-A-Vehicle is an area car or truck rental operator which includes eleven offices across the country. The web site is simple and convenient to use without apparent concealed fees. The obligatory insurance policies Price is displayed as part of the online quotation. The business receives combined critiques on the net, but a lot more positive than detrimental feedback are created. Email messages get a reply in 24 hours, but might not totally respond to the queries asked.

Toll-No cost Telephone number: one-855-861-1250

Youngster Seat: $three/day

Booster: $one/day

Additional Driver: $three/day

GPS Process: $9/working day

Alamo functions in partnership with Countrywide and has 13 offices across the nation. As with quite a few large names, Alamo Costa Rica is usually a franchise and never a department of Alamo by itself. 3rd-bash insurance policies and fundamental CDW are A part of the online quotation, Even though the CDW could be refused on presentation of proof of protection by means of The shopper's credit card. This would make the pricing seem significant on initial look, especially when, contrary to other vehicle rental operators, Alamo incorporates airport taxes in their on line quotation and so their pricing is genuine, but appears A great deal increased than other companies Due to this fact. Pricing is different over the Worldwide Web page of the corporate, although the stipulations do state the costs that could be compensated on arrival. This pricing discrepancy may be the guide cause of adverse reviews for this organization. E-mail are responded to within 24 hrs.

Toll-Free Telephone number: one-855-533-1196

Kid Seat: $3/working day

Extra Driver: $six/working day

GPS Method: $12/working day

Avis' Web site obliges just one to select an auto protection selection, but it fails to Screen a remaining quotation complete or selling price for that coverage chosen on line until finally an emailed quote is distributed. Protection costs might be received by clicking on the option 'Protections Described' at The underside of the display screen.

No Toll-Free Telephone number

Little one Seat: $five/day

Further Driver: $five/working day

GPS System: $9.ninety nine/day

Price range has an internet site that may be simple to use, even so the pricing supplied is as the same for all seasons, suggesting that it is not appropriate. E mail responses were being normally quickly, but some ended up remaining unanswered. Emailed quotes showed the identical pricing for all seasons as the web site did. Required coverage is not integrated on the online estimate, although the compact print states that this is payable on the counter. Funds gets blended on line reviews.

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

Baby Seat: $five/working day

Additional Driver: $5/day

GPS Program: $fourteen.ninety nine/working day

Greenback appears to have really aggressive premiums, but airport taxes will be applied In the event the car or truck is remaining collected in the airport's counters. One particular may well obtain this in their terms and conditions, but not inside their on line quotes. Vehicle washing cost is enforced for incredibly filthy motor vehicles. There are four places of work in Liberia and San Jose. Email response is within 24 hours. Dollar receives mixed critiques from on the web journey message boards.

Toll-Absolutely free Contact number: one-877-767-8651

Child Seat: $5/day

Further Driver: $5/day

GPS Program: $nine/working day

Financial state has twelve offices around the nation. They've no Costa Rican Internet site. Scroll down on their own site to seek out and click on insurance policy charges. Airport taxes are not included in the quote. Email messages get possibly A fast reaction or no response whatsoever. Economic system has the worst on the web name of any significant identify vehicle rental operator in Costa Rica.

Toll-Totally free Phone Number: one-877-326-7368

Boy or girl Seat: $ten/working day

Added Driver: $10/day

GPS Method: $15/day

Fox works in partnership with USave. Offices are located at both Intercontinental airports. E-mail get a reaction in just 24 several hours. On the web testimonials are normally lousy.

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

Youngster Seat: $5/day

Additional Driver: $10/day (unless spouse)

GPS Program: $9.ninety nine/day

Hertz has six offices during the state. Reservations may very well be designed by way of a Costa Rican Site. First on the internet quote will not incorporate sales taxes, but it does include the CDW -- Whilst CDW may be waived with evidence of charge card protection. Email messages receive a response within 24 several hours. Mediocre assessments on vacation message boards.

No Toll-Cost-free Telephone number

Kid Seat: $5/working day

Added Driver: $13/day

GPS System: $twelve/working day

Nationwide operates in partnership with Alamo and has 30 places of work in operation across the country. The corporation incorporates a Central American Site, as well as the Intercontinental web-site, which Plainly exhibits the breakdown of pricing. CDW is included in the web estimate, but it may be unchecked to secure a estimate with just the mandatory insurance. Take note which the airport tax is included in the online quotation in addition. Quick responses to queries can be found by Dwell Chat on their Web-site. Opinions are mixed, but there are additional good than unfavorable.

No cost Mobile phone Contact Option By means of Internet site

Kid Seat: $six/working day

Booster: $6/working day

More Driver: $five/day

GPS Procedure: $twelve/working day

Payless is a component in the Intercontinental car rental business and it has no Costa Rican Web page. On the web estimates never incorporate 3rd-get together insurance, While the information on This can be identified by examining the procedures dubai exotic car rental for the San Jose site. Emails get a response in a lot less than 24 hours, but usually refer back again to the web site, as opposed to new info. Reviews tend to be more unfavorable than beneficial.

Toll-Totally free Contact number: 1-800-PAYLESS

Baby Seat: $5/working day

Booster: $5/working day

Additional Driver: $ten/day

GPS Procedure: $9.ninety five/day

Assistance is a local corporation with five places of work within the place. On an or else apparent Web-site, click on 'Reserve Now' instead of 'Obtain a Quotation' for an internet rate Examine. Rember is definitely the workers member outlined in reviews on vacation forum for his valuable customer service and the business generally will get good testimonials. Emails are answered in 24 hours and Generally offer asked for info.

U.S. Cell phone number: 1-305-897-3718

Little one Seat: $three.fifty/day

Further Driver: $three/day

GPS Procedure: $7.fifty/day

Thrifty does not have an area website, Hence information and facts is with the Global Web-site. Coverage possibilities or information and facts relating to 3rd-party insurance policies will not be provided within the reservation webpage right until one clicks 'Safety Facts'. Emails receive a response inside of 24 several hours, but may well not solution spot-specific queries. Opinions are frequently damaging resulting from pricing complaints.

Toll-Totally free Cell phone number: one-800-344-1705

Child Seat: $5/working day

Booster: $five/working day

Extra Driver: $twelve/working day

GPS Procedure: $11.ninety nine/working day

Toyota is a major name; nonetheless, Though their Web-site appears Experienced initially look, it simply just isn't going to function, or at the least it wasn't performing to be able to receive quotations afterwards than March 2015. Their online prices will not include product sales taxes. E-mails acquire quick responses, but rates for different seasons seemed to be contradictory. On the other hand, Toyota has a very good reputation on journey message boards. 8 offices are located across the country.

Free of charge Cell phone Get in touch with Solution By using Web site

Youngster Seat: $5/working day

Cooler: $one.50/day

Additional Driver: $3/day

GPS Program: $ten/working day

USave performs in partnership with Fox and it has a few Business locations. Insurance coverage alternatives are demonstrated for the web quotation, but it really must be selected and 'recalculate' pressed, prior to it really is included in the pricing. Email messages get a reaction in 24 hours. The organization obtain All round inadequate testimonials, While usually there are some good remarks manufactured on vacation boards.

Toll-Free Telephone number: 1-800-467-3659

Kid Seat: $5/day

Further Driver: $10/day

GPS Technique: $9.95/day

Vamos is a neighborhood firm that is a well-liked option for Journey Advisor and Lonely Earth authorities on account of their customer support and pricing. The website is user friendly with itemized charges clearly displayed. The Dwell Chat selection allows instantaneous customized rates and solutions from English-speaking workers. The business has three offices.

Toll-Free of charge Telephone number: 1-800-950-8426

Kid Seat: free

Booster: free

Supplemental Driver: free

GPS System: $8/working day

Wild Rider is a little, regional corporation Positioned only in San Jose. The web site is easy with third-celebration insurance coverage included in the pricing. At the start of this analysis, the pricing was not up to date, but this has because been remedied. This automobile rental operator stands out by getting only good critiques and so is highly proposed by vacation Discussion board end users. Operator, Thorsten, replies within the hour to inquiries throughout office several hours.

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

Little one Seat: $5/day

GPS Procedure: $eight/working day

General Summary

Clarity

Adobe, Alamo, National, Service, Vamos, and Wild Rider deliver crystal clear and comprehensive charges on their websites. One other car rental operators had been less transparent with surcharges or taxes, such as airport taxes or sales taxes. Pricing on additional extras weren't always easy to discover, and Avis, Thrifty and Toyota had to be contacted for these particulars.

Communication

Levels of interaction have improved because the first comparison, although it would appear a good idea to request a neighborhood variety and confirm solutions Together with the Costa Rica Business office on the international automobile rental operators, as international chat operators or These replying to emails, don't usually seem a hundred% self-confident about area insurance policies and could even give incorrect facts.

Be ready to exchange numerous emails so that you can get full answers to thoughts with many corporations: Spending budget and Overall economy ended up specifically vulnerable to this -- requesting quite a bit of data in an effort to give a quotation. It's not unreasonable that users of staff members Doing work in the second language may pass up areas of an e mail, so present concerns in clear and straightforward language.

Dwell Chat on each the Budget and Vamos Internet websites signify facts might be offered immediately and remains documented, contrary to a cellphone contact.

Pricing

The comparison higher than demonstrates that the pricing concerning firms depends closely around the season and car or truck class being deemed, as opposed to a transparent Slice selection between additional or cheaper rental prices.

Customers should evaluate the pricing of other objects, including additional motorists or GPS method, and people will want to check car seat rental pricing. Wild Rider features the primary added driver at no cost, Vamos never cost for virtually any extras, besides the GPS, and in general, the Global firms have bigger fees for these extras compared to area organizations.

So Who Do I Hire From?

It is clear the community car rental operators are still trumping the large names of their transparency and customer service when evaluating their Web-sites and on-line evaluations. The primary difference in the preceding level comparison from a few several years back is that the pricing is becoming tougher to equate.

Adobe, Alamo, and National seem to fee effectively as Global car rental operators. It's value noting that Countrywide is the most expensive in higher year for that intermediate classification, however The most affordable in very low season. Adobe and Alamo are middle-ranked for pricing.

Wild Rider is phenomenal in acquiring zero negative reviews, but is only located in San Jose and it has a Substantially smaller fleet of automobiles. Of the opposite community corporations, Service and Vamos come out effectively and Vamos' absolutely free supplemental extras will attract spending budget-minded vacationers and family members with younger small children. Services also offers these extras at lower each day rates.