Guidebook to Car or truck Rental Businesses in Costa Rica
Charge Comparisons for 2015
Motor vehicle rental in Costa Rica is an opportunity to explore the remote seashores and tranquil corners of the breathtakingly beautiful state. Travel with no limitations established by general public transport timetables and with freedom about team tours. For that unprepared traveler; however, automobile rental prices and services can be quite a impolite shock along with a blow to that getaway spending budget.
Renting a automobile in your holiday vacation will most likely be the most costly component of one's price range, so knowing the phrases and taking care of anticipations is very important. The information under is not meant to get an exhaustive handbook, nonetheless it really should set you on the path in direction of an educated conclusion for your car rental wants in Costa Rica.
Why is car or truck rental so highly-priced?
Guests from outside of Costa Rica are sometimes astonished by the expense of vehicle rental. Although resort rooms, cafe expenditures and tours are reduced than the prices paid out at your house, it may seem strange that automobile rental must be additional highly-priced.
There are two straightforward motives for this significant Price tag:
All vehicles in Costa Rica are imported along with a tax is imposed. As a result of this significant taxation, the expense of purchasing a motor vehicle is larger than It might be in other industrialized nations. There are several automobile rental operators who rent older vehicles in order to reduce their prices.
The expense of obligatory insurance policies (see under).
Factors that Have an affect on Motor vehicle Rental Expenditures
• Obligatory Insurance policies
Third-celebration insurance coverage, which may be often called TPI, PDW (Partial Destruction Waiver), SLI (Supplementary Legal responsibility Insurance policies) along with other acronyms, is actually a lawful prerequisite. Auto rental operators need to cost The shopper for this coverage which may or may not be obvious within the quotation received by the customer.
The insurance policy itself isn't the issue. In spite of everything, a number of other nations around the world involve automobile renters to pay for a mandatory insurance policies; including: New Zealand, Italy and Mexico, as well as a range of the U.S. states, like California. The issue that causes competition in Costa Rica is this Expense is just not usually displayed Evidently on the vehicle rental operator's Internet site or inside a quote. Shoppers then learn the additional Price tag in their rental upon arrival.
The cost of required insurance policies varies from company to corporation and can depend on the vehicle class that's remaining rented likewise. The fee for a small sedan may very well be as minor as $twelve a day, While a premium 4x4 car or truck may be around $twenty five for insurance policies each day. This is often Together with the rental Price.
Bank cards in North The united states usually present car insurance plan as yet another perk to your credit card holder and so North People particularly, are unused to having to purchase coverage in addition to rental fees. Nevertheless, no charge card will protect this insurance coverage need.
Do question When the specified estimate includes 3rd-celebration coverage and Check out the prices on the vehicle rental operator's Web-site.
• Collision Hurt Waiver
This is not insurance, but a waiver. The fundamental level will have a deductible that differs, but might be about $1,five hundred. For a greater daily price, a zero deductible CDW can be bought To alleviate the renter of any financial accountability in the event of harm to, or theft thereof, the auto.
Several renters will obtain their CDW by means of their credit card. However, it can be worth noting that the accountability for creating any coverage claim is on The shopper and not Along with the vehicle rental operator. Some renters may well select to acquire more in-house coverage to avoid obtaining this responsibility.
There'll be car rental companies which really hard promote their unique coverage strategies as a result of guaranteeing comfort, but in the long run, This can be the renter's decision. It truly is worth remembering that automobile rental corporation workers, like in other areas of the world, will at times gain commission for insurance policy gross sales.
If the customer's bank card won't give CDW, The shopper will probably be essential to invest in this in-home protection.
Motor vehicle rental operators need prepared evidence that the customer's bank card delivers CDW. Ask the car rental operator for the precise particulars of the things they have to have and in what type. Some may possibly settle for a forwarded email from your bank card enterprise, but Other people may possibly request a printed duplicate to be offered at enough time of rental.
• Deposit
The deposit quantity necessary will rely upon whether the customer chooses to make use of the car or truck rental operator's in-dwelling CDW or takes this coverage by way of a bank card. Be expecting to pay for a A lot larger deposit In case the in-household CDW is declined. The deposit may additionally rely upon motor vehicle model rented. This quantity, which can be held about the renter's charge card right until the end in the rental period of time, is often from $750 nearly as much as $3,five hundred. The deposit should just take not more than 5 times to be refunded towards the bank card about the car or truck's return. Some motor vehicle rental agencies will accept debit cards for deposit maintain, even so the return time for this amount of money can take weeks.
Do make sure the deposit is calculated in the trip funds being an unexpected hold of a few thousand bucks over a bank card could usually seriously cut into holiday paying.
• Airport Taxes
Buyers that lease from a vehicle rental operator's counter inside of an airport constructing are obliged to pay for the airport tax.
Those people car rental operators which has a counter at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) are: Alamo/National, Price range, Dollar, Overall economy and Hertz. These providers will add an extra 12% tax to your rental Price tag.
These automobile rental operators by using a counter at Daniel Oduber Quiros Global Airport (LIR) are: Avis, Funds and Overall economy. These companies will add an additional 3% tax towards the rental Price.
To prevent this tax, take an airport shuttle Using the vehicle rental operator to an Place of work Positioned beyond the airport grounds.
• Surcharges and various Taxes
There are a selection of other compulsory service fees that car rental operators might include in to the rental Expense, Show on-display or clearly show while in the estimate, or depart undisclosed until finally The client's arrival. These probably hidden fees could look modest when seen individually, but these are typically every day prices, so they'll include up quick!
These may possibly incorporate:
• License Plate Price: Under $2 every day, but differs from business to company.
• Environmental Tax: Fewer than $one day-to-day.
• Income Tax: All income transactions in Costa Rica are subjected into a 12% authorities-imposed sales tax.
• Vehicle Washing Fee: Convey back again an exceptionally dirty car and the cleansing cost could possibly be additional onto the final payment. A person motor vehicle rental operator rates $twenty for this extra assistance.
• Fuel Charges: If the gasoline tank will not be crammed to the exact same stage as it had been At first in the rental period, then the car rental business will demand (commonly to the nearest eighth of a tank). This demand is dictated by the car rental operator and it is not issue on the governmentally set fuel rate that might be identified at any gas station.
Where by Really should I Reserve the Automobile?
A common confusion for tourists reserving a rental vehicle is definitely the discrepancy amongst Worldwide Internet websites for auto rental operators as well as the Costa Rican website for a similar brand name. Routinely the Global Web sites are unaware of, or are unsuccessful to disclose, insurances, taxes and surcharges that will be billed on the counter. This may be as a consequence of The reality that several acknowledged auto rental operator brand names in Costa Rica aren't a overseas department from the branded car rental operator, but in its place can be a franchise operation. This variable is usually value contemplating concerning anticipations regarding customer care and also other finer particulars. The Costa Rican franchise Workplace may have their unique kind of operating, besides the identical insurance policies and tips that the customer can have knowledgeable in other parts of the globe.
Understandably then, an internet reservation is finest created through the community Web site and never the Intercontinental web site, wherever doable. Numerous corporations don't have an area Web site. In such a case, do Examine the main points with a neighborhood staff members member by way of the phone and ask for penned confirmation in the quotation. Expertise with Are living chat within the Intercontinental Web sites implies that whereas staff members is educated on conditions and terms governing the primary Office environment (typically U.S.A.); they fully grasp tiny of your guidelines that needs to be adhered to in Costa Rica.
Car Rental Comparisons
In Could/June of 2013, I as opposed the pricing and providers of a variety of car rental operators in Costa Rica and revealed the conclusions. To my surprise, the report remains becoming plagiarized often throughout the web which indicates that it's nonetheless valuable and so an update was required. The prices for this comparison were received in December 2014 and January 2015.
The ICT (Costa Rican Institute of Tourism) states that there are thirty registered car or truck rental operators with 8 Other folks pending approval. On the other hand, there are various extra companies that hire autos to guests. The vehicle rental operators picked are These which are most frequently utilized by tourists:
Adobe
Alamo
Avis
Spending budget
Dollar
Financial system
Fox
Hertz
National
Payless
Support
Thrifty
Toyota
USave
Vamos
Wild Rider
Exclusion of Businesses from Ultimate Comparison
Spending budget, Economic system, Payless, and Toyota were contacted, but these four corporations didn't supply exact online charges. Financial system and Spending plan's Web sites have just one rate, whatever the dates entered and prospects need to reserve a automobile to ensure that them to honor the cost demonstrated. Toyota's Web page was regretably only Doing work up until finally March. Beyond that, the pricing shown $0 for the rest in the 12 months. Payless has this disclaimer on their own Web-site: "Taxes and surcharges aren't within just our control and should improve suddenly."
Sending individual inquiries for each time frame resulted in inconsistent results: Spending budget supplied precisely the same selling price for all a few investigated time durations when receiving an e-mail request, which is extremely unlikely; Overall economy responded with distinctive rates for the same dates from diverse users of employees; and Toyota's emailed rates for time intervals previous March's charges indicated on the web didn't correspond on the March costs quoted (Probably the emailed quotations contained taxes which were not demonstrated on the net). Payless can offer offers by means of e mail and telephone, but weren't in step with pricing for different seasons.
Avis is simply excluded from the worth comparison, as they don't have an intermediate SUV classification inside their fleet.
Comparison Info
Automobile rental rate, all taxes and surcharges, and third-get together insurance expenses are (supposedly) calculated and ranked accordingly down below based on the 7 days's rental of the BeGo or very similar intermediate 4x4 from the San Jose/Alajuela spot (not through the airport).
Costs are calculated on a weekly basis and divided by seven to provide a day by day Price tag which happens to be extra conveniently equivalent. As not all pricing is totally clear, the prices are as correct as you possibly can according to the information delivered within the car or truck rental operators' Internet websites, cell phone phone calls, and/or email messages. Airport taxes aren't included in these figures.
Shoulder Year (Estimate for July 13 by means of 20)
one. USave $forty three.37
two. Company $54.92
3. Fox $55.64
4. Hertz $fifty eight.seventeen
five. Adobe $60.13
six. Alamo $sixty.99
7. Wild Rider $sixty two.86
eight. Greenback $63.35
9. Vamos $sixty four.fifteen
10. National $67.04
eleven. Thrifty $seventy four.39
Lower Period (Quote for May thirteen by way of 20)
one. Nationwide $37.04
2. USave $forty three.37
three. Dollar $46.forty nine
four. Adobe $fifty two.57
5. Vamos $fifty three.fifteen
6. Service $fifty three.forty nine
7. Hertz $54.fifty nine
8. Fox $55.64
nine. Wild Rider $fifty five.71
10. Alamo $sixty.99
11. Thrifty $74.39
Higher Period (Quote for March thirteen by way of 20)
1. Greenback $fifty five.92
two. USave $fifty six.22
three. Hertz $56.37
four. Fox $fifty nine.36
5. Thrifty $64.sixty nine
six. Support $66.sixty three
seven. Vamos $67.14
eight. Alamo $69.56
nine. Wild Rider $70.00
ten. Adobe $70.63
11. Nationwide $73.90
Summary of Comparison
Apparently, There may be not a single distinct expensive or low-priced firm from Individuals compared. The variation in position amongst seasons is marked and consumers should take into consideration their family vacation dates When selecting the car rental operator. For example, Thrifty appears since the costliest for both of those very low and shoulder year, but are only in fourth place in the rankings for top Period.
It is also sizeable that pricing is just not in step with rating with automobile rental operators in other car types. By way of example, Vamos' pricing is the cheapest for just a premium vehicle from the shoulder season; Whilst they are not initially in any rankings with the intermediate group and Adobe which appears aggressive are the costliest for this time period and auto category.
Info on Car or truck Rental Operators
Adobe Lease-A-Auto is a local motor vehicle rental operator which includes eleven offices across the nation. The web site is straightforward and simple to use without apparent hidden charges. The mandatory insurance policy cost is shown as Element of the online quotation. The organization gets combined reviews on the web, but more optimistic than destructive feedback are created. Email messages get a reply inside of 24 several hours, but might not fully respond to the issues requested.
Toll-No cost Telephone number: one-855-861-1250
Youngster Seat: $three/day
Booster: $one/day
Added Driver: $three/day
GPS Procedure: $9/working day
Alamo functions in partnership with Countrywide and has 13 offices across the country. Just like several significant names, Alamo Costa Rica is actually a franchise instead of a branch of Alamo alone. Third-social gathering insurance and standard CDW are A part of the online quotation, Even though the CDW may very well be refused upon presentation of evidence of coverage by way of the customer's bank card. This will make the pricing appear significant on initial look, specially when, as opposed to other motor vehicle rental operators, Alamo consists of airport taxes inside their online quotation and so their pricing is truthful, but seems A lot increased than other companies as a result. Pricing is different over the international Internet site of the corporation, although the stipulations do point out the charges that could be paid on arrival. This pricing discrepancy may be the guide cause of damaging opinions for this company. Email messages are responded to within just 24 hours.
Toll-Free of charge Cell phone number: one-855-533-1196
Kid Seat: $3/working day
Further Driver: $six/day
GPS Process: $12/working day
Avis' website obliges just one to select an auto protection selection, but it fails to Display screen a last quotation whole or rate for the coverage chosen on the net until an emailed estimate is distributed. Coverage expenditures may very well be obtained by clicking on the option 'Protections Discussed' at The underside of the display.
No Toll-Cost-free Contact number
Boy or girl Seat: $5/day
Added Driver: $five/working day
GPS System: $9.99/working day
Finances has a web site that's simple to use, even so the pricing offered is as precisely the same for all seasons, suggesting that it's not suitable. Email responses were Typically rapidly, but some ended up remaining unanswered. Emailed offers showed exactly the same pricing for all seasons as the website did. Obligatory insurance plan is not really bundled on the online quote, however the compact print states this is payable for the counter. Spending budget receives mixed on the web opinions.
No Toll-No cost Phone Number, but Live Chat is offered
Kid Seat: $5/day
Further Driver: $5/day
GPS Technique: $fourteen.ninety nine/working day
Greenback seems to acquire incredibly aggressive fees, but airport taxes will be applied In case the car or truck is staying gathered within the airport's counters. A person may find this in their terms and conditions, but not in their online estimates. Vehicle washing charge is enforced for extremely dirty automobiles. You will find four offices in Liberia and San Jose. Email response is inside 24 hours. Dollar receives combined evaluations from on the internet journey discussion boards.
Toll-Free of charge Telephone number: 1-877-767-8651
Kid Seat: $5/day
Additional 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 fees. Airport taxes usually are not included in the quote. Emails acquire possibly A fast reaction or no response whatsoever. Economic climate has the worst on-line reputation of any significant identify car or truck rental operator in Costa Rica.
Toll-Absolutely free Cell phone number: 1-877-326-7368
Kid Seat: $10/working day
More Driver: $ten/day
GPS Method: $15/working day
Fox functions in partnership with USave. Offices can be found at both equally Global airports. Email messages receive a reaction in just 24 hrs. On the internet evaluations are usually very poor.
Toll-Cost-free Cell phone number: 1-800-225-4369
Child Seat: $five/day
Further Driver: $10/day (Unless of course spouse)
GPS Process: $nine.99/day
Hertz has 6 places of work in the state. Reservations can be manufactured via a Costa Rican website. Initial on-line quote doesn't involve product sales taxes, nevertheless it does contain the CDW -- Despite the fact that CDW may very well be waived with proof of bank card coverage. E-mails receive a reaction in just 24 several hours. Mediocre testimonials on journey discussion boards.
No Toll-Free Telephone number
Youngster Seat: $5/day
Additional Driver: $13/day
GPS Method: $12/day
National will work in partnership with Alamo and it has thirty places of work in Procedure across the country. The corporate incorporates a Central American Web site, as well as the Intercontinental internet site, which clearly reveals the breakdown of pricing. CDW is A part of the online quotation, but it might be unchecked to get a quotation with just the necessary insurance coverage. Take note the airport tax is included in the web estimate as well. Fast responses to queries are available by Dwell Chat on their Internet site. Critiques are mixed, but there are actually far more good than negative.
Absolutely free Cellphone Call Solution By way of Web-site
Little one Seat: $6/working day
Booster: $6/working day
Extra Driver: $five/day
GPS Procedure: $12/working day
Payless is a component of the Global vehicle rental corporation and has no Costa Rican Web-site. On the internet quotes tend not to incorporate third-social gathering insurance coverage, While the information on This can be discovered by examining the guidelines with the San Jose area. E-mail receive a reaction in lower than 24 several hours, but have a tendency to refer again to the website, in lieu of new info. Opinions are more detrimental than good.
Toll-Absolutely free Phone Number: one-800-PAYLESS
Child Seat: $5/working day
Booster: $five/day
Added Driver: $ten/day
GPS Process: $9.ninety five/working day
Support is an area business with 5 offices inside the state. On an or else crystal clear Web site, click 'Reserve Now' and not 'Get yourself a Quotation' for a web-based rate Verify. Rember will be the staff members member talked about in testimonials on vacation forum for his helpful customer support and the corporation typically receives good evaluations. E-mail are answered inside 24 hrs and Ordinarily supply 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 Web-site, Therefore data is in the international Web-site. Coverage possibilities or information and facts concerning 3rd-bash insurance coverage is just not delivered around the reservation webpage right up until a person clicks 'Protection Details'. E-mails get a response inside of 24 hrs, but may well not solution spot-precise questions. Evaluations are usually destructive due to pricing grievances.
Toll-Cost-free Contact number: 1-800-344-1705
Youngster Seat: $five/day
Booster: $5/day
More Driver: $twelve/day
GPS Method: $11.ninety nine/working day
Toyota is a major name; nevertheless, Though their Web page seems professional in the beginning glance, it only would not work, or at the very least it was not operating so as to obtain quotations later than March 2015. Their on-line rates tend not to include things like gross sales taxes. Emails get rapid responses, but offers for different seasons appeared to be contradictory. Nevertheless, Toyota has an excellent status on journey message boards. 8 places of work can be found across the nation.
Free Telephone Get in touch with Alternative Through Internet site
Baby Seat: $five/working day
Cooler: $one.fifty/working day
Supplemental Driver: $three/working day
GPS System: $10/day
USave works in partnership with Fox and has three Workplace destinations. Coverage options are shown for the online quote, but it must be selected and 'recalculate' pressed, prior to it's included in the pricing. Emails receive a response within 24 hours. The company receive overall poor critiques, Even though there are a few optimistic remarks created on travel discussion boards.
Toll-Totally free Telephone number: 1-800-467-3659
Child Seat: $5/day
Additional Driver: $ten/working day
GPS Method: $9.ninety five/working day
Vamos is an area corporation that is a well-liked option for Journey Advisor and Lonely Earth professionals as a result of their customer service and pricing. The website is easy to use with itemized charges Evidently exhibited. The Stay Chat solution allows instantaneous customized estimates and answers from English-speaking team. The corporation has a few workplaces.
Toll-Free of charge Telephone number: 1-800-950-8426
Child Seat: no cost
Booster: no cost
More Driver: cost-free
GPS Procedure: $eight/working day
Wild Rider is a small, nearby company Found only in San Jose. The web site is easy with third-celebration insurance A part of the pricing. Firstly of the analysis, the pricing was not up-to-date, but this has considering the fact that been remedied. This car or truck rental operator stands out by obtaining only optimistic critiques and so is highly proposed by journey forum customers. Operator, Thorsten, replies in the hour to inquiries for the duration of Place of work hours.
U.S. Contact number: one-917-477-7712
Little one Seat: $5/working day
GPS Process: $eight/working day
All round Summary
Clarity
Adobe, Alamo, National, Service, Vamos, and Wild Rider present obvious and full rates on their own Sites. Another car rental operators were being considerably less transparent with surcharges or taxes, such as airport taxes or profits taxes. Pricing on added extras were not normally effortless to discover, and Avis, Thrifty and Toyota had to be contacted for these facts.
Conversation
Levels of interaction have improved since the 1st comparison, although it would seem smart to request a local range and make sure answers Along with the Costa Rica Place of work of the international motor vehicle rental operators, as Worldwide chat operators or those replying to e-mail, usually do not always appear to be one hundred% self-assured about regional guidelines and could even give incorrect data.
Be prepared to Trade several e-mail in an effort to get complete responses to queries with a number of corporations: Price range and Financial state have been especially at risk of this -- requesting a whole lot of data in an effort to give a quotation. It's not at all unreasonable that members of staff members Functioning inside of a 2nd language may overlook aspects of an e mail, so current questions in obvious and simple language.
Stay Chat on each the Finances and Vamos Web sites necessarily mean details is usually offered right away and continues to be documented, unlike a mobile phone call.
Pricing
The comparison previously mentioned shows the pricing concerning organizations relies upon seriously over the period and car or truck category currently being considered, as an alternative to a transparent Lower preference among additional or cheaper rental premiums.
Customers ought to evaluate the pricing of other products, for instance additional motorists or GPS procedure, and households will want to match car seat rental pricing. Wild Rider presents the very first more driver for free, Vamos tend not to demand for just about any extras, apart from the GPS, and generally, the Global corporations have greater fees for these extras than the area organizations.
So Who Do I Hire From?
It is clear the community car rental operators are still trumping the massive names of their transparency and customer service when evaluating their websites and on the internet opinions. The difference from your past rate comparison from a number of yrs back is that the pricing is becoming more challenging to equate.
Adobe, Alamo, and Nationwide manage to rate effectively as Global motor vehicle rental operators. It's truly worth noting that Nationwide is the most costly in higher period for that intermediate category, nevertheless The most dubai exotic car rental cost effective in low period. Adobe and Alamo are middle-rated for pricing.
Wild Rider is outstanding in having zero negative testimonials, but is barely situated in San Jose and has a Significantly scaled-down fleet of motor vehicles. Of the other nearby companies, Provider and Vamos occur out perfectly and Vamos' totally free further extras will attract finances-minded tourists and families with younger young children. Company also provides these extras at low every day prices.