"My time's constrained... how can I select?"
Car or truck rental is often a very hot subject for vacationers headed to Costa Rica. Recent research conducted from the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) implies that, just after lodging, renting a car or truck is the biggest expenditure, averaging $702 for an eleven-day holiday.
The net is buzzing with negative assessments discussing overcharging, lousy customer service and mechanical breakdowns. You might have even composed a person on your own!
An average midsize (three - 4 Older people) 4X4 rental operates amongst $fifty eight and $65 day-to-day with third party insurance plan and rates could vary about twenty % amid car rental organizations, so looking at a quick review is going to be time perfectly spent as soon as you compute the cost savings.
Therefore the issue is; which rental organization features the ideal stability of fair cost, capable customer care and reputable cars? I have researched everything for yourself, so keep reading!
Disclosure: This exploration was executed in Might - July 2013. The following corporations had been selected simply because they would be the most generally used in Costa Rica. Some are area providers; Other folks are Global franchises of acknowledged manufacturer names. Comparisons include things like: customer care, pricing and also the reservation system. The companies are mentioned alphabetically instead of according to personalized or on the web Tastes.
Consider this information and facts prior to renting:
Insurance policies
One among the greatest will cause for issues is from the stack of unforeseen prices introduced into the renter after standing on the rental company's counter. Vacationers are usually drained following a lengthy flight then are confronted by fees that were not predicted, described or budgeted.
Topping the list of grievances would be the non-disclosure of expenses affiliated with the required 3rd-occasion insurance coverage at time the reservation is built.
In line with Costa Rican legislation, each and every driver is necessary to carry legal responsibility protection to insure towards accidents to 3rd events. Auto rental corporations commonly chorus from disclosing the price of this coverage in the quoted rental rate to seem much more competitive. Mandatory third-party insurance can occasionally be about double the car or truck's rental cost. The only real assure from insurance coverage confusion would be to inquire When your estimate consists of the 3rd party insurance plan and demand on the created quotation.
Price of Obligatory Coverage (also known as Third Party or SLI)
Assume to pay for between $twelve and $15 each day for this insurance coverage, dependant upon the make and product from the rented auto as well as the rental automobile company. It is a legal problem of your rental settlement and is usually not included by bank cards and can't be waived. It is a truth of leasing an auto in Costa Rica.
Collision Destruction Waiver (CDW)
Since the name indicates, this is not insurance coverage, but a waiver, which relieves the renter from any liability for damage to the rental car once the deductible is compensated (usually from $750 to $1,five hundred). Some organizations call for renters to invest in their CDW coverage; thereby negating any charge card program. For yet another charge, many organizations do provide a zero liability choice exactly where the renter are going to be freed from purchasing any harm to the car. Some firms may perhaps set force upon renters to buy the zero liability coverage; having said that, it truly is totally optional, Unless of course it truly is from the fine print in their rental settlement.
Charge card insurance plan packages may perhaps address the CDW to get a rental vehicle. Examine with your picked rental vehicle business to uncover which evidence of insurance policies is required and after that request that from your charge card company prior to arriving. In case you use your credit card's CDW coverage, count on to pay for a better deposit around the car; about $one,500 to $2000 is typical. The upper deposit makes sure that the credit card holder has sufficient financial reserves to address damages if wanted. It is crucial to take into account that if employing CDW protection furnished by a credit card (in lieu of your rent an auto operator), all damages will likely be billed to the renter's bank card. The bank card organization will then reimburse the cardboard holder for damages.
Far more Insurance plan
Tires and windshields are hardly ever included in insurance policies, although supplemental policies may be taken out for masking these routinely weakened goods. Neither the interior nor the underneath in the car might be included. Constantly read through the high-quality print.
Typical Treatment
Your credit card will likely be billed, or even a 'keep' placed, with the rental car over the time with the rental agreement; i.e. from picking up the rental until finally you come it. Debit cards are normally not acceptable.
Extra Costs
Most businesses have surcharges for additional drivers, automobile seats/boosters, mobile devices, coolers, GPS and/or roof racks. The prices vary from company to corporation, but due to the fact these extras are billed in a day by day rate, it really is worthy of checking the full Charge -- supplemental options can incorporate up very quickly! A GPS is all over $8 to $ten every day; having said that, some operators may supply discounted models. Anticipate to pay all-around $5 every day for a child seat and some dollars on a daily basis for all the opposite 'niceties'. Vamos is noteworthy for featuring Many of these options and, through some promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Countrywide demand quite possibly the most for this kind of added selections; whereas the other firms mentioned, charge additional sensible prices.
Surcharges
Most firms add smaller incremental expenditures, including license plate and environmental costs, into the full tally. Be cautious of operators who insert these more rates to the small print of the rental contract. Cars rented immediate at the airport incur airport taxes, that are a whopping 12% of your rental Expense!
The rental car need to be returned While using the exact quantity of gasoline, Unless of course normally indicated. Otherwise, companies may perhaps cost previously mentioned fuel station premiums for missing gas.
Automobiles
There's a debate around the motor vehicles provided by rental providers: More mature cars and trucks make it possible for the driving force to Mix in a lot more than a shiny, new car. Obtaining an older model could possess the indirect good thing about becoming a lot less scrutinized by automobile rental companies for modern nicks and scratches, compared with a more recent car. Even so, a more recent automobile can be extra roadworthy. This discussion carries on into the several auto would make and designs. Normally, Costa Rican corporations will be able to lease their cars for just a decrease rate due to the fact their cars and trucks are generally a few to 5 years old (vs . two to three). On-line assessments would recommend which the nearby corporations have no a lot more issues concerning motor vehicle high-quality than transnational franchises; research on community forums, such as TripAdvisor.com, appears to be to indicate that clients regularly recognize driving a much less-than-new car with the wilds of Costa Rica. The reasons are plenty, from road circumstances for the Idea of fewer-then-new motor vehicles Mixing in superior -- a newer car or truck may possibly attract additional undesirable interest.
The decisions of rental automobiles in Costa Rica are typically restricted to will make and designs that sustain a aggressive resale benefit, are a standard brand name within the state, and they are inexpensive to maintain. As such a rent-a-motor vehicle operator's fleet are inclined not to be as assorted as The us. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai constitute the mainstay brand names of most rental fleets.
From time to time, motorists are charged for supposed 'damages' on the vehicle upon return. At the time getting the auto, renters must meticulously check for pre-existing flaws and Assess it with the motor vehicle inspection doc employed by the rental motor vehicle representative. Some renters suggest photographing or videoing the motor vehicle from all angles, to stay away from any disagreement between pre-existing and recently weakened things.
Pricing
Vehicle rentals in Costa Rica are pricier in comparison with other international locations. Responsibilities on vehicles are substantial (as much as 50% in their worth!), parts are costlier and unforgiving highway ailments lead to increased wear and tear, making higher servicing expenses.
The rule is you obtain what you purchase -- there are other available choices than Individuals rental companies mentioned listed here, but they're not listed for a superb reason. They only fail to supply primary customer service and/or an acceptable auto affliction essential for any (almost) hassle-absolutely free trip.
When evaluating rental car or truck costs, it's best to go directly to the Costa Rican website on the rental motor vehicle business, as opposed to endeavoring to use their Worldwide structure or an intermediary (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). For the same vehicles and reservation dates, the rates provided by the respective Worldwide vs. Costa Rican Internet sites for Alamo, Finances, Hertz and Thrifty differed substantially.
To avoid confusion, print out all correspondence with the motor vehicle rental business with whom you've got reserved a vehicle and convey this to your rental Office environment With all the quote offered at some time of reservation.
The subsequent leading ten chart ranks the companies from maximum priced to least expensive and it consists of the necessary insurance policy charge. While in the circumstances of Alamo and Hertz, the determine contains their CDW charge mainly because it is one of their rental prerequisites. This value comparison relies on weekly's rental of the Daihatsu Bego, in which obtainable (Dollar gives the Suzuki Vitara) from September 14th - 21st, however in December to view equally Environmentally friendly and Significant Period prices. The list rapidly demonstrates that the value variation depends greatly on the organization -- for mainly precisely the same services. These selling prices have been acquired in June/July 2013.
Rental Motor vehicle Corporations Ranked Based on Selling price
September
ten. Alamo $650.ninety six
nine. Hertz $514.27
eight. Adobe $449
seven. Funds $455
6. Nationwide $428.01
five. Thrifty $421.05
four. Assistance $374.forty three
three. Vamos $370.30
2. Dollar $364
1. Wild Rider $350
December
ten. Alamo $650.96
nine. National $597.fifty one
eight. Hertz $566.fifty two
seven. Finances $555
six. Greenback $532
five. Thrifty $506.58
4. Support $494.43
3. Vamos $461.thirty
two. Adobe $459
one. Wild Rider $395
Alamo ranks number ten for both of those seasons, making it the costliest corporation. Spending budget, Hertz and Nationwide also level small on the size for cost-effective rental possibilities.
Company Summaries
Adobe
Web-site is obvious and simple to use, but pricing and in some cases the motor vehicles shown are usually not the same as Those people given by an Business consultant about the cellphone. Necessary coverage prices are usually not proven with the listing of automobiles and rental charges, but These are clearly shown on the subsequent website page as a shopper moves in the direction of scheduling a reservation. Blended client testimonials on the net. Email response is below 24 hours, but may not give all asked for details.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone number. No Stay Chat.
10 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $19 day-to-day
Added rates: GPS $nine/working day, boy or girl seat $five/day
Alamo
Website is obvious and simple to operate, but price ranges differ against quotations obtained over the cellular phone. Necessary coverage expenses are not presented With all the list of cars and rental prices, but They're Plainly shown on the following page as the customer moves to generating a reservation. Blended shopper testimonials on the net. Electronic mail reaction is a lot less than 24 hrs.
No toll-no cost U.S.A and Canada cell phone number or Reside chat
14 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance policy: $11.ninety five day-to-day, but ought to also just take their CDW at $12.95 day-to-day
Further expenses: GPS $12/day, child seat $6/working day
Spending plan
Web page is simple, but convenient to use. Charges on the internet vary for the quotations provided by a agent over the phone and depending on if the Intercontinental or Costa Rican Internet site is used. Necessary insurance plan expenditures are specified along with the list of vehicles; even so, the other costs usually are not mentioned. Mixed purchaser reviews on-line. E-mail response is a lot more than 24 hrs.
No toll-no cost U.S.A and Canada contact number. No Reside Chat on Costa Rican Site.
ten offices nationwide
Obligatory insurance: included in the listed price
Supplemental charges: GPS $ten.95/day, youngster seat $12/working day (the costliest of the very best 10)
Dollar
Website is evident and simple to operate. Charges quoted vary if contacting in the U.S. or in Costa Rica. Required insurance policies prices will not be provided Along with the list of autos and rental charges, but They may be Plainly shown on the next web site as a consumer moves towards a earning a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet, but typically gets favourable feedback. Electronic mail inquiries answered in just 24 hrs.
Toll-cost-free U.S.A and Canada telephone number. No Dwell Chat.
3 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance policy: $16 daily
Supplemental prices: GPS $9/working day, kid seat $five/working day
Hertz
Web-site is evident and easy to use. Mandatory insurance expenditures usually are not presented Aside from the list of autos and rental charges, but They are really Evidently exhibited on the next webpage as The shopper moves in direction of a scheduling a reservation. Mixed buyer reviews on the net. E-mail response lower than 24 several hours.
Toll-no cost U.S.A and Canada telephone number and Dwell Chat (even though it seems to be forever offline)
7 places of work nationwide
Mandatory coverage: $seventeen.forty three everyday, but their CDW is also a need
Added costs: GPS $12/working day, little one seat $two/day
Nationwide
Website is obvious and easy to use. Mandatory insurance policy fees aren't given along with the listing of vehicles and rental fees, but They're Plainly shown on the following website page as a client moves in direction of building a reservation. Combined purchaser opinions on the net, but much more optimistic than damaging. E mail response under 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada contact number. Stay Chat.
22 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance plan: $25 daily (the costliest of the top 10)
Supplemental prices: GPS $12/working day, kid seat $6/working day
Provider
Site is clear and consumer helpful with just a slight confusion in that an online estimate is attained by clicking on 'Reserve Now' and not the 'Have a Quote' choice. The response to a mobile phone inquiry was to utilize the web site. Obligatory insurance prices are provided combined with the list of autos and rental expenses to the lower year rates and on the 2nd web site of one other quotation web site. Bear in mind is often a extremely suggested product sales consultant who's described in lots of on California Car Shippers the web testimonials for that significant standard of his customer support. Typically on-line assessments are favourable for Provider. E-mail reaction is below 24 hours, although all facts requested might not be gained.
U.S.A phone number, but not toll-absolutely free. No Are living Chat.
5 offices nationwide
Necessary insurance: $15 daily
Added charges: GPS $5.99/day, little one seat $two.99/working day
Thrifty
Costa Rican Model of the web site is impossible to utilize therefore you are questioned to sign up for a user name and password. Mandatory insurance policies expenditures are usually not supplied combined with the listing of cars and rental expenses. A consumer has to click "Protection Selections" around the U.S. Web-site and select the necessary insurance coverage by clicking on it -- implying that it's optional instead of a essential Price. Thrifty usually receive combined reviews on-line. E mail reaction is over 24 hrs.