"My time's confined... how do I choose?"

Motor vehicle rental is really a scorching subject for vacationers headed to Costa Rica. Modern exploration executed because of the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) implies that, just after lodging, leasing a car is the most important expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day vacation.

The web is buzzing with detrimental opinions speaking about overcharging, lousy customer care and mechanical breakdowns. You could have even published just one on your own!

A normal midsize (three - four Grownups) 4X4 rental operates involving $fifty eight and $sixty five day-to-day with third party coverage and fees will vary just as much as twenty per cent between auto rental firms, so looking through a quick assessment will likely be time properly put in as soon as you estimate the personal savings.

And so the dilemma is; which rental enterprise features the best equilibrium of good selling price, able customer support and reputable autos? I've researched it all for yourself, so Continue reading!

Disclosure: This investigate was done in Might - July 2013. The following companies were picked mainly because they are definitely the most generally Utilized in Costa Rica. Some are regional organizations; Other people are Intercontinental franchises of identified model names. Comparisons incorporate: customer support, pricing and the reservation process. The companies are shown alphabetically rather than determined by private or on the internet preferences.
Think about this information before leasing:

Insurance plan

Considered one of the most important brings about for grievances is from your stack of unforeseen charges offered on the renter after standing in the rental company's counter. Vacationers are typically weary following a extended flight after which are confronted by expenses which were not expected, spelled out or budgeted.

Topping the list of grievances will be the non-disclosure of fees connected to the necessary third-celebration coverage at enough time the reservation is produced.

In keeping with Costa Rican legislation, every driver is necessary to hold liability protection to insure from injuries to 3rd functions. Vehicle rental corporations normally refrain from disclosing the cost of this plan within the quoted rental level to seem more aggressive. Mandatory 3rd-celebration coverage can often be as much as double the car or truck's rental Expense. The only real promise towards insurance plan confusion is always to inquire Should your estimate includes the 3rd party insurance and demand on a published quotation.

Cost of Required Insurance policy (also known as Third Party or SLI)

Hope to pay concerning $12 and $fifteen everyday for this coverage, with regards to the make and design from the rented car or truck and also the rental car or truck agency. It is a legal problem within your rental arrangement and is normally not coated by bank cards and cannot be waived. It is a fact of leasing an automobile in Costa Rica.

Collision Destruction Waiver (CDW)

Since the title implies, this isn't insurance plan, but a waiver, which relieves the renter from any liability for harm to the rental vehicle following the deductible is paid (normally from $750 to $1,500). Some organizations demand renters to invest in their CDW coverage; thus negating any credit card method. For an additional fee, a lot of organizations do provide a zero legal responsibility option the place the renter will be freed from paying for any harm to the car. Some corporations may place tension upon renters to acquire the zero legal responsibility coverage; even so, it is actually fully optional, unless it truly is during the good print in their rental settlement.

Credit card insurance policies programs could deal with the CDW for a rental automobile. Test together with your decided on rental motor vehicle organization to search out which proof of insurance plan is needed after which ask for that from your bank card corporation ahead of arriving. In the event you use your charge card's CDW plan, anticipate to pay an increased deposit on the automobile; all over $one,500 to $2000 is prevalent. The higher deposit makes certain that the charge card holder has adequate money reserves to cover damages if necessary. It is crucial to consider that if making use of CDW protection furnished by a charge card (in lieu from the lease an auto operator), all damages are going to be billed towards the renter's bank card. The charge card enterprise will then reimburse the cardboard holder for damages.

Extra Insurance coverage

Tires and windshields are hardly ever A part of insurance guidelines, While additional guidelines can be taken out for covering these often destroyed merchandise. Neither the interior nor the underneath in the car or truck may be coated. Usually read through the high-quality print.

Standard Treatment

Your credit card will be billed, or possibly a 'keep' placed, to the rental car over the time of your rental agreement; i.e. from selecting up the rental until eventually you return it. Debit cards are generally not satisfactory.

Added Prices

Most providers have surcharges For added drivers, vehicle seats/boosters, cellular phones, coolers, GPS and/or roof racks. The prices vary from organization to corporation, but considering the fact that these extras are billed at a day-to-day fee, it really is value examining the whole cost -- supplemental alternatives can include up in a short time! A GPS is all over $eight to $ten per day; nevertheless, some operators could supply discounted models. Anticipate to pay for around $five every day for a child seat and some dollars each day for all the other 'niceties'. Vamos is noteworthy for offering A large number of choices and, all through some promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Finances, Hertz and National cost essentially the most for this kind of additional choices; While one other organizations stated, demand more acceptable price ranges.

Surcharges

Most businesses add compact incremental expenditures, for instance license plate and environmental fees, into the total tally. Be wary of operators who insert these more fees into your small print from the rental deal. Cars rented direct at the airport incur airport taxes, which are a whopping twelve% of your respective rental Expense!

The rental automobile must be returned With all the exact same volume of gas, Until otherwise indicated. Otherwise, corporations may possibly charge over gas station fees for lacking gas.

Automobiles

You will find there's discussion about the autos supplied by rental companies: More mature cars allow the motive force to Mix in over a shiny, new vehicle. Having an more mature design could possess the oblique good thing about currently being less scrutinized by vehicle rental agencies for new nicks and scratches, not like a more moderen automobile. Nonetheless, a more recent auto can be a lot more roadworthy. This debate carries on into different motor vehicle helps make and models. Frequently, Costa Rican companies have the ability to rent their motor vehicles for your reduced rate because their cars and trucks are usually three to five years old (as opposed to two to a few). On-line assessments would advise the area companies don't have any more issues regarding vehicle excellent than transnational franchises; investigation on discussion boards, which include TripAdvisor.com, looks to indicate that shoppers usually value driving a much less-than-new auto throughout the wilds of Costa Rica. The reasons are a great deal, from street circumstances to your notion of less-then-new autos blending in greater -- a more recent car or truck could attract a lot more unwelcome consideration.

The options of rental autos in Costa Rica are mainly restricted to tends to make and styles that sustain a aggressive resale worth, are a standard brand name in the place, and are cheap to maintain. Therefore a rent-a-car or truck operator's fleet tend to not be as diverse as The usa. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai constitute the mainstay manufacturers of most rental fleets.

Often, drivers are charged for meant 'damages' towards the auto upon return. The moment getting the car or truck, renters ought to meticulously look for pre-existing flaws and Examine it with the automobile inspection doc used by the rental car or truck representative. Some renters propose photographing or videoing the vehicle from all angles, to stop any disagreement between pre-current and not too long ago harmed things.

Pricing

Motor vehicle rentals in Costa Rica are pricier in comparison with other nations around the world. Duties on cars are high (up to fifty% of their benefit!), components are costlier and unforgiving highway conditions lead to bigger put on and tear, making higher servicing charges.

The rule is you get Whatever you buy -- you will discover other available choices than These rental businesses mentioned right here, but they don't seem to be shown for a fantastic purpose. They simply just fall short to provide essential customer support and/or an acceptable automobile affliction required for the (approximately) problems-absolutely free vacation.

When comparing rental car or truck rates, it is best to go straight to the Costa Rican Web site on the rental motor vehicle corporation, as opposed to seeking to use their international format or an intermediary (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). For a similar motor vehicles and reservation dates, the rates provided by the respective Global vs. Costa Rican Web-sites for Alamo, Price range, Hertz and Thrifty differed considerably.

To stay away from confusion, print out all correspondence with the automobile rental corporation with whom you have got reserved a vehicle and bring this on the rental Office environment with the estimate presented at some time of reservation.

The following leading 10 chart ranks the businesses from optimum priced to least expensive and it includes the necessary insurance policies demand. Within the scenarios of Alamo and Hertz, the determine contains their CDW charge because it is among their rental necessities. This price comparison is based on per week's rental of a Daihatsu Bego, in which offered (Dollar gives the Suzuki Vitara) from September 14th - twenty first, nonetheless in December to perspective both Environmentally friendly and Higher Period charges. The listing speedily demonstrates that the cost variation relies upon enormously on the corporation -- for basically the identical provider. These selling prices were being obtained in June/July 2013.

Rental Vehicle Businesses Ranked As outlined by Rate

September

ten. Alamo $650.96
9. Hertz $514.27
8. Adobe $449
seven. Funds $455
6. Nationwide $428.01
five. Thrifty $421.05
four. Provider $374.forty three
three. Vamos $370.thirty
two. Dollar $364
1. Wild Rider $350

December

10. Alamo $650.96
9. National $597.fifty one
8. Hertz $566.52
7. Finances $555
six. Greenback $532
five. Thrifty $506.fifty eight
four. Assistance $494.forty three
three. Vamos $461.thirty
two. Adobe $459
one. Wild Rider $395

Alamo ranks range 10 for both equally seasons, rendering it the most costly enterprise. Spending plan, Hertz and Countrywide also amount very low on the dimensions for inexpensive rental selections.

Corporation Summaries

Adobe

Web page is clear and simple to use, but pricing and also the automobiles outlined aren't the same as those given by an Office environment agent about the mobile phone. Obligatory insurance policies charges usually are not proven Using the list of vehicles and rental rates, but They are really Evidently shown on the next webpage to be a shopper moves to reserving a reservation. Combined client critiques on-line. Email reaction is below 24 hrs, but might not offer all requested information and facts.

Toll-no cost U.S.A and Canada contact number. No Stay Chat.
10 workplaces nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $19 every day
Additional charges: GPS $nine/working day, youngster seat $5/day

Alamo

Web-site is obvious and user friendly, but costs differ versus quotations acquired over the cellular phone. Obligatory insurance policies expenses are not specified Along with the list of automobiles and rental charges, but They are really Plainly displayed on the following site as The client moves towards earning a reservation. Combined consumer assessments on the net. E-mail response is fewer than 24 hrs.

No toll-totally free U.S.A and Canada contact number or Dwell chat
14 places of work nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $eleven.ninety five every day, but must also acquire their CDW at $12.ninety five each day
Further charges: GPS $twelve/day, youngster seat $6/working day

Funds

Web site is essential, but user friendly. Prices on line differ to the quotations specified by a consultant around the cell phone and according to if the international or Costa Rican Web page is employed. Mandatory insurance plan charges are given together with the list of motor vehicles; even so, another expenses aren't stated. Mixed shopper evaluations online. E mail response is in excess of 24 hrs.

No toll-free U.S.A and Canada cell phone number. No Stay Chat on Costa Rican Site.
ten workplaces nationwide
Required insurance policies: included in the shown price
More costs: GPS $ten.95/working day, child seat $12/working day (the costliest of the very best 10)

Dollar

Internet site is clear and user friendly. Prices quoted vary if calling through the U.S. or in Costa Rica. Mandatory insurance plan expenses are certainly not given Along with the list of cars and rental costs, but They can be clearly shown on the subsequent webpage to be a client moves to a creating a reservation. Blended opinions on-line, but frequently receives beneficial feedback. E mail inquiries answered in just 24 hrs.

Toll-absolutely free U.S.A and Canada telephone number. No Stay Chat.
3 workplaces nationwide
Required insurance policies: $sixteen everyday
Supplemental costs: GPS $nine/day, youngster seat $five/day

Hertz

Web page is clear and user friendly. Required insurance policy prices aren't offered Moreover the list of autos and rental prices, but They're Plainly exhibited on the following webpage as The shopper moves towards a booking a reservation. Blended shopper critiques on the web. E mail reaction lower than 24 hrs.

Toll-absolutely free U.S.A and Canada phone number and Dwell Chat (even though it is apparently permanently offline)
7 workplaces nationwide
Required insurance coverage: $seventeen.43 everyday, but their CDW is likewise a requirement
Extra fees: GPS $twelve/working day, kid seat $2/working day

Countrywide

Website is clear and convenient to use. Mandatory insurance policy expenditures are not provided combined with the listing of motor vehicles and rental costs, but They may be Plainly exhibited on the subsequent page like a shopper moves in the direction of producing a reservation. Combined shopper reviews on-line, but a lot more constructive than detrimental. E-mail response fewer than 24 hrs.

Toll-absolutely free U.S.A and Canada contact number. Live Chat.
22 offices nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $25 day-to-day (the most costly of the very best 10)
Added expenses: GPS $12/day, little one seat $six/day

Assistance

Web page is obvious and consumer helpful with only a slight confusion in that an on-line quotation is attained by clicking on 'Reserve Now' and not the 'Get a Quotation' option. The response to a phone inquiry was to utilize the website. Required coverage costs are offered along with the list of automobiles and rental costs for your minimal period expenses and on the next website page of another quotation website page. Don't forget is often a remarkably encouraged profits agent that is stated in lots of on the web testimonials to the significant standard of his customer care. Commonly on the net opinions are constructive for Provider. E mail response is under 24 hrs, Even though all info requested may not be been given.

U.S.A contact number, although not toll-absolutely free. No Stay Chat.
five workplaces nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $15 daily
Additional rates: GPS $five.ninety nine/working day, little one seat $2.99/day

Thrifty

Costa Rican Variation of the web site is not possible to use and you are questioned to sign up for the consumer name and password. Mandatory insurance prices are certainly not supplied combined with the list of vehicles and rental charges. A shopper should click on "Safety Choices" on the U.S. Web-site and choose the necessary insurance coverage by clicking on it -- implying that it is optional instead of a expected Expense. Thrifty often receive mixed assessments on the net. E-mail response is much more than 24 several hours.

Toll-free U.S.A and Canada contact number. No Stay Chat.
4 offices nationwide
Required insurance plan: $19.99 every day
Supplemental prices: GPS $10/day, boy or girl seat $five/day

Vamos

Web site is evident and convenient to use. Necessary insurance prices are certainly not provided along facet the list of vehicles and rental rates, but are Plainly displayed on the following site as The client moves towards scheduling a reservation. Anibal, a consultant, is often outlined in on the net evaluations for his substantial degree of customer care capabilities. Common Supervisor, George Schwarzenbach is dubai exotic car rental thought on Trip Advisor for his upfront and genuine responses to buyers' posts.

In recent years, Vamos has gained really positive opinions on the internet. Email reaction is lower than 24 several hours. Dwell Chat has instant reaction time for you to inquiries.

Toll-no cost U.S.A and Canada cell phone number. Live Chat.
three offices nationwide
Required insurance policy: $11.ninety five every day
More expenses: GPS $8/working day, kid seat absolutely free

Wild Rider

Site is evident and simple to operate. Obligatory insurance coverage expenditures are provided beside the list of motor vehicles. Wild Rider is the sole car rental agency in Costa Rica with no seen bad opinions on the internet. Operator, Thorsten, is usually praised for his performance and customer support, Regardless of the really confined assets the company has at hand. E-mails acquire quite prompt and detailed responses in below 12 hrs.

No toll-no cost telephone number or Are living Chat
1 Business -- no Liberia airport Place of work
Required insurance policy: bundled
Further rates: GPS $8/working day, little one seat $5/day

Comparison Evaluate

Customer Service

Vamos and Wild Rider reply quickly and successfully to email or Dwell chat inquiries. Adobe, Alamo, Greenback, Hertz, National, and repair reply to e-mail inquiries in a lot less than 24 hours, but Adobe and repair didn't supply all the data requested (potentially a language barrier). Spending plan offers a absolutely free telephone provider, but it really appears being always occupied. Hertz's Are living chat appears to get constantly offline. Through the earlier year, consumers who posted to on line evaluation internet sites expressed a selected fulfillment Using the customer support made available from Services, Vamos and Wild Rider.

Clarity

Adobe, Alamo and Funds have different rental rates posted on their own Web-sites than Individuals quoted about the phone. Telephone charges were being reduce than that quoted on the website from the cases of Adobe and Alamo, but but increased in the situation of Budget. Adobe also offers unique auto designs in excess of the cellular phone as compared with their Web page. International vehicle rental companies with both equally a Costa Rican and Intercontinental Web site look to acquire pricing differences in between the two web-sites.

Spending plan and Wild Rider consist of the necessary insurance policies of their rental prices, but Spending plan states that 'other charges' that will be offered with the counter from the compact print on their Web site. Rental rates for auto seating needed to be confirmed over the phone as they are not detailed about the Finances Web page.

All other providers with the exception of Thrifty (a U.S. Web site), Obviously present the obligatory insurance plan Charge While using the quotation given. Thrifty's Costa Rican website is simply unusable.

Pricing

Services, Vamos and Wild Rider constantly supply the top premiums for both of those Environmentally friendly and Higher seasons, Though Dollar has among the bottom Inexperienced year premiums out there, though Adobe has a less expensive Superior time rate. Vamos offer you the ideal "all inclusive" premiums, on condition that most solutions are available without spending a dime.

Adobe, Greenback, Service, Thrifty and Wild Rider remain aggressive with their pricing of things which include boy or girl seats. Alamo, Hertz and Countrywide are the most costly providers to hire from as well as their more solution expenditures also are dearer.

"So, what is your rental suggestion?"

Total, the Costa Rican firms appear to trump the multi-nationals with greater pricing, provider and clarity.
Provider offers a normally large-amount of customer support and relatively competitive pricing at the two international airports.
Vamos can offer efficient booking and ongoing significant-standard of customer support with competitive pricing, along with totally free extra options at both of those SJO and LIR airports.
Wild Rider may be very remarkably rated for the rental with apparent and inexpensive pricing and great customer support, but They may be only in San Jose.

"Now you are prepared to guide your rental car just after looking at how the Levels of competition compares. Very good luck and satisfied travels!"