Car Rental
Aug 8th, 2012, 11:11 AM
#1
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Car Rental
Hello everyone! Looking to rent a car mid September in Costa Rica. I will be in the Santa Teresa area mainly.
I would fly to Tambor to save some time and then pick up the car there but I don't get in until 11:30am and the flights to Tambor have left by then. The person I am traveling with has never been to CR so I did want to show the flight but the drive is nice too.
Anyway, not my first time to CR but first time renting a car there...
1- What type of things to look out for to prevent common problem/ issues?
2- What would be an good rate (approximate guess) for a 7 day or 10 day rental being low season?
3- Any companies I should stay away from or companies you would recommend?
I know the SLI is mandatory so I need to make sure that is on any quote I get. Paying for the car with MasterCard should allow me to refuse the other insurances.
Thanks for your advice!
I would fly to Tambor to save some time and then pick up the car there but I don't get in until 11:30am and the flights to Tambor have left by then. The person I am traveling with has never been to CR so I did want to show the flight but the drive is nice too.
Anyway, not my first time to CR but first time renting a car there...
1- What type of things to look out for to prevent common problem/ issues?
2- What would be an good rate (approximate guess) for a 7 day or 10 day rental being low season?
3- Any companies I should stay away from or companies you would recommend?
I know the SLI is mandatory so I need to make sure that is on any quote I get. Paying for the car with MasterCard should allow me to refuse the other insurances.
Thanks for your advice!
Aug 8th, 2012, 12:42 PM
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I recommend using Adobe rental car, in my opinion and experience they are the best and easiest to work with.
Most others, from the worldwide companies to the Costa Rican ones, do two things that are very disturbing; they will “hard sell” you to buy all the extra insurance coverage they can, no matter if you have an "elite status" with the company or what coverage you have with your credit cards or insurance company. They will not let up until you make the purchase, even threatening not to rent you the car. This transaction will take one hour. Count on it. No express service here. Upon returning the car, it will take 45 minutes for them to inspect it, close the contract and to get back to the airport. Only Adobe has proven to me that the additional insurance coverage is truly an option and you will not leave angry.
For low season, you should be able to find a car for around $30-$40 a day, and sometimes they run extra specials, or have discounts for longer rentals, just ask. It would also depend on the type of car (compact, sedan, SUV, etc) and standard is always cheaper than automatic.
Good luck!
Most others, from the worldwide companies to the Costa Rican ones, do two things that are very disturbing; they will “hard sell” you to buy all the extra insurance coverage they can, no matter if you have an "elite status" with the company or what coverage you have with your credit cards or insurance company. They will not let up until you make the purchase, even threatening not to rent you the car. This transaction will take one hour. Count on it. No express service here. Upon returning the car, it will take 45 minutes for them to inspect it, close the contract and to get back to the airport. Only Adobe has proven to me that the additional insurance coverage is truly an option and you will not leave angry.
For low season, you should be able to find a car for around $30-$40 a day, and sometimes they run extra specials, or have discounts for longer rentals, just ask. It would also depend on the type of car (compact, sedan, SUV, etc) and standard is always cheaper than automatic.
Good luck!
Aug 9th, 2012, 09:02 AM
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mangoemily
Thank you for the recommendation! I will inquire to Adobe about their rates. I was worried about the pressure to purchase additional insurance also, as I have heard of that happening as well.
Would the $30-$40 for low season include the SLI?
Have you ever heard of VacationCity.com? They have a price comparison chart that is interesting if it is accurate...
Thank you for the recommendation! I will inquire to Adobe about their rates. I was worried about the pressure to purchase additional insurance also, as I have heard of that happening as well.
Would the $30-$40 for low season include the SLI?
Have you ever heard of VacationCity.com? They have a price comparison chart that is interesting if it is accurate...
Aug 14th, 2012, 08:49 AM
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I second the recommendation of Adobe. We use them almost exclusively, and their rates fit into our discount packages very well. So the prices are good.
A couple of words to the wise. The required basic insurance is offered by the government, and I am sure that the rental car companies get very little commission on it.
To be sure, the extra insurance is a profit center for the rental car companies. But this coverage can be worthwhile.
The credit card coverage is usually loaded with restrictions. For example, many of them will not cover damage without a police report. So if you back into a tree in the parking lot, you are not covered. Most of the time, road hazards are not covered either. If you run into a huge pothole and cut a tire or bend a rim, you may not be covered.
It really isn't insurance in the traditional sense. The damage (or deductible) is charged to your credit card before you leave the country. You then submit a claim to your provider.
I always buy the additional coverage, and it has saved me a couple times. But (full disclosure) as a travel agent that works with these companies on a regular basis, they are giving me a free car or a deep discount. So I don't want to fight with one of my vendors over these details. I just suck it up, and pay the extra.
Also FYI. I don't receive a commission on extra insurance. So I don't have an interest in advising you to buy it. Just giving my two cents!
I hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer more advice.
Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
Travel Professional
A couple of words to the wise. The required basic insurance is offered by the government, and I am sure that the rental car companies get very little commission on it.
To be sure, the extra insurance is a profit center for the rental car companies. But this coverage can be worthwhile.
The credit card coverage is usually loaded with restrictions. For example, many of them will not cover damage without a police report. So if you back into a tree in the parking lot, you are not covered. Most of the time, road hazards are not covered either. If you run into a huge pothole and cut a tire or bend a rim, you may not be covered.
It really isn't insurance in the traditional sense. The damage (or deductible) is charged to your credit card before you leave the country. You then submit a claim to your provider.
I always buy the additional coverage, and it has saved me a couple times. But (full disclosure) as a travel agent that works with these companies on a regular basis, they are giving me a free car or a deep discount. So I don't want to fight with one of my vendors over these details. I just suck it up, and pay the extra.
Also FYI. I don't receive a commission on extra insurance. So I don't have an interest in advising you to buy it. Just giving my two cents!
I hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer more advice.
Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
Travel Professional
Aug 14th, 2012, 11:23 AM
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"If you run into a huge pothole and cut a tire or bend a rim, you may not be covered."
And based on the fact that there is a tire repair shop every 2 km on most roads, I would say that tire issues are common
And based on the fact that there is a tire repair shop every 2 km on most roads, I would say that tire issues are common
Aug 16th, 2012, 04:30 AM
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Don't use U SAVE; rip off!!!
We're staying near Pacific coast and this year will use Juma; they pick us up... leave us with a car, take us to the airport. It's worth the extra $ after getting lost last year right out of the gate
Good advise on the insurance, we bottomed out in a square - yes, square ditch. Didn't even see it due to rain/water. All okay but - might be work the extra $$ for insurance.
A Car is Costa Rica costs more that it cost to live in casa, so on the vehicle end of a vacation, it's some buck's but sometimes worth the trade-off of seeing what you want when you want, do what you want...
We're staying near Pacific coast and this year will use Juma; they pick us up... leave us with a car, take us to the airport. It's worth the extra $ after getting lost last year right out of the gate
Good advise on the insurance, we bottomed out in a square - yes, square ditch. Didn't even see it due to rain/water. All okay but - might be work the extra $$ for insurance.
A Car is Costa Rica costs more that it cost to live in casa, so on the vehicle end of a vacation, it's some buck's but sometimes worth the trade-off of seeing what you want when you want, do what you want...
