MaryG1

Will be in CR in Oct/Nov. Plan to use interbus for long drives. Thinking about renting a car once we get to the Pacific side to go exploring. Does the Tamarindo airport have cars? Do you think we need resv? Also, has anyone flown from Tamirindo to SJ. May do this on the way back to SJ to save some time. Thanks

AndrewGW

Didn't go to the airport but driving through the town about 6 weeks ago I am sure I saw a couple of places that rented cars. It's a busy little seaside town so I am sure you will find something.
Andrew

MaryG1

Thanks for the info. I'm wondering if I'll get a beeter rate on the internet or cars have "green season" rates too?

shillmac

Mary, there are rental agencies in Tamarindo, but I don't think you will get better rates by using the internet. You should be able to rent easily. A sedan will cost you about $40-50 per day, a 4X4 a little more.

MaryG1

Thanks for the info. Reading other post sounds like reservations at that time of year is easy to come by.

TripleSecDelay

Just returned from CR on 9-11-04 and rented a car. We had reserved cars in 3 different locations to be safe. Plans change, you know. If you pick up your car at the airport, you will pay a 12% concourse fee to the gov't. Not negotiable. If you have the car delivered to your hotel, or taxi from the airport to an off-site car rental office, you can save the 12%.

Don't let the sharks push you around. At Economy in San Jose, Ricardo tried to sneak the 12% back in, saying that since we took the shuttle ride, they have to charge us. NOT true. My advice is to speak directly with the Mgr of the office when you get there. I had to escalate once I knew I was being lied to.

Costa Ricans are very honest people, but this one guy maybe had a commission to earn.

Also, if you have AMEX, you can waive the add'l insurance, but there will always be a gov't insurance you pay based upon the vehicle type. We rented a Kia Amnesia (no, that's not the model, I just cannot remember the name right now) 4x4, Automatic, CD, 4doors, for a total of $60/day. This car had insurance of $25/day. Sedan will be less for insurance. Rental was $32/day and there was a $3/day BS fee I cannot recall right now. Total was $60/day and we were quite content.

Try looking at Advantage - which is a partnership company that represents several car rental companies.

nankar

We were in Tamarindo about 2 years ago. The airport in Liberia was not yet open for international flights so we flew on Sansa from SJ to Tamarindo. It is a short flight but in a very small plane! Quite beautiful if you are not afraid to fly. We got the Sansa tickets on the net and had no trouble. We rented a car on the net also. There were several agencies in Tamarindo and they delivered the car to the "airport" in Tamarindo. I would definitely recommend renting a car and there is much to see in the area.