I just got back from Costa Rica and was there for the earthquake. I had a rental car from Colones Auto Rental and was in La Paz waterfall when it hit. The car could not leave but I was helicopter out the next day. These people were great. They gave me another car to drive, took a day off my rental time, and seemed more concerned that me and my family were ok. That was totally unexpected. Thought we would be without a car and have to take the bus for the rest of our trip. Just wanted to share this as sometimes you really aren't sure what kind of a company you are dealing with when you travel.

Wow that was quite and experience you had. But I must agree with you. I rented form Colones Auto Rental and they treated me really good. Great late model Terios, I think it was a 2006. And I like the fact that the rental contracts are in English so you know what you are signing. And they are fare. I had some trouble with the cell phone I rented from them and they took it off my rental, no questions asked. So I will definitely keep them on my list for future rentals.

I ditto all the above. I have rented from them now twice and nothing but a good experience.

I just got back from Costa Rica. I rented from Colones Auto Rental and they are great people. Met me at the airport and took me right to the SUV I rented. It was clean and everything worked on it. And unlike my previous experiences here with other rental companies, the rental rate was exactly what we had agreed on to the penny. So from now on these are the people I am going to use. I am tired of getting screwed by the other companies. And I like that they are a smaller company. They really care about their customers and want us to come back.

Gregorio - thanks for the information about Colones. Just curious - what happened that you got "screwed by the other companies?"

One charged my credit card twice for the same rental. The other one said I did damage to the car (which I did not) and charged my credit card for it. And one other company delivered the car with almost bald tires, and the A/C worked terrible. And regarding the credit card charges, its crazy trying to get your money back once they have charged your card in Costa Rica!

OK, I understand now, thank.

As far as your credit card charges - you should be able to dispute them with your credit card company. They won't always take your side but many times they will.

When you returned the car that they charged you for damage, did you get a copy of the original form you signed that indicated what the damage was to the car when you rented it? If you could show this and show what was indicated when you turned your car back in, this might help you in disputing this charge.

You really shouldn't have a problem getting a credit for disputed charges no matter where they happen if you have any evidence at all. For instance, if they charged you for the damage several days after you turned the car in.

The rental company that charged you twice - this should be no problem disputing this and getting a credit for this charge.

Any kinds of problems like this can also be reported to ICT, the tourist organization in Costa Rica, as they now have a group responsible for investigating fraud and other tourist crimes.

Sounds like Colones is the way to go!

Yes, that is why I am staying with Colones Auto Rental at this point. And as far as the credit cards go. Yes I finally did report them. And I also did dispute the charges. I eventually got one of them turned around. It just takes so long to do and the rental companies really do not seem to care. They just laugh about it like it is no big deal. And I hear from other people this same thing happens. I guess they figure that some of those double charges will go through so the just play the odds.

While it sounds like Colones Auto Rental is the way to go, I have honestly never heard of them. I would not put all the other car rental companies in the same basket.... some are good and some are not. There are many good reviews of Mapache and Alamo, to name two, and Tricolor is another good one to deal with if you are willing to use a car that is not brand new.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

Well I read this site before my trip to Costa Rica and I took all of your advise and tried Colones Auto Rental. Thanks for the advise. They were just as you described. Biggest thing I was concerned with was I had heard that prices changed and final bills changed once you got there. But mine was exactly as quoted! Thanks to everyone here for their comments and suggestions.