amazonanh

Hi! It'd be our first time in Costa Rica and we need some help on renting our car and hotels near the airport.

We will be arriving at 11:30pm at night. I am debating between picking up a rental car that night or staying at a hotel near the airport and picking up the rental car in the morning. Are there hotels with free shuttle service at that time of the night? We would like to try to save money where we can so budget, clean hotels without shuttle but cheap cab fare could work as well.

Do any of the rental car companies drop off the car at the hotel? Is there also a way to avoid the airport surcharges on the rental cars?

Likewise, our departing flight is at 7:00am, and I would like to drop off the car the night before and take either a shuttle from the hotel in the morning to the airport.

Any ideas? Has anyone had to plan for late arrivals/early departures with rental car?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

colibri

I'm trying out Adventure Inn for the first time on my next trip, 10 minutes from SJO. They will reimburse you for the cab fare, breakfast included, reasonable rates, can arrange a rental car for you. Others have recommended it on the forum.

http://www.adventure-inn.com/

hsmithcr

You can also try Hotel Buena Vista. They have a pickup service at the airport. If I were you, I would just get off the plane, go to your hotel and lie down. The next morning, you can either pick up your car or have it delivered to your hotel. There are many hotels near the airport and most of them don't provide shuttle service but a safe and inexpensive taxi is available at the airport 24 hours a day.

Some others - Pura Vida, Vida Tropical, Los Volcanes - all less than 15 min from the airport. A new backpacker hotel that also has private rooms and shuttle service to the airport is Alajuela Backpackers.

javafan1

Pick the car up in the morning after the late arrival for sure. They are not glamorous, but totally adequate and cheap and clean, the Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inns are right next to airport. With a 7am returning flight, you won't be at the hotel very long anyways. Another added convenience, the casino next door will exchange your pocket money both ways for a small spread charge, unlike the airport which takes at least 10%.

hipvirgochick

Lots of places within 15 min but Adventure Inn over Hampton or Holiday for sure.

cmerrell

Orquideas Inn is also about 15 minutes from the airport and liked by many here. I know that several of the car rental agencies will drop off at your hotel.

Both times I've stayed at Orquideas, we've had them transfer us to the airport for the trip home. Seems like their transfer fee was more than a taxi would cost (20$ is sticking out in my mind although I don't remember for sure...), but it was convenient and easy to set up.