Rental Car Advice for Costa Rica
 

We currently have a 4WD car reserved for pick-up from the San Jose Airport in late February. Someone just mentioned that there is a heavy tax leavied on all rentals out of the airport and that we should look into getting driven to an off-site car rental. I hate to lose out on the convenience of the airport rental, but how heavy is this tax? Does anyone have any suggestions about specific off-site companies and whether this is worth it?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

(One more thing--is a 4WD necessary in February?)

Thank you!
Ashley

there is a stiff tax best to get picked up and rent

from good locals like

www.mapache.com

www.tricolorcarrental.com

Always go with a 2WD never have a problem

roads nice in major tourist areas

I rented from www.wild-rider.com, they only charged $15 for the delivery but no extra tax.

I did some searches and came of with a 12% tax for airport pickup. This figure was from a forum, not an official source. Most of the rental agencies are 2-5 minute taxi ride away from the airport, and may not be too much more inconvenient than the airport pickup. I think we pay about 25 cents per minute for calls to Costa Rica, and use this method to resolve matters such as this.

Tricolor is always our choice. It is a couple of km from the airport, and they always meet us and transport us to their office. It is no big deal--very simple.

Another vote for Tricolor. It was very convenient to have them meet us at the airport and all went smoothly, and it was very affordable.

FYI: most companies do require that you get 4x4 if you are driving to Monteverde.

http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/

Fwiw, I am sad to report I had a recent bad experience with Tricolor. It's been a while since I drove a manual car so I specifically requested an automatic SUV. Re-confirmed it's availability a couple of times prior to our arrival because the thought of messing with a stick shift on curvy, bumpy roads was highly unappealing.

When we arrived at SJO, we were picked up by the Tricolor van and taken to their office. The man at the desk then informed me that an automatic SUV was not available and I would be getting a manual transmission. No apology was offered. I informed him that was not an option for me and reminded him that I had re-confirmed an automatic numerous times. Again, no apology, but he did ask me if I would like him to call another company. I would characterize the entire attitude as mild indifference - what turned out to be the normal Tico attitude we experienced on our trip.

The Tricolor employee called U-Save and they had availability, but it would cost me $100 more for a POS Suzuki instead of the XTrail I had reserved from Tricolor. Fine, whatever, let's do it. So, rather than taking us in the Tricolor van to U-Save up the street as a way of making some amends, we had to wait for U-Save to come pick us up in their state-of-the-art van (wink, wink) instead.

I'm really glad we decided to stick to the automatic. A manual transmission would have been really frustrating to me on the windy roads.

So, I'm not bashing Tricolor necessarily. Just making folks aware that they have a limited number of automatic SUVs and they won't necessarily honor your reservation. YMMV.

Thanks, everyone! You've been tremendously helpful (as always)!

Unfortunately, automatic transmissions are limited all over the country. It has to do with availability of mechanics, expense, etc. CR is so hilly that the standard transmission seems to work best for them, and that is what most mechanics work on. This recently explained to us by someone in the tourism industry there.

So then do most of you drive a standard then with no problem?

I'm looking at rentals, as well. I have noticed that my reserve price is "estimated" and "may be more at pick up" Is this where the tax comes in?
I am also concerned that I will pay the price for an automatic and have a manual, or that I will get there and be charged double. What is the average price of a rental either per day or per week?
I am looking at a company that has a counter in SJO but shuttles you to the car. Is that the same as on site pick up?
I have never rented a car before and always relied on Taxis or transport services

I would have to vote for Tricolor as well. We had a great experience with them. We had a large party and rented 2 manual and 1 automatic. They had exactly what we requested. But yes most people get stick shift which is fine once you get used to it.

They pick you up at the airport free of charge. If you call ahead they will give you an exact price. At least thats what they did for us.

On our next trip we are using Solid rental car. They will deliver to our house near Dominical with no extra charge. We have a large group again and Tricolor doesn't have an office in Dominical.