Guideline to Automobile Rental Providers in Costa Rica
Price Comparisons for 2015
Auto rental in Costa Rica is a chance to explore the remote shorelines and silent corners of this breathtakingly lovely place. Travel without the constraints established by general public transport timetables and with independence about team tours. To the unprepared traveler; on the other hand, car rental expenses and companies generally is a rude shock along with a blow to that getaway budget.
Renting a automobile in your holiday vacation will probably be the most expensive portion of your respective spending plan, so comprehending the phrases and taking care of anticipations is critical. The information beneath is just not intended to generally be an exhaustive handbook, however it must established you on The trail toward an educated decision for your car rental wants in Costa Rica.
Why is auto rental so high priced?
Readers from outside of Costa Rica tend to be shocked by the price of motor vehicle rental. When lodge rooms, cafe bills and excursions are lower than the prices paid at home, it might show up Bizarre that auto rental must be more pricey.
There are 2 basic good reasons for this superior cost:
All automobiles in Costa Rica are imported plus a tax is imposed. As a consequence of this heavy taxation, the price of purchasing a automobile is larger than It could be in other industrialized international locations. There are numerous motor vehicle rental operators who hire more mature vehicles in order to decrease their expenses.
The cost of necessary insurance policies (see under).
Variables that Influence Car or truck Rental Expenditures
• Obligatory Insurance plan
3rd-occasion insurance plan, which can be often known as TPI, PDW (Partial Problems Waiver), SLI (Supplementary Legal responsibility Insurance plan) together with other acronyms, is often a lawful need. Motor vehicle rental operators will have to demand The shopper for this protection which might or might not be crystal clear while in the quotation gained by The client.
The insurance policies by itself is not the concern. In any case, a number of other nations need vehicle renters to pay a compulsory coverage; together with: New Zealand, Italy and Mexico, in addition to a amount of the U.S. states, like California. The difficulty that triggers competition in Costa Rica is that this Price isn't usually displayed Evidently on the vehicle rental operator's Web page or in the estimate. Consumers then uncover the additional cost in their rental on arrival.
The expense of obligatory insurance policy differs from business to company and will depend on the vehicle classification that is certainly currently being rented too. The price for a small sedan may very well be as very little as $twelve every day, whereas a premium 4x4 auto may very well be up to $25 for insurance on a daily basis. This is certainly Together with the rental Expense.
Credit cards in North The us ordinarily present automobile insurance coverage as an additional perk into the bank card holder and so North Individuals in particular, are unused to being forced to purchase insurance policy on top of rental prices. Even so, no credit card will cover this coverage prerequisite.
Do inquire if the supplied estimate consists of 3rd-social gathering insurance policy and check the costs on the car rental operator's website.
• Collision Problems Waiver
This is simply not insurance coverage, but a waiver. The essential stage will include a deductible that may differ, but may be around $one,five hundred. For a greater day by day fee, a zero deductible CDW might be procured To alleviate the renter of any monetary obligation in the event of damage to, or theft thereof, the car or truck.
Several renters will obtain their CDW by their bank card. However, it can be really worth noting which the accountability for making any insurance plan declare is on The shopper rather than Using the motor vehicle rental operator. Some renters may possibly select to acquire further in-property protection to stay away from having this accountability.
There will be vehicle rental organizations which challenging sell their particular coverage strategies through guaranteeing peace of mind, but in the long run, This can be the renter's determination. It really is really worth remembering that car rental corporation workers, like in other portions of the planet, will in some cases generate Fee for insurance policy gross sales.
If The client's charge card will not deliver CDW, The client are going to be necessary to invest in this in-residence protection.
Automobile rental operators involve created evidence that the customer's charge card offers CDW. Talk to the car rental operator for the precise particulars of whatever they require As well as in what form. Some may possibly settle for a forwarded e-mail within the credit card corporation, but Other people may well ask for a printed duplicate to generally be offered at some time of rental.
• Deposit
The deposit quantity essential will depend on no matter whether The shopper chooses to make use of the car or truck rental operator's in-home CDW or normally takes this protection through a bank card. Expect to pay a Substantially greater deposit In case the in-house CDW is declined. The deposit can also rely upon car design rented. This amount of money, that will be held about the renter's charge card until finally the top of the rental time period, is often from $750 up to up to $three,500. The deposit must acquire no more than five times to be refunded towards the bank card over the car's return. Some auto rental organizations will accept debit cards for deposit keep, but the return time for this sum usually takes months.
Do make sure that the deposit is calculated while in the holiday vacation spending budget as an unpredicted keep of a few thousand bucks over a charge card could otherwise severely Minimize into holiday vacation spending.
• Airport Taxes
Consumers that lease from the car rental operator's counter inside of an airport constructing are obliged to pay for the airport tax.
Those vehicle rental operators by using a counter at San Jose's Juan Santamaria Global Airport (SJO) are: Alamo/Countrywide, Budget, Dollar, Financial system and Hertz. These corporations will increase an additional 12% tax on the rental Charge.
Those vehicle rental operators using a counter at Daniel Oduber Quiros Global Airport (LIR) are: Avis, Finances and Financial state. These businesses will include a further three% tax to your rental Price tag.
To avoid this tax, consider an airport shuttle With all the auto rental operator to an Office environment Found outside of the airport grounds.
• Surcharges as well as other Taxes
There are a variety of other obligatory costs that car or truck rental operators may perhaps increase into the rental Price, Show on-display or demonstrate from the quotation, or go away undisclosed right until The shopper's arrival. These potentially hidden expenses could look modest when seen independently, but these are usually each day premiums, so they can increase up fast!
These might contain:
• License Plate Payment: Under $two day-to-day, but differs from firm to corporation.
• Environmental Tax: A lot less than $one each day.
• Profits Tax: All gross sales transactions in Costa Rica are subjected to the twelve% governing administration-imposed gross sales tax.
• Motor vehicle Washing Fee: Bring again an extremely filthy motor vehicle as well as cleansing rate may very well be included on to the ultimate payment. A person motor vehicle rental operator rates $twenty for this extra assistance.
• Gasoline Fees: When the fuel tank just isn't filled to the exact same stage as it had been In the beginning with the rental time period, then the car rental company will demand (ordinarily to the closest eighth of a tank). This cost is dictated by the car rental operator and It's not matter on the governmentally set gasoline price tag that would be located at any gas station.
Where by Really should I Reserve the Auto?
A common confusion for travelers reserving a rental car is definitely the discrepancy involving Global websites for motor vehicle rental operators as well as Costa Rican Internet site for the same manufacturer. Usually the international Web-sites are unaware of, or fall short to reveal, insurances, taxes and surcharges that can be charged in the counter. This may be as a consequence of The point that several acknowledged car rental operator brand names in Costa Rica usually are not a foreign branch from the branded car rental operator, but instead absolutely are a franchise Procedure. This element is additionally really worth considering concerning anticipations regarding customer service and other finer aspects. The Costa Rican franchise Office environment could have their very own style of functioning, besides the identical policies and rules that The shopper could possibly have professional in other portions of the whole world.
Understandably then, a web based reservation is greatest made in the community Site and not the Intercontinental web-site, anywhere possible. Many firms don't have a local Web page. In cases like this, do Verify the main points with a neighborhood employees member by using the phone and request penned confirmation on the quotation. Experience with live chat about the Global Web-sites suggests that whereas staff members is experienced on conditions and terms governing the main office (generally U.S.A.); they realize minimal of your policies that has to be adhered to in Costa Rica.
Car or truck Rental Comparisons
In May perhaps/June of 2013, I in contrast the pricing and providers of a variety of motor vehicle rental operators in Costa Rica and printed the results. To my shock, the posting remains becoming plagiarized frequently across the net which suggests that it is nevertheless helpful and so an update was necessary. The prices for this comparison have been acquired in December 2014 and January 2015.
The ICT (Costa Rican Institute of Tourism) states that there are thirty registered auto rental operators with 8 Some others pending acceptance. Having said that, there are lots of a lot more companies that lease autos to visitors. The vehicle rental operators chosen are People that are most often utilized by vacationers:
Adobe
Alamo
Avis
Spending budget
Dollar
Economy
Fox
Hertz
Countrywide
Payless
Services
Thrifty
Toyota
USave
Vamos
Wild Rider
Exclusion of Corporations from Last Comparison
Finances, Economic climate, Payless, and Toyota ended up contacted, but these four organizations did not give accurate on the web rates. Overall economy and Spending budget's Internet websites have 1 price tag, regardless of the dates entered and buyers have to have to reserve a car or truck in order for them to honor the cost shown. Toyota's Site was regretably only Functioning up until eventually March. Past that, the pricing shown $0 for the rest in the calendar year. Payless has this disclaimer on their Internet site: "Taxes and surcharges are usually not inside of our Regulate and may adjust without warning."
Sending personal inquiries for every time period resulted in inconsistent final results: Spending plan provided precisely the same rate for all 3 investigated time durations when receiving an e-mail ask for, which is highly unlikely; Overall economy responded with different rates for a similar dates from different associates of staff members; and Toyota's emailed quotes for time intervals earlier March's prices indicated on the internet didn't correspond into the March prices quoted (Probably the emailed offers contained taxes that were not proven on the net). Payless can offer estimates through electronic mail and telephone, but were not in keeping with pricing for different seasons.
Avis is just excluded from the cost comparison, as they don't have an intermediate SUV category within their fleet.
Comparison Facts
Motor vehicle rental price, all taxes and surcharges, and third-occasion insurance expenses are (supposedly) calculated and ranked appropriately below according to the 7 days's rental of the BeGo or identical intermediate 4x4 from a San Jose/Alajuela area (not with the airport).
Fees are calculated on a weekly basis and divided by 7 to offer a day by day Price which can be additional conveniently comparable. As not all pricing is completely transparent, the costs are as precise as feasible according to the information presented with the motor vehicle rental operators' websites, cellphone calls, and/or e-mails. Airport taxes are usually not included in these figures.
Shoulder Season (Quote for July 13 by way of twenty)
one. USave $43.37
2. Services $54.ninety two
three. Fox $fifty five.sixty four
four. Hertz $58.17
5. Adobe $60.13
six. Alamo $sixty.ninety nine
seven. Wild Rider $sixty two.86
8. Dollar $63.35
9. Vamos $64.fifteen
ten. Countrywide $sixty seven.04
eleven. Thrifty $seventy four.39
Low Season (Quote for Could thirteen by twenty)
one. Countrywide $37.04
two. USave $43.37
3. Dollar $46.49
4. Adobe $52.fifty seven
five. Vamos $fifty three.fifteen
six. Company $fifty three.49
7. Hertz $54.59
8. Fox $55.64
9. Wild Rider $55.seventy one
ten. Alamo $sixty.ninety nine
eleven. Thrifty $seventy four.39
Superior Season (Quote for March 13 via 20)
1. Dollar $fifty five.ninety two
two. USave $fifty six.22
three. Hertz $fifty six.37
four. Fox $fifty nine.36
five. Thrifty $sixty four.sixty nine
six. Service $66.63
7. Vamos $67.14
8. Alamo $69.56
9. Wild Rider $70.00
10. Adobe $70.63
11. Nationwide $73.ninety
Summary of Comparison
Curiously, There exists not just one crystal clear highly-priced or low-priced company from those compared. The variation in ranking in between seasons is marked and clients must contemplate their trip dates When selecting the car rental operator. By way of example, Thrifty appears since the costliest for equally lower and shoulder year, but are only in fourth placement while in the rankings for prime Period.
Additionally it is considerable that pricing is just not per rating with automobile rental operators in other automobile classes. As an example, Vamos' pricing is The most affordable to get a premium car within the shoulder time; although they're not initially in any rankings for your intermediate classification and Adobe which appears aggressive are the most expensive for this time period and car or truck class.
Info on Auto Rental Operators
Adobe Lease-A-Automobile is an area motor vehicle rental operator which has eleven offices across the country. The website is simple and easy to use with no clear hidden expenses. The required insurance plan Value is displayed as part of the online quote. The corporation gets combined evaluations on the internet, but much more positive than negative opinions are created. E-mails receive a reply inside 24 hours, but may well not thoroughly response the queries asked.
Toll-Free Contact number: one-855-861-1250
Little one Seat: $3/day
Booster: $one/working day
Further Driver: $3/day
GPS Process: $nine/day
Alamo functions in partnership with Countrywide and it has thirteen offices across the country. Just like a lot of huge names, Alamo Costa Rica is really a franchise and not a department of Alamo by itself. Third-party coverage and primary CDW are included in the online quotation, Even though the CDW can be refused upon presentation of proof of protection by way of The client's credit card. This will make the pricing seem to be large on initial look, particularly when, as opposed to other car rental operators, Alamo features airport taxes inside their on the internet quotation and so their pricing is honest, but seems Considerably greater than other providers Due to this fact. Pricing is different on the Intercontinental Internet site of the business, although the conditions and terms do condition the fees that should be paid out on arrival. This pricing discrepancy will be the guide reason behind unfavorable assessments for this firm. Emails are responded to in just 24 hrs.
Toll-Totally free Contact number: 1-855-533-1196
Child Seat: $three/day
Additional Driver: $six/day
GPS Process: $twelve/day
Avis' Web page obliges a single to select an auto protection possibility, nonetheless it fails to display a closing quotation complete or price for that coverage picked on the internet until an emailed estimate is sent. Protection expenses may very well be acquired by clicking on the option 'Protections Discussed' at the bottom of your display.
No Toll-Free Cell phone number
Kid Seat: $five/day
Supplemental Driver: $5/working day
GPS Program: $nine.ninety nine/day
Funds has a website that is definitely simple to use, although the pricing provided is as a similar for all seasons, suggesting that it is not suitable. E-mail responses were Generally fast, but some ended up left unanswered. Emailed prices showed precisely the same pricing for all seasons as the website did. Obligatory insurance is just not included on the net quote, even so the compact print states that this is payable within the counter. Price range gets mixed on the net critiques.
No Toll-Absolutely free Phone Number, but Stay Chat is offered
Little one Seat: $five/day
More Driver: $5/working day
GPS Procedure: $14.ninety nine/day
Greenback seems to get pretty competitive premiums, but airport taxes will be utilized Should the automobile is remaining collected through the airport's counters. One could obtain this within their conditions and dubai luxury car rentals terms, but not within their on line estimates. Auto washing demand is enforced for really filthy vehicles. You'll find 4 offices in Liberia and San Jose. E mail reaction is inside 24 hrs. Greenback receives combined assessments from on-line journey boards.
Toll-Totally free Cell phone number: one-877-767-8651
Kid Seat: $five/working day
Extra Driver: $5/working day
GPS System: $9/working day
Economy has twelve workplaces round the state. They've no Costa Rican Internet site. Scroll down on their own web page to seek out and click on on insurance fees. Airport taxes are certainly not A part of the quote. E-mails acquire either a quick response or no reaction at all. Economic system has the worst on the web standing of any large title auto rental operator in Costa Rica.
Toll-No cost Phone Number: 1-877-326-7368
Little one Seat: $ten/day
Extra Driver: $ten/working day
GPS Procedure: $15/day
Fox performs in partnership with USave. Places of work are located at each Worldwide airports. E-mails get a response inside 24 hrs. On the net assessments are generally inadequate.
Toll-Cost-free Contact number: one-800-225-4369
Little one Seat: $five/working day
Further Driver: $ten/working day (Until wife or husband)
GPS Technique: $9.ninety nine/day
Hertz has six places of work while in the region. Reservations can be made through a Costa Rican Site. First on the net quotation does not consist of product sales taxes, however it does include the CDW -- Even though CDW could be waived with evidence of bank card protection. E-mail get a response within 24 hours. Mediocre evaluations on journey community forums.
No Toll-Absolutely free Contact number
Boy or girl Seat: $five/day
Additional Driver: $13/day
GPS Program: $12/day
Nationwide performs in partnership with Alamo and it has 30 places of work in Procedure across the nation. The corporation has a Central American website, along with the Worldwide web site, which Obviously displays the breakdown of pricing. CDW is A part of the net estimate, but it might be unchecked to acquire a estimate with just the obligatory insurance plan. Observe which the airport tax is A part of the web quotation in addition. Prompt responses to thoughts are offered through Live Chat on their own website. Reviews are mixed, but there are more positive than negative.
Free Phone Call Option Via Website
Child Seat: $6/working day
Booster: $six/working day
More Driver: $five/working day
GPS Technique: $12/day
Payless is a component from the international vehicle rental company and has no Costa Rican website. On line offers never include things like 3rd-social gathering insurance policies, Despite the fact that the knowledge on this may be discovered by studying the policies with the San Jose locale. E-mail get a response in under 24 hours, but tend to refer back to the web site, in lieu of new facts. Testimonials are more unfavorable than good.
Toll-Free Contact number: one-800-PAYLESS
Little one Seat: $5/day
Booster: $5/working day
More Driver: $10/day
GPS System: $nine.ninety five/working day
Support is a local company with 5 workplaces while in the nation. On an or else clear Web page, click 'Reserve Now' and never 'Obtain a Quote' for an on-line selling price Check out. Rember will be the staff member outlined in opinions on journey forum for his helpful customer care and the corporate typically gets superior opinions. Email messages are answered inside 24 several hours and Commonly supply requested information and facts.
U.S. Cell phone number: 1-305-897-3718
Kid Seat: $three.fifty/day
Additional Driver: $three/day
GPS Method: $seven.fifty/day
Thrifty doesn't have a neighborhood Site, Therefore information and facts is from the Worldwide website. Protection alternatives or info about 3rd-celebration insurance will not be offered around the reservation webpage right until one particular clicks 'Protection Information and facts'. E-mails receive a reaction in 24 hours, but may well not reply location-precise queries. Reviews are commonly damaging due to pricing problems.
Toll-Free of charge Phone Number: one-800-344-1705
Kid Seat: $five/day
Booster: $5/working day
Extra Driver: $twelve/day
GPS System: $eleven.99/working day
Toyota is an enormous identify; even so, Although their Web-site appears Experienced to start with glance, it only will not do the job, or at the least it was not operating to be able to get hold of quotations later on than March 2015. Their on line prices do not incorporate revenue taxes. E-mails obtain rapid responses, but rates for various seasons seemed to be contradictory. Having said that, Toyota has a superb reputation on journey forums. 8 offices can be found across the nation.
Cost-free Phone Phone Option By means of Web site
Baby Seat: $5/working day
Cooler: $1.fifty/day
Added Driver: $3/day
GPS Procedure: $10/working day
USave functions in partnership with Fox and it has three Business office locations. Insurance policies options are demonstrated for the web estimate, but it really has to be picked and 'recalculate' pressed, prior to it can be included in the pricing. E-mails receive a response in just 24 hours. The corporate receive Total weak evaluations, While there are a few beneficial comments manufactured on vacation discussion boards.
Toll-Absolutely free Phone Number: one-800-467-3659
Boy or girl Seat: $5/working day
Additional Driver: $10/working day
GPS System: $9.ninety five/day
Vamos is a neighborhood enterprise that is a popular option for Vacation Advisor and Lonely Planet authorities thanks to their customer support and pricing. The web site is easy to use with itemized expenses Plainly displayed. The Dwell Chat solution enables instantaneous individualized quotes and solutions from English-Talking staff. The organization has a few places of work.
Toll-Totally free Cell phone number: one-800-950-8426
Kid Seat: cost-free
Booster: no cost
Extra Driver: free of charge
GPS Process: $8/day
Wild Rider is a little, area business Positioned only in San Jose. The web site is simple with third-social gathering coverage included in the pricing. At first of the investigate, the pricing was not updated, but this has due to the fact been remedied. This motor vehicle rental operator stands out by getting only constructive opinions and so is very suggested by journey Discussion board buyers. Owner, Thorsten, replies inside the hour to inquiries for the duration of Office environment hours.
U.S. Phone Number: 1-917-477-7712
Little one Seat: $five/working day
GPS System: $8/working day
Over-all Summary
Clarity
Adobe, Alamo, Countrywide, Service, Vamos, and Wild Rider supply obvious and finish fees on their Web sites. Another auto rental operators were being less transparent with surcharges or taxes, including airport taxes or income taxes. Pricing on more extras weren't always simple to discover, and Avis, Thrifty and Toyota had to be contacted for these information.
Interaction
Amounts of interaction have improved because the initial comparison, although it would appear a good idea to ask for an area selection and confirm answers Using the Costa Rica Workplace from the Global automobile rental operators, as Intercontinental chat operators or All those replying to emails, will not normally seem to be a hundred% self-assured about area procedures and should even give incorrect information and facts.
Be prepared to exchange numerous emails to be able to get total responses to concerns with quite a few firms: Finances and Overall economy ended up specially at risk of this -- requesting a lot of information as a way to provide a quotation. It's not necessarily unreasonable that users of team Doing the job in a next language may miss aspects of an email, so existing thoughts in apparent and straightforward language.
Are living Chat on both of those the Spending plan and Vamos Web-sites necessarily mean information and facts is usually delivered right away and remains documented, contrary to a cell phone simply call.
Pricing
The comparison earlier mentioned demonstrates the pricing amongst organizations is dependent seriously around the season and car category remaining thought of, in lieu of a transparent Minimize selection among much more or cheaper rental rates.
Customers really need to look at the pricing of other goods, for example further drivers or GPS method, and families will want to match car or truck seat rental pricing. Wild Rider delivers the primary further driver at no cost, Vamos do not demand for virtually any extras, other than the GPS, and normally, the international firms have bigger prices for these extras as opposed to neighborhood businesses.
So Who Do I Rent From?
It is evident the neighborhood vehicle rental operators remain trumping the massive names inside their transparency and customer service when comparing their Web-sites and on the net evaluations. The main difference from the former fee comparison from a number of many years back would be that the pricing is becoming more difficult to equate.
Adobe, Alamo, and Countrywide appear to charge nicely as Intercontinental auto rental operators. It really is really worth noting that Countrywide is the costliest in large season for that intermediate class, however The most cost effective in lower period. Adobe and Alamo are middle-rated for pricing.
Wild Rider is phenomenal in having zero terrible testimonials, but is only situated in San Jose and it has a A lot lesser fleet of cars. Of another local companies, Services and Vamos occur out very well and Vamos' free of charge additional extras will attract price range-minded travelers and family members with young small children. Provider also offers these extras at small day-to-day prices.