"My time & # 39; s limited ... how do I choose?
Recent research transferred by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) indicating that, after accommodations, renting a car is the largest expense, averaging $ 702 for an eleven-day vacation.
The Internet is buzzing with negative reviews discussing overcharging, poor customer service and mechanical breakdowns. You may have even written one yourself!
A typical midsize (3 - 4 adults) 4 X 4 rental runs between $ 58 and $ 65 daily with third party insurance and rates can vary as much as 20 percent among car rental companies, so reading a quick review once you calculate the savings.
I'm responding to all of you, so keep reading!
Some of local companies; others are international franchises of recognized brand names. Comparisons include: customer service, pricing and advertisement Disclosures: This research was acquired in May - July 2013. The company's listed are alphabetically and not based on personal or online preferences.
Consider this information before renting:
Insurance
Vacationers are normally tired after a long flight and then are confused by costs that were not anticipated, explained or substanteted.
Topping the list of grievances is the non-disclosure of fees associated with the mandatory third-party insurance at the time the reservation is made.
Mandatory second-party insurance can sometimes be as much as a double the vehicle & # 39; s rental cost. The only guarantee against insurance confusion is to inquire if your estimate includes third quarter insurance and insurer on a written quotation.
Cost of Mandatory Insurance (also called Third Party or SLI)
This is a legal condition of your rental agreement and is generally not covered by credit cards and can not exited to pay between $ 12 and $ 15 daily for this between. be waived. It 's fact of renting a car in Costa Rica.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Some agencies require renters to purchase their CDW Some companies may put pressure on renters to purchase the zero liability coverage ; however, it is entirely optional, unless it is in the fine print of their rental agreement.
Credit card insurance programs may be the CDW for a rental vehicle. Check with your chosen rental car company to find which proof of insurance is needed and then request that from your credit card company prior to arriving. around $ 1,500 to $ 2000 is common. The higher deposit ensures that the credit card holder has sufficient financial reserves to cover it damaged if necessary. The credit card company will then refund the card holder for cards, all damages will be billed to the renter & # 39; s credit card.
More Insurance
Tires and windshields are rarely included in insurance policies, almost additional policies may be taken out for covering these frequently damaged items. Neither the interior nor the underneath of the vehicle may be covered. Always read the fine print.
Standard Procedure
Debit cards are generally not acceptable. Debit cards are generally less than.
Additional Charges
Most companies have surcharges for additional drivers, car seats / boosters, cell phones, coolers, GPS and / or roof racks. The costs vary from company to company, but since these extras are billed at a daily rate, it is worth checking the total Expect to pay around $ 5 daily for a child seat and a few dollars a day for all the other & # 39; niceties & # 39;. Vamos is not available for offering most of these options and, during some promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Budget, Hertz and National charge the most for such additional options; whereas the other companies listed, charge more reasonable prices.
Surcharges
Most companies add small incremental costs, such as license plate and environmental fees, into the total tally. Who insert these additional charges into the small print of the rental contract. Vehicles rented direct at the airport incur airport taxes, which are a whopping 12% of your rental cost!
If not, companies may charge above gas station rates for missing fuel.
Vehicles
Having an older model may have the indirect benefit of being less scrutinized by car rental agencies for recent nicks and scratches Typically, Costa Rican firms are able to be rent their vehicles for a lower rate than their cars are generally three to to research as forums, such as TripAdvisor.com, seems to indicate that customers frequently appreciate driving a less- than-new vehicle through the wilds of Costa Rica. The reasons are plenty, from road conditions to the notification of less-then-new vehicles blending in better - a newer vehicle may draw more unwanted attention.
The choices of rental cars in Costa Rica are most commonly restricted resale value, are a common brand in the country, and are inexpensive to maintain. Such a rent-a-car operator & # 39; s fleet Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai measure the mainstay brands of most rental fleets.
Sometimes, drivers are charged for promised & # 39; to the vehicle upon return. After receiving the vehicle, renters should meticulously check for pre-existing flaws and compare it with the vehicle inspection document used by the rental car representative. Some renters suggest photographing or videoing the vehicle from all angles, to avoid any discrepreement between pre-existing and recently damaged items.
Pricing
Parties are costlier and unforgiving road conditions contribute to higher wear and tear, generating higher maintenance costs.
They are failing to provide a good reason. They are a good condition. near) trouble-free vacation.
When comparing rental car charges, it is best to go directly to the Costa Rican website of the rental car company, rather than trying to use their international format or an interim (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). same vehicles and reservation dates, the rates offered by the relative international vs. Costa Rican websites for Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty differed substantially.
To avoid confusion, print out all correspondence with the car rental company with what you have reserved a vehicle and bring this to the rental office with the quote given at the time of reservation.
The following top ten chart ranks the company from the cases of Alamo and Hertz, the figure contains their CDW fee as it is one of their rental requirements. a week & # 39; s rental of a Daihatsu Bego, where available (Dollar offers the Suzuki Vitara) from September 14th - 21st, then again in December to view both Green and High Season rates. The list quickly demonstrates that the price variation depends very much on the company - for basically the same service. These prices were obtained in June / July 2013.
Rental Car Companies Ranked According to Price
September
10. Alamo $ 650.96
9. Hertz $ 514.27
8. Adobe $ 449
7. Budget $ 455
6. National $ 428.01
5. Thrifty $ 421.05
4. Service $ 374.43
3. Vamos $ 370.30
2. Dollar $ 364
1. Wild Rider $ 350
December
10. Alamo $ 650.96
9. National $ 597.51
8. Hertz $ 566.52
7. Budget $ 555
6. Dollar $ 532
5. Thrifty $ 506.58
4. Service $ 494.43
3. Vamos $ 461.30
2. Adobe $ 459
1. Wild Rider $ 395
Alamo ranks number ten for both seasons, making it the most expensive company. Budget, Hertz and National also rate low on the scale for economic rental options.
Company Summaries
Adobe
Mandatory insurance costs are not shown with the list of vehicles and rental charges, but they are clearly displayed Email the response is less than 24 hours, but may not provide all requested information.
Toll-free USA and Canada phone number. No Live Chat.
10 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $ 19 daily
Additional charges: GPS $ 9 / day, child seat $ 5 / day
Alamo
Mandatory insurance costs are not over with the list. There are clearly displayed on the following page as the customer's going towards making a reservation . Mailed customer reviews online. Email response is less than 24 hours.
No toll-free USA and Canada phone number or Live chat
14 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $ 11.95 daily, but must also take their CDW at $ 12.95 daily
Additional charges: GPS $ 12 / day, child seat $ 6 / day
Budget
However, the easiest way to use the international website is depending on the international or Costa Rican website is used. Mandatory insurance costs are included along with the list of vehicles; the, the Other charges are not listed. Mailed customer reviews online. Email response is more than 24 hours.
No toll-free USA and Canada phone number. No Live Chat on Costa Rican website.
10 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: included in the listed price
Additional charges: GPS $ 10.95 / day, child seat $ 12 / day (the most expensive of the top ten)
Dollar
We are on the following page as a customer moves from the US or in Costa Rica. Mandatory insurance costs are not given with the list of vehicles and rental charges, but they are clearly on the following page Email making in reservation. Email inquiries answered within 24 hours.
Toll-free USA and Canada phone number. No Live Chat.
3 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $ 16 daily
Additional charges: GPS $ 9 / day, child seat $ 5 / day
Hertz
Email response less than given. Mandatory insurance costs are not included with the list of vehicles and rental charges, but they are clearly displayed on the following page as the following pages as a booking a reservation. than 24 hours.
Toll-free USA and Canada phone number and Live Chat (although it seems to be permanently offline)
7 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $ 17.43 daily, but their CDW is also a requirement
Additional charges: GPS $ 12 / day, child seat $ 2 / day
National
Mixed customer reviews online, but more positive Mandatory insurance costs are not along along with the list of vehicles and rental charges, but they are clearly displayed on the following page. than negative. Email response less than 24 hours.
Toll-free USA and Canada phone number. Live Chat.
22 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $ 25 daily (the most expensive of the top ten)
Additional charges: GPS $ 12 / day, child seat $ 6 / day
Service
Response Now & # 39; and not the & # 39; Get a Quote & # 39; option. The response to a phone Mandatory insurance costs are presented along with the list of vehicles and rental charges for the low season charges and on the second page of the other quotation page. Remember is a highly recommended sales representative person is mention in many online Email response is less than 24 hours, almost all information requested may not be received.
USA phone number, but not toll-free. No Live Chat.
5 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $ 15 daily
Additional charges: GPS $ 5.99 / day, child seat $ 2.99 / day
Thrifty
A customer has to click on "Protection Options" on Email response is more than 24 hours. Thanks for your understanding.
Toll-free USA and Canada phone number. No Live Chat.
4 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $ 19.99 daily
Additional charges: GPS $ 10 / day, child seat $ 5 / day
Vamos
Anibal, a representative, is frequently mention in. Website is clear and easy to use. Mandatory insurance costs are not included along side the list of vehicles and rental charges, but are clearly displayed on the following page. General Manager, George Schwarzenbach is known on Trip Advisor for his upfront and honest responses to customers & posts.
In recent years, Vamos has received very positive reviews online. Email response is less than 24 hours. Live Chat has instant response time to inquiries.
Toll-free USA and Canada phone number. Live Chat.
3 offices nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $ 11.95 daily
Additional charges: GPS $ 8 / day, child seat free
Wild Rider
Wild Rider is the only car rental firm in Costa Rica with no visible bad reviews online. Owner, Thorsten, is often praised for his efficiency and customer Emails received very prompt and detailed responses in less than 12 hours.
No toll-free phone number or Live Chat
1 office - no Liberia airport office
Mandatory insurance: included
Additional charges: GPS $ 8 / day, child seat $ 5 / day
Comparison Review
Customer Service
Vamos and Wild Rider responded quickly and efficiently to email or live chat inquiries. Adobe, Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, National, and Service responded to email inquiries in less than 24 hours, but Adobe and Service did not provide all the information requested (possibly Hertz 's live chat appears to be regularly offline. During the past year, customers who have posted to online review sites expressed a particular satisfaction with the customer service offered by Service, Vamos and Wild Rider.
Clarity
Adobe, Alamo and Budget have different rental prices posted on their websites thanks to those quoted over the phone. Adobe also offers International car rental firms with both a Costa Rican and international website appear to have pricing differences between the two sites.
Rental prices for car seating had to be verified Biddget and Wild Rider include the mandatory insurance in the rental prices, but Budget states that & on the phone as they are not listed on the Budget website.
Thrifty & # 39; s Costa Rican website is simply unusable. All other companies with the exception of Thrifty (a US website), clearly show the mandatory insurance cost with the quotation given.
Pricing
Service, Vamos and Wild Rider consistently offer the best rates for both Green and High seasons, although Dollar has one of the lowest Green season rates available, while Adobe has a cheaper High season rate. Vamos offer the best "all inclusive" rates, given that most options are offered for free.
Adam, Dollar, Service, Thrifty and Wild Rider remain competitive with their pricing of items such as child seats. Alamo, Hertz and National are the most expensive companies to rent from and their addition option costs are also more expensive.
"So, what & # 39; s your rental recommendation?
Overall, the Costa Rican companies seem to trump the multi-nationals with better pricing, service and clarity.
Service offer a high high-level of customer service and fairly competitive pricing at both international airports.
Vamos can offer efficient booking and continued high-level of customer service with competitive pricing, as well as free additional options at both SJO and LIR airports.
Wild Rider is very highly rated for a rental with clear and economic pricing and excellent customer service, but they are only in San Jose.
"Good luck and happy travels!" Now you & # 39; re ready to book your rental car after seeing how the competition compares.
