“My time’s limited… how do I actually choose? “

Auto rental is a very hot topic for tourists headed to Costa Rica. Recent research performed by the Costa Rican Institute regarding Tourism (ICT) signifies that, after lodging, renting a vehicle is the largest expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day vacation.

The World wide web is buzzing along with negative reviews speaking about overcharging, poor consumer service and mechanical breakdowns. You may well have even written one yourself!

The typical midsize (3 – 4 adults) 4X4 rental operates between $58 and even $65 daily together with third party insurance coverage and rates could vary up to 20 percent among car hire companies, so studying a quick evaluate will be time effectively spent once a person calculate the personal savings.

So the problem is; which leasing company offers typically the best balance of fair price, capable customer satisfaction and dependable vehicles? I’ve investigated everything for a person, so keep reading!

Disclosure: This research was conducted in May : July 2013. The particular following companies have been selected because they are one of the most widely used in Panama and nicaragua ,. Some are nearby companies; others are generally international franchises involving recognized brand names. Evaluations include: customer support, costs and the reservation process. The firms are listed in an alphabetical order and not based in personal or on-line preferences.
Look at this details before renting:

Insurance policy

One of the particular biggest causes intended for complaints is coming from the stack of unforeseen charges offered to the tenant once standing at the rental company’s counter. Vacationers are usually typically tired after a long flight and after that are confronted by fees that were not really anticipated, explained or even budgeted.

Topping the list of issues is the non-disclosure of fees associated with the mandatory third-party insurance plan at the time the reservation is usually made.

According to Costa Rican regulation, every driver is definitely required to take liability coverage to insure against accidental injuries to third parties. Vehicle rental companies usually refrain from revealing the cost involving this policy throughout the quoted rental rate to seem more competitive. Essential third-party insurance can certainly sometimes be around double the vehicle’s rental cost. The only guarantee against insurance confusion is to be able to inquire if the estimate includes the third party insurance coverage and insist on a written quote.

Expense of Mandatory Insurance (also called Third Party or SLI)

Expect to pay out between $12 plus $15 daily with this insurance, depending upon the make and model of the rented car and the leasing car agency. This kind of is a lawful current condition of your leasing agreement and is definitely generally not protected by credit greeting cards and cannot always be waived. It goes without saying associated with renting an automobile inside Costa Rica.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

As the name suggests, this isn’t insurance, but some sort of waiver, which alleviates the renter coming from any liability with regard to damage to the particular rental car following the deductible is usually paid (usually by $750 to $1, 500). Some companies require renters to be able to purchase their CDW policy; thereby killing any credit card program. For an additional fee, several agencies do offer some sort of zero liability option where the tenant will be freed from spending money on any kind of damage to the automobile. Some companies might put pressure after renters to purchase the zero legal responsibility coverage; however , this is entirely optional, unless it is within the fine print of their hire agreement.

Credit card insurance programs may well cover the CDW to get a rental car. Seek advice from your chosen rental car organization to find which in turn evidence of insurance is usually needed after which request that from your credit card company prior to arriving. If an individual use your own card’s CDW policy, expect to pay an increased deposit on the particular vehicle; around $1, 500 to $2000 frequently occurs. The better deposit helps to ensure that the credit card holder has enough economical reserves to cover up damages if needed. It is important to consider of which if using CDW coverage furnished by a credit card (in lieu of the particular rent an auto operator), all damages might be billed towards the renter’s credit cards. The credit greeting card company will likely then compensate the card owner for damages.

More Insurance

Tires and even windshields are seldom incorporated into insurance plans, although additional policies may be applied for for covering these frequently damaged products. Neither the interior nor the beneath with the vehicle may be covered. Often read the good print.

Standard Method

Your credit cards will be charged, or possibly a ‘hold’ positioned, for your rental automobile during the hire agreement; i. e. from picking up the rental till you return it. Debit cards are usually generally not acceptable.

Additional Charges

Most companies have surcharges for additional drivers, car seats/boosters, cell phones, coolers, GPS and/or roof top racks. The charges vary from company to company, but since these kinds of extras are charged at a daily charge, it truly is worth checking out the total price — additional options can add upwards very quickly! The GPS is about $8 to $10,50 per day; however , some operators may offer discounted units. Expect to give around $5 everyday for any child chair as well as dollars the day for all the additional ‘niceties’. Vamos will be notable for supplying most of these options and, in the course of some promotions, still the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Budget, Hertz and National charge one of the most for such additional alternatives; whereas one other businesses listed, charge even more reasonable prices.

Surcharges

Most companies add small incremental expenses, for instance license dish and environmental fees, to the total tally. Be skeptical of workers who insert these kinds of additional charges directly into the fine print of the rental contract. Vehicles rented direct at the international airport incur airport income taxes, that happen to be a monstrous 12% of the rentals cost!

The rental vehicle needs to be returned with the equivalent fuel, unless normally indicated. If not necessarily, companies may cost above gas place rates for absent fuel.

Vehicles

There is a discussion over the automobiles given by rental firms: Older cars enable the driver to be able to blend in greater than a shiny, new automobile. Having an older model could have the particular indirect benefit for appearing less scrutinized by simply car rental agencies for recent nicks and scratches, contrary to a newer automobile. However , a modern vehicle may be a lot more roadworthy. This controversy carries on in the different vehicle models and makes. Generally, Costa Rican firms are ready to rent their own vehicles for any lower rate because their cars are usually 3 to five years old (versus 2 to three). On-line reviews indicate of which the local companies have no a lot more complaints concerning automobile quality than transnational franchises; research in forums, such since TripAdvisor. com, seems to indicate that customers frequently value driving a less-than-new vehicle through typically the wilds of Bahía Rica. The issues are a lot, from road factors towards the notion regarding less-then-new vehicles mixing in better — a more recent vehicle might draw more undesirable attention.

The options of carrental inside of Costa Rica are mostly limited to makes and models of which maintain a competitive resale value, are a common brand in the country, and are affordable to keep up. As this sort of a rent-a-car operator’s fleet will not always be as diverse like the United Claims. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai constitute the mainstay brands of most lease fleets.

Sometimes, drivers are charged for supposed ‘damages’ to be able to the vehicle upon return. Once obtaining the vehicle, renters should meticulously check intended for pre-existing flaws and compare it together with the vehicle assessment document employed by typically the rental car agent. Some renters suggest photographing or videoing the vehicle by all angles, to avoid any difference between pre-existing plus recently damaged items.

Pricing

luxury car rental egypt inside Costa Rica are usually pricier compared to other countries. Obligations on vehicles usually are high (as a lot as 50% regarding their value! ), parts are more expensive and unforgiving road conditions give rise to better wear and tear, generating higher maintenance costs.

The principle is that you simply get exactly what you pay regarding — there are other alternatives than those local rental companies listed here, but they are not outlined to get a good reason. They simply fail to offer basic customer service and/or an ideal vehicle condition essential for a (nearly) trouble-free vacation.

Whenever comparing rental automobile charges, it is usually best to proceed right to the Bahía Rican website regarding the car rental business, rather than wanting to use their international format or a great intermediary (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, ain al. ). For the similar vehicles and reservation dates, the rates provided by the individual international vs. Playa Rican websites intended for Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty differed substantially.