"My time's restricted... how can I select?"
Automobile rental can be a warm topic for vacationers headed to Costa Rica. Latest research executed from the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) indicates that, right after lodging, leasing an auto is the most important expenditure, averaging $702 for an eleven-working day vacation.
The net is buzzing with adverse assessments discussing overcharging, bad customer care and mechanical breakdowns. You might have even prepared a person you!
A typical midsize (3 - 4 adults) 4X4 rental runs among $58 and $sixty five each day with 3rd party coverage and prices could vary up to twenty per cent among auto rental providers, so examining A fast review will probably be time nicely invested after you compute the discounts.
And so the dilemma is; which rental business features the most beneficial equilibrium of fair price, capable customer support and trusted vehicles? I've researched all of it to suit your needs, so Continue reading!
Disclosure: This investigate was conducted in May - July 2013. The following organizations have been chosen simply because they will be the most widely used in Costa Rica. Some are nearby companies; Some others are international franchises of identified model names. Comparisons contain: customer service, pricing and also the reservation procedure. The businesses are mentioned alphabetically and not dependant on particular or on the net Choices.
Take into account this data just before renting:
Insurance coverage
One of the biggest causes for problems is with the stack of unexpected expenses presented into the renter the moment standing with the rental company's counter. Vacationers are typically weary following a extended flight and after that are confronted by prices which were not predicted, defined or budgeted.
Topping the list of grievances is the non-disclosure of costs associated with the required 3rd-occasion insurance policies at time the reservation is produced.
According to Costa Rican regulation, just about every driver is needed to carry legal responsibility coverage to insure towards accidents to third parties. Motor vehicle rental corporations frequently refrain from disclosing the cost of this plan while in the quoted rental price to look far more competitive. Mandatory 3rd-celebration insurance coverage can in some cases be up to double the car's rental cost. The one promise in opposition to insurance plan confusion will be to inquire When your estimate consists of the 3rd party coverage and demand on a penned quotation.
Price of Mandatory Insurance (also known as 3rd party or SLI)
Count on to pay between $twelve and $15 each day for this insurance policy, based on the make and product with the rented car and the rental car or truck agency. This is the authorized condition of the rental agreement and is mostly not covered by charge cards and cannot be waived. It is a truth of leasing an auto in Costa Rica.
Collision Harm Waiver (CDW)
Given that the title indicates, this is not insurance policy, but a waiver, which relieves the renter from any legal responsibility for damage to the rental car or truck after the deductible is compensated (typically from $750 to $one,500). Some organizations demand renters to invest in their CDW policy; thereby negating any bank card system. For an additional price, lots of companies do give a zero liability solution exactly where the renter are going to be freed from paying for any harm to the car. Some corporations could place force on renters to invest in the zero legal responsibility coverage; on the other hand, it really is fully optional, Except it's from the good print in their rental settlement.
Bank card insurance policy packages could cover the CDW for a rental vehicle. Check out with your decided on rental auto organization to uncover which proof of insurance is required and afterwards request that from your bank card business just before arriving. In case you make use of your credit card's CDW coverage, count on to pay for a better deposit over the motor vehicle; about $one,500 to $2000 is frequent. The higher deposit makes certain that the credit card holder has sufficient money reserves to include damages if required. It is crucial to consider that if employing CDW protection provided by a charge card (in lieu on the hire a vehicle operator), all damages is going to be billed to your renter's credit card. The charge card business will then reimburse the cardboard holder for damages.
Far more Insurance coverage
Tires and windshields are not often A part of insurance plan insurance policies, Though more procedures may be taken out for masking these frequently broken things. Neither the interior nor the underneath with the auto might be coated. Often read through the high-quality print.
Regular Method
Your charge card will be charged, or even a 'maintain' positioned, to the rental motor vehicle through the time on the rental arrangement; i.e. from finding up the rental until eventually you come back it. Debit playing cards are frequently not acceptable.
Additional Costs
Most organizations have surcharges For extra motorists, motor vehicle seats/boosters, cell phones, coolers, GPS and/or roof racks. The costs differ from firm to enterprise, but because these extras are billed at a everyday charge, it really is value examining the entire Price -- extra choices can include up very quickly! A GPS is about $8 to $10 per day; however, some operators might provide discounted units. Anticipate to pay around $5 every day for a child seat and a few dollars a day for all the other 'niceties'. Vamos is notable for featuring A large number of solutions and, through some promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Finances, Hertz and Nationwide cost one of the most for these kinds of added possibilities; While the opposite organizations detailed, charge much more affordable rates.
Surcharges
Most organizations include small incremental costs, such as license plate and environmental service fees, into the full tally. Be cautious of operators who insert these added expenses to the tiny print of the rental deal. Cars rented immediate on the airport incur airport taxes, which can be a whopping 12% of your rental cost!
The rental auto really should be returned with the identical quantity of gasoline, Until normally indicated. If not, providers may possibly charge earlier mentioned gasoline station prices for lacking gas.
Vehicles
There is a debate more than the cars provided by rental businesses: More mature autos enable the driver to Mix in a lot more than a shiny, new vehicle. Having an older model may perhaps provide the indirect benefit of remaining fewer scrutinized by car or truck rental companies for the latest nicks and scratches, not like a newer vehicle. On the other hand, a newer auto could possibly be much more roadworthy. This discussion carries on into the several automobile makes and styles. Normally, Costa Rican firms are able to hire their autos to get a lessen amount due to the fact their automobiles are typically a few to 5 years old (as opposed to two to three). Online opinions would propose that the community firms haven't any a lot more complaints relating to car high-quality than transnational franchises; investigation on forums, which include TripAdvisor.com, looks to indicate that buyers regularly appreciate driving a a lot less-than-new automobile in the wilds of Costa Rica. The explanations are plenty, from highway situations into the Idea of less-then-new cars blending in far better -- a newer motor vehicle could attract far more unwanted awareness.
The options of rental cars and trucks in Costa Rica are largely limited to can make and versions that manage a aggressive resale worth, are a standard model inside the state, and they are low-cost to take care of. As a result a rent-a-motor vehicle operator's fleet have a tendency never to be as varied as the United States. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai constitute the mainstay makes of most rental fleets.
At times, motorists are billed for supposed 'damages' on the vehicle upon return. Once obtaining the car, renters really should meticulously look for pre-current flaws and Examine it With all the vehicle inspection doc used by the rental auto representative. Some renters advise photographing or videoing the car from all angles, to stay away from any disagreement between pre-existing and not long ago harmed items.
Pricing
Auto rentals in Costa Rica are pricier when compared with other countries. Obligations on motor vehicles are substantial (approximately 50% in their worth!), parts are costlier and unforgiving highway problems contribute to higher have on and tear, making bigger upkeep expenses.
The rule is you receive what you buy -- there are actually other options than Those people rental firms outlined in this article, but they aren't listed for a great reason. They basically fail to supply basic customer support and/or an acceptable car condition required for any (just about) trouble-free of charge family vacation.
When evaluating rental vehicle expenses, it's best to go on to the Costa Rican Web-site of the rental automobile firm, rather then attempting to use their Worldwide structure or an middleman (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). For a similar vehicles and reservation dates, the prices provided by the respective Global vs. Costa Rican Internet websites for Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty differed substantially.
To prevent confusion, print out all correspondence Together with the motor vehicle rental firm with whom you have got reserved a car and produce this on the rental office Along with the quotation given at the time of reservation.
The next top rated 10 chart ranks the businesses from best priced to least expensive and it includes the mandatory insurance coverage cost. Inside the situations of Alamo and Hertz, the determine is made up of their CDW cost mainly because it is among their rental requirements. This value comparison relies on weekly's rental of a Daihatsu Bego, exactly where obtainable (Dollar delivers the Suzuki Vitara) from September 14th - twenty first, on the other hand in December to look at both equally Environmentally friendly and Superior Season charges. The checklist swiftly demonstrates that the value variation depends tremendously on the organization -- for basically the same company. These costs have been acquired in June/July 2013.
Rental Automobile Organizations Rated In line with Price tag
September
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Hertz $514.27
8. Adobe $449
seven. Spending plan $455
six. Countrywide $428.01
five. Thrifty $421.05
four. Provider $374.forty three
three. Vamos $370.30
two. Dollar $364
one. Wild Rider $350
December
ten. Alamo $650.ninety six
9. National $597.51
eight. Hertz $566.fifty two
seven. Funds $555
six. Dollar $532
5. Thrifty $506.58
4. Services $494.43
3. Vamos $461.30
two. Adobe $459
1. Wild Rider $395
Alamo ranks quantity ten for both seasons, making it the most costly enterprise. Spending plan, Hertz and Countrywide also level small on the dimensions for inexpensive rental alternatives.
Organization Summaries
Adobe
Web site is clear and easy to use, but dubai exotic car rental pricing as well as the automobiles stated usually are not similar to those offered by an Business office agent above the cell phone. Obligatory insurance costs are usually not revealed With all the list of automobiles and rental rates, but They are really Evidently displayed on the next website page like a client moves toward booking a reservation. Combined customer opinions online. Email reaction is a lot less than 24 several hours, but may well not present all asked for info.
Toll-totally free U.S.A and Canada contact number. No Stay Chat.
10 offices nationwide
Required insurance plan: $19 everyday
Extra charges: GPS $nine/day, kid seat $five/working day
Alamo
Web site is clear and easy to use, but selling prices vary in opposition to estimates received above the cellular phone. Mandatory insurance policy charges will not be supplied Along with the list of motor vehicles and rental prices, but They can be Plainly shown on the next webpage as the customer moves to building a reservation. Combined consumer testimonials on the internet. Electronic mail reaction is fewer than 24 several hours.
No toll-cost-free U.S.A and Canada telephone number or Are living chat
14 places of work nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $eleven.95 each day, but need to also choose their CDW at $12.ninety five day-to-day
Additional prices: GPS $12/working day, kid seat $six/day
Finances
Site is fundamental, but simple to operate. Selling prices on-line vary towards the quotations specified by a representative about the cellphone and based upon if the international or Costa Rican Web page is utilized. Required insurance coverage prices are provided together with the list of motor vehicles; on the other hand, one other prices aren't listed. Combined shopper testimonials online. E-mail reaction is greater than 24 several hours.
No toll-free U.S.A and Canada cell phone number. No Live Chat on Costa Rican Web-site.
10 places of work nationwide
Required insurance coverage: A part of the mentioned value
Supplemental costs: GPS $ten.ninety five/day, baby seat $12/day (the most costly of the top ten)
Greenback
Website is obvious and simple to operate. Prices quoted differ if contacting from the U.S. or in Costa Rica. Necessary coverage expenses will not be specified With all the listing of vehicles and rental expenses, but These are clearly shown on the next website page to be a consumer moves toward a making a reservation. Mixed testimonials on line, but normally gets good opinions. Electronic mail inquiries answered inside 24 hrs.
Toll-no cost U.S.A and Canada telephone number. No Live Chat.
3 places of work nationwide
Mandatory insurance plan: $16 each day
Additional fees: GPS $nine/day, kid seat $5/working day
Hertz
Web page is obvious and convenient to use. Required insurance coverage charges usually are not supplied Aside from the listing of motor vehicles and rental costs, but They may be Plainly exhibited on the subsequent web site as The client moves to a booking a reservation. Mixed client testimonials on the web. E mail reaction fewer than 24 hours.
Toll-cost-free U.S.A and Canada contact number and Are living Chat (even though it seems to be permanently offline)
seven places of work nationwide
Required insurance: $17.43 day-to-day, but their CDW is usually a need
Extra expenses: GPS $12/day, youngster seat $two/working day
Nationwide
Internet site is evident and simple to operate. Required insurance coverage expenses usually are not provided combined with the listing of automobiles and rental prices, but They are really Evidently exhibited on the subsequent web site being a client moves in direction of creating a reservation. Mixed client evaluations on the internet, but a lot more optimistic than adverse. E mail response under 24 several hours.
Toll-free of charge U.S.A and Canada cell phone number. Dwell Chat.
22 workplaces nationwide
Necessary insurance policies: $25 everyday (the costliest of the very best ten)
Extra charges: GPS $12/working day, little one seat $six/day
Support
Website is obvious and consumer pleasant with just a slight confusion in that an online quotation is attained by clicking on 'Reserve Now' rather than the 'Have a Estimate' selection. The reaction into a cellphone inquiry was to work with the web site. Mandatory insurance expenditures are supplied combined with the list of automobiles and rental expenses for the low season rates and on the 2nd website page of another quotation page. Remember is a really encouraged profits consultant who is mentioned in several on the net testimonials for your higher degree of his customer service. Generally on-line evaluations are beneficial for Provider. E-mail response is less than 24 several hours, Despite the fact that all details requested may not be been given.
U.S.A cell phone number, but not toll-free. No Are living Chat.
five workplaces nationwide
Mandatory coverage: $fifteen everyday
Extra rates: GPS $five.ninety nine/working day, youngster seat $2.ninety nine/day
Thrifty
Costa Rican Edition of the website is not possible to make use of and you are asked to register to get a user identify and password. Obligatory insurance plan expenditures will not be supplied combined with the list of motor vehicles and rental fees. A consumer has got to click "Protection Solutions" about the U.S. Web site and choose the obligatory coverage by clicking on it -- implying that it's optional instead of a expected Value. Thrifty have a tendency to acquire combined reviews on the net. E-mail reaction is over 24 several hours.