“My time’s limited… how do I actually choose? “
Vehicle rental is really a sizzling topic for tourists headed to Panama and nicaragua ,. Recent research conducted by the Costa Rican Institute involving Tourism (ICT) implies that, after lodging, renting a vehicle is the biggest expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day vacation.
The World wide web is buzzing together with negative reviews speaking about overcharging, poor consumer service and mechanised breakdowns. You may well have even published one yourself!
A typical midsize (3 – 4 adults) 4X4 rental runs between $58 in addition to $65 daily using third party insurance and rates may vary as much as thirty percent among rental cars companies, so looking at a quick evaluate is going to be time properly spent once you calculate the personal savings.
So the problem is; which local rental company offers the particular best balance regarding fair price, able customer service and dependable vehicles? I’ve investigated all of it for you, so keep reading!
Disclosure: This research had been conducted in-may instructions July 2013. The following companies had been selected because these people are one of the most extensively used in Costa Rica. Some are local companies; others are international franchises regarding recognized manufacturers. Comparisons include: customer care, pricing and the booking process. The service providers are listed in an alphabetical order but not based on personal or on the internet preferences.
Think about this data before renting:
Insurance policy
One of typically the biggest causes regarding complaints is coming from the stack of unforeseen charges offered to the tenant once standing in the rental carrier’s counter. Vacationers are typically tired after a long flight then are confronted by charges that were certainly not anticipated, explained or even budgeted.
Topping the list of grievances is the non-disclosure of fees associated with the mandatory third-party insurance coverage at the period the reservation is made.
According to be able to Costa Rican regulation, every driver is usually required to hold liability coverage to insure against accidental injuries to third parties. Auto rental companies usually refrain from revealing the cost regarding this policy in the quoted rental rate to look more competitive. Essential third-party insurance can certainly sometimes be up to double the vehicle’s rental cost. The sole guarantee against insurance plan confusion is in order to inquire if the estimate includes the particular third party insurance coverage and insist on a written quote.
Expense of Mandatory Insurance policy (also called 3rd Party or SLI)
Expect to pay between $12 in addition to $15 daily with this insurance, depending in the brand name regarding the rented vehicle and the rental car agency. This kind of is a legal current condition of your local rental agreement and is usually generally not included by credit credit cards and cannot always be waived. It’s a fact involving renting a car in Costa Rica.
Crash Damage Waiver (CDW)
As the name suggests, this isn’t very insurance, but a new waiver, which reduces the renter by any liability regarding damage to typically the rental car following the deductible is usually paid (usually coming from $750 to $1, 500). Some organizations require renters to be able to purchase their CDW policy; thereby negating any credit cards program. For an additional fee, many agencies do offer the zero liability option where the tenant will be separated from purchasing virtually any damage to the automobile. Some companies may well put pressure upon renters to order the zero responsibility coverage; nevertheless , that is entirely optional, unless it will be within the fine print of their lease agreement.
Credit greeting card insurance programs might cover the CDW for the rental car. Consult with your picked rental car business to find which usually evidence of insurance will be needed and then need that from the credit card company ahead of arriving. If an individual use your credit card’s CDW policy, assume to pay a higher deposit on the vehicle; around $1, 500 to $2000 is common. The larger deposit makes sure that typically the credit card owner has enough monetary reserves to cover damages if needed. It is very important consider that will if using CDW coverage provided by a new credit card (in lieu of the rent a vehicle operator), all damages can be billed towards the renter’s credit credit card. The credit greeting card company will likely then repay the card holder for damages.
More Insurance
Tires and windshields are almost never incorporated into insurance guidelines, although additional plans may be taken out for covering these frequently damaged things. Neither the indoor nor the beneath from the vehicle may possibly be covered. Usually read the good print.
Standard Process
Your credit card will be billed, or even a ‘hold’ placed, for that rental automobile during the lease agreement; i. electronic. from picking finished the rental right up until you return this. Debit cards are generally not satisfactory.
Additional Charges
Additional have surcharges for additional drivers, car seats/boosters, cell phones, chillers, GPS and/or roof racks. The charges vary from business to business, but since these types of extras are invoiced with a daily level, its worth checking out the total expense — additional choices can add way up very quickly! Some sort of GPS is around $8 to $10 per day; yet , some operators might offer discounted products. Expect to give around $5 every day for a child couch and some dollars the day for all the various other ‘niceties’. Vamos will be notable for giving most of these types of options and, throughout some promotions, even the GPS local rental complimentarily. Alamo, Budget, Hertz and National charge probably the most regarding such additional choices; whereas the other companies listed, charge a lot more reasonable prices.
Surcharges
OBX jeep rentals
Most companies add small incremental charges, such as license dish and environmental costs, into the total tally. Be skeptical of employees who insert these kinds of additional charges directly into the small print regarding the rental deal. Vehicles rented immediate at the airport terminal incur airport income taxes, which are a large 12% of your respective nightly rental cost!
The leasing vehicle ought to be came back with the equivalent fuel, unless or else indicated. If not necessarily, companies may fee above gas station rates for lacking fuel.
Vehicles
Now there is a debate over the automobiles supplied by rental companies: Older cars allow the driver to be able to blend in more than a shiny, new automobile. Having an elderly model might have the indirect good thing about being less scrutinized simply by car rental companies for recent grazes and scratches, as opposed to a newer car. Yet , a more recent vehicle could possibly be more roadworthy. This discussion carries on into the different vehicle makes. Generally, Costa Rican firms are capable to rent their very own vehicles for a reduce rate because their very own cars are usually 3 to five years old (versus a couple of to three). On the internet reviews would suggest that will the local companies have no even more complaints concerning car quality than transnational franchises; research on forums, such since TripAdvisor. com, appears to indicate that customers frequently value driving a less-than-new vehicle through the particular wilds of Puerto Rica. The issues are a great deal, from road issues for the notion involving less-then-new vehicles mixing up in better — a newer vehicle may possibly draw more undesired attention.
The options of carrental found in Costa Rica are mainly limited to helps make and models that maintain an aggressive resale value, really are a common brand in the united states, and are low-cost to keep up. As this kind of a rent-a-car operator’s fleet tend not to become as diverse as the United Declares. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai amount to the mainstay manufacturers of most hire fleets.
Sometimes, drivers are charged for supposed ‘damages’ to be able to the vehicle upon return. Once receiving the vehicle, renters need to meticulously check regarding pre-existing flaws plus compare it along with the vehicle evaluation document used by the rental car agent. Some renters recommend photographing or videoing the vehicle from all angles, to avoid any difference between pre-existing and recently damaged items.
Pricing
Rental car in Costa Rica are pricier compared to be able to other countries. Duties on vehicles usually are high (as significantly as 50% involving their value! ), parts are costlier and unforgiving street conditions give rise to increased wear and rip, generating higher servicing costs.
The rule is that you simply get exactly what you pay intended for — additional choices than those rental companies listed in this article, but are not shown to get a good cause. They simply do not offer basic customer service and/or a suited vehicle condition essential for a (nearly) trouble-free vacation.
If comparing rental auto charges, it is certainly best to move straight to the BahÃa Rican website regarding the car rental firm, rather than wanting to use their world format or a good intermediary (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al. ). For the similar vehicles and booking dates, the rates proposed by the particular international vs. Puerto Rican websites intended for Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty differed substantially.