www.CostaRicaTicas.com

No don't want a car all the time--read and learned better than that..

but thoughts of grabbing a car (well likely a small SUV) just for a day and heading out--hit a beach...whatever

just wondering if there are any recommnedations for places in or near gulch..

thanks

Get the cheapest you can, ask them not to wash it. Look like a beater and follow the speed limits even if every phucking local speeds around you. Do NOT put surf boards or even luggage on the roof racks. You do NOT want to be tagged driving while Gringo! $$$$$!

Better yet, take Interbus.

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If you let the devil ride, he's gonna want to drive

I usually rent from Economy. I get the standard or compact SUV, it comes out to about $60/day with full insurance.

Whatever company you rent from, if you use the downtown place (Paseo Colon), you don't get charged the 12% gringo tax.

http://www.economyrentacar.com/index.as ... teId=61001

Thanks, good tip!

If possible avoid renting from any of the San Jose Airport locations. Rent from one of the offsite offices.

National Rental car (actually is National, Budget, Alamo, and Toyota Rental Car all together.... or ANS as their Costa Rica Corporate name appears on your credit card).

National, Economy, and Thrifty are all reputable. I do not trust Hertz in this country (had a run in with the GM of the locations throughut the country and becasue of his attitude I would never piss on him if he was on fire or support his business in any way!).

If you have rental car insurance through your credit card (ie. AmEx) it DOES work in Costa Rica. DO NOT listen to what they tell you at the rental agency. I actually had a rental car stolen about 3 years ago and they tried to charge me several thousand dollars as I only had basic insurance. One call to the AmEx concierge and those charges were reversed in only a few minutes.

A Suzuki Jimmy should run you about $45 per day from National. If you rent through your hotel or anyone other than the rental agency your rate will be higher as it incudes a commssion for the person who makes the reservation. I know this very well as I do it about everyday for clients coming to look at my condo project. In fact, yesterday I made a reservation for a cleint for a Jimmy and they are charging him $67 per day with basic insurance.... that is $27 per day for my comany as income.

thanks for info...I check a few---see how close they are....

I have driven in CR before--rented thru Thrifty and had no issues..

Tri-color on Paseo Colon has been dependable. We took a 4x4 pass electricity down the Rio Sarapiqui and back. Good, dependable vehicles. If you don't have parking at your SJ hotel, lot rates are around 600/hr.

Keep extra money for tips and to pay someone to watch your vehicle.

Almost all of the major name rental agencies have offices on Paseo Colon. National is a couple blocks north of Paseo Colon but still near Parque Sabana. Thrifty is the exception. Their SJ office is fairly close to the gulch. In some cases it doesn't matter where their office is, they will bring the car to your hotel. If you going to them is an issue, enquire if they offer this service.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

I rent an Auto every trip and I've used them all. For short term, 10 days or less, Vamous is the best vehicle and best price. Plus they give you a cell phone to use. For monthly rentals, no one beats Fox Rental Car. Hope it helps..........

While they are usually one of the best on price I wouldn't say they have the best vehicles. Their fleet is on it's last legs. I had 3 different rentals with problems until I learned to move on. Sparks flying out of the engine compartment every time you hit a bump wasn't a big deal and was even somewhat entertaining but wondering if it was going to catch on fire caused a slight bit of anxiety, having a power window not roll back up during rainy season was somewhat inconvenient, but on a short vacation it's no fun having your transmission fail in the middle of nowhere (at night).

4x4rentacar is another one with cheaper prices, just beware returning a vehicle on Sunday. I showed up to a locked door with a note to me saying they would be back in 10 minutes. I guess they left off a zero as it was closer to 100 minutes. Somehow managed to make my flight just as the last two other passengers were boarding.

I've only used Toyota rent-a-car once (because it seemed every 4x4 in Costa Rica was already booked for New Years). They gave me a nearly brand new vehicle, but when returning it was a much more in depth walk around and he seemed to know right where to look under the vehicle to charge me $200 for a dent. Then another $60 to clean dirt from the carpet inside.

Even with the above incidents I'd say 75-80% of my other rentals were problem free. Vacationcity.com has been able to find me cheaper prices than the individual companies websites have quoted me lately. Also, those sites that compare prices from different airlines usually have another option for car rentals and they sometimes give really cheap prices.