www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Rented from Budget last year, dented the fender of the car. A good body guy could have gotten it out with little effort if was in the states. I thought no problem since I had purchased the insurance. Not so my friends, no police report no coverage. So i agree to pay and fight it out with my CC company. I'm a white guy who speaks enough spanish to see on the bill they presented me that they had charged me for all kinds of parts that had nothing to do with the front fender. One of the parts was the interior door panel, of course when I pointed out some of their mistaken charges the told me sorry they had must have made a mistake. You should have seen the guys eyes when I spoke to him in spanish pointing out his mistakes. Avoid Budget!! Hire a driver the roads suck, plus a driver is probably cheaper and its a better trip. Do your nerves a favor the costa ricans drive like shit.

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Just remember, never marry a girl with Costa Rican stamps in her Pass Port. She has either done too much or knows too much. Either way your f*cked!

Orange,

At the beginning of June I took the K*ds to MA and rented a small SUV from Budget at SJO. No problems whatsoever - was able to top off the tank nearby in Alejuela. Ran about 50 or so a day including the supplemental "no deductible' coverage which I would not go without.

I rent alot when I'm in town - mostly with Thrifty. One time I took their SUV up to the top of Barva and punched a hole in the oil pan. No problem - had a new car immediately at no charge. . Another time I got a mysterious flat in the airport garage - no problem - brought it across the street and they fixed the tire.

Have fun

PHX

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

I rented from Payless in San Jose . First a small car , then a Mitsubishi Montero. They were great and my Amex verified insurance coverage with them so I didn't have to pay for insurance. For two months they gave me good rates then when I turned in the last month, they over charged my cc.
Typical CR.

I have rented vehicles in CR at least 5 times and never had a problem including Budget at the airport. However, you must realize that by the time you add the cost of taxes and max insurance you will be paying about twice the daily advertised rate. That said, you have an amazing ability to go anywhere you want in CR. A car gives you access to all the popular tourist spots and can save a fortune in not having to take day tours at $100 per pop. Be advised though that getting the smallest nick or dent on your rental car may subject you to damage charges.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

I'll be renting from Budget this weekend. I'll let you know how it is...

I always use Thrifty.com to rent my cars in San Jose. Never had a problem with them and the prices are right. There are two locations one near the airport and another on Calle 3 a 100 mts from Amon Plaza (4 block walk from Hotel Castillo or they will deliver to your door free of charge). If you punch in a reservation right now, you can get a Daihatsu SUV for $28 per day. (An additional $12 per day is required for the mandatory SLI coverage.) Thrifty also offers bonus miles with USAIR and a few other airlines. When making the reservation, use the "SJ1" location for the Calle 3 office. "SJO" is the airport.

This upcoming trip, I will try out puravidacars.com (aka Vamos car rentals) in Heredia. I need a large 7 pax SUV to cart my fishing party to Playa Flamingo. The cost is $65 per day (all taxes & insurance included) with a cell phone as part of the package. They charge an extra $6 fee for pick-up and drop-off at your hotel. I will post a quick review after trying them out.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

From Trip Advisor:

"My bottom line is that I would sooner walk the Death March of Battan than rent from these people, i.e. Advantage OR Economy Rental Car. They broke their contract, treated my son and I like dirt, and are patently shifty. Do yourself a HUGE favor and avoid them at all costs."

See:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g3 ... _Jose.html

for full report and comments.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

They were all pretty slick back in the day about dings and petty stuff, had a nightmare with Budget over a cracked directional lense they wanted $400 for, but I haven't had much problems last couple of years. Best deal I always seem to get is with Thrifty--they're off site from the airport app 2 km, which is good so u don't get hit w/ airport surcharge. And they are all over CR. I think I remember, not sure, that I used to get a better rate using internet from US as opposed to walk in or reserving down there.

Hey Orangina you might check out Thrifty-

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Yes, always book ahead online. Once made the mistake not to, and they tried to hit me with the "Gringo" Tax.

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

I don't know what scares everyone about driving in Costa Rica.
I've rented a car on all three of my trips and will again in Jan.
It's no worse than New York City and no worse than 4 wheeling in the mountains.
Heck you get both for the price of one.

On my first few trips to CR, I watched how they drove and decided....no way am I gonna drive here....and I drive oversize loads all over the US. Then afew trips later, I rented an SUV from Economy for a trip to the Carribean side. I made it an adventure; drove like they do with a bit of intimidation and lots of horn. Then 2 years ago, I got my CR DL and now I get a car every time and for the whole time. I have used Tri-Color with few problems. Their cars are a bit older and usually have their share of dents and scratches. When I receive the car, I make them note every nick and scratch. The form usually becomes quite crowded with all of the notes. Then I return it "dirty" and wahlah...all has been good. Lately, I have been renting from Andy who has advertised in the Tico Times. He is a gringo and has some decent cars for $120 per week and up. Have been trying to call him for my Sept 10 trip....but have only gotten his answering machine. Something may have changed there. As with everything in CR, car renting comes at some risk. So far, for me, it has been well worth it

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My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

Well Sir, let me tell you what "scares me about driving in CR"

Firstly, I am no stranger to harrowing big city U.S. traffic. Bring it on. Secondly, I am an avid off roader, and have raced all forms of vehicles.

Now to my response. I sense you have been fortunate to have traveled on good days in CR.

On my last exscursion, while traveling through the very steep and winding road to Arenal (which is unbelievably narrow in places), I cannot even guess how many times I was passed while traveling above the speed limit, traveling down hill and entering blind curves while on a 2 lane highway. Conversely, I cannot tell you how many times I took evasive action to avoid head on collisions with large trucks that veered wide during their down hill turns on these same two lane roads..

After just a few encounters with these road hazards, I became acutely aware of the potential ahead, I took appropriate precautions, yet still I was grabbing starfish shaped hunks of vinyl from my drivers seat, repeatedly.

Absolute insanity.... Vehicular Russian Roullete on a grand and frequent scale. I came across two serious collisions on my trip. If you do a little research you will see that CR's driving safety record is abysmal.

I am happy that you have not encountered what I did... or maybe your New York experience precludes and negates the situational dangers that I encountered while driving. I hope you dont believe my last sentence,, because if you do... you are in for a rude awakening... In my humble opinion

El BB

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Lifes already too short, Enjoy it while you can!!

That road is somewhat challenging, true, but nothing a driver with decent driving skills will find that frightening. If you really have such a hard time driving in CR may I suggest hiring a driver or sticking with the tour busses. It will be safer for you (and the rest of us).

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

I always rent a car but always wonder when my luck is going to run out. Ticos passing over double yellows on the mountain curves is what freaks me the most.

I am not sure if you can trust our government but here is what they say about this issue, taken from US Dept of State web site, Consular Information page, regarding CR:

"Costa Rica has one of the highest vehicle accident rates in the world. The fatality rate for pedestrians and those riding bicycles and motorcycles is disproportionately high. Traffic laws and speed limits are often ignored, turns across one or two lanes of traffic are common, and pedestrians are not given the right of way. Roads are often in poor condition, and large potholes with the potential to cause significant damage to vehicles are common. Pedestrians, cyclists, and farm animals may use the main roads. Traffic signs, even on major highways, are inadequate and few roads are lined. Shoulders are narrow or consist of drainage ditches. All of the above, in addition to poor visibility due to heavy fog or rain, makes driving at night especially treacherous. Landslides are common in the rainy season. "