www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I just found out that you can get an extra day free rental and quadruple miles if you show them your TACA DISTANCIA card.

Has anybody ever rented from Budget at SJO? Are they close by? How easy is the pick-up/drop-off process?

Has anybody used their DISTANCIA card to get the free day or quad miles?

Thanks

I had a very unfortunate experience with Budget on my second trip to Costa Rica many years ago. I will never rent from them anywhere. They charged over $600 for repairs due to mechanical failure to my credit card claiming I was negligent. I got it refunded over 6 months later thanks to help from Conde Nast travel magazine. Would never had gotten it back without thier help.rbc100

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In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

Thought you were opposed to renting a car in Costa Rica. Seem to recall some fairly stong feeling you had on the subject.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Lol, ID and Orange are like a before and after snapshot thirty years apart.
have you two ever met?


BKTUNA
I am never going home

ID,
I didn't know that what I write on CRT is binding for life. If I can get a car for a weekend for like $60 with deductible waiver, I'll take it.

You need to get out of the house more brotha. I can't believe you took the time to go and search my old posts. WOW!

And no, we have never met.

If that all it takes to get you change your mind it must be hard for anyone to keep up with your current position on things.

BK, have never had the pleasure. It all in fun and I look forward to sharing war stories and having a drink with Orange at some future time.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Alright...... group hug (you cranky-blue-balled-bastids)!

Orange,
I've never used Budget, but I've used Economy Auto Rental on (at least) 30 different trips to CR. I have never used them in SJO, as I have no desire to drive around the gulch. But I've used them all over Guanacaste, and I trust them. They have never over-charged my credit card, or put bullsh*t charges on it.

They're not the cheapest company out there, but they've proven themselves to me, over and over again. The 1st time they try to screw me, I'll choose a different company, but until then, I won't use anybody else.

Are you actually thinking about driving around SJO ? If so, you've got some big juevos! Be careful!

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I am being serious in my comparison of you two. Both Knowledeable and thorough with a tendency towards bluntness. I will introduce you two next week.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

Orange or MG,
Before using Economy out of SJO, check the boards of locals and others living here.
They have a lot of experience renting cars and have horror stories.

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

Yeah, I'm coming for a weekend on one of my trips left this year. I thought it would be nice to rent a car and take the little woman on a road trip, maybe Arenal or PV, for a night or two. Something different, ya know?

SJ doesn't scare me. I drive in little India/Pakistan (aka Manhattan) every day.

Ace,
What boards can I check to get that info? I've never seen any other CR board besides CRT. I never searched though. I think I need to expand my horizons a little.

Orange,

I did just the trip you reference in your post. Last Sept, the FORMER fiance' and I rented an SUV and had a "interesting trip" to Arenal. Interesting on many levels, I will just touch on a couple here.

We rented from Tricolor.. I found them to be most hospitable. We were staying at the Adventure inn. I imagine you probably are familiar with the Los Arces area, (near the Huge Firestone Factory). Well the rental car folks delivered right to the hotel.

I believe this is a service they provide for many other locations.. I am not positive on that though.. The rate was about 35 a day for the mid sized suv... No taxes, total cuenta. Unlimited mileage. They had cheaper , yet smaller suv's available, whatever is your fancy... The vehicle was in pretty decent condition,, ran well. AC cold.
The atttendant and I went over all of the cosmetic issues and we both initialed a carbon copy backed receipt.

Now the trip to Arenal is simply beautiful. The road is not. Let me just go off a minute. I was so damn stressed by the time I reached La Fortuna that I most likely overreacted to a very Stiff and unhelpful staff at Tabacon Springs. (beginning of the end for me and the near Mrs.)

The road from San Ramon up to Arenal is decent in spots, and Damn scary in others. Do not do this at night!!!
The road is very narrow in areas, many blind turns with Buffoonery abounding. This aint Kansas Dorothy. Also it is quite easy to take a wrong turn in a couple of the pueblos..

Now if your chica is familiar with the ride, and you are able to repress that inherant New Yawkar in you, you will most likely enjoy the trip.

I strongly recommend against Tabacon however. They were the MOST customer service ignorant upscale hotel I have ever (and Never again) stayed at in my 44 years. Simply put, a bunch of JERKS!
Of course, YMMV and I am sure others as well.

hope this helps

BTW, Tricolor does provide a Bitchen Map, its even water resistant!
Phone number in Paseo Colon is 257-4455
tricolor@racsa.co.cr

El BB

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

nevermind....

I thought the basic rules of CRT were to avoid ANYTHING in Costa Rica with the word "Budget" in the title

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Isn't there a budget MP tour?

BB,
Thanks for the tips. Even I'm not crazy enough to be on Costa Rican roads at night.

I've rented, both, Budget and Economy out of SJO and Jaco and never had any problem. My last rental excursion was with Budget out of Jaco to Playa Zancudo to see Taj Mahal in a Toyota Yaris. On the way back, we decided to cut thru the mountains from Puerto Jimenez to Drake's Bay. Little did I know how steep the mountains were and how many rivers we would have to cross. Damn, I was surprised the the Yaris made it. Lost the license plate somewhere, but Budget did not charge me. Also whenever I rent in CR, I don't try and save money on the insurance--I always get all three types that are offered, whatever they are and have never had an unfortunate experience. Gracias, mi dios