www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello,

Just clicked "purchase" on Taca web site for a couple of tickets to SJO at the end of October yeah baby!!! It has been more than a year. Any way I have been to CR about 8 times and never have actually rented a car. I just looked at Alamo and a SUV with nav system for 4 days is 240.00 which is very reasonable. QUESTION can you park in SJ ie HLH, Sportsman etc at night? Is it safe? I was thinking of staying in SJ for a couple of days then driving to Jaco for another couple of days..... I guess what I am really asking is it worth the complication or should I just taxi it as I have always done? Thanks for any responses that would shed light.

Conancr

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"QUID PRO QUO" in CR and the rest of the world!

Don't waste ur time with a car.. if you wanna go to Jaco or whatev..PuravidaTransport is ur man..




Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

My first few times, I was a little leery about renting a car. But then, it dawned on me, I lived in a place (South Jersey) where the drivers are more brain dead and reckless than any tico driver will ever be, so I rented my first car after 4TH trip. There are a lot of options for transport in CR (public busses, micro-buses and private drivers), but the freedom and versatility to explore, visit and sight-see makes renting a car my #1 choice anywhere... especially if you are travelling with a group. Is that $240 for a full-sized SUV or a little "Terio"... also, does it include Supplemental Liability Insurance? The last time I was there, it was $20 per day.

Never had any real problems with rental cars in CR... except twice. Once was my fault... my foot slipped off the clutch at a farmacia in front of the US embassy near Pavas...and the bumper got slightly crunched by a concrete barricade. My amiga called INS, and they were out to scene within 5 minutes. The other time, I rolled down the hill from SL to Castillo with my novia dela noche and parked in front of the hotel where the nightwatch could clearly see my car. As my novia and I stepped out of the vehicle, one of the ninos dela calle asked me for C 500 to mind my car. I diplomatically told him to go "phuck" himself. Well, the next morning, Danny came up on duty, and got the run down from the nightwatch. The street urchin had busted the rear passenger window to punish me... but, I was told the cops got him. In both cases, my AMEX Premium auto rental insurance took care of all damages... not a cent out of my pocket.

Unless things have changed over the past 2 years in CR, it's safe to rent down there... no car thefts, being run off the road, etc. Once you are out of San Jose, it's smooth sailing! Keep it locked up, take valuables out of the car, and look for "watched" parking and drive like "pura vida"

PS: Warning... the drinking driving laws are not as lenient as they used to be down there! Be careful! Take valuables out of the car, look for "watched parking" and keep it locked... then drive like "pura vida."

I've driven in several Latin American countries, but while on vacation, I'd rather let someone else do it. PuravidaTransport is a good guy, and I highly recommend his services. There is a "watched" parking lot between SL and LA...30 second walk to either hotel. I don't know how much it costs to park there.
CH

Have to agree w/ Cujo - if you just want a car to go to Jaco, renting is just not worth it, and to go anywhere around San Jose, cabs are cheap and easier - I go every Jan w/ a group who insists upon renting a car and we would be better off not.

That said, we have never had a hassle doing so. Just a waste of money, but you do what you have to when you travel w/ a group, and splitting a car 4 ways, its not that expensive - but on my own - never.

Also, I have not "studied" your rental figures; but do know that if you take the "extra" insurance - a very good idea (even if you have an insurance rider on your credit card, as most have) - this can add $12 - $25 per day to the cost and is never disclosed in the on line sites, even if they state insurance is included (its the basic insurance you have to have in CR - the suplimental, which actually provides some coverage, is extra - just sayin'

The SLI is mandatory, non-waiverable, INS-imposed insurance... NOT covered by your credit card or insurance company. When I last rented in 2009, it cost $20 a day at Thrifty. Agree, it is not necessary, and wasteful, to rent a car to drive around SJ when taxis are so cheap.

I would not rent a car if staying in San Jose but if you plan to go to Jaco I would rent a car. I did just that a few years ago and found having a car in Jaco was well worth it. The first trip i made the mistake of getting a rental at the airport....never get a rental car at the airport. The price they quote on the internet does not include the required insurance which doubles the price. I found this rental agency at the recommendation of a fellow traveler. I also can recommend them. A link below will take you to their website. Good luck.

http://www.fastcr.com/

The price the rental agency quotes usually is only for the car.

Then you add CDW (Collision Damage Waiver-covers damage to your rental car) which most credit cards will cover.
Then you add SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance-covers damage to other cars or injured people) which CC's don't cover and is MANDATORY. In rare cases, your home auto insurance may cover it, but usually only in the US. It ranges from $10-25/day, depending on car class and rental agency.

FYI-Getting the mandatory SLI only covers your liability for 80%. If you have an accident and damage other cars or injure people, you still have to pay 20% of the total bill, whether your fault or not (since it will always be your fault gringo). To be covered at 100%, you should get the extra SLI coverage most agencies offer. It will be an extra $6-12/day.

Renting is really only good for driving across CR, exploring many towns. Don't rent for SJ and to go to one place from SJ; it's a waste of money. Parking is a problem in SJ. You have to keep it in a lot overnight or risk getting stolen/damaged/broken into. Night rates are about $12 the last time I parked in the lot by Amistad. Gas is $5/gallon there. Total per day for an SUV is about $100.

Just not worth it IMO.

Four other things to think about when renting a car...
1) In addition to the cost of the rental/insurance, gas is about $5.50 a gallon right now and by October..??? So add about $100 for an SUV for 4 days just to drive around and go to Jaco. Let the rental car company fill it up when you return it, expect to pay $7-8 a gallon or so.
2) Traffic fines are very high, with a most offenses running about $300. As a foreigner, you will be required to pay any infractions before they will allow you to leave the country. They write the ticket on a yellow, hand-held computer which downloads that afternoon/night and puts a hold on you leaving the country until the fine is paid. And don't even think about offering a bribe...that could solve the problem or open up a new can of worms depending on the officer.
3) If you do have an accident and are liable for any damages, the rental car company or anyone who thinks they have a claim against you for damages, can file papers in court and again, until you resolve the issue, you will not be allowed to leave the country.
4) Most rental car companies call their 'SUV' here this cheap, usually two door, Terrrios (?). Every one of them in the entire country is a rental car. Thieves know these cars and target them. That car is also VERY easy to break in to...

Definitely consider using a driver and save the headaches. Only time I'd recommend a rental is for a LOT of trips all around the country...and then be sure and get all the insurance. Any questions, PM me...

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

for sj days, no. to jaco yes, cheapest i find is budget, but on line. added insurance is always good. you can get the car at their paseo colon location near la sabana and if you are going directly to the airport home you can return it to their off-site airport location, not that had to find if you know the airport area, but get their map. they will shuttle you over to the teminal. fill up before return or they will gouge you. gas station app 1 mile to the south . take photo's of every little scratch or ding inside and out when you pick it up and make sure they are all noted on the pre-rental inspection you sign. bring it back dirty on the outside, clean on the inside. don't go all the way downtown on the way back to get to the airport road. get off at garitta ,phonetic, exit on the autopista del sol, and take that all the way maybe, five miles to the airport highway. check a map. that'll save you alot of time. anyway, it beats walkin in jaco o taking 6 cabs a day in jaco and gives you ability to go places in the day time, eg quepos forty five minutes south and a terrific beach there at manuel antonio, o a couple mas close, and a change of pace. jaco ain't all that to me except the chicas at noche. playa sucks. pm me iiii can help, my keyoad is messed up, new one in 2 days

Interesting discussion. I have spent about two years in CR altogether over the past several years. I have never rented a car. I do alot of walking around San Jose, and I use the buses mostly. I recommend John Wood's book, "Costa Rica by Bus," published by Bookstand Publishing (www.bookstandpublishing.com) ($18.95). He tells you what bus to catch and where to catch it, what times they run, and how much they cost, whether you are going a few miles across San Jose or way out into the country. Most of the buses are decent, they don't allow drunks or animals, and they are very inexpensive. The most I ever paid was about $6 to go to Golfito. Most of the metro buses are 100-300 colones. I do rent scooters at the beach. Love me some scootin-the-beach.

Do not rent a car unless that is the only way to get where you need to go. PM me for details.

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

No way I want the headache of a rental car, the way people drive in san Jose

Rent a Car if your going to Jaco!

I would always recommend renting an SUV. I have blown and bent rims in econo cars in CR.

A scumbag Taxi/Pirata will charge $75-$125 each way to Jaco.

I have rented many times in CR over the last 8 yrs and have lived to talk about it. As recently as July.

Spend the extra $$ for the GPS for sure!

I wouldn't rent a car just to go from the airport to San Jose. Parking is a pain the ass in San Jose.

So get the car the night before or in the morning before you leave San Jose for the beach.

If your going to Jaco and rent a car might as well shoot down to Quepos. It's easy 1hr drive each way from Jaco. It's worth the drive. Even if you just go to Quepos/Manuel Antonio for a few hours to check it out you should see it. Great views from the Manuel Antonio area overlooking the ocean. Monkeys, Sloths, Parrots, etc. quite the contrast from Jaco and San Jose.

But DO NOT drink and drive in CR! Those days are long gone. If you can't be sober for the 1.5-3hr drive from San Jose to Jaco then take a Taxi. If your bar hopping in Jaco walk it or taxi it leave the car parked!

If you speed be prepared to bribe a Transito with about $40 cash or face a big ticket.

Driving in CR is a blast! I enjoy it! Be Adventurous.

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Jaco is called little USA by all ticos