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Board - Looking for information as it pertains to the feasibility of getting a rental car in CR. I plan to do some eco-tourist stuff down near uvita, siepre and after looking at shuttle prices, etc my transportation costs for the week would be about $400. That includes, taxis to/from, shuttle service, interbus.

My question is around rental cars, is it worth the hassle, gas, potential harrassment of getting a rental car to offset transportation cost. I have seen prices on AVIS for a cheap subcompact for about 150/week. Are those prices accurate, any hidden costs...

Is there cheaper transportation options from San Jose to Uvita?

Thoughts?

I am a fan of rental cars in Costa Rica... especially if you plan on not being "static".. and like to explore around your destinations. Driving in SJ is a little crazy, but not as bad as some other Latin American countries. It gets a little more mellow once outside the city. Costa Rican roads are at best in marginal condition. Even the national highways are poorly signed and marked.

As far as companies go, I mostly rented from Thrifty which has an airport and downtown location. The last time I rented from them was 3 years ago, and I got a pretty good rate. Not sure what Thrifty CR is charging today. The one "hidden charge" killer is the mandatory supplemental liability insurance (SLI). This $20 daily fee is non-waiverable, and will almost double the price of the "sweet deal" you found on the Internet.

I've rented cars in CR for 15 years, BlueDevil makes some good and valid points; especially regarding insurance - your rate will be much higher than $150/week - they tend not to add the insurance you must have and the supplimental insurance you might want to have -

Example - in Jan we rented a car for $39/day (economy, Corolla diesel) - dirt cheap for CR - However, with tax and insurance, and 1 extra driver, it was like $62/day - starting to get the idea? Also, if you want something w/ 4WD, especially larger in size, be prepared to pay for it - We normally use "HOLA" rent a car (Costa Rican Company). Most cars are manual shift - you will limit your selection and options drastically if you don't drive a manual, or are not comfortable doing so. They are very picky in going over the car upon return and charging you for any dents, scratches, et al - so be very through in checking out the car before you leave the rental place and noting any issues, regardless how small with the car.

You can also check the classified section of the Tico Times for cars - I can almost assure you Hertz, Avis, et al will not be the cheapest - but as you are likely getting the idea, cars are not cheap in CR for a variety of reasons.

I've never been pulled over, stopped for speeding, hassled in any way - if you drive conservativly, you should not experience problems/issues, although some might disagree; can only share my experiences While it was worse in years past, i still don't find places well marked at all, which adds to the hassle of driving in CR.

Once you reflect, you may come to the conclusion that you are better off not renting a car - before you do, call Puravida Transportation - or PM him, and se what you guys can work out - good luck

Good- freedom to go anywhere, anytime OUTSIDE of San Jose. ABSOLUTELY NO NEED FOR A RENTAL IN SAN JOSE.

Bad- roads, gas prices, parking in SJ sucks and the garages are pricey overnight (can't leave car on the street overnight-may not be there in the morning)

Ugly- getting pulled over and taking a "breathalyzer" for DWG (driving while gringo) wasn't fun, comparison of total cost of car vs taxi once you factor in insurance, gas, parking is pretty gross (taxi wins hands down)

I've done it 30-40 times over the years. Always the substantial risk you'll get the big hit if you don't get all the insurance, they've got your credit card. I find Budget consistently has the best rates, but only on-line and don't wait. They are also the least picky when it comes to your damage report upon return. 2x with Avis in 14 years, and both times they tried pulling some non sense. 7 weeks ago, I waited too long for Budget and got stuck with Avis. They added a $160 to my bill for a tiny scratch below the head light. I'm in the process of my CC challenge procedures.

Make sure you bring your camera and when you get the car take pictures of every little ding, inside and out, including on the wheels and windshield, and make sure all are noted on the inspection report you will sign. Make sure you get the plate in one of them, and I always try to get the employee in one also. Photo's are key.

The other scam they pull, even Budget, is gouging you if you don't bring it back on full, like 5 times per litre more, so when you get the car, figure out where you are going to fill up on return. There aren't gas stations all over like in the US if you've noticed. If you are going to return it to one of the rental centers at their off site facilities by the airport, there's four or five companies on the same road, a mile from the airport, there's a gas station about a mile in the other direction, away from the airport. On Paseo Colon there's 4 or 5 rental offices, and there's a gas station on the corner where Paseo Colon ends and meets with La Sabanna at the airport road.

Also, they all are offering this plan to pay for a full tank up front, which I did 10 days ago with Budget. SAves you that list minute pain. 2 problems, you need to bring it back as empty as possible to make that work $$$ the best for you, and two, find out how many litres the car your renting holds, seems like I paid alot up front for the gas for the economy car I rented.

If money is not an issue, get as much insurance as you can. If you get hit or vandalized, you're in for it. IN CR you only need liability but you know what that means if something happens. The guys at Budget told me they are stealing hood ornaments and fog lights regularly.

If your going to Uvita, that road is paid all the way now. Unless you have other off-road plans, you don't need 4 wheel.

A nice choice, the beach in Ballena National Park is something, and your close to Dominical for night life and supplies and stuff. I still prefer Quepos/M.A. over Playa Dominical, too rocky.

The "pay for a full tank in advance" has been around/offered - at least in the USA - for many years - You gotta remember that car rental companies are a little like casino's - if they allow you to make a bet, its because they have an advantage in your so doing - same with rental car companies .

As you [sorta...] point out - this is a very bad deal for the consumer virtually 100% of the time, but a great one for the rental car company - you are not in all probability going to bring the car back on fumes and often there is a gas station nearby - from a financial stanpoint you are pre paying for many gallons/liters of gas, and if you bring it back with gas in the tank as 99.9% will go, they don't reimburse you for what you left in the tank.

Costa Rica is not the USA, and rental cars are just one way of reinforcing that fact. Truly a case of "know before you go" and what you are facing.

Otherwise, agree with your post Good points

And good luck w/ your CC challange - scratches in almost all cases are not due to negligence on the par of the driver, but because of the condition of the roads there - offering for rental a 4WD by its very description suggests some type of dirt/off road usage which will result in scratches and dings

I used to use Enterprise fairly often years ago and always got the full coverage insurance. That avoided any arguments about scratches or damage. Having a car when travelling outside the city is great, in the city it is game on! Very aggressive driving that you will have to match or be run over. Once I got used to driving in SJ, I had a little more understanding for taxi drivers. Don't be shy about asking questions when renting. Make sure you know all pertinent details before signing and driving away. Like with the law, ignorance is not an excuse. Happy driving.

Sometimes, I get nit-picked for micron-width scratches and pinhead-sized dents, other times I don't. When renting, I use the American Express Premium Auto Rental insurance, which covers 100% of all damage. It costs $24.95 per rental period, and is in effect as soon as you pick up and covedr your deposit with AMEX. When I turn the car in, and if there are no issues, I just use another card to pay my final bill, and my AMEX account is not charged the $24.95. Unless it is something like a smashed window, I will argue the point, and the agent usually backs-off. If he persists, I ask for a separate invoice for the damage and dispute the charge with AMEX. AMEX will either deny the payment or pay the damage through its insurance. The rental car dent and scratch may be a racket in CR... but it is far worse in European countries.

Yeah - its one of those "muy tico" things

For a country with some bad roads, and off roading possibilities, its almost a given that you are going to generate scratches, minor dents, chips, et al - and for a place that is fairly laid back, the way they go over rental cars is often with a huge amount of "prussian efficiency"

Great tip and great advice....TY

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In honor of Jimmy V week, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

well i certainly appreciate all the input, sounds like the concensus is that its not worth it the extra bill or 2.

Check out the ad in tico times...andy rents a good enough ride for $135 a week

Rental cars- Expect them to put $1,000 to $1,300 on your credit card as a hold.


Reserve with your cc but pay in $US cash. If you pay with the cc they convert dollars to colones and
then you bank turns around and charges you an exchange conversion for the colones back into dollars (total 10% more).

You will pay $12-$20 extra on top of the internet price for Liability coverage. You will pay more for collision unless your CC covers it.

Thrifty down town – I went there twice. Both times with internet reservations. First time I showed up at 4pm for a 2pm reservation. I was told my reservation had been cancelled because I was late. They no longer had the small car. I had to upgrade to a more expensive car. When I showed them the reservation that said they would hold the car for 2 hours past the reservation time, they said they would not honor that. I made a stink and walked to paseo colone and spent more money somewhere else.

2nd time - Most other car rentals are (where?) $12-14 a day for the liability. When I handed them the internet reservation they said it was $22 dollars a day (it was a while ago, it might have been $24). I told them the other agencies charged $12 to $14. They said since I made the reservation on the internet with a better price they charge more for insurance. I walked out and never entered or will enter a Thrifty again anywhere in the world. (If US Corporate management tolerates these shenanigans they will never get another dollar from me) Dollar is guilty by association.

Tri-color – The first couple of times I used them, they were fine. About 8 months ago I was moving. I entered Tri – color, put down my cc and reserved a larger car for 2 days. Whe I went to pick up the car they said sorry, we do not take credit cards issued by Chase. Huh??? I reserved the car with a Chase CC!?! They asked for another card. I had one but asked them why they would not accept a Chase card? They said Chase does not pay for the damages. Apparently they are fond of the $500 scratch scheme and a couple of people using chase cards denied the charges. I walked out and never returned.

Toyota rent a Car- Expensive!

Budget – I blew a tire. They charged me $100. Never returned.

Economy – would not honor the internet reservation. I have never returned.


Europe car – not bad. I think I stopped using them when I switched to Hertz.

Hertz – has never played games with me. I rented in December and left my garage door opener in the car (I did not know I did not have it as I rarely use it). I was walking to the paseo colone post Office three weeks later when I passed the girl who often works at the front desk walking down the street at on her lunch hour. “ Ola Senor! Did you pick up your controller?” Controller?? Controller for what? She took me back to hertz during her lunch, hunted around in back and handed me the garage door opener. Hertz Paseo Colone has a customer for life! I have a reservation for Monday (I no longer look for pricing and just reserve with Hertz).

The guys in Escazu will rent you a beater for a week or month. (tico times). You meet a guy in a parking lot, he drives up jumps out of the car, you hand him the cash, he hands you the keys. If the car still moves at the end of the week they give you the deposit back.

You can see Russ at the Sportsman's Lodge. He rents his second car. No bullcrap (ding and dent) charges upon return.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

I exclusively rent from Hertz. Not the cheapest of the lot but have always been treated well. Only once did I get upchrged and that was for a flat tire. I usually rent at the Paso Colon office and return it at the airport. It is about 20 dollars cheaper if you rent in town as opposed to the airport. The one time last year when Hertz was out of cars I was forced to rent from Mapache. It turned into a disaster. I won't go through the whole scam, but at the end of the day they charged me $350 extra because they could not find the car for three days after they told me where to park the car at the airport for an early flight. The CC company couldn't help and I was forced to pay the charge. So, whatever you do, don't rent from those bastards at Mapache.