www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hi. I am going to spend 5 days in Orosi, outside San José, from January 27 to February 1st. I need to rent a car at the airport for those 5 days and then drop it off at the airport when I return.

Can someone please recommend a good company? There is quite a variety to choose from. I want a company that a) will not try to deceive me with extra charges (insurance, gas) and b) not try to claim any fake damage claims, which happened to me once.

Thank you!

Larry

I used Solid rent a car in November. I had my CC company email me a letter stating I was covered for the collision damage waiver (CDW). I got a Sukuki Jimmy for $300 all inclusive for the week and no hassles. They are by the Pizza Hut by Sabana. You will pay more if you pick up and drop off at the airport.

So here are a couple of things you may not know but should:

1. There is a 10% airport surcharge for rentals from (or returning to) airport rent-a-car location
2. CDW is mandatory but is covered by many credit cards when you book the rental using that card. It can be waived if CC covers it.
3. SLI (supplemental liability insurance) is mandatory. It can only be waived if you prove that your home auto policy covers you for rentals in Costa Rica. You need an actual letter from the insurance company stating so. Different companies call it different names, I have heard it called PLI, and charge different prices for it. It covers 80% of the total charge of damage you cause if in an accident (whether or not it's your fault). There is usually an option for another insurance to cover you 100%, it's probably another 8-10/day.
4. You need to bring back the car with as much gas as you got it. If you are short, expect to be overcharged, just like in the US.

There is no one perfect rent-a-car company, each at times pull that same shit. Luckily, I have only gotten hit with any crazy charges once; they charged me $108 for a tire because I had a flat and drove like 1/2 mile to the hotel garage before I put on the spare (I wasn't stopping at 1am to change it on the street). They said that the tire was damaged. I doubt it, they probably put the tire back on the car as soon as I left. I disputed the charge and never had to pay it.

I've been using Thrifty in the downtown office for years. The rates are cheaper because there are no airport "handling" fees.

A STRONG advantage to Solid is the reality they've offices throughout Costa Rica such that in the event of any problem, you're back on the road again very swiftly.

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

whichever company you use, make sure you go over the car extremely carefully before you take it, and note every single minute scratch, rub or dent. You can be 100% sure that when you return the car they will do the same and try to pin any minor scratch on you. Inside and out as well. Cigarette burns in the upholstery are common.

Also, check the tires, and if they are near bald I wouldn't accept the car. Once you are driving it you are responsible for all tires, and if the car needs new ones during your trip, you are paying for them, period.

My North American credit card specifically rules out insurance for cars in only 2 countries in the entire world: Kazakhstan and Costa Rica. That should tell you something. And you need to read the fine print to find that out.

Single worst place in the world to have to rent a car, so cover your ass.

Wow!!!! Are you serious??? That's troubling. Thanks for the info.

_________________

• Work Hard!
• Play Hard!
• Have Fun!
• No Drama!!

None of my credit cards list CR as a no-rental country. They all seem to list Jamaica, Ukraine, and one other country that I forgot.

My experience is dated but maybe worth something.

In 2010 I rented an SUV from a rental company based at the Nissan dealership a little north of Parque Sabana. I'm trying to remember the rental company. I signed-up for all of the insurance. I rented a Hyundai SUV...two seats in front and room for six (cramped) in the back two rows.

When I picked-up the vehicle, I took a ton of photos of it and pointed-out every flaw. I had the vehicle for 10 days. I drove from SJ to Samara and back (driving through roads flooded by a river more than once) , then parked in SJ for two nights, then spent a few days driving from SJ to Arenal, then Coco Beach, down to Jaco and back to SJO.

My biggest disappointment was that I paid about $50US to park the truck in SJ for two nights.

I turned the truck in at the rental lot near SJO and paid about $500 for a ten-day rental and about 1,300 kilometers. It seemed like a pretty good deal.

That would be Economy Rent-a-car. https://www.economyrentacar.com/costa-r ... car-rental

Yes. Thanks. I think that's right, but that trip is kinda foggy now. I stayed in a hotel in Barrio Mexico along with my ex-wife, our two pre-teens, and the ex's elderly parents. For the life of me, I can't recall the name of the hotel. It was a little south of the Ch*ldren's museum. (Funny because I still recall every detail of my previous CR mongering trips)

I had planned on having a rental vehicle delivered to the hotel, but I got up early that morning and decided to walk to the rental agency. I recall that I was playing with death trying to cross the autopsita. I think there was a mas x menos on the east side and the Nissan dealership/rental agency on the west side and no pedestrian avenue to cross over.

Initially, I was hesitant to drive in CR, but then I reminded myself that the year before, I flew into London and rented a car and drove a right-hand drive stickshift from London to Inverness, Scotland and back to Heathrow. I adopted a philosophy of "I paid for insurance, so if I wreck the car, F it"

I'm getting carried-away with memories now, but I want to share an epic fun driving event in CR. I was hauling my ex and our two K*ds and her parents from SJ to the Flying Crocodile resort in Samara. I had read on-line that we'd have to drive across a river. When we approached the river, there was a young guy standing outside his SUV with his (probably) wife in the truck and a cell phone to his ear. I put the truck in four-low and just drove through. We watched the guy, with an astonished yet blank look on his face, slowly pull the phone from his ear and fold it and put it in his pocket.

My K*ds bring-up this story every few months or so, and we get a good laugh every time.

http://faithcarrental.com/index is a new and mission oriented car rental service.

One of the guys from SOLID has established his own business and making a go. Andres is a great guy; super fair and honest. You'll have a positive experience.

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

How do you book it? Do you know his price for a mid-size or small SUV?

Yes, most of the rental companies charge the additional 10%. I got my car from http://www.yourtravelmap.com/costarica/cars/ and I didn't have to pay any additional charges. They charged me the same fees they had quoted, can't complain.

I reached out to this company by email.

They have been smoking something good over there. They quoted me a daily rate of $85 for a Terios Bego. ($480/4 days with a 1am delivery when I arrive and a 3am drop off when I leave. I guess the surcharge is for the early hours. )

Alamo is $27/day, $45 with insurance and airport tax. $135 for 3 days.