Information to Automobile Rental Firms in Costa Rica
“My time’s restricted… how do I select?”
Automobile rental is a sizzling subject for vacationers headed to Costa Rica. Current analysis performed by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) signifies that, after lodging, renting a automotive is the biggest expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day trip.
The Web is buzzing with damaging opinions discussing overcharging, poor customer support and mechanical breakdowns. You may need even written one your self!
A typical midsize (3 – 4 adults) 4X4 rental runs between $58 and $65 each day with third celebration insurance coverage and charges can range as a lot as 20 % amongst automotive rental firms, so studying a fast overview will probably be time effectively spent when you calculate the financial savings.
So the query is; which rental firm affords the perfect stability of truthful value, succesful customer support and dependable autos? I’ve researched all of it for you, so preserve studying!
Disclosure: This analysis was performed in Might – July 2013. The next firms have been chosen as a result of they’re probably the most broadly utilized in Costa Rica. Some are native firms; others are worldwide franchises of acknowledged model names. Comparisons embrace: customer support, pricing and the reservation course of. The businesses are listed alphabetically and never based mostly on private or on-line preferences.
Think about this info earlier than renting:
Insurance coverage
One of many greatest causes for complaints is from the stack of unexpected costs introduced to the renter as soon as standing on the rental firm’s counter. Vacationers are sometimes drained after an extended flight after which are confronted by prices that weren’t anticipated, defined or budgeted.
Topping the checklist of grievances is the non-disclosure of charges related to the obligatory third-party insurance coverage on the time the reservation is made.
Based on Costa Rican regulation, each driver is required to hold legal responsibility protection to insure towards accidents to 3rd events. Automobile rental firms usually chorus from disclosing the price of this coverage within the quoted rental fee to seem extra aggressive. Obligatory third-party insurance coverage can typically be as a lot as double the car’s rental value. The one assure towards insurance coverage confusion is to inquire in case your estimate contains the third celebration insurance coverage and demand on a written citation.
Price of Obligatory Insurance coverage (additionally known as Third Get together or SLI)
Anticipate to pay between $12 and $15 each day for this insurance coverage, relying on the make and mannequin of the rented car and the rental automotive company. It is a authorized situation of your rental settlement and is usually not lined by bank cards and can’t be waived. It’s a reality of renting a automotive in Costa Rica.
Collision Injury Waiver (CDW)
Because the identify suggests, this isn’t insurance coverage, however a waiver, which relieves the renter from any legal responsibility for harm to the rental automotive after the deductible is paid (often from $750 to $1,500). Some companies require renters to buy their CDW coverage; thereby negating any bank card program. For a further charge, many companies do supply a zero legal responsibility choice the place the renter will probably be free of paying for any harm to the automotive. Some firms could put strain upon renters to buy the zero legal responsibility protection; nevertheless, it’s fully non-obligatory, until it’s within the superb print of their rental settlement.
Bank card insurance coverage applications could cowl the CDW for a rental car. Test along with your chosen rental automotive firm to search out which proof of insurance coverage is required after which request that out of your bank card firm previous to arriving. If you happen to use your bank card’s CDW coverage, count on to pay the next deposit on the car; round $1,500 to $2000 is widespread. The upper deposit ensures that the bank card holder has sufficient monetary reserves to cowl damages if wanted. It is very important think about that if utilizing CDW protection offered by a bank card (in lieu of the lease a automotive operator), all damages will probably be billed to the renter’s bank card. The bank card firm will then reimburse the cardboard holder for damages.
Extra Insurance coverage
Tires and windshields are not often included in insurance coverage insurance policies, though extra insurance policies could also be taken out for masking these incessantly broken gadgets. Neither the inside nor the beneath of the car could also be lined. At all times learn the superb print.
Customary Process
Your bank card will probably be charged, or a ‘maintain’ positioned, for the rental car in the course of the time of the rental settlement; i.e. from choosing up the rental till you come back it. Debit playing cards are usually not acceptable.
Further Costs
Most firms have surcharges for added drivers, automotive seats/boosters, cell telephones, coolers, GPS and/or roof racks. The prices range from firm to firm, however since these extras are billed at a each day fee, it’s price checking the whole value — extra choices can add up in a short time! A GPS is round $8 to $10 per day; nevertheless, some operators could supply discounted models. Anticipate to pay round $5 each day for a kid seat and some {dollars} a day for all the opposite ‘niceties’. Vamos is notable for providing most of those choices and, throughout some promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Price range, Hertz and Nationwide cost probably the most for such extra choices; whereas the opposite firms listed, cost extra affordable costs.
Surcharges
Most firms add small incremental prices, comparable to license plate and environmental charges, into the whole tally. Be cautious of operators who insert these extra costs into the small print of the rental contract. Automobiles rented direct on the airport incur airport taxes, that are a whopping 12% of your rental value!
The rental car needs to be returned with the identical quantity of gas, until in any other case indicated. If not, firms could cost above fuel station charges for lacking gas.
Automobiles
There’s a debate over the autos equipped by rental firms: Older vehicles enable the motive force to mix in additional than a shiny, new automotive. Having an older mannequin could have the oblique good thing about being much less scrutinized by automotive rental companies for current nicks and scratches, not like a more recent car. Nevertheless, a more recent car could also be extra roadworthy. This debate carries on into the completely different car makes and fashions. Usually, Costa Rican corporations are in a position to lease their autos for a decrease fee as a result of their vehicles are sometimes three to 5 years outdated (versus two to a few). On-line opinions would counsel that the native corporations don’t have any extra complaints regarding car high quality than transnational franchises; analysis on boards, comparable to TripAdvisor.com, appears to point that clients incessantly admire driving a less-than-new car via the wilds of Costa Rica. The explanations are lots, from highway situations to the notion of less-then-new autos mixing in higher — a more recent car could draw extra undesirable consideration.
The alternatives of rental vehicles in Costa Rica are largely restricted to makes and fashions that keep a aggressive resale worth, are a standard model within the nation, and are cheap to take care of. As such a rent-a-car operator’s fleet have a tendency to not be as various as america. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai represent the mainstay manufacturers of most rental fleets.
Typically, drivers are charged for supposed ‘damages’ to the car upon return. As soon as receiving the car, renters ought to meticulously verify for pre-existing flaws and examine it with the car inspection doc utilized by the rental automotive consultant. Some renters counsel photographing or videoing the car from all angles, to keep away from any disagreement between pre-existing and just lately broken gadgets.
Pricing
Automobile leases in Costa Rica are pricier in comparison with different international locations. Duties on autos are excessive (as a lot as 50% of their worth!), elements are costlier and unforgiving highway situations contribute to greater put on and tear, producing greater upkeep prices.
The rule is you get what you pay for — there are different choices than these rental firms listed right here, however they aren’t listed for cause. They merely fail to supply fundamental customer support and/or an acceptable car situation required for a (practically) trouble-free trip.
When evaluating rental automotive costs, it’s best to go on to the Costa Rican web site of the rental automotive firm, quite than making an attempt to make use of their worldwide format or an middleman (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). For a similar autos and reservation dates, the charges provided by the respective worldwide vs. Costa Rican web sites for Alamo, Price range, Hertz and Thrifty differed considerably.
To keep away from confusion, print out all correspondence with the automotive rental firm with whom you might have reserved a car and convey this to the rental workplace with the quote given on the time of reservation.
The next high ten chart ranks the businesses from highest priced to lowest and it contains the obligatory insurance coverage cost. Within the instances of Alamo and Hertz, the determine accommodates their CDW charge as it’s one among their rental necessities. This value comparability relies on per week’s rental of a Daihatsu Bego, the place obtainable (Greenback affords the Suzuki Vitara) from September 14th – twenty first, then once more in December to view each Inexperienced and Excessive Season charges. The checklist shortly demonstrates that the value variation relies upon tremendously on the corporate — for principally the identical service. These costs have been obtained in June/July 2013.
Rental Automobile Firms Ranked Based on Worth
September
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Hertz $514.27
8. Adobe $449
7. Price range $455
6. Nationwide $428.01
5. Thrifty $421.05
4. Service $374.43
3. Vamos $370.30
2. Greenback $364
1. Wild Rider $350
December
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Nationwide $597.51
8. Hertz $566.52
7. Price range $555
6. Greenback $532
5. Thrifty $506.58
4. Service $494.43
3. Vamos $461.30
2. Adobe $459
1. Wild Rider $395
Alamo ranks quantity ten for each seasons, making it the costliest firm. Price range, Hertz and Nationwide additionally fee low on the size for economical rental choices.
Firm Summaries
Adobe
Web site is evident and simple to make use of, however pricing and even the autos listed should not the identical as these given by an workplace consultant over the cellphone. Obligatory insurance coverage prices should not proven with the checklist of autos and rental costs, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page as a buyer strikes in direction of reserving a reservation. Blended buyer opinions on-line. Electronic mail response is lower than 24 hours, however could not present all requested info.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada cellphone quantity. No Reside Chat.
10 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $19 each day
Further costs: GPS $9/day, little one seat $5/day
Alamo
Web site is evident and simple to make use of, however costs differ towards quotes obtained over the cellphone. Obligatory insurance coverage prices should not given with the checklist of autos and rental costs, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page because the buyer strikes in direction of making a reservation. Blended buyer opinions on-line. Electronic mail response is lower than 24 hours.
No toll-free U.S.A and Canada cellphone quantity or Reside chat
14 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $11.95 each day, however should additionally take their CDW at $12.95 each day
Further costs: GPS $12/day, little one seat $6/day
Price range
Web site is fundamental, however simple to make use of. Costs on-line differ to the quotations given by a consultant over the cellphone and relying on whether or not the worldwide or Costa Rican web site is used. Obligatory insurance coverage prices are given together with the checklist of autos; nevertheless, the opposite costs should not listed. Blended buyer opinions on-line. Electronic mail response is greater than 24 hours.
No toll-free U.S.A and Canada cellphone quantity. No Reside Chat on Costa Rican web site.
10 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: included within the listed value
Further costs: GPS $10.95/day, little one seat $12/day (the costliest of the highest ten)
Greenback
Web site is evident and simple to make use of. Costs quoted differ if calling from the U.S. or in Costa Rica. Obligatory insurance coverage prices should not given with the checklist of autos and rental costs, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page as a buyer strikes in direction of a making a reservation. Blended opinions on-line, however usually receives constructive suggestions. Electronic mail inquiries answered inside 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada cellphone quantity. No Reside Chat.
3 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $16 each day
Further costs: GPS $9/day, little one seat $5/day
Hertz
Web site is evident and simple to make use of. Obligatory insurance coverage prices should not given in addition to the checklist of autos and rental costs, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page because the buyer strikes in direction of a reserving a reservation. Blended buyer opinions on-line. Electronic mail response lower than 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada cellphone quantity and Reside Chat (though it appears to be completely offline)
7 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $17.43 each day, however their CDW can also be a requirement
Further costs: GPS $12/day, little one seat $2/day
Nationwide
Web site is evident and simple to make use of. Obligatory insurance coverage prices should not given together with the checklist of autos and rental costs, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page as a buyer strikes in direction of making a reservation. Blended buyer opinions on-line, however extra constructive than damaging. Electronic mail response lower than 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada cellphone quantity. Reside Chat.
22 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $25 each day (the costliest of the highest ten)
Further costs: GPS $12/day, little one seat $6/day
Service
Web site is evident and person pleasant with only a slight confusion in that a web based quote is obtained by clicking on ‘Reserve Now’ and never the ‘Get a Quote’ choice. The response to a cellphone inquiry was to make use of the web site. Obligatory insurance coverage prices are given together with the checklist of autos and rental costs for the off-season costs and on the second web page of the opposite citation web page. Keep in mind is a extremely advisable gross sales consultant who’s talked about in lots of on-line opinions for the excessive degree of his customer support. Usually on-line opinions are constructive for Service. Electronic mail response is lower than 24 hours, though all info requested might not be obtained.
U.S.A cellphone quantity, however not toll-free. No Reside Chat.
5 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $15 each day
Further costs: GPS $5.99/day, little one seat $2.99/day
Thrifty
Costa Rican model of the web site is unattainable to make use of and you’re requested to register for a person identify and password. Obligatory insurance coverage prices should not given together with the checklist of autos and rental costs. A buyer has to click on on “Safety Choices” on the U.S. web site and choose the obligatory insurance coverage by clicking on it — implying that it’s non-obligatory and never a required value. Thrifty are likely to obtain combined opinions on-line. Electronic mail response is greater than 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada cellphone quantity. No Reside Chat.
4 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $19.99 each day
Further costs: GPS $10/day, little one seat $5/day
Vamos
Web site is evident and simple to make use of. Obligatory insurance coverage prices should not given alongside facet the checklist of autos and rental costs, however are clearly displayed on the next web page because the buyer strikes in direction of reserving a reservation. Anibal, a consultant, is incessantly talked about in on-line opinions for his excessive degree of customer support abilities. Normal Supervisor, George Schwarzenbach is thought on Journey Advisor for his upfront and sincere responses to clients’ posts.
Lately, Vamos has obtained very constructive opinions on-line. Electronic mail response is lower than 24 hours. Reside Chat has instantaneous response time to inquiries.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada cellphone quantity. Reside Chat.
3 workplaces nationwide
Obligatory insurance coverage: $11.95 each day
Further costs: GPS $8/day, little one seat free
Wild Rider
Web site is evident and simple to make use of. Obligatory insurance coverage prices are given subsequent to the checklist of autos. Wild Rider is the one automotive rental agency in Costa Rica with no seen unhealthy opinions on-line. Proprietor, Thorsten, is usually praised for his effectivity and customer support, regardless of the very restricted assets the corporate has at hand. Emails obtain very immediate and detailed responses in lower than 12 hours.
No toll-free cellphone quantity or Reside Chat
1 workplace — no Liberia airport workplace
Obligatory insurance coverage: included
Further costs: GPS $8/day, little one seat $5/day
Comparability Evaluation
Buyer Service
Vamos and Wild Rider reply shortly and effectively to electronic mail or reside chat inquiries. Adobe, Alamo, Greenback, Hertz, Nationwide, and Service reply to electronic mail inquiries in lower than 24 hours, however Adobe and Service didn’t present all the data requested (probably a language barrier). Price range affords a free cellphone service, however it seems to be at all times busy. Hertz’s reside chat seems to be continuously offline. Throughout the previous 12 months, clients who posted to on-line overview websites expressed a selected satisfaction with the customer support provided by Service, Vamos and Wild Rider.
Readability
Adobe, Alamo and Price range have completely different rental costs posted on their web sites than these quoted over the cellphone. Phone costs have been decrease than that quoted on the web site within the instances of Adobe and Alamo, however but greater within the case of Price range. Adobe additionally affords completely different car fashions over the cellphone as in comparison with their web site. Worldwide automotive rental corporations with each a Costa Rican and worldwide web site seem to have pricing variations between the 2 websites.
Price range and Wild Rider embrace the obligatory insurance coverage of their rental costs, however Price range states that ‘different costs’ which will probably be introduced on the counter within the small print on their web site. Rental costs for automotive seating needed to be verified on the cellphone as they aren’t listed on the Price range web site.
All different firms except Thrifty (a U.S. web site), clearly present the obligatory insurance coverage value with the citation given. Thrifty’s Costa Rican web site is just unusable.
Pricing
Service, Vamos and Wild Rider persistently supply the perfect charges for each Inexperienced and Excessive seasons, though Greenback has one of many lowest Inexperienced season charges obtainable, whereas Adobe has a less expensive Excessive season fee. Vamos supply the perfect “all inclusive” charges, given that the majority choices are provided without spending a dime.
Adobe, Greenback, Service, Thrifty and Wild Rider stay aggressive with their pricing of things comparable to little one seats. Alamo, Hertz and Nationwide are the costliest firms to lease from and their extra choice prices are additionally costlier.
“So, what’s your rental advice?”
Total, the Costa Rican firms appear to trump the multi-nationals with higher pricing, service and readability.
Service affords a usually high-level of customer support and pretty aggressive pricing at each worldwide airports.
Vamos can supply environment friendly reserving and continued high-level of customer support with aggressive pricing, in addition to free extra choices at each SJO and LIR airports.
Wild Rider could be very extremely rated for a rental with clear and economical pricing and wonderful customer support, however they’re solely in San Jose.
“Now you’re able to guide your rental automotive after seeing how the competitors compares. Good luck and comfortable travels!”
