1. Which Costa Rican Car Company Is Best ?
Renting a car in panama and nicaragua , ? Which company should you choose ?
There a multitude of rent-a-car businesses to choose from in Costa Rica -- from the large
international firms to the more compact national agencies. Reviews on the web invariably either damn
or even sing the actual praises of each company to the extent to be almost ineffective. So how do you
choose the best place to employ a car for the trip?
Many tourists that rent vehicles in panama and nicaragua , complain they have been scammed when
they recognize the extra price of insurance they're obliged to pay or they have been charged a dollar
rate that shown the foreign currency rate and never the cited rate. Comprehending the insurance laws
and regulations and charges that hole the Costa Rican car rental companies might help you to ask
the right questions when you are arranging your vehicle and avoid a nasty shock upon appearance. If
a company is not in advance about its additional expenses ; you may wish to consider whether it is a
company that you take your business to.
I have worked within the tourism industry in Costa Rica for the last six many have lived here since
2000. I am acquainted with the feelings that many visitors to the nation experience whenever dealing
with rent-a-car companies. It may range from pleasure to discomfort to downright fury; sometimes
due to the inefficiency , or even dishonesty of the rental agency, but also due to the renter's lack of
understanding from the legally binding restrictions inside which Costa Rican car rental firms should
work. I really hope that while this article will not guarantee a person trouble-free vehicle rental; it may
make you a far more knowledgeable customer.
Insurance requirements , additional expenses in rental and taxes are considered in additional detail
below :
Insurance:
Basic insurance is mandatory. Costa Rican law is extremely clear about this and your car rental
company cannot allow you to leave with their vehicle without having agreed to pay this. Expect to pay
approximately $9 and $20 per day on top of your car rental rate. An honest, car rental agency can
make this clear in their pricing. If it is not clear whether the insurance is included in the rental cost;
ask for clarification and be aware of additional potentially unstated costs.
Check whether your insurance policy handles you to drive in panama and nicaragua ,. Some policies
include crash Damage Waivers and will include Central America. If you are covered, bring proof (in
writing ) for your vehicle rental company. If not, consider whether you would be safer to pay the extra
price of this extra coverage. This part is not mandatory.
Zero liability is offered by rent-a-car companies. You may wish to consider regardless of whether you
would really feel more comfortable knowing that you wouldn't be liable for any expenses should
something occur while you are renting their own vehicle. You are not obliged to buy this supplemental
insurance.
Additional Fees:
Many car rental businesses will charge extra fees for a child/baby chair , an additional driver ,

2. luggage shelves or cooler. You can expect to pay up to $8 daily for every of these extras. Although by
shopping around, you'll find companies which will offer a few or all for a lower price, or even free.
With Costa Rican roads being notoriously poorly signposted and the whole country operating with an
address system based on landmarks rather than road names or even numbers, the GPS is essential
for many vehicle renters. You will usually pay in between $8 and $15 each day for this service. It is
fairly common practice to allow renters to use one of their own cell phones for that duration, but if you
wish to use it for your own calls ; you'll obviously be charged.
Surcharges:
Some rental car businesses incorporate taxes and additional fees into their rental cost; other people
don't. Make sure you know what you'll cough up for on top of your rental fee. Airport terminal fees
could be charged at 13% of your rental cost which is a sizable fee to pay in addition to an agreed
rental charge. You may also be charged a permit plate cost , environmental charge and/or any other
charge that the rental car company has to fulfill (or pocket ).
Prices for that rental will be presented in us dollars, however as the local currency is colones, you
need to understand that forex rates change daily and what you really are charged on your credit card
at the time of payment may vary somewhat from what you were cited.
Criteria for Rating car rental Companies:
For this article, three (3) main points were regarded as for each company :
1) value : Is the rental rate competitive ?
2) effectiveness : How fast do they respond to the needs of the client?
3) Transparency: exactly how clear may be the information supplied by the company?
You may have your own criteria, however based on issues from prior customers on community
websites like trip Advisor, lonely Planet, and so on., the requirements of those clients seemed mainly
based around these types of three basic areas.
The companies interviewed below are a mix of local and international firms. Each company was
researched based on a week's rental of a Daihutsu Bego with mandatory insurance.
Dollar Rent-A-Car:
Value
- $300+ united states dollar.
- extras are at average prices.
Efficiency
- They have three offices countrywide.
- email inquiry returned within 24 hours.
Transparency
- the prices for rental vehicles are displayed on site but the side box contains a 'Daily RA' along with
dollar amount. This is actually the mandatory insurance.
- booking price is detailed as 'Base rate' and include insurance.
- buck has received combined reviews in sites for example Trip consultant.
- the toll-free number is available.

3. Vamos Rent-A-Car:
Value
- $300+ united states dollar.
- only GPS and cell phone make use of are charged. All other extras such as kid seats have the
freedom.
Efficiency
- they've 3 workplaces nationwide.
- Email inquiry returned inside an hour.
Transparency
- The website clearly states prices and insurance.
- Toll-free number and live chat are provided.
Wild Rider:
Value
- $300+ united states dollar.
- extra driver is free of charge.
Efficiency
- email inquiry returned within 2 hours.
Transparency
- prices are displayed really clearly onsite and include insurance.
- the company has almost 100% reviews that are positive , but with the fleet of only 30 vehicles and
one central office; it may be difficult to help clients who are in difficulty outside the funds.
- they can't provide a vehicle for the Liberia airport, just San Jose.
Budget:
Value
- $400+ united states dollar.
- extra charges for baby chair , additional driver etc.
Efficiency
- The company has 9 workplaces nationwide.
Transparency
- No prices displayed along with vehicles info.
- budget has received combined reviews.
- Surprisingly for a large company , it provides absolutely no live chat or toll-free number for clients in
the united states.
Service car rental :
Value
- $400+ USD such as mandatory insurance and taxes.
- extras such as extra driver and child chair are charged , but at cheaper prices than most companies.
Efficiency
- the company has five offices countrywide.

4. - email inquiry returned within an hour.
Transparency
- their own rates are clearly proven on site.
- Service has received mainly reviews that are positive.
National car rental :
Value
- $400+ USD.
- Extras are priced just a little above average.
Efficiency
- they've 23 office locations, even though some are Alamo.
Transparency
- cost estimates online do not consist of insurance or even additional charges ; however, they're
displayed within the full quote.
- they've received combined reviews.
- Both reside chat along with a toll-free number are provided.
Economy Rent-A-Car:
Value
- $200+ united states dollar , but it seems possible to reserve a vehicle without inclusion of any
insurance.
- extras are average in cost.
Efficiency
- they've 12 workplaces nationwide.
- Email inquiry returned inside an hour, however email searching about insurance was not returned.
Transparency
- website does not make mandatory insurance clear.
- Economy has numerous negative reviews.
- Both reside chat and toll-free number are provided.
Hertz Costa Rica:
Value
- $400+ united states dollar , but actual rental price is not made obvious.
- extras are pricey.
Efficiency
- six offices countrywide.
- absolutely no contact email.
- phone numbers are available for different workplaces around the country.
Transparency
- really perplexing quotation system. Two prices are offered for a vehicle and chosen dates. The
cheaper option does not include mandatory insurance which is in very small print underneath the final
quote price. The greater expensive option includes non-mandatory insurance along with mandatory.

5. - Mixed evaluations.
- each live chat and toll-free number are provided.
Adobe Rent-A-Car:
Value
- $400+ USD.
- Extras are at low prices.
Efficiency
- The company has 9 workplaces nationwide.
Transparency
- Online estimate includes insurance.
- Adobe has received combined reviews.
- A toll-free number is provided.
Tricolor Car Rental:
Value
- $300+ united states dollar.
- free for pick-up or airport terminal fees.
- Extras are not listed or even provided in quotation email , although cell phone price is given.
Efficiency
- three offices countrywide.
- email returned inside 2 hours.
Transparency
- Website is not very user friendly.
- comments are mixed.
- Toll-free number is supplied.
Finalizing the three Criteria:
Economy, at first, seem to be the cheapest company to lease from, however unfortunately this really
is due to their failure to declare all costs incurred by the tenant , rather than a real , good deal.
Legitimate value, buck , Vamos, wild Rider and Tricolor emerge on top for competitive pricing for the
basic rental charge , plus mandatory insurance. Vamos is observed for being the only firm that
doesn't charge for extras such as a child chair or taxes. Adobe and Service have low cost extras ,
whereas Hertz has the priciest rates for extras. Wild Rider does not charge for the next driver.
Only Economy failed to respond to email inquiry. Other companies responded quickly and with clear
solutions to queries. Wild rider , as the smallest firm, cannot offer countrywide service, however
reviews suggest that they have fulfilled customer must date. Other companies can offer services from
offices in locations outside of the capital town -- growing their ability to serve clients effectively.
Adobe, Wild rider , Vamos and Service have a website that clearly show rental prices and insurance.
Economy and Hertz somehow appears to be deliberately deceptive on their websites. The other
companies' websites supply the required info - even when it can take some time in hunting it lower.
Conclusion:

6. This brief study would suggest that Vamos, service , Tricolor and Wild rider would be the greatest
companies to start your rental research, whereas Economy might be best to avoid.
Now you know around I do! the info here is said to be your starting point and not the finish point.
Hopefully , you will know the best questions to ask when you're looking for a rental vehicle to ensure
your dream vacation begins smoothly without any nasty shocks, like hefty extra charges whenever
you land. Benefit from the drive!
San Jose Costa Rica airport