What is the best company to rent a car from in Costa Rica?

Question

I've heard that companies try to get you once your there with hidden insurance costs, dings in the car, etc.

Has anyone hd any good/bad experiences?

Answer 1

Budget Car rental nearby the SJO airport has been our best experience by far. Great people, new vehicles & clean vehicles, fair pricing with people willing to exchange a vehicle without problems even offer an upgraded one for the same price (if business is not overly busy like during high season).

Euro-car was the worst...high prices indeed for smaller vehicles even.

ALWAYS check the vehicle out with rental person diligently & DO make note of every scratch/dent or variation...LOOK it over, these cars travel rough terrain continuosly taking constant beatings, take time to check the roof as well, lot's of people use tops for surfboards, etc as well as take in areas where there is great amounts of forestry, jungle,rainforest...

One time we had the car rental company deliver the car to our place of stay (they do this alot in CR, at no increased cost to you) and we had not driven it yet, but we woke the next morning to a 'flat tire'! Grrrrr, it was so HOT & yukky, we were not too happy, but changed to the spare & took it to a nearby service station, the Tico's are nice people, a guy repaired the tire wanting no $$ for it, he said that he would like the American State quarters if we had any....Unfortunately, we left that loose change at home, BUT we promised him our next trip we will bring him some! He said OK...& off we went. That was nice of him huh? So our return trip a few months later we brought him a couple of filled coin books & several started ones as well as about $10.00 worth of loose state quarters for him. He remembered us! Now we have a Tico friend at the local service station! Tico's are very friendly & patient people as well as helpful & kind. Hope you enjoy your experiences in beautiful Costa Rica! Pura~Visa!

Answer 2

My wife and I have had pretty good luck with Alamo/National.  A very cheap option (but a little more hassle) is to look at the classified ads of The Tico Times newspapers in Costa Rica.  Towards the end of the classifieds, you'll find cars for rent, several for as low as $125/wk. (and usually rented by or for Americans.)

Answer 3

best price you can get is with

www.avantirentacar.com

guarranty

Answer 4

I used Toyota Rent a Car. It was a very good service and good prices.

Answer 5

Last time I went I used Alamo, the time before I used Europcar...

I had no problems with either. The RAV4 I rented from Alamo was abused a bit as I beat the c**p out of it on dirt roads... but no problems.

Expect to pay like $200 more per week for the BASIC insurance, which is required by law.

I always get the basic insurance because my credit card has coverage as well... check with your credit card company to see what coverage they add, and make sure it is good in Costa Rica. Also, additional drivers are pretty expensive, I am always the only driver when I go with my friends, and I am the only one that drives (nobody can trust anyone but me)

The driving down there can be a little hairy at times, there are a lot of dangerous roads and dangerous drivers, so be careful.

Also, watch out for the cops that suggest you bribe them...

Answer 6

Dear friend i recommed you go at this web site they are Costa Rican and they know exactly what is you best choice to enjoy with your rented car, but make sure you have your car when you get Costa Rica because most of the tourist try to get a car when they arrive and it´s hard to find when in Costa Rica is the high season, so it´s better pre-book the car, go to www.direct2costarica.net and ask them i pretty sure the will provide you with all the info you need.

Good luck..