CR travel question

Read chicharonne's story from the other day.

 

or I'll tell you. wait til you get there. as soon as you get out of the airport yell "Necesito aquilar un cuatro y cuatro". then let the games begin.

 

We rented a Mitsubishi Montero, if I remember correctly I think it was through Thrifty Car rentals, had no problem at all, except for a slow leak in one of the tires and the battery decided to die on us when we we're headed back to the airport, otherwise it was smooth sailing and relatively cheap. Good luck. Have fun!

 

I like Wild Rider. I have had good experience with them. Used 4x4 with bigger tires. Doesn't stand out as much. They meet you at the airport and you don't have to pay airport tax.

 

Last time I was there and the first time renting a car for the whole week was a big hassle to start with. I reserved using Hertz and then when I got there they did the bait and switch and tried to charge me extra for the insurance that they said was mandatory. It was like an extra 300-400 bucks. There is some ins that is mandatory but they were trying to take me. I actually walked down the road, rent from ... I think it was Thrifty or budget and got it a whole hell of alot less. I would recommend making a reservation and or paying with AMEX. I just got off the phone with AMEX and they do insure you in CR. I'm going back in Jan and wanted to now.

So in the end it worked out .... but don't let em pull the bait and switch on you. That really pisses me off ....

 

I've been travelling to CR for over 8 years. Zuma rental is in Jaco...cheap and they pick you free of charge at the airport. Just drop the driver off in jaco and the car is yours. When your ready to head home, pick up a driver at the office in Jaco and they'll take you back to the airport. Insurance is included in price no hidden charges... ask for Warren and tell him Jon from Costa Linda sent you

http://www.zumarentacar.com/

 

Make sure you read your CC rental insurance agreement. They might insure you there, but a lot of those agreements cover "bonded" roads only, meaning if anything happens on a dirt road or off-road, you will not be covered.

 

the last time there, I got lazy and decided to lock my board in the vehicle instead of dragging it to the room then back out. I slammed the back door and the nose broke the windsheild. My credit card company covered that.

 

I've used Budget several times with no problems. I decline all the extra insurance and got an Amex just for Costa trips. They have a shuttle at SJO every 15 minutes will grab everyone no hassles.

 

Aren't the roads to Mal Pais a nightmare rain /mudslides in Oct.?

 

Good luck! The plus will be the lack of crowds and good surf!

 

Target

I have travel to CR several times, the best service I got with a rental company was Target Car Rental. Easy to work with, just down the road from the Holiday Inn by the airport.
Just remember, before exiting the airport building, the car rental guys are line up against the big window with a card with your name on the card. Miss this little detail and it can be tough to connect.
I will be traveling to NICA at the same time, we are not sure if we will rent a car?

Enjoy

 

Im heading back in Oct and have been keeping up with the weather in Guanacaste... NOT dry like last year.

 

everything in cr is super pricey now. I rented a car for 9 days a month ago there and I had to haggle to get the price down to 610 bucks so a 4wd is basically 70 per day same as US prices. youll need a 4wd otherwise dont even bother renting. and forget mal pais place is a zoo so rent a car and drive around. have fun ticos are great still but prices increased threefold since i was there before this last summer trip(5 yrs before)

 

correct a ****load of rain this year. rent a 4wd! the river crossings are hairy but fun as hell