We made a reservation through Tri-color car rentals, i have used them before, however now they are asking for a $1250 deposit on top of the insurance and rates. Seems very very fishy, we didnt have to pay it last time. Any other car rental locations recommended?!?! Just sorta seems like a scam or something.
Whatever you do, do not use Economy. I just rented a car from them in San Jose. They required a $900 deposit. I got two flats on my way to the Guanacaste and learned the hard way that the tires were as bald as my head, with 56,000 miles on them. One of the tires was destroyed and now they are trying to get $200 out of me. I have rented from National before with no problems and will use them exclusively from now on. I did score Huge at Boca Barranca on a big south swell. 8' walls with 300-400 yard rides! If you go there stay with Diego and Katia at the Hotel Boca Barranca. It's not the nicest place,but the food is great and they treat you like family.
tell them to pack sand and go to budget. I had a great experience with them in CR. They even drove a replacement key from san jose to the west coast in the middle of the night for $50 when our stuff got stolen. Can't beat it!
Car rental - meet you at the airport with no airport fees - their quote is firm I used these guys last time I went.. http://www.wild-rider.com/car-rental-rates/ They were great. No hidden costs or surprises. Also, their vehicles are not brand new so they blend in well. They are well maintained though. Note: they do ask for deposit like tri color but it is not really charged to your card unless there is a problem.
that seems way over the top expensive all the way around. fyi. if you have a credit/debit card, check with your bank or the issuer to see if they offer car rental insurance. also can check with your current car insurance to see if they will cover you. my credit card covers me for insurance on rented vehicles so as long as i pay for it with that, the rental place will waive the insurance costs. definitely a tidbit that can save you some serious cash.
I've been pulled over for driving while gringo in CR so many times that I take taxis everywhere I go. Got tired of paying for tickets and bribing cops. Anyone else feel me?
I feel ya. Was pulling out of a market while putting seatbelt on and got pulled. 30 dollars american and we were on the road again. They definately look for non locals.
yeah, me and my hombres got pulled over coming out of Tamarindo after drinking all night...22,000 colones later, we were on our way, but not until after I yelled at the cop "Tu Loco! He'd be morte!"...his breathalyzer claimed that my friend blew a 5.0> and i called bullsh$t.
I got pulled over and accused of DUI just outside of Jaco. I was by myself, and had not been drinking. The cops gave me a breathalyzer and claimed that I was drunk. They refused to show me the results too. I don't remember exactly how much I had to pay to get out of that one, but it scared me enough not to drive when in CR anymore.
tico travel.com good rates no bs. I'm flying out fri. morn solo heading to hermosa for a night then down to dominical and hopefuly mantapalo.
Luckily, the first night we got there we made friends with a local...he wasn't in the car with us at the time we got pulled over, but the rest of the trip he was with us and we never had any more problems. We went through a couple checkpoints and the cops had assault rifles, but he said they were mainly there to check for Nicos...i was so glad we had someone with us who could speak fluent Spanish.
I've been traveling to Costa Rica for over 8 years and have a place in Jaco. If your staying on the central pacific near Jaco, then talk to Warren at Zuma: http://www.zumarentacar.com/ Tell him Jon from Costa Linda Condominums sent you. The have no hidden fees...the price you see on the web site is includes all mandatory insurance and their cars and suv's are great. They will come pick your crew up at the airport in your rental car FREE on charge and take you back to Jaco. Drop of the driver in town and take the car for the week. When your ready to head home, pick the driver up at the shop and he'll take you back to the airport. They WILL make you put a $1000 deposit down...the won't charge it to your credit card unless there are damages when you turn it back in. They are the best in Costa Rica. If your not staying near Jaco go with ADOBE...they're all over the country. If you need any other infor on Costa Rica, send me a message... Costa Rica is my second home. Pura Vida
HAHA- has anyone else noticed that this thread was started in 2009! STILL... brings back some great memories of CR... I remember renting from this Tricolor rental years ago- and they held some kind of deposit on my card... and the truck was a piece! At least we didn't get robbed, the thing was sooo old-it looked like a locals truck!
I rented from budget and didn't have to put down anything but did have to pay a nice penny after my car got broken into. WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T PARK IT ON THE STREET IN SAN JOSE!!!!
They love to shake you down when you have boards on the roof. They know the locals aren't driving around in rentals with new board bags on the roof. Well at least I think thats how they picked me off.
Always carry a copy of your passport (with the new Costa Rica stamp) and NEVER give a copy your passport or drivers license. It's my experience that if you call their bull**** they let you go. Their real tickets are expensive and involve tons of paperwork and most cops are just looking to see how much they can shake you down for. If you refuse to pay and they don't have your passport, they will generally let you go unless you have actually broken the law. If you happen to have a credit card that offers Rental Car Insurance internationally, you must bring proof in order to waive the required fees. I'm still waiting to see if Economy tries to charge my CC for the tire and wheel. There was no tread left on these tires at all. @Koki, if you're blowing 5.0 and still standing, my hat is off to you, my friend.
