Car rental in Costa Rica is an opportunity to explore the remote coastlines and also quiet edges of this breathtakingly attractive country. Traveling without the constraints established by public transport timetables as well as with freedom over group scenic tours. For the not really prepared traveler; however, car leasing prices and also solutions can be a discourteous shock and also a blow to that trip budget plan.
Renting out a vehicle for your trip will most likely be one of the most costly part of your spending plan, so comprehending the terms and also managing expectations is extremely crucial. The details below is not indicated to be an extensive manual, yet it should set you on the path towards an informed decision for your car rental needs in Costa Rica.
Why is car leasing so expensive?
Visitors from beyond Costa Rica are usually stunned by the cost of car service. While resort areas, dining establishment costs and also tours are lower than the prices paid in your home, it might show up odd that car leasing should be much more expensive.
There are 2 straightforward reasons for this high expense:
All lorries in Costa Rica are imported as well as a tax is imposed. Because of this heavy taxation, the price of acquiring a lorry is higher than it would be in various other developed nations. There are some car rental drivers who rent older cars in order to decrease their expenses.
The price of mandatory insurance policy (see below).
Aspects that Impact Car Rental Costs
Mandatory Insurance policy
Third-party insurance, which might be called TPI, PDW (Partial Damage Waiver), SLI (Supplementary Obligation Insurance) and various other phrases, is a lawful need. Car service drivers should charge the client for this insurance coverage which may or might not be clear in the quote gotten by the client.
The insurance coverage itself is not the problem. Besides, lots of various other countries need car occupants to pay a compulsory insurance coverage; consisting of: New Zealand, Italy and also Mexico, in addition to a variety of the united state states, like The golden state. The concern that causes opinion in Costa Rica is that this price is not constantly presented plainly on the car rental driver’s site or in a quote. Clients then uncover the extra cost of their leasing upon arrival.
The expense of compulsory insurance varies from business to company and will rely on the car category that is being leased also. The price for a small sedan might be as little as $12 each day, whereas a premium 4×4 vehicle could be as long as $25 for insurance coverage per day. This remains in enhancement to the rental price.
Charge card in North America generally provide car insurance coverage as an added perk to the bank card holder therefore North Americans particularly, are extra to needing to pay for insurance in addition to rental prices. However, no charge card will cover this insurance policy need.
Do ask if the offered quote consists of third-party insurance as well as examine the costs on the car service driver’s web site.
Accident Damage Waiver
This is not insurance policy, however a waiver. The basic degree will certainly include a deductible that varies, yet could be as much as $1,500. For a greater daily price, an absolutely no insurance deductible CDW might be purchased to alleviate the tenant of any type of monetary duty in case of damages to, or theft thereof, the car.
Numerous occupants will obtain their CDW through their charge card. Nevertheless, it deserves keeping in mind that the obligation for making any type of insurance coverage claim is on the customer and not with the car leasing driver. Some occupants may select to buy extra internal coverage to avoid having this duty.
There will certainly be car rental companies which hard sell their very own protection strategies with guaranteeing comfort, however ultimately, this is the occupant’s decision. It is worth remembering that car rental firm staff members, like in various other parts of the world, will certainly often earn commission for insurance sales.
If the client’s credit card does not supply CDW, the customer will be needed to purchase this internal insurance coverage.
Car rental operators need composed proof that the client’s bank card gives CDW. Ask the car leasing driver for the precise information of what they require as well as in what form. Some might approve a forwarded email from the credit card company, but others might request a published duplicate to be presented at the time of leasing.
– Deposit
The down payment amount needed will certainly depend upon whether the customer chooses to use the car leasing driver’s in-house CDW or takes this insurance coverage with a credit card. Expect to pay a much greater down payment if the in-house CDW is decreased. The down payment might likewise depend on car model rented out. This quantity, which will certainly be hung on the tenant’s charge card till completion of the rental duration, can be from $750 approximately as high as $3,500. The deposit needs to take no greater than five days to be refunded to the credit card on the automobile’s return. Some car rental companies will certainly approve debit cards for deposit hold, however the return time for this quantity can take weeks.
Do make sure that the deposit is determined in the vacation spending plan as an unforeseen hold of a few thousand bucks on a bank card can or else drastically cut into getaway spending.
Flight terminal Tax obligations
Consumers that rent out from a car service operator’s counter within a flight terminal building are obliged to pay the airport terminal tax obligation.
Those car rental drivers with a counter at San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) are: Alamo/National, Spending Plan, Dollar, Economy as well as Hertz. These business will add an added 12% tax obligation to the rental price.
Those car rental operators with a counter at Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport Terminal (LIR) are: Avis, Spending Plan and Economic climate. These business will include an added 3% tax obligation to the rental cost.
To prevent this tax obligation, take an airport terminal shuttle bus with the car rental driver to an office situated beyond the airport terminal premises.
