Plan to rent a car in Costa Rica? While having access to your own vehicle is a great way to explore the island’s biodiverse national parks and beaches, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before exploring this eco-tourism hotspot on your own.
Essential Tips for Renting a Car in Costa Rica
You are not required to carry an International Driving Permit..
All you need is a valid license from your own country of residence. Citizens of some countries might also require a tourist visa. The U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most European countries are not on this list.
Still, if you travel overseas a lot, an International Driving Permit is a good idea. It’s inexpensive and easy to get an IDP, which basically is just a translated version of your driver’s license, but you need to apply before you leave on your trip.
Book from home.
Don’t wait until you get off the plane to rent a vehicle. It will be cheaper to book your car from the United States.
Know your insurance options.
Costa Rica’s insurance coverage is more complicated than in the U.S., starting with a mandatory Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) fee, which is sometimes referred to as Primary Liability Insurance (PLI), and covers third-party damages.
Optional coverage includes the Collision Damage Waiver/Loss Damage Waiver, which covers damage to the vehicle if you get into an accident or the car is damaged while driving on poor roads. Check to see whether your credit card offers car rental coverage overseas. If yours does, you will be covered as long as you use the card to pay for the rental.
There may be gaps in the CDW and theft protection.
Be wary that you will still face some risks if CDW and SLI are all you have. In Costa Rica, CDW insurance will not typically cover damage due to vandalism or misuse. Minor damage to the exterior of the car can still be taken from your deductible. And while theft insurance may cover a stolen rental car, it will not extend to any personal belongings you have inside the car. Carry valuables with you or leave them in the hotel safe. If you want to have zero liability, opt for the Full Protection policy at the counter.
Look at both U.S. brands and local outfits.
Costa Rica has an abundance of car rental options, many of which are local chains. You will be able to rent with familiar companies such as National, Alamo and Budget, but it’s worth checking out Vamos Rent-A-Car, Adobe Rent a Car and FAST Rent a Car, too.
Pay for your rental in local currency, not US dollars.
Dynamic Currency Conversion may seem like a convenient service. It essentially offers you the choice of being charged in the local currency or your home currency. But if you opt to pay in U.S. dollars, the rental car company converts the purchase amount from the local currency on your behalf. But this process entirely unnecessary, since your credit card company will process the transaction in either currency, and you will pay through the nose for the non-convenience.
Inspect the car before you drive away.
No matter how excited you are to get behind the wheel of your vacation car in Costa Rica, take time to protect yourself from potential false damage claims by inspecting the car and taking note of dings, dents and scratches. Document everything with photos at the time you pick up and return the car.
Be prepared for rougher roads.
Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise, and sometimes exploring means getting off the main highways. Note that road signs are in Spanish and distance is measured in kilometers instead of miles,
Watch out for sky-high fines.
The only thing wild about your road trip should be the animals and scenery you encounter along the way. Driving recklessly or not paying attention can cost you big time in Costa Rica. A few behaviors that can snag you a fine include: passing a car on a curve or on a bridge, parking in areas with yellow lines, not wearing a seat belt and speeding. The fines in Costa Rica are exorbitant. For example, failing to fasten your seat belt or talking on your phone while driving can set you back $185.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I document damage done to my car before it is rented?
Take all necessary documentation with you, including photos. Ask the agent for assistance if you don’t have any idea of the extent of the damage. An inspection might cost you extra if there are any damages.
What is the best way to rent a car for Portugal?
Renting a car in Portugal requires an international driving license. To pay for the car, you must also show proof of insurance.
When you make a reservation, the rental company will usually require that you provide a passport or national ID card.
Two forms of identification may be required when renting a car in Portugal: passport or national ID card.
These documents are required by law to conform with European Union regulations on road safety. If you have any doubts about your identity, you could be denied access to the vehicle.
You will need a translation from your country’s Driver Licensing Authority if you don’t have an International Driving License.
This document must then be translated to Portuguese and submitted with all the documentation. This document costs between $20 and $30 USD depending on where you live.
If you don’t provide a copy or official translation, you could be denied access.
Do European rental cars have automatic transmissions
Yes. Because they can be very costly to fix if you cause damage while driving the vehicle, rental agencies don’t rent them without an automatic transmission. It would be too expensive to replace all the parts every time you damage the bodywork.
You can rent a car with an automatic transmission in Europe if you wish to.
How much per day does a rental car in Europe cost?
We are not sure, but it seems to be somewhere between $100-200 daily.
We recommend that you rent at least two days because there are many attractions and activities.
If you are willing to stay for longer periods of time, you may want to think about buying a vehicle at around $2000-$3000.
You can now travel throughout Europe without paying a single penny.
It is also worth checking if your credit company offers discounts on rental.
Can you rent a car from one European country to return it to another?
It would make travelling easier if you could rent cars across multiple countries and have them return to the place they were rented.
This idea may not work because people don’t want to pay extra mileage. A lot of rental agencies charge an additional fee for returning the car to the location it was rented.
If you don’t plan to travel often, it might be better not to choose one country.
Statistics
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
External Links
avis.com
kayak.com
sixt.com
autoslash.com
How To
How to get the best car rental deal
These tips will help you to get the best rental deal possible:
- Use comparison websites such as Kayak, Expedia, or Hotwire. This way, you will use their tools and data from previous users who have booked through them, which helps us avoid hidden fees. (Kayak)
- When you book online, make sure to check if there is an additional charge before making payment. (Expedia)
- Make sure to book early You can expect lower prices if you book early. (Kayak) And, remember that airfares are often cheaper at the last minute.
- You should ensure that the car you choose fits your travel plans. (eBay)
- Check the insurance coverage included in the price. Some companies offer insurance at no cost to rent cars younger than 25. (Insurance Panda)
- While making reservations, make sure to be clear about the contract type you select. A long-term contract is preferred by most people because they know exactly what it will cost. (MileageIQ)
- A high credit score is a good option. Car Insurance Guide: Low credit scores can lead to higher auto insurance costs (Car Insurance Guide).
- Avoid spending extras such GPS, roadside help, and other added services, unless you are absolutely required. These extra costs may not apply to all rentals agencies. (Kayak) 9. (Kayak) 9. Ask your agent if the extended warranty applies to other areas where you intend to rent the car. This could help you save money.
- Always read the fine print on the rental agreement. You could end up paying extra for something you didn’t mention in negotiations. (Expedia). Make sure to read all terms and conditions.
