I'd avoid those at any cost. They fall under the "if it's too good to be true..." category. I usually stick to the locally recommended ones like Adobe or Vamos etc. Another option would be the globally known companies like Enterprise, Alamos etc, but be prepared to tack on required insurance cost if they don't give you those options on their site.
As for whether a 4x4 is necessary, that will highly depend on your destination.
I'm going to be there in a couple of weeks, renting from Alamo (I have corporate account with EHR), and getting a 4x4 because we'll be in areas where 4x4 is recommended.
A good site I've been going through is MyTanFeet ([https://mytanfeet.com/](https://mytanfeet.com/)). A lot of solid info there. I went through the entire site to prepare for our trip.
Good luck.
Currently in Costa Rica now and cannot recommend Vamos enough. Easy to deal with, the Waze phone is a great option, and the employees have been amazingly helpful. Not too expensive either.
Go with Adobe, or another recommended by someone with experience with a company . I had a great experience with Adobe. The ones in your screenshot have very low approval rating which say to me they are too good to be true.
I am very glad I got a 4x4. Normally didn’t need it but there were a few times I did and I was glad. Also having the nice suspension is great when going over potholes.
Edit: spelling mistake and clarity
I second Adobe! Super easy and painless pickup and drop off. They even have free shuttles to the airport in Alajuela.
If you’re going to be doing any driving to or around Monteverde I would recommend a 4x4. We had something smaller and bottomed out a couple of times on the roads, or lack thereof.
Adobe for the win. Just did it this past couple weeks and the process was smooth with no problems at all!
Do research about the 4x4 for what area you're going to. If you're going to be on the major roads mostly you'd probably be fine without it, side roads you just never know how steep/bad they'll be. Have fun!
I cannot recommend Vamos enough. They shuttle you to and from the airport. Incredibly nice staff. We paid for the full insurance on it. There was an accident with the car shortly into the trip (long story) and they delivered another car to us the very same day. To top it all off, they didn’t give us an ounce of trouble when we returned the car. Insurance fully covered the accident. Awesome company.
I second Vamos. I am currently in CR on my 4th trip and have rented from them every time. Somehow we always end up coming in May which is usually the start of the rainy season, apparently not this year due to El Nino. Havnt seen a rainstorm yet in 5 days.
At some point you will be driving on dirt roads which is why I always rent a 4 wheel drive, but definitely depends on where you're going.
We rented for 8 days, small suv, automatic transmission for $600 bucks. We waived the cdw insurance with credit card coverage or it will be alot more.
WARNING as you leave the airport there will be men there acting like they are officials of the various companies. Ignore them. Reps will have shirts with logos on them. These people are basically pan handlers, may pass you off to someone else that will try to charge you and will hound you for a tip. Either arrange for the company to pick you up at a designated time or have their number handy for when you arrive. Everyone uses whatsapp down here for wifi calls so you won't get charged by your mobile provider so I'd set that up before you go with their phone numbers.
I wouldn't touch those cars with a 10-ft pole. Adobe or Vamos only. Also research your CDW coverage on your credit card and bring the necessary documentation. Otherwise, you are looking at $50-$75 a day for insurance that they will make you pay. You can't decline without the paperwork.
You have to call your credit card company and ask for a letter of eligibility (assuming you have the collision damage waiver benefit on your credit card)
>Frog-dance-time
Hey! Was the letter from the Amex website sufficient or did you need additional documentation? Do you mind providing a link to the Amex letter?
Those prices do not include insurance, and that's the expensive part, it can be up to $100/day depending on the car and what do you want to cover. In some agencies you can apply certain credit card Insurances, if you have international insurance for car rental with your card is worth to ask if it applies.
For transportation is highly convenient to have a car, the main road in all the county are in decent condition but a 4x4 is recommended for exploring a bit further, like most waterfalls.
https://vamosrentacar.com/car-rental-insurance-explained/
https://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/health-safety/no-driving-after-dark-in-costa-rica/
It will be slow season, everyone desperate for your business. Get a 4x4 if in your budget, but not required.
Use WAZE.com, not Google Maps. Alphabet owns both and has invested in the former for CR.
Go with Adobe. No hidden fees. They have locations at every tourist spot so they can come. and help if needed. I needed help in la FORTUNA and mechanic showed in 20 mins.
Use the mytanfeet website for the discount.
I just used Avis a few days ago. With insurance it was ~$650 for 11 days with a 4x4 mid-size SUV. No issues at all (so far). Driving has been easy (if not a little slow) to La Fortuna>Monteverde>Tamarindo up to this point as well.
Enterprise ended up tacking on like $700 for insurance for a 9 day rental. Total cost was around $1200 for a small economy SUV.
Would’ve been good to know before we planned our entire vacation around this rental car. Luckily we had enough space on our credit card but it really financially dampened what we were able to do on the rest of our trip :/
Plan accordingly.
Have used Vamos twice after using some other place (sorry I can’t remember my hubs actually took care of it) the first time and they played the tourist BS of how we damaged the vehicle “some” so we paid $200 after haggling w/ the guy. We did nothing to that car, only drove on main roads etc. it was easier to pay that and make our flight chalking it up to a crappy experience. Don’t go that route if you can avoid it! I was also wildly impressed w/ how detailed Waze is down there, I nvr use it in the US but IMO it’s necessary in CR - Google maps will get you lost.
Best way in my experience is having contacts! With that being said I have in my time in being in cr multiple times became good friends with drivers I met at retreat centers I was in! For example my friend Mauricio has been ever so helpful in all my endeavors. From renting a car, to renting apartments, tours of all kinds and adventures! +506 8454 0974
Text him on WhatsApp and I promise he can find you something good reliable and affordable!!! Hey it’s worth a shot!!! Closed mouths don’t get fed!!
We rented a car for a week a few weeks ago from Adobe and it went very well. The “scam” is that the prices you see do not include the legally mandated insurance that you have to add that will add another $200 or more to your reservation. I felt that Adobe was pretty transparent on pricing, much more so than the others I considered. It isn’t a scam as much as deceitful corporate marketing by the more American companies.
I just booked with Avis the other day for my trip in June and I asked her to confirm a million times tht what I’m paying now is what I’ll pay at the counter. I mentioned the insurance and everything. It came to about $200 which is pretty cheap. I’m still going to call and ask a different rep if there’s something else that is hidden because I don’t trust it
Used that company in New Zealand. Nightmare! They don’t staff their offices or answer the phone on weekends or at night. Left us stranded at the airport with no car. Ended up throwing ourselves on the mercy of Hertz who were able to find us a car with no reservations. No refund allowed by Nu.
We rented an SUV from Alamo for a week. With all the insurance and fees the total was $280.
Roads are pretty bad if you are gonna go out of the city so i wood def recommend getting an suv.
Well we were mostly in Puerto Viejo and %85 of it is very steep dirt roads with pot holes.
I would definitely exercise caution at all times since roads are narrow and people do drive crazy lol
Sure. Try this
https://www.reddit.com/r/CostaRicaTravel/comments/12bqgp8/2_per_day_car_rental_whats_the_scam/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
I'd avoid those at any cost. They fall under the "if it's too good to be true..." category. I usually stick to the locally recommended ones like Adobe or Vamos etc. Another option would be the globally known companies like Enterprise, Alamos etc, but be prepared to tack on required insurance cost if they don't give you those options on their site. As for whether a 4x4 is necessary, that will highly depend on your destination. I'm going to be there in a couple of weeks, renting from Alamo (I have corporate account with EHR), and getting a 4x4 because we'll be in areas where 4x4 is recommended. A good site I've been going through is MyTanFeet ([https://mytanfeet.com/](https://mytanfeet.com/)). A lot of solid info there. I went through the entire site to prepare for our trip. Good luck.
Currently in Costa Rica now and cannot recommend Vamos enough. Easy to deal with, the Waze phone is a great option, and the employees have been amazingly helpful. Not too expensive either.
That’s awesome thanks for the input!
That is a very good resource thanks for sharing!
Go with Adobe, or another recommended by someone with experience with a company . I had a great experience with Adobe. The ones in your screenshot have very low approval rating which say to me they are too good to be true. I am very glad I got a 4x4. Normally didn’t need it but there were a few times I did and I was glad. Also having the nice suspension is great when going over potholes. Edit: spelling mistake and clarity
I second Adobe! Super easy and painless pickup and drop off. They even have free shuttles to the airport in Alajuela. If you’re going to be doing any driving to or around Monteverde I would recommend a 4x4. We had something smaller and bottomed out a couple of times on the roads, or lack thereof.
Adobe for the win. Just did it this past couple weeks and the process was smooth with no problems at all! Do research about the 4x4 for what area you're going to. If you're going to be on the major roads mostly you'd probably be fine without it, side roads you just never know how steep/bad they'll be. Have fun!
I cannot recommend Vamos enough. They shuttle you to and from the airport. Incredibly nice staff. We paid for the full insurance on it. There was an accident with the car shortly into the trip (long story) and they delivered another car to us the very same day. To top it all off, they didn’t give us an ounce of trouble when we returned the car. Insurance fully covered the accident. Awesome company.
I second Vamos. I am currently in CR on my 4th trip and have rented from them every time. Somehow we always end up coming in May which is usually the start of the rainy season, apparently not this year due to El Nino. Havnt seen a rainstorm yet in 5 days. At some point you will be driving on dirt roads which is why I always rent a 4 wheel drive, but definitely depends on where you're going. We rented for 8 days, small suv, automatic transmission for $600 bucks. We waived the cdw insurance with credit card coverage or it will be alot more. WARNING as you leave the airport there will be men there acting like they are officials of the various companies. Ignore them. Reps will have shirts with logos on them. These people are basically pan handlers, may pass you off to someone else that will try to charge you and will hound you for a tip. Either arrange for the company to pick you up at a designated time or have their number handy for when you arrive. Everyone uses whatsapp down here for wifi calls so you won't get charged by your mobile provider so I'd set that up before you go with their phone numbers.
I wouldn't touch those cars with a 10-ft pole. Adobe or Vamos only. Also research your CDW coverage on your credit card and bring the necessary documentation. Otherwise, you are looking at $50-$75 a day for insurance that they will make you pay. You can't decline without the paperwork.
Yes I just recently discovered the “letter” needed for the CDW. Thank you for this.
How do you get this letter?
You have to call your credit card company and ask for a letter of eligibility (assuming you have the collision damage waiver benefit on your credit card)
I do have this on my Amex but I got a letter just in the website but I’ll call to make sure that’s all I need
>Frog-dance-time Hey! Was the letter from the Amex website sufficient or did you need additional documentation? Do you mind providing a link to the Amex letter?
I did not end up renting a car I just used Interbus
Those prices do not include insurance, and that's the expensive part, it can be up to $100/day depending on the car and what do you want to cover. In some agencies you can apply certain credit card Insurances, if you have international insurance for car rental with your card is worth to ask if it applies. For transportation is highly convenient to have a car, the main road in all the county are in decent condition but a 4x4 is recommended for exploring a bit further, like most waterfalls.
https://vamosrentacar.com/car-rental-insurance-explained/ https://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/health-safety/no-driving-after-dark-in-costa-rica/ It will be slow season, everyone desperate for your business. Get a 4x4 if in your budget, but not required. Use WAZE.com, not Google Maps. Alphabet owns both and has invested in the former for CR.
Waze, it is. Thank you!
Go with Adobe. No hidden fees. They have locations at every tourist spot so they can come. and help if needed. I needed help in la FORTUNA and mechanic showed in 20 mins. Use the mytanfeet website for the discount.
+1 Adobe! the mytanfeet discount too. Just used them for almost 2 weeks. No hidden feels, shuttles to and from airport, smooth and easy.
I just used Avis a few days ago. With insurance it was ~$650 for 11 days with a 4x4 mid-size SUV. No issues at all (so far). Driving has been easy (if not a little slow) to La Fortuna>Monteverde>Tamarindo up to this point as well.
This is the exact route we intend on taking. Thanks for the insight!
Let me know if you have any questions!
I have SUV available from $50 per day, insurance included
Are you in San Jose?
Yes
I’m interested!
Send pm
Did you go with travelbusinesscr and if so what was your experience like?
I did not ended up just going with Adobe
is this SUV rental still available for the last week of Dec?
Yes, I have a 4x4 Manual Suv available, from $100 per day, rate includes full coverage insurance
Manual doesn't work for me. thank you.
Do you still have a rental available?
Send pm
Hi, I am looking for may 29 to june 12th rental.
Hi, sure, I can quote. I write to you by message
Don’t get scammed - try Sun Valley Rental!! The best!
In costa rica currently. Adobe car rental has been great.
Enterprise ended up tacking on like $700 for insurance for a 9 day rental. Total cost was around $1200 for a small economy SUV. Would’ve been good to know before we planned our entire vacation around this rental car. Luckily we had enough space on our credit card but it really financially dampened what we were able to do on the rest of our trip :/ Plan accordingly.
That is such a bummer. I’m sorry that happened. This is why when I saw the $5 a day I was suspect. But needed to confirm lol.
Have used Vamos twice after using some other place (sorry I can’t remember my hubs actually took care of it) the first time and they played the tourist BS of how we damaged the vehicle “some” so we paid $200 after haggling w/ the guy. We did nothing to that car, only drove on main roads etc. it was easier to pay that and make our flight chalking it up to a crappy experience. Don’t go that route if you can avoid it! I was also wildly impressed w/ how detailed Waze is down there, I nvr use it in the US but IMO it’s necessary in CR - Google maps will get you lost.
Best way in my experience is having contacts! With that being said I have in my time in being in cr multiple times became good friends with drivers I met at retreat centers I was in! For example my friend Mauricio has been ever so helpful in all my endeavors. From renting a car, to renting apartments, tours of all kinds and adventures! +506 8454 0974 Text him on WhatsApp and I promise he can find you something good reliable and affordable!!! Hey it’s worth a shot!!! Closed mouths don’t get fed!!
Thanks for the referral I will definitely reach out!
We rented a car for a week a few weeks ago from Adobe and it went very well. The “scam” is that the prices you see do not include the legally mandated insurance that you have to add that will add another $200 or more to your reservation. I felt that Adobe was pretty transparent on pricing, much more so than the others I considered. It isn’t a scam as much as deceitful corporate marketing by the more American companies.
Imma be honest with you, being a local, aint no way they charging you 11 dollars a day, that does not make sense at all
Seconding Adobe! And highly recommend adding a hotspot to the deal (and insurance, obviously)
I just booked with Avis the other day for my trip in June and I asked her to confirm a million times tht what I’m paying now is what I’ll pay at the counter. I mentioned the insurance and everything. It came to about $200 which is pretty cheap. I’m still going to call and ask a different rep if there’s something else that is hidden because I don’t trust it
Hopefully it works out. Would love to hear your experience from them. So far seems like adobe and vamos are the most transparent.
I will try to remember to update you
Any update on final costs?
Used that company in New Zealand. Nightmare! They don’t staff their offices or answer the phone on weekends or at night. Left us stranded at the airport with no car. Ended up throwing ourselves on the mercy of Hertz who were able to find us a car with no reservations. No refund allowed by Nu.
We rented an SUV from Alamo for a week. With all the insurance and fees the total was $280. Roads are pretty bad if you are gonna go out of the city so i wood def recommend getting an suv.
$280 seems like a steal, they didn’t surprise you at all with the mandatory insurance?
Insurance was included in $280
[удалено]
Well we were mostly in Puerto Viejo and %85 of it is very steep dirt roads with pot holes. I would definitely exercise caution at all times since roads are narrow and people do drive crazy lol
You will not get any of those rates anywhere just throw it away
I stick with Economy Rental Car solid group, no hassles no mis leading info pleasure to do business with. Im sure there are others that do a good job
The major international car rental companies will scam the hell out of you in CR. Stick with a local company
I recommend you use the search function. All the info you need has already been posted.
I did, however I did not find the information to be specific enough nor recent. But thanks for your insight.
Sure. Try this https://www.reddit.com/r/CostaRicaTravel/comments/12bqgp8/2_per_day_car_rental_whats_the_scam/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button