Browsing articles tagged with " costa rica car rental"

How to Secure Best Bargain for Car Rental?

Dec 3, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  458 Comments

While car rental in most countries are generally expensive, this should not stop you from deciding on this option if you want to visit and roam around the country that you are about to visit and explore. Research would lead you to discovering valuable money saving tips that can help you still enjoy the comfort and freedom that comes with driving on your own. It is always possible to get the greatest deal possible without the worry of sacrificing the kind of service that you desire to obtain when renting the car of your choice. This is by finding out the type of charges that comes with the transaction and discovering ways on how to save by avoiding additional charges on your car rental account. You can do so by taking into consideration sensible tips and valuable ideas on how to secure the best bargain for car rental.

One way to save money on renting a car is to book well in advance. Most car rental Costa Rica companies offer the best rates at times when they know that they have all the cars that they need. This makes it sensible to make your booking as soon as you know the schedule of your travel. Another trick is to book the most popular car model. Most of the time, the most popular are always out and the car hire company would instantly recommend an upgrade with the same price that you would normally pay for the car that you desire. You have to keep in mind that the more expensive ones are usually left out and be the one recommended for you.

Finding a rental location near the airport is another tip to save on money. Renting a car based within the airport would be more expensive because of the airport concession fee. This makes it ideal to make your booking in a rental location not within the airport.

It would be more economical to book for several days instead of applying for daily charges. You also need to keep watch of the time you borrowed and return the car. You have to keep in mind that late returning even just for an hour would mean being charged of an additional full day charge. This means that if you borrowed the car at 9 am, you have to return it at 9 am on the specified date of return.

Follow these sensible tips and enjoy driving pleasure that is friendly on your pocket. Enjoy the ride!

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Car to Rent

Dec 2, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  3,193 Comments

Choosing the right type of car is a little bit tedious, especially if you don’t know what you should be looking for. When you book online, sometimes, you will not be able to get the exact make and type of car you want, hence, it is best to determine the category size that fits your requirements. For example, if you are traveling with four adults with at least one luggage each, then you will need a large vehicle. On the other hand, if you are traveling with your spouse, then you can choose a car from the economy or mini categories.

Of course, you should also consider the different features that the car has. If you have small children, then look for car hire which have DVD players built into the headrests to keep the little ones entertained during the trip. For those who intend to do a lot of traveling and nearby areas, it would be helpful to get cars with navigational units so you won’t get lost.

Most car rental offers a driver option so you don’t have to do all the driving yourself. Of course, if you are planning an intimate getaway with your family and friends, then this is possible. If you are new to car hire, you should consider these factors in choosing the type of car rental Costa Rica to hire:

1. Motor size. Keep in mind that the bigger the motor size, the more fuel it consumes. If you don’t want to spend too much for fuel, then choose car hire with smaller motor sizes. On the other hand, a bigger motor is important if you are planning to travel to the mountains or if you are traveling with a three or more people and a lot of baggage.

2. Brakes. Going up and down mountains will need powerful brakes. If you are traveling alone, then you can choose the cheapest cars, but if you’re bringing one more person with you, then it is best to pay a little bit more. Pay a little bit more again if you are traveling with a group.

3. Baggage capacity. Unless you want your company to sleep with your luggage, then you should choose a car with a trunk for your suitcases.

4. Security. As in most areas, you should never leave anything visible inside your cars when you park it. Keeping this in mind, can you conceal your stuff when you park? Does the car have its security system that can alert you?

5. Air conditioning. For people who are used to colder weather, especially during the summer months. Also, the air from the coast can be humid so it can be stifling, especially when you are stuck in a traffic jam. Hence, you should consider a car with an air conditioning system.

Convenient Car Rental Tips

Dec 1, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  180 Comments

Renting cars is very convenient especially if you’re traveling in a foreign place. This gives you more freedom and comfort while going from one place to another. You don’t have to go through the hassles of taking the cab or other public means of transportation. Renting cars may seem a brilliant idea but you also have to be careful when doing so. There are a lot of car rental companies all over the world and each of them has their own selling points. And because of this, you have to consider a lot of factors before choosing a car rental company. Here are some questions that you have to ask yourself before deciding which car rental company to use.

How many people are you with? Are you traveling with kids? Are you traveling alone?
Knowing how many people you are with would greatly determine what type and what size of vehicle you should rent. If you’re traveling alone, you might want to rent a smaller car. This would definitely save you a lot of money and gas.

When will you rent the car?
Some car rental Costa Rica companies offer huge discounts during off-peak seasons. On the other hand, expect higher rates during peak seasons and holidays. You could also save a lot by booking early.

How much would it cost you to rent a car? What are their rates and service inclusions?
Choosing a car rental company greatly depends on the rate of their services. Also take note of the inclusions of the rental. Some companies also offer insurance to their clients so it’s up to you to take advantage of it. Some companies also offer roadside assistance if a problem arises so it would really be best to research on what the companies have to offer first before settling on one.

As a tip, always have your concerns addressed by the car rental company before signing the contract. Don’t let your car rental experience ruin your entire vacation. Only settle with the best for a worry-free vacation.

Car Rentals – Get A Good Deal

Nov 30, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  329 Comments

If you’re preparing to make a trip, either business or personal, you would possibly want to rent a car upon coming to your destination. Many airports have at hand car rental offices onsite for your convenience. The following tips on how to rent a car will help you to get a nice deal.

The known international car rental agencies have offices around the world. There is no such notion as the best company in this field. It’s really worth to look about. Rates will depend on the type and make of car, the period of time, and things called agency in-house conditions or sort of. You can easily compare prices on-line and you can book a car online too.

Nearly any rental car has automatic gearbox, tuner, and air conditioner. Even if you need a manual gearbox, it’s possible it will not be available upon arrival. If you’re traveling with your kids they will need child seats, don’t forget to call for them when you book a car.

If you’re hiring a car rental Costa Rica, you commonly don’t need an international driving license. Your license from your country should be quite sufficient. Put it otherwise, an international license could be useful in proving to the agency that you have a valid license particularly if they aren’t familiar with the licenses from your country.

Hire agencies have varied rules about who they will rent to. Some of them won’t rent to anyone under the age of 25 when others won’t rent to anyone over the age of 70. Some other may rent to drivers under the age of 25 but charge for that. Check with the agencies for restrictions prior to booking a car.

The car rental field is highly competitive so prices change often. Some agencies frequently offer advertised deals. Others conduct random additional promotions. If clientage is low you probably can have a better rate than if you’re attempting to hire on busiest time. No one rental agency has the best rates. It just depends, so do your preparation and don’t have scruples to try to negotiate a better price!

Occasionally if you book through a travel agent, you may get a better price on your rented car. Some packages even involve the rental fees. Compare those offers to see which is more suitable.

Please do remember one more important thing: the car rental insurance is where a lot of agencies really overcharge you. The collision damage waiver and theft insurance they try to pass out to you is priced ludicrously high. But you also can’t gamble driving without it. Some auto insurance agencies have a rider that covers you and some credit cards also provide you with free coverage. See what you can do to keep off buying the rental agencies insurance causes it could nearly double the price of your rental.

Now that you know how to hire a car and get the better deal, you will have some extra money in your pouch to start preparing your next holiday with the thought that you did everything right.

Why Rent a Car?

Nov 27, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  437 Comments

One of the biggest advantages of renting a vehicle from a rent a car company is that you don’t need all the hassle of purchasing a vehicle. I am certain if you have purchased a vehicle before, you can relate. You need to provide them with all your particulars, your bank information, your credit, your insurance and much more. And it is not as easy as what the sales person says. Furthermore when you purchase a car, the value of the car immediately drops. You don’t expect that the price of the car rise now, do you? These are some things you definitely something should consider when you are thinking of buying your own car. And after you purchase your car, you will need to take it in for servicing and repairs. Big hassle here. You will also need to worry about paying for insurance and premiums. So much trouble just for a car to bring you to and fro from work. If you need a vehicle just for transport, why bother?

So why not rent a car? You might think that it is more expensive in the long run but do remember that your car do depreciates in value over time. It does not mean that the price of your car remains as high when you sell it in a few years down the road. And how about insurance? Remember, you will need to pay for insurance yourself and this will factor into the cost. How about servicing and repairs? You will have to pay for those as well after the first few free servicing provided by the distributor. Do you really need to own that car? Why not let others worry about insurance, servicing and among others for you. All you need is a vehicle that drives you to and from work right? Some rental companies even allow you to choose your own model, make and colour if you sign a long term contract with them. So, this is just like getting your very own vehicle, less the many headaches of ownership.

For companies hiring foreigners, leasing a vehicle is also a better alternative. Companies look at cash flow and renting vehicles instead of purchasing them makes good accounting sense. Furthermore contract employees may come and go at any time, so leasing provides a flexible option for companies.

Most car rental Costa Rica companies will provide you with alternate transport when they send the vehicle in for servicing or repairs. You don’t need to even send the vehicle for servicing yourself as it should be included in the rental package! All you have to do is to pay for the fuel, road access charges and parking. That’s it. What could be simpler than that?

What insurance needed when I rent a car?

Nov 26, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  630 Comments

Everybody does not want to be involved in a vehicle accident. However most people will be involved in one vehicle accident in the life. If an accident arises with the rent vehicle, it’s necessary to compensate the harm to the suffering and the companies who rent the vehicle.

Even best drivers can be involved in accidents because other drivers were careless. Today is no guarantee of safety; car rental Costa Rica vehicle insurance is a necessity.

Drivers can cover rental vehicles in two ways:

- The customers regular vehicle insurance or through the rental agency.

- Purchase full rental vehicle insurance from the company that rents the vehicle.

Rental vehicle insurance is not as expensive as standard vehicle insurance, because the consumer is only paying for the insurance for the period of time that the vehicle is in his or her possession. The risk of accident exists at any term. Even if a driver does not drive the vehicle or own vehicle has not had proper insurance it would also need to make rental vehicle insurance.

Most drivers are covered for the average rental (if not business). To assess your own status check this:

- Check your personal vehicle policy.

- Check your coverage by your charge card company.

- Check your company’s corporate travel policy. If you’re on company business, full coverage is probably provided.

- Contact to your insurance company. Find out how much coverage you have on your own vehicle.

If you don’t have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own vehicle, you will not be covered if your rental vehicle is stolen or if it is damaged in an accident.

Rental vehicles companies check your credit and driving history and will give a decision about coverage accept or reject.

The cost of insurance at the rental vehicle counter depends the following: the rental vehicles company; location of the dealer and the type of vehicles you rent.

If you often buying liability coverage from the vehicle rental company and you only need non-owners insurance. You can purchase a non-owner vehicles liability insurance policy from an insurance company.

If you have a vehicle policy that includes third-party liability (collision, blow), you can decline all coverage offered by a rental vehicle company. But your own comprehensive and collision coverage should pay for damages to the rental vehicle. Your vehicle insurance should cover you for third-party damages resulting from your rental.

If you have determined that your vehicle policy does not combine full coverage, you will be faced with a choice of products for purchase.

- Personal Accident Insurance. This covers you and all passengers in your vehicle for any medical expenses.

- Personal Effects Coverage. This provides coverage for theft of or damage to personal items inside the rental vehicle.

Check all and make correct decision.

Long Term Car Rentals

Nov 25, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  9 Comments

While many of us will never have the need to rent a car for a month or longer, there are times when relocation or an extended trip mean that long term car rentals present the best deal for us over buying a car. This kind of car rental Costa Rica are generally set up to last over 4 weeks and as such there will usually be special, cheaper rates offered by the rental company. The individual contract period allowed will vary from company to company.

When it comes to finding the best long term deals, it is always a good idea to start with an internet search. There are a number of price comparison websites that can help you look at a number of factors, though you should always do your own research factoring in hidden costs or any specific requirements that you may have.

Once you have found a few potential rental companies, it’s a good idea to look at their individual websites and read their terms carefully. Check how long their long terms periods are, and whether you will need to return the car to have it checked at any time.

Be careful to look for any hidden costs, such as late return fees. You should also use this opportunity to email them with any questions you may have.

Long term car rentals are inevitably going to be more expensive than short term rentals as you are using the car for so long. However, taking time to do this research will ensure you get a great deal with a reputable company.

Booking Car Rental Online

Nov 24, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  208 Comments

The increase in business travel and the need for short-term transportation for family trips has made the use of the Internet for booking car rentals an important aspect of travel planning. Car rental companies have extensive car rental Costa Rica booking sections on their web sites, allowing consumers to book most types of cars for a relatively low price up to a day in advance. However, there are a few important tips for those who are new to booking car rentals online to remember before diving in.

One important consideration in booking car rentals online is that the rental price, typically in daily price format, is only one cost of renting the car. There is the usual cost of driving a car, with the bulk of that cost coming in the form of gasoline. Also, unless you have a certain amount of car insurance, it is best to inquire about temporary auto insurance during the car rental booking process. Depending on which country the car is rented, there are local and taxes on top of the smaller fees associated with booking a car rental online. Realizing that the price quoted when booking a car rental online is not the final price may save some sticker shock in the end.

Another important consideration in booking a car rental online is what type of vehicle is best suited for the purpose of the consumer. Ranging from economy to passenger vans, car rental web sites offer a wide range of options. The best way to think about the type of car to rent online is to take the cargo and passenger capacity of the vehicle of interest and take the next highest type of car. For example, someone interested in a standard-sized car may want to take a full-sized car to ensure that they have enough space for their trip.

Recent Car Hire Experiences and Advice

Nov 23, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  169 Comments

Car hire services are an extremely convenient and comfortable way to travel giving the customer the freedom to travel at their own pace and at leisure. There are however certain items that need to be remembered when hiring a vehicle that will ease the process greatly.

The first and most important tip is to book your car rental Costa Rica in advance. Online booking will result in a far cheaper price and the assurance that there is a car their waiting for you once you arrive.

Recently a family member traveling in our party neglected to book a vehicle in advance due to a variety of reasons. The result of this was that the eventual price of hiring a vehicle on the day was almost doubles that of the online quote. This is due to a number of reasons including vehicle availability and the short period of notice given to the hire company. Ultimately by booking in advance a great deal of money will be saved.

The second most important piece of advice when at the car hire desk is to obtain the excess waiver package; companies offer a myriad of different insurance options when at the outlet but this waiver is by far the most important. Another recent experience whilst traveling was a friend who failed to obtain this waiver when hiring a car, his reason was that he was a good enough driver not to need it.

Unfortunately this was a mistake, excess is charged if the vehicle is returned with as little as a scratch and in many instances is an astronomical amount. All it takes is for another road user to bump your hire car and you will soon find yourself out of pocket. To reiterate, this waiver is essential and should not be considered an additional option.

The final piece of advice is to look at your own needs when hiring a vehicle. For example, while the smallest car in the range may be the most cost effective, it is never going to be suitable for a large family who are all traveling with luggage. Hence, by understanding your own needs before deciding upon a particular size of car, you are assured a comfortable journey.

Cheap Car Hire; The Vital Strategies

Nov 20, 2009   //   by admin   //   News  //  Comments Off

Car hire firms are the ideal way to travel when on holiday, make errands or even on attend meetings or conferences. It is however a delicate balance when choosing car hire services to weigh a cheap price against the service that is offered. It is hoped the following article will help consumers to make the most enlightened choice when it comes car hire companies, finding a cheap and reliable service.

When in the process of choosing a hire car and a rental company it is important to understand why you are hiring a vehicle and how this vehicle will have to perform. For example a small three door hatchback is unlikely to be ideal if traveling with a large family; in this instance a saloon would probably be the wisest choice. That said normally the smaller cars in the rental range will be available at a cheap price and are typically more economical; subsequently they can be the most affordable option.

If booking a car rental Costa Rica for a short period of time it an often be cheap to use one of the larger rental companies as these typically have better rates for short term contracts. Longer hire terms can sometimes be cheap with smaller, independent companies as it is usually possible to barter with the company. It should be remembered however that these smaller companies normally have less widespread support services meaning that if the car breaks down you can be left without assistance. On the other hand, larger companies will normally have deals with many support services meaning that you will not be left in the lurch.

When looking for a cheap price it can be beneficial to ask the hire company if they are able to give further discount to the rate. For example members of frequent flier programmes can often gain a sizeable discount when at the car hire desk as airlines are often affiliated with rental companies. Additionally it may be possible to gain a discount by using specific credit cards; as always it is worth checking with your car issuer for details.

Booking well in advance is probably the best way to get a cheap price when using a hire car. Some companies offer a discount of as much as ten percent for people who book over six weeks in advance meaning that over longer rental periods the savings can be considerable. In addition, booking online can be an advisable course of action as many of the larger companies will also give customers a discount when utilizing their website facilities.

As with any service it is always advisable to take the time to read the contract carefully. A full understanding of the terms and conditions is always essential and in theory should mean that your cheap price remains and is not raised because of clauses and penalties. For example knowing whether there is a mileage restriction and the level of insurance provided is vital to understand exactly what is being paid for.

Start Here