Some car
rental agencies always offer collision damage waiver insurance (CDW) and
theft insurance at exorbitant prices that can significantly increase the
price of a car rental. You should not risk driving without insurance, but
you can usually get such insurance at a much lower price.
Use a credit card that provides free insurance when you rent a car
in Costa Rica.
Some upper
level credit cards such as MasterCard Gold, Visa Classic, Gold and Platinum
may be a source for excess or secondary insurance for a car rental, but only
if you use the same credit card to rent the vehicle. Some upper level credit
cards can be your primary collision coverage in absence of any personal car
collision insurance or when you are traveling overseas where your personal
insurance will not apply. Again since these policies vary, call your credit
card company to find out their policies for car rentals.
For example American Express and some banks charge cards provide such
insurance for free when you use them to rent a car.
Be
aware that when you are quoted a "base rental car rate" it does not include
sales taxes, airport taxes, airport /
concession, vehicle leasing fees (vlf), rental coverages,
etc. These charges can increase the total rate by 10-45%.
Some airports do not have all these fees. But some
do, at Juan Santamaria International Airport of Costa
Rica also known as San Jose International Airport there is a 12% car rental
airport concession fee when you sign for a rental car service inside the
airport.
This
International Airport has an exchange money office where you can change your
cash us dollars or euros to costa rica´s currency "colones". BE AWARE that
they use a very low exchange rate, we recommend you change your money at any
bank outside the airport, for example there is an authorized bank its name
is BAC SAN JOSE located at the second floor of the airport (Departures). You
can access this area just presenting your passport to the security staff.
Be aware
of the "24 hour clock rent a car rate" most rental car companies in Costa
Rica utilize for daily rates when determining your final bill. An example..
On a one day rental, returning your car more than 24 hours after your pickup
time.. means a full extra day may be charged to you. This policy varies from
company to company. Most rental car companies use only a 1-2 hr grace period
before you are charged an entire additional day when returning a car later
than what your rental contract states.
