The Truth about Renting
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Wow! LOW LOW prices online: Try Expedia, Orbitz, Kayak, Hotwire, Priceline, or even the US or International rental car company's own site! Sadly, it's the shock at the counter when you pick up your car that you can expect to ruin the first day of your precious vacation time in beautiful Costa Rica 
Parklands sees lots of clients who get the cheap rates online on their own. Their first experience on arrival in Costa Rica is often finding they got a lemon of a deal.
Parklands' team is angry with the unfair charges innocent visitors are faced without any reasonable prior communication of it. We are against unethical gauging and bait and switching. But what's hardest for Parklands' travel planning staff is to help clients understand, so it's best left to authentic reviews of real experiences with real rental companies in Costa Rica. |
Parklands is well connected with local honest rental car companies and demand they give you only good value and honest quotes with all the mandatory charges detailed. We never want you paying unfair charges that you never booked and planned. It's always your opportunity to decide!
It seems a complete disconnect between honest guaranteed quotes from reputable local companies and what is so cheaply advertised online at the big name websites, online quotes so far from being even an estimate. We can only expect to keep seeing more sad and shocking reviews of these repeated vehicle rental problems that tourists and executives have with many rental companies in Costa Rica. Parklands cares, honors, respects and welcomes visitors to beautiful Costa Rica!
The following reviews are the complete responsibility of the author and the original website where they appear.
The following reviews are the complete responsibility of the author and the original website where they appear.
Avis Rental Car - Costa Rica (from Google Reviews 2016)
Shocking Report on Rental Cars in Costa Rica by Dave Seminara (2013) http://bit.ly/RentalCarsCostaRica (click to open new window) |
The "National Tourism Scandal"
... says the article from Businessweek, March 2012
"Rental-car insurance is still a national tourism scandal: Expedia Inc.’s Carrentals.com booked me a rental for $157 a week. When I arrived to pick up the Toyota Yaris, Thrifty Car Rental charged me another $244 in insurance alone for a total of $401. When I complained to both companies, they defended their fine print tactics. I don’t recommend either company for Costa Rica."
From: Businessweek.com / By Peter J. Brennan on March 21, 2012
Awful Experience - DON'T RENT FROM EUROPCAR!! (Horrible! Ripped us off! Didn't honor our reservation)
"My husband and I had an awful experience with Europcar in Costa Rica that almost ruined our trip (some years back). We reserved a car ~1 month in advance for a very good price and I received a confirmation # via email. When we arrived at the Europcar rental store in San Jose they told us they had no record of our reservation. Of course there was no manager available and we were told there were no other cars available either (despite the 10 or so cars in the lot). They told us they would call around and see if any other company had something they could borrow, and they found one for us at over twice the price (from $500 for 2 weeks to over $1000)! It was such an obvious scam that we were furious and we demanded to be driven back to the airport to find another rental car company. Avoid Europcar at all costs!! I would never think of renting from them again!" Eopinions Review by Jody Seels
Told one price then arrived to find another!
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We were told one price and when we arived we were told a much higher price for the rental because thay were out of the car that we had ordered and thay would not use the insurance coverage that our MasterCard would cover. I have been to Costa Rica more than five times, but I would avoid Avis and never use this agency again!
Dave from Canada - March 2012 from GoVisit Costa Rica - Avis Rental Car Reviews "Slimy and Corrupt"
We rented from a big name rental company in mid October 2011. "Upon arrival, we were told that our online rental agreement price was not valid because we didn't agree to the liability insurance clause. We did not do this because our credit card provided this service. This apparently is not good enough for costa rica and you will have to pay at least $18 a day more than you planned. This was not the bad part...just the annoying part. When we did the initial walk-around of the car, we pointed out damages and the guy helping us said it was normal wear and tear and we shouldn't worry about it. Well when we went to return the car, the same guy checked us back in. He didn't inspect the car, he just took our paper work, looked it over and said "oh one more thing.". He walked out to the small, old dent we pointed out and said "this is going to be a problem." The scratch had clearly been there for a long time. We absolutely did not dent the car and would take responsibility if we did. The guy told us it was our job to mark down dents and since we didn't, it was our fault. He even had the nerve to tell us that even if he noticed a dent in the car, it wasn't his responsibility to mark it down. We are now being charged more than our rental agreement amount (not including the up-charge for insurance) as well as being charged to repair the dent...
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... We asked to see the previous records on the vehicle and they found one with no marks to indicate dents even though the car clearly had other dents on it. Some were marked when we picked up the car...just not the one we pointed out. It is a scam. If you rent from them please make sure you take the initiative to mark everything you see no matter now minor it may seem. If at all possible, avoid Avis like the plague. They are slimy and corrupt."
from Anonymous, USA - November, 2011 appearing at GoVisit Costa Rica - Avis Rental Car Reviews |
"I have never been treated so badly!"
"We rented a car for 12 days for a fee of $486 which I agreed to. They would not let us leave without signing for TWO different insurance which brought the total to over $1100. I asked to see the rates in writing that they could not produce. I also asked to read their insurance policy which they also could not produce. Even though my insurance covers all rentals they still would not give me the car. After an hour of "negotiating," we finally left with the car and a bill of over $750. Caveat Emptor!"
William, USA March, 2012 from GoVisit Costa Rica - Economy Rent-a-Car Review
William, USA March, 2012 from GoVisit Costa Rica - Economy Rent-a-Car Review
"This little scam..."
"I strongly recommend not renting from Avis... My husband and I booked a car through Avis months before arriving in Costa Rica. When we arrived they did not have the vehicle we requested as well as nothing comparable in size. They then said that we could rent one of their smaller SUVs, at a higher price (over $500 more than what they quoted us for the larger SUV). When my husband showed them the conformation they had emailed us, the man working there said " you have to understand you are in Costa Rica now." Long story short, we left without renting a car. I can see how this little scam might work on travellers who don't speak Spanish, or do not have someone with them to drive them elsewhere.
Review by Kim W, of Buena Vista, Canada - January 2012, appearing at Trip Advisor - Avis Car Rental Costa Rica
Review by Kim W, of Buena Vista, Canada - January 2012, appearing at Trip Advisor - Avis Car Rental Costa Rica
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"Dollar Rent A Car Takes You To The Bank"
"Rented a Luxury Pathfinder (or similar) and got a piece of garbage SUV. It was trashed. Argued and it got us nowhere. Rental was $375 and insurance, taxes were $600...... DO NOT rent from Dollar!!!"
Review by Kevin R, Springfield, MO - March 2013, appearing at Trip Advisor Costa Rica Forum
Review by Kevin R, Springfield, MO - March 2013, appearing at Trip Advisor Costa Rica Forum
"All car rental websites serving Costa Rica are guilty!"
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I had a reservation but there was no car available for me. An employee conceded it happens all the time. With Economy, the ability to make a reservation doesn't mean they have any cars available. The additional insurance charges mentioned in forums are from people who didn't do adequite research before they went on vacation. Many countries have mandatory insurance that varies in cost depending on the type of vehicle and it doesn't matter what your credit card insurance covers. All car rental websites serving Costa Rica are guilty of omitting information. Save yourself a headache and avoid Economy car rental. Richard1911's review on Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum
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"Scam! Confirmation from Website not honored on arrival!"
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Economy rent a car in Costa Rica has a scam wherein you can get a confirmed reservation on their website, but it will not be honored when you get to Costa Rica, where they will require you to pay another $15/day for what they say is liability insurance coverage. They then will tell you that only covers 80% so you will have to pay another $8/ day for another 20% coverage. They will not have the car you reserved and so you will have to pay another $10/day for an "upgrade" which is an older car that has 70,000 kilometers plus on it. Renter's review appears at ripoffreport.com february 2012
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"I was quoted $278 online, then paid $600 at the counter!"
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A Parklands lodging guest booked an older model compact sedan from a major rental company here for a low advertised $278 per week rate including tax. It was only at the car rental counter on arrival that she was told about a $12 per day mandatory/compulsory insurance. Now her bargain week rate had gone to $362. But the story continues. This name brand car company went on to scare our client about Costa Rica driving, and felt cooerced into taking out full insurance for peace of mind. In the end she was billed $600 for the 6-day rental, and the car rental didn't include any complimentary free extras like GPS unit, CR Cell Phone or extra driver.
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COSTA RICAN VEHICLE RENTAL INSURANCES DEFINED
Costa Rican Rental Car Insurance Explained
Auto insurance in Costa Rica is a government monopoly of the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros). Liability insurance from the INS is mandated by law, but provides only minimal coverage. Rental agencies offer supplemental programs that cover deductibles and contingencies other than a simple traffic accident.
The cost of insurance can approach or exceed the cost of renting. There are three regular types:
Required by Law--TPL, SLI, SLC or API—Liability Insurance from the INS is required regardless of your policies at home or the claims of your titanium credit card. The cost ranges from $US 7-20 per day depending on the vehicle. This insurace does not cover your rental car at all, only damages to other people, their cars, or property. Unless you purchase supplements, or have documented coverage from your credit card you are still responsible for all damages to the rental vehicle.
Optional--CDW or LDW
Collision Damage Waivers are a supplement underwritten by the rental company to reduce your liability for your rental car to the deductable amount ($US 1,000-3,000 depending on the company and vehicle) only in the case of an accident. The cost ranges from US$ 12-25 per day depending on the company and vehicle. You are still responsible for all losses or damagesin the case of negligence, vandalism, road damage, or theft.
This insurance may be replaced by your home auto insurance policy or credit card coverage. Check before you rent, and get it in writing.
Some credit card companies have exclusions specifically against Latin American rentals. Some rental companies do not allow you to waive this insurance regardless of other coverage. They are noted in the rate table.
Optional--Zero Liability
Under the names of Full Coverage, Vandalism Supplement, Damage Supplement, and Theft Insurance these extra policies are intended to reduce your liability to zero when combined with SLI and CDW. For example, if the trunk is damaged by thieves while they steal your luggage you will be held resposible for the damage unless you have purchased a third level of insurance. The cost ranges from $US 5-20 per day depending on the fine print and vehicle.
These insurances may be replaced by your home auto insurance policy or credit card coverage. Check before you leave home, and get it in writing. Some credit card companies have exclusions specifically against Latin American rentals.
Auto insurance in Costa Rica is a government monopoly of the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros). Liability insurance from the INS is mandated by law, but provides only minimal coverage. Rental agencies offer supplemental programs that cover deductibles and contingencies other than a simple traffic accident.
The cost of insurance can approach or exceed the cost of renting. There are three regular types:
Required by Law--TPL, SLI, SLC or API—Liability Insurance from the INS is required regardless of your policies at home or the claims of your titanium credit card. The cost ranges from $US 7-20 per day depending on the vehicle. This insurace does not cover your rental car at all, only damages to other people, their cars, or property. Unless you purchase supplements, or have documented coverage from your credit card you are still responsible for all damages to the rental vehicle.
Optional--CDW or LDW
Collision Damage Waivers are a supplement underwritten by the rental company to reduce your liability for your rental car to the deductable amount ($US 1,000-3,000 depending on the company and vehicle) only in the case of an accident. The cost ranges from US$ 12-25 per day depending on the company and vehicle. You are still responsible for all losses or damagesin the case of negligence, vandalism, road damage, or theft.
This insurance may be replaced by your home auto insurance policy or credit card coverage. Check before you rent, and get it in writing.
Some credit card companies have exclusions specifically against Latin American rentals. Some rental companies do not allow you to waive this insurance regardless of other coverage. They are noted in the rate table.
Optional--Zero Liability
Under the names of Full Coverage, Vandalism Supplement, Damage Supplement, and Theft Insurance these extra policies are intended to reduce your liability to zero when combined with SLI and CDW. For example, if the trunk is damaged by thieves while they steal your luggage you will be held resposible for the damage unless you have purchased a third level of insurance. The cost ranges from $US 5-20 per day depending on the fine print and vehicle.
These insurances may be replaced by your home auto insurance policy or credit card coverage. Check before you leave home, and get it in writing. Some credit card companies have exclusions specifically against Latin American rentals.
