Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [498]
Err on the side of caution Car-rental agencies in Costa Rica do not insure for water damage, so if you drown your vehicle, you’re paying – in more ways than one.
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Shuttle Buses
The tourist-van shuttle services (aka the gringo buses) are an alternative to the standard intercity buses. Shuttles are provided by Grayline’s Fantasy Bus (2220-2126; www.graylinecostarica.com) and Interbus (2283-5573; www.interbusonline.com). Both companies run overland transportation from San José to the most popular destinations, as well as directly between other destinations (see their websites for the comprehensive list). These services will pick you up at your hotel and reservations can be made online, or through local travel agencies and hotel owners.
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CAR & MOTORCYCLE
If you plan to drive in Costa Rica, your driver’s license from home is normally accepted for up to 90 days. Many places will also accept an International Driving Permit (IDP), issued by the automobile association in your country of origin. After 90 days, however, you will need to get a Costa Rican driver’s license.
Gasoline (petrol) and diesel are widely available, and 24-hour service stations dot the entire stretch of the Interamericana. The price of gas is about US$0.75 per liter, although it can fluctuate to more than US$1 per liter. In more remote areas, fuel will likely be more expensive and might be sold from a drum at the neighborhood pulpería (corner grocery store); look for signs that say ‘Se vende gasolina’ (‘We sell gas’). Spare parts may be hard to find, especially for vehicles with sophisticated electronics and emissions-control systems.
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Hire & Insurance
Most car-rental agencies can be found in San José and in popular tourist destinations on the Pacific coast. Car rental is not cheap, but if you are going to be doing even a small amount of driving, invest in a 4WD. Many agencies will insist on 4WD for extended travel, especially in the rainy season, when driving through rivers is a matter of course. In fact, ordinary cars are pointless as soon as you leave the Interamericana.
To rent a car you need a valid driver’s license, a major credit card and a passport. The minimum age for car rental is 21. Carefully inspect rented cars for minor damage and make sure that any damage is noted on the rental agreement. If your car breaks down, call the rental company. Don’t attempt to get the car fixed yourself – most companies won’t reimburse expenses without prior authorization.
Prices vary considerably, but on average you can expect to pay about US$350 to US$650 per week for an SUV, including kilometraje libre (unlimited mileage), and as little as US$200 per week for a standard car. Basic insurance will cost an additional US$15 to US$25 per day, and rental companies won’t rent you a car without it. The roads in Costa Rica are rough and rugged, meaning that minor accidents or car damage are common. On top of this, you can pay an extra fee (about US$10 to US$15 per day) for a Collision Damage Waiver, or CDW, which covers the driver and a third party with a US$750 to US$1500 deductible.
Above and beyond this, you can purchase full insurance (about US$30 to US$50 per day), which is expensive, but well worth it. Note that if you pay basic insurance with a gold or platinum credit card, the company will usually take responsibility for damages to the car, in which case you can forego the cost of the full insurance. Make sure you verify this with your credit card company ahead of time.
Finally, note that most insurance policies do not cover damages caused by flooding or driving through a river