Renting A Car In Costa Rica

There are many reasons, and most are good, why you may want to stay away from cars when visiting Costa Rica, and use the public transports; For a starts, it is greener, and secondly, driving in Costa Rica may be a shock to you, and to your passengers! If however you are an independent globe trotter and like to explore the unbeaten path, you will need a car, and a 4×4 at that! This will give you an almost unlimited freedom and movement, as  the best parts of the country are often hidden away: here are some basics points that might help you make up your mind:
Fast and Easy
As long as the roads are in condition and the traffic is down to a minimum, you stand a chance to make it on time and to actually reach your destination on time, however, bare in mind that speed is rare here, and most definitely hazardous. Roads are sinuous and narrow, making their way through steep volcanic landscape. Pots holes are legendary in Costa Rica, so are the endless queues. Patience and good humour are the key. Tarmac is of poor quality so repairs  as they close down half the road to fill up the pots holes will often cause delays. If you happen to travel when it rains heavily, be careful; I have had to stop the car altogether as I could not even see the road anymore! An average of 45kph is a realistic expectation, however, anything can happen!

Versatile
The hotel you have chosen, the beach you want to find, they many not be  so easy to reach if you are traveling by bus. Or you may find this beautiful and breathtaking spot you would have missed if you had not been driving. The hotel you reserved is not up to your expectations?  Never mind, you can hop in the car and drive back to this cute B&B you passed a while back. If you are travelling by bus, once it drops you, you are on foot and you may find you are in the middle of nowhere!
Cost
While a rental car may be costly if you are on your own, it cuts down the price if you are sharing it with a bunch of people. For example, a cheaper sedan can go for $250 a week, with unlimited mileage, tax and mandatory insurance included. The cost of Super currently cost ¢621 and Diesel ¢544.
Road Signs
A lot better than back in 1990 when I first got here, but don’t count on them too much, they are still, basically, non existent! You may drive miles in this country without passing any kind of road signs. Asking the locals is good some times, and very bad at others. The Latin mentality likes to help, and they will help you, even if they do not know; this gives way to long drives, lost in some small unpaved road under the rain, bringing in arguments most likely due to  exhaustion and stress. Of course, we are talking here of an extreme case! Make sure you have a good road map!
Transit Police
Do not under any circumstance try to bribe the police if they stop you. This is highly illegal and will end up with a higher fine, if you are lucky. Speeding, passing the yellow line, driving under the influence of alcohol, children not using proper equipment, all these are strictly forbidden. The laws have changed recently and now you risk not only getting a very heavy fine, but your driver’s licence and the car may be taken away from you: Beware!
Unattended Objects in the Car
Do not leave anything in the car if and when it is unattended. Do not park your car in unsafe areas. You will notice how many parking lots there are in San Jose for example, and the guardas are plentiful, looking after your vehicle in return of a small fee. Just use common sense!
After over 20 years of driving in this country, I have only one thing to say: It is a sport, but I love it. I love driving along the coffee plantations, discovering a new inn, a new lake, a new vision. I love exploring the “unexplorable”, I love to get up and go and Costa Rica is perfect for this.
I have however used public transports as well, and they are economical and plentiful, they run on time and get you from A to Z….This is a question of choice and taste. It depends on what you are doing, on what you have in mind, and on where you are going. Wherever you go and however you get there, you are bound to have a marvellous time. Enjoy your Trip!

Lake Arenal - The Secret Jewel Of Central America

Moran Real Estate - Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate excellence

Beauty, truth, friendship, love, creation – these are the great values of life. We can't prove them, or explain them, yet they are the most stable things in our lives.
-- Jesse Herman Holmes