Driving Around Costa Rica – Road Conditions and Car Rental Tips
By: Fabiola Grosshan
Submitted: 2010-11-15 04:56:51 | Word Count: 563
Among numerous other attractions, Costa Rica is renowned for its wide-spreading wild territory and the beauty of its landscapes, which draw in thousands of tourists each year. On the downside though, due to poor road infrastructure and rough, unforgiving terrain, much of Costa Rica’s landscape diversity is only accessible by car, notably four-wheel-drive vehicle (4x4). If you are planning to visit the country and can’t/ don’t want to bring your own car, you can always turn to a reputable Costa Rica car rental company for affordable services and maximum convenience.
On average, the costs of renting a car in Costa Rica can range from $45 to $140 (£23-£70) per day, with the higher prices being applicable to four-wheel-drive vehicles. Numerous car rental companies have offices right at the San Jose national airport, so you can seal a rental deal minutes after you set foot off the plane. If they don’t have any cars available on the spot, car rental Costa Rica San Jose agencies may offer you a ride to your hotel and deliver your requested vehicle to you later on. Take note that if you decide to pick up your rental vehicle in downtown San Jose though, you will likely face some very crowded streets, especially at rush hour.
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If you are contemplating renting a car in Costa Rica, consider placing your reservations before you leave home. All the prominent international agencies and a number of local Costa Rica car rental companies have toll-free numbers and their own websites, so hiring a service in advance is quick and easy. Since Costa Rica receives a constant flow of visitors throughout the year, the scarce national rental vehicle fleet is insufficient to meet the market demand, even more so in peak season. Consequently, last minute car hire will cost you extra, and the easiest way to avoid being overcharged like this is to make your bookings early on.
A large portion of Costa Rica’s main road arteries are practicable, irrespective of the class of vehicle you are driving. However, many side roads are far below par, being packed with potholes and other significant damage. That said, a sound decision would be to turn to Costa Rica car rental 4x4 services and get yourself a sturdy set of wheels. Opting for an all wheel drive vehicle will allow you the freedom to visit almost any region in the country, and can render a bumpy ride safer and more enjoyable as well.
Once you seal a vehicle deal with a dedicated Costa Rica car rental company, apart from the respective rental documents, you will also receive a complimentary road map so that you will have an easier time finding your way around. To make sure you never get disoriented or lost, you can always opt for a GPS system, which shouldn’t cost more than $10.00 per day. Although not particularly a must have, an electronic guiding system of the kind offers you even greater freedom in respect to navigation, helps point you the best routes, and eliminates the hassle of finding your destination by reading a map or asking around for directions.
