We're going to CR for 3 weeks on May 14th. Still working on our itinerary, we're thinking about taking an internal flight between Arenal or Tortuguero and Puerto Jimenez. For the rest of the trip we'd hire a car. Which means we need a company that will allow us to pick up the car at SJO airport and leave it at one of the other airports (La Fortuna, Tortuguero or Puerto Jimenez, or maybe Drake Bay). Unfortunately up to now I did not find this possibility anywhere. Do you have suggestions?
1
tiltedflipcurves
Solid Car Rentals has rates for one-way rentals SJO-to-Puerto Jimenez, and if I recall their website right, they may waive the drop-off fee for longer rentals. My pick-up from them is 2-way and in the future, but there was a recent trip report here that mentioned Solid (in passing, with rate quote included) positively, and to this point I'm happy with what they've quoted to me and their responsiveness to my emails.
2
scoot
In my experience, most of the car rental companies offer this service for a fee. It will be more expensive the farther away you drop off from either San Jose or Liberia, the two major hubs for rentals.
Which companies have you researched?
3
wiremu
why not just take shared van shuttles and then rent a car for your time in arenal? just a thought.
4
scoot
If you rent directly from SJO, you'll pay an extra 15% or more for your car rental.
You're better off having a company drop off at the airport or pick up a car in Alajuela, only a few minutes away from the airport.
5
ellen2601
We didn't book a hotel yet, but do you also pay these taxes if you have the car delivered there?
Don't know about the shared van shuttles, is it the same as public buses or something else?
6
scoot
When my flight arrives late afternoon, I like to spend the first night in Alajuela and have a car dropped off at the hotel the next morning.
This way you won't pay the tax, and save on one days rental.
What's your itinerary if you don't mind sharing?
7
tiltedflipcurves
Re 1 and 4 -- Just to clarify, I was using "SJO" as shorthand for Alajuela. Solid's office, I think like that of most rental companies, is near the Hampton Inn, off the airport premises and therefore not subject to the 15% tax that applies only right at SJO.
8
wiremu
shared van shuttle is different from public bus. it is a van that provides hotel to hotel service, seats something like 10 people, is air conditioned and makes rest stops. it is quite a bit more than the public bus, but very convenient. you can look here for more details - [www.interbusonline.com]
you make reservations for the shared van and pay in advance (unlike the bus). it can be thought of as a small and more luxurious version of a public bus.
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