The top ten rental car companies in Costa Rica are researched by an independent study. Price, customer service and transparency were studied. A 'must read' before renting any car in Costa Rica this year.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
3.0 Project 2_ Developing My Brand Identity Kit.pptxtanyjahb
A personal brand exploration presentation summarizes an individual's unique qualities and goals, covering strengths, values, passions, and target audience. It helps individuals understand what makes them stand out, their desired image, and how they aim to achieve it.
An introduction to the cryptocurrency investment platform Binance Savings.Any kyc Account
Learn how to use Binance Savings to expand your bitcoin holdings. Discover how to maximize your earnings on one of the most reliable cryptocurrency exchange platforms, as well as how to earn interest on your cryptocurrency holdings and the various savings choices available.
Company Valuation webinar series - Tuesday, 4 June 2024FelixPerez547899
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Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey throu...dylandmeas
Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey through Full Sail University. Below, you’ll find a collection of my work showcasing my skills and expertise in digital marketing, event planning, and media production.
Affordable Stationery Printing Services in Jaipur | Navpack n PrintNavpack & Print
Looking for professional printing services in Jaipur? Navpack n Print offers high-quality and affordable stationery printing for all your business needs. Stand out with custom stationery designs and fast turnaround times. Contact us today for a quote!
Implicitly or explicitly all competing businesses employ a strategy to select a mix
of marketing resources. Formulating such competitive strategies fundamentally
involves recognizing relationships between elements of the marketing mix (e.g.,
price and product quality), as well as assessing competitive and market conditions
(i.e., industry structure in the language of economics).
The world of search engine optimization (SEO) is buzzing with discussions after Google confirmed that around 2,500 leaked internal documents related to its Search feature are indeed authentic. The revelation has sparked significant concerns within the SEO community. The leaked documents were initially reported by SEO experts Rand Fishkin and Mike King, igniting widespread analysis and discourse. For More Info:- https://news.arihantwebtech.com/search-disrupted-googles-leaked-documents-rock-the-seo-world/
Cracking the Workplace Discipline Code Main.pptxWorkforce Group
Cultivating and maintaining discipline within teams is a critical differentiator for successful organisations.
Forward-thinking leaders and business managers understand the impact that discipline has on organisational success. A disciplined workforce operates with clarity, focus, and a shared understanding of expectations, ultimately driving better results, optimising productivity, and facilitating seamless collaboration.
Although discipline is not a one-size-fits-all approach, it can help create a work environment that encourages personal growth and accountability rather than solely relying on punitive measures.
In this deck, you will learn the significance of workplace discipline for organisational success. You’ll also learn
• Four (4) workplace discipline methods you should consider
• The best and most practical approach to implementing workplace discipline.
• Three (3) key tips to maintain a disciplined workplace.
3.0 Project 2_ Developing My Brand Identity Kit.pptxtanyjahb
A personal brand exploration presentation summarizes an individual's unique qualities and goals, covering strengths, values, passions, and target audience. It helps individuals understand what makes them stand out, their desired image, and how they aim to achieve it.
An introduction to the cryptocurrency investment platform Binance Savings.Any kyc Account
Learn how to use Binance Savings to expand your bitcoin holdings. Discover how to maximize your earnings on one of the most reliable cryptocurrency exchange platforms, as well as how to earn interest on your cryptocurrency holdings and the various savings choices available.
Company Valuation webinar series - Tuesday, 4 June 2024FelixPerez547899
This session provided an update as to the latest valuation data in the UK and then delved into a discussion on the upcoming election and the impacts on valuation. We finished, as always with a Q&A
Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey throu...dylandmeas
Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey through Full Sail University. Below, you’ll find a collection of my work showcasing my skills and expertise in digital marketing, event planning, and media production.
Affordable Stationery Printing Services in Jaipur | Navpack n PrintNavpack & Print
Looking for professional printing services in Jaipur? Navpack n Print offers high-quality and affordable stationery printing for all your business needs. Stand out with custom stationery designs and fast turnaround times. Contact us today for a quote!
Implicitly or explicitly all competing businesses employ a strategy to select a mix
of marketing resources. Formulating such competitive strategies fundamentally
involves recognizing relationships between elements of the marketing mix (e.g.,
price and product quality), as well as assessing competitive and market conditions
(i.e., industry structure in the language of economics).
The world of search engine optimization (SEO) is buzzing with discussions after Google confirmed that around 2,500 leaked internal documents related to its Search feature are indeed authentic. The revelation has sparked significant concerns within the SEO community. The leaked documents were initially reported by SEO experts Rand Fishkin and Mike King, igniting widespread analysis and discourse. For More Info:- https://news.arihantwebtech.com/search-disrupted-googles-leaked-documents-rock-the-seo-world/
Cracking the Workplace Discipline Code Main.pptxWorkforce Group
Cultivating and maintaining discipline within teams is a critical differentiator for successful organisations.
Forward-thinking leaders and business managers understand the impact that discipline has on organisational success. A disciplined workforce operates with clarity, focus, and a shared understanding of expectations, ultimately driving better results, optimising productivity, and facilitating seamless collaboration.
Although discipline is not a one-size-fits-all approach, it can help create a work environment that encourages personal growth and accountability rather than solely relying on punitive measures.
In this deck, you will learn the significance of workplace discipline for organisational success. You’ll also learn
• Four (4) workplace discipline methods you should consider
• The best and most practical approach to implementing workplace discipline.
• Three (3) key tips to maintain a disciplined workplace.
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
It's part of a Data Science Corner Campaign where I will be discussing the fundamentals of DataScience, AIML, Statistics etc.
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
Here's my presentation on by proven best practices how to manage your work time effectively and how to improve your productivity. It includes practical tips and how to use tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Hubspot, Google Calendar, Gmail and others.
The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
The six step guide to practical project management
If you think managing projects is too difficult, think again.
We’ve stripped back project management processes to the
basics – to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing
the vital ingredients for success.
“If you’re looking for some real-world guidance, then The Six Step Guide to Practical Project Management will help.”
Dr Andrew Makar, Tactical Project Management
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...Applitools
During this webinar, Anand Bagmar demonstrates how AI tools such as ChatGPT can be applied to various stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC) using an eCommerce application case study. Find the on-demand recording and more info at https://applitools.info/b59
Key takeaways:
• Learn how to use ChatGPT to add AI power to your testing and test automation
• Understand the limitations of the technology and where human expertise is crucial
• Gain insight into different AI-based tools
• Adopt AI-based tools to stay relevant and optimize work for developers and testers
* ChatGPT and OpenAI belong to OpenAI, L.L.C.
More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
This session highlights best practices and lessons learned for U.S. Bike Route System designation, as well as how and why these routes should be integrated into bicycle planning at the local and regional level.
Presenters:
Presenter: Kevin Luecke Toole Design Group
Co-Presenter: Virginia Sullivan Adventure Cycling Association
Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...DevGAMM Conference
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Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...
Rental car-comparisons-for-costa-rica-2013
1. Guide to Car Rental Companies in Costa Rica
“My time’s limited…how do I choose?”
Car rental is a hot topic for vacationers headed to Costa Rica. Recent research
conducted by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) indicates that, after
accommodations, renting a car is the largest expense, averaging $702 for an
eleven-day vacation.
The Internet is buzzing with negative reviews discussing overcharging, poor
customer service and mechanical breakdowns. You might have even written one
yourself!
A typical midsize (3 - 4 adults) 4X4 rental runs between $58 and $65 daily with
third party insurance and rates can vary as much as 20 percent among car rental
companies, so reading a quick review will be time well spent once you calculate
the savings.
So the question is, which rental company offers the best balance of fair price,
capable customer service and reliable vehicles? I’ve researched it all for you, so
keep reading!
Disclosure: This research was conducted in May - July 2013. The following
companies were selected because they are the most widely used in Costa Rica.
Some are local companies; others are international franchises of recognized
brand names. Comparisons include: customer service, pricing and the
reservation process. The companies are listed alphabetically and not based on
personal or online preferences.
Consider This Before Renting
Insurance
One of the biggest causes for complaints is from the stack of unforeseen charges
presented to the renter once standing at the rental company’s counter.
Vacationers are typically tired after a long flight and then are confronted by
costs that were not anticipated, explained or budgeted.
Topping the list of grievances is the non-disclosure of fees associated with the
mandatory third-party insurance at the time the reservation is made.
According to Costa Rican law, every driver is required to carry liability coverage
to insure against injuries to third parties. Car rental companies generally refrain
from disclosing the cost of this policy in the quoted rental rate to appear more
competitive. Mandatory third-party insurance can sometimes be as much as
double the vehicle’s rental cost. The only guarantee against insurance confusion
2. is to inquire if your estimate includes the third party insurance and insist on a
written quotation.
Cost of Mandatory Insurance (also called Third Party or SLI)
Expect to pay between $12 and $15 daily for this insurance, depending on the
make and model of the rented vehicle and the rental car agency. This is a legal
condition of your rental agreement and is generally not covered by credit cards
and cannot be waived. It’s a fact of renting a car in Costa Rica.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
As the name suggests, this isn’t insurance, but a waiver, which relieves the
renter from any liability for damage to the rental car after the deductible is paid
(usually from $750 to $1,500). Some agencies require renters to purchase their
CDW policy; thereby negating any credit card program. For an additional fee,
many agencies do offer a zero liability option where the renter will be freed from
paying for any damage to the car. Some companies may put pressure upon
renters to purchase the zero liability coverage; however, it is entirely optional,
unless it is in the fine print of their rental agreement.
Credit card insurance programs may cover the CDW for a rental vehicle. Check
with your chosen rental car company to find which proof of insurance is needed
and then request that from your credit card company prior to arriving. If you use
your credit card’s CDW policy, expect to pay a higher deposit on the vehicle;
around $1,500 to $2000 is common. The higher deposit ensures that the credit
card holder has enough financial reserves to cover damages if needed. It is
important to consider that if using CDW coverage provided by a credit card (in
lieu of the rent a car operator), all damages will be billed to the renter’s credit
card. The credit card company will then reimburse the card holder for damages.
More Insurance
Tires and windshields are rarely included in insurance policies, although
additional policies may be taken out for covering these frequently damaged
items. Neither the interior nor the underneath of the vehicle may be covered.
Always read the fine print.
Standard Procedure
Your credit card will be charged, or a ‘hold’ placed, for the rental vehicle during
the time of the rental agreement; i.e. from picking up the rental until you return
it. Debit cards are generally not acceptable.
3. Additional Charges
Most companies have surcharges for additional drivers, car seats/boosters, cell
phones, coolers, GPS and/or roof racks. The costs vary from company to
company, but since these extras are billed at a daily rate, it is worth checking
the total cost -- additional options can add up very quickly! A GPS is around $8
to $10 per day; however, some operators may offer discounted units. Expect to
pay around $5 daily for a child seat and a few dollars a day for all the other
‘niceties’. Vamos is notable for offering most of these options and, during some
promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Budget, Hertz and
National charge the most for such additional options; whereas the other
companies listed, charge more reasonable prices.
Surcharges
Most companies add small incremental costs, such as license plate and
environmental fees, into the total tally. Be wary of operators who insert these
additional charges into the small print of the rental contract. Vehicles rented
direct at the airport incur airport taxes, which are a whopping 12% of your rental
cost!
The rental vehicle should be returned with the same amount of fuel, unless
otherwise indicated. If not, companies may charge above gas station rates for
missing fuel.
Vehicles
There is a debate over the vehicles supplied by rental companies: Older cars
allow the driver to blend in more than a shiny, new car. Having an older model
may have the indirect benefit of being less scrutinized by car rental agencies for
recent nicks and scratches, unlike a newer vehicle. However, a newer vehicle
may be more roadworthy. This debate carries on into the different vehicle
makes and models. Generally, Costa Rican firms are able to rent their vehicles
for a lower rate because their cars are typically three to five years old (versus
two to three). Online reviews would suggest that the local firms have no more
complaints concerning vehicle quality than transnational franchises; research on
forums, such as TripAdvisor.com, seems to indicate that customers frequently
appreciate driving a less-than-new vehicle through the wilds of Costa Rica. The
reasons are plenty, from road conditions to the notion of less-then-new vehicles
blending in better -- a newer vehicle may draw more unwanted attention.
The choices of rental cars in Costa Rica are mostly limited to makes and models
that maintain a competitive resale value, are a common brand in the country,
and are inexpensive to maintain. As such a rent-a-car operator’s fleet tend not to
be as diverse as the United States. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai
constitute the mainstay brands of most rental fleets.
Sometimes, drivers are charged for supposed ‘damages’ to the vehicle upon
4. return. Once receiving the vehicle, renters should meticulously check for pre-
existing flaws and compare it with the vehicle inspection document used by the
rental car representative. Some renters suggest photographing or videoing the
vehicle from all angles, to avoid any disagreement between pre-existing and
recently damaged items.
Pricing
Car rentals in Costa Rica are pricier compared to other countries. Duties on
vehicles are high (as much as 50% of their value!), parts are costlier and
unforgiving road conditions contribute to higher wear and tear, generating higher
maintenance costs.
The rule is you get what you pay for -- there are other options than those rental
companies listed here, but they are not listed for a good reason. They simply fail
to offer basic customer service and/or a suitable vehicle condition required for a
(nearly) trouble-free vacation.
When comparing rental car charges, it is best to go directly to the Costa Rican
website of the rental car company, rather than trying to use their international
format or an intermediary (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). For the
same vehicles and reservation dates, the rates offered by the respective
international vs. Costa Rican websites for Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty
differed substantially.
To avoid confusion, print out all correspondence with the car rental company
with whom you have reserved a vehicle and bring this to the rental office with
the quote given at the time of reservation.
The following top ten chart ranks the companies from highest priced to lowest
and it includes the mandatory insurance charge. In the cases of Alamo and
Hertz, the figure contains their CDW fee as it is one of their rental requirements.
This price comparison is based on a week’s rental of a Daihatsu Bego, where
available (Dollar offers the Suzuki Vitara) from September 14th
- 21st
, then again
in December to view both Green and High Season rates. The list quickly
demonstrates that the price variation depends greatly on the company -- for
basically the same service. These prices were obtained in June/July 2013.
Rental Car Companies Ranked According to Price
September December
10. Alamo $650.96 Alamo $650.96
9. Hertz $514.27 National $597.51
8. Adobe $449 Hertz $566.52
5. 7. Budget $455 Budget $555
6. National $428.01 Dollar $532
5. Thrifty $421.05 Thrifty $506.58
4. Service $374.43 Service $494.43
3. Vamos $370.30 Vamos $461.30
2. Dollar $364 Adobe $459
1. Wild Rider $350 Wild Rider $395
Alamo ranks number ten for both seasons, making it the most expensive
company. Budget, Hertz and National also rate low on the scale for economical
rental options.
Company Summaries
Adobe (http://www.AdobeCar.com)
Website is clear and easy to use, but pricing and even the vehicles listed are not
the same as those given by an office representative over the phone. Mandatory
insurance costs are not shown with the list of vehicles and rental charges, but
they are clearly displayed on the following page as a customer moves towards
booking a reservation. Mixed customer reviews online. Email response is less
than 24 hours, but may not provide all requested information.
• Toll-free U.S.A and Canada phone number. No Live Chat.
• 10 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: $19 daily
• Additional charges: GPS $9/day, child seat $5/day
Alamo (http://www.AlamoCostaRica.com)
Website is clear and easy to use, but prices differ against quotes received over
the phone. Mandatory insurance costs are not given with the list of vehicles and
rental charges, but they are clearly displayed on the following page as the
customer moves towards making a reservation. Mixed customer reviews online.
Email response is less than 24 hours.
• No toll-free U.S.A and Canada phone number or Live chat
6. • 14 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: $11.95 daily, but must also take their CDW at
$12.95 daily
• Additional charges: GPS $12/day, child seat $6/day
Budget (http://www.Budget.co.cr)
Website is basic, but easy to use. Prices online differ to the quotations given by
a representative over the phone and depending on whether the international or
Costa Rican website is used. Mandatory insurance costs are given along with the
list of vehicles; however, the other charges are not listed. Mixed customer
reviews online. Email response is more than 24 hours.
• No toll-free U.S.A and Canada phone number. No Live Chat on Costa Rican
website.
• 10 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: included in the listed price
• Additional charges: GPS $10.95/day, child seat $12/day (the most
expensive of the top ten)
Dollar (http://www.DollarCostaRica.com)
Website is clear and easy to use. Prices quoted differ if calling from the U.S. or in
Costa Rica. Mandatory insurance costs are not given with the list of vehicles and
rental charges, but they are clearly displayed on the following page as a
customer moves towards a making a reservation. Mixed reviews online, but
generally receives positive feedback. Email inquiries answered within 24 hours.
• Toll-free U.S.A and Canada phone number. No Live Chat.
• 3 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: $16 daily
• Additional charges: GPS $9/day, child seat $5/day
Hertz (http://www.HertzCostaRica.com)
Website is clear and easy to use. Mandatory insurance costs are not given
besides the list of vehicles and rental charges, but they are clearly displayed on
the following page as the customer moves towards a booking a reservation.
Mixed customer reviews online. Email response less than 24 hours.
7. • Toll-free U.S.A and Canada phone number and Live Chat (although it
seems to be permanently offline)
• 7 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: $17.43 daily, but their CDW is also a requirement
• Additional charges: GPS $12/day, child seat $2/day
National (http://www.NatCar.com)
Website is clear and easy to use. Mandatory insurance costs are not given along
with the list of vehicles and rental charges, but they are clearly displayed on the
following page as a customer moves towards making a reservation. Mixed
customer reviews online, but more positive than negative. Email response less
than 24 hours.
• Toll-free U.S.A and Canada phone number. Live Chat.
• 22 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: $25 daily (the most expensive of the top ten)
• Additional charges: GPS $12/day, child seat $6/day
Service (http://www.ServiceCarRental.com)
Website is clear and user friendly with just a slight confusion in that an online
quote is obtained by clicking on ‘Reserve Now’ and not the ‘Get a Quote’ option.
The response to a phone inquiry was to use the website. Mandatory insurance
costs are given along with the list of vehicles and rental charges for the low
season charges and on the second page of the other quotation page. Rember is
a highly recommended sales representative who is mentioned in many online
reviews for the high level of his customer service. Generally online reviews are
positive for Service. Email response is less than 24 hours, although all
information requested may not be received.
• U.S.A phone number, but not toll-free. No Live Chat.
• 5 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: $15 daily
• Additional charges: GPS $5.99/day, child seat $2.99/day
8. Thrifty (http://www.Thrifty.com)
Costa Rican version of the website is impossible to use and you are asked to
register for a user name and password. Mandatory insurance costs are not given
along with the list of vehicles and rental charges. A customer has to click on
“Protection Options” on the U.S. website and select the mandatory insurance by
clicking on it -- implying that it is optional and not a required cost. Thrifty tend to
receive mixed reviews online. Email response is more than 24 hours.
• Toll-free U.S.A and Canada phone number. No Live Chat.
• 4 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: $19.99 daily
• Additional charges: GPS $10/day, child seat $5/day
Vamos (http://www.Vamos4x4.com)
Website is clear and easy to use. Mandatory insurance costs are not given along
side the list of vehicles and rental charges, but are clearly displayed on the
following page as the customer moves towards booking a reservation. Anibal, a
representative, is frequently mentioned in online reviews for his high level of
customer service skills. General Manager, George Schwarzenbach is known on
Trip Advisor for his upfront and honest responses to customers’ posts.
In recent years, Vamos has received very positive reviews online. Email
response is less than 24 hours. Live Chat has instant response time to inquiries.
• Toll-free U.S.A and Canada phone number. Live Chat.
• 3 offices nationwide
• Mandatory insurance: $11.95 daily
• Additional charges: GPS $8/day, child seat free
Wild Rider (http://www.Wild-Rider.com)
Website is clear and easy to use. Mandatory insurance costs are given next to
the list of vehicles. Wild Rider is the only car rental firm in Costa Rica with no
visible bad reviews online. Owner, Thorsten, is often praised for his efficiency
and customer service, despite the very limited resources the company has at
hand. Emails receive very prompt and detailed responses in less than 12 hours.
• No toll-free phone number or Live Chat
• 1 office -- no Liberia airport office
• Mandatory insurance: included
9. • Additional charges: GPS $8/day, child seat $5/day
Comparison Review
Customer Service
Vamos and Wild Rider respond quickly and efficiently to email or live chat
inquiries. Adobe, Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, National, and Service respond to email
inquiries in less than 24 hours, but Adobe and Service did not provide all the
information requested (possibly a language barrier). Budget offers a free phone
service, but it appears to be always busy. Hertz’s live chat appears to be
constantly offline. During the past year, customers who posted to online review
sites expressed a particular satisfaction with the customer service offered by
Service, Vamos and Wild Rider.
Clarity
Adobe, Alamo and Budget have different rental prices posted on their websites
than those quoted over the phone. Telephone prices were lower than that
quoted on the website in the cases of Adobe and Alamo, but yet higher in the
case of Budget. Adobe also offers different vehicle models over the phone as
compared to their website. International car rental firms with both a Costa Rican
and international website appear to have pricing differences between the two
sites.
Budget and Wild Rider include the mandatory insurance in their rental prices, but
Budget states that ‘other charges’ which will be presented at the counter in the
small print on their website. Rental prices for car seating had to be verified on
the phone as they are not listed on the Budget website.
All other companies with the exception of Thrifty (a U.S. website), clearly show
the mandatory insurance cost with the quotation given. Thrifty’s Costa Rican
website is simply unusable.
Pricing
Service, Vamos and Wild Rider consistently offer the best rates for both Green
and High seasons, although Dollar has one of the lowest Green season rates
available, while Adobe has a cheaper High season rate. Vamos offer the best “all
inclusive” rates, given that most options are offered for free.
Adobe, Dollar, Service, Thrifty and Wild Rider remain competitive with their
pricing of items such as child seats. Alamo, Hertz and National are the most
expensive companies to rent from and their additional option costs are also more
expensive.
10. “So, what’s your rental recommendations?”
Overall, the Costa Rican companies seem to trump the multi-nationals with
better pricing, service and clarity.
Service offers a generally high-level of customer service and fairly competitive
pricing at both international airports.
Vamos can offer efficient booking and continued high-level of customer service
with competitive pricing, as well as free additional options at both SJO and LIR
airports.
Wild Rider is very highly rated for a rental with clear and economical pricing and
excellent customer service, but they are only in San Jose.
“Now you’re ready to book your rental car after seeing how the
competition compares. Good luck and happy travels!”