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Rental Conditions in Costa Rica

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Conditions

Currency

Costa Rican Colón (CRC).

Age information

The minimum age is 21 years.
The maximum age is 70 years.


An underage fee of USD 10.00 per day will apply for any drivers 21-23 years of age.

Credit Cards

Avis Costa Rica accepts:


✓American Express

✓MasterCard

✓Visa


Please note that the credit card must have the renter's name and numbers embossed on it.

Driver's License (Physical)

A valid driver’s license from the country of residence and a passport must be presented in person at the time of rental. An International Driving License is required for countries using a non-Roman alphabet. We reserve the right to verify the driver’s license against Avis standards and refuse rental if those standards are not met.

Debit card

Debit cards are not accepted.

Additional Drivers

All drivers must meet the same minimum age and driver’s license requirements as the renter. Additional drivers must be present at the time of rental and sign an additional driver form. A fee of USD 5.00 per day applies for each additional driver.

Driving Restrictions

Cars cannot be driven in San Jose one day a week, based on the last digit of the license plate. However, rental vehicles are exonerated from this restriction. If a police officer stops an Avis Car, the customer must explain that the vehicle is a car rental and must present the rental agreement along with the car documents.

Hold Amount

When the car is pick up, Avis will require a credit card owned by the lessee and with an available limit to place a hold on a specific amount. The amount may vary depending on the car category and rental period, and it serves as a guarantee for Avis. This amount is not charged or deducted from your invoice; rather, it is temporarily retained throughout the duration of the car rental.

 

Upon returning the vehicle to Avis in the same condition as when it was collected, the company has up to 72 hours to request the release of the blocked amount on your card. The time it takes to release the hold varies depending on your credit card operator.

Security Deposit Value

At the time of rental, we will request an authorization on your credit card for a minimum hold of 2,000.00 USD plus the estimated rental amount. Signature class cars require a higher authorization, which varies depending on the selected coverage.

NOTE: Credit cards with or without embossed numbers are accepted in Costa Rica as long as they contain numbers.

Debit cards are not accepted.

Important

Avis and Avis licensees reserve the right to refuse any request for rental including requests for persons under age, persons not in possession of a recognized full and valid driver's license, persons unable to satisfy credit or cash requirements, or persons who, in the opinion of Avis, constitute a risk.

Insurances & Coverages

ALI - Additional Liability Insurance

ALI is MANDATORY if LDW or PDW is declined. Purchasing ALI provides public liability and property damage protection beyond the coverage provided by the credit card company.

If the customer has PDW from a third-party company, they must present documentation at the counter proving the insurance purchase. The document must show coverage for the rental vehicle of up to approximately USD 35,000.00  in case of damage or collision.

Third-party coverage only protects the rental vehicle in case of a collision; it does not cover damages to third parties or the other occupants of the vehicle. ALI coverage is required to cover third-party damages not covered by credit cards or other insurers.

LDW - Loss Damage Waiver

Purchasing LDW is optional. LDW relieves the customer’s financial responsibility (NWE) in the event of damage to the Avis vehicle due to an accident or theft. Theft protection is included with LDW. This coverage does not include loss of license plates, accessories, towing service, fines, lost keys, or windshield/tire/rim damage (protection for windshield/tires/rims can be purchased at the rental counter).

If LDW or PDW is declined, ALI will be MANDATORY for all car groups.
LDW or PDW can only be declined with written proof of collision coverage from a credit card provider.

TPL - Third Party Liability

Public liability coverage of up to approximately USD 200.000,00 is included with the purchase of LDW or PDW. Property damage coverage (resulting from a collision) of up to approximately USD 35.000,00 is also included. Theft or damage to parts and accessories is not covered. Additional protection of up to USD 1,000,000.00 for public liability (ALI), as well as windshield, tire, rim, and accessory protection, can be purchased at the rental counter.

PDW - Partial Damage Waiver

Partial Loss Damage Waiver (PDW) is the Minimum Mandatory Protection at Avis Costa Rica for renting a car. In the event of damages or theft of the Avis car, the renter will be responsible for a deductible that depends on the rented car group. The renter will be responsible for the full cost of the damage if the car is driven in violation of the rental agreement, is abused or driven recklessly or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If the renter accepts PDW at the indicated daily rate, and the car is operated in accordance with the Agreement, he accepts responsibility for all other loss or damage up to USD 1000.00 for damages to the Avis car (USD 2000.00 if the car is stolen), and Avis Costa Rica assumes the excess for all other loss or damage.

Verify the scope and limitations of this coverage.

If customer wants to avoid deductibles, we recommend to choose the LDW

Important

Some credit cards provide insurance coverage, with certain limitations, as a benefit of using the card to rent vehicles. The customer is advised to contact the card issuer before the rental and get written proof of the coverage to be presented at the counter at the time of rental. Any waiver must be discussed with the location upon arrival.

NOTE: Written proof should be obtained from the credit card company on official letterhead noting they will specifically extend LDW coverage in Costa Rica. To waive AVIS’s LDW customer must agree on PDW or ALI.

Additional charges

Fuel and Electricity Charges

A full tank of gas is provided at the time of rental, and the vehicle must be returned with a full tank to avoid additional charges. No refunds are issued for unused fuel.

e-Tolls

Auto Express Toll (Quick Pass) is available for USD 3.50 per day.
It is an electronic device that is placed on the windshield of your vehicle and that when passing through a lane enabled for Quick Pass is detected by an antenna, which automatically charges the amount of the toll rate to your credit card.

Lost or damage fees: USD 150.00

Additional information

One Way rentals

Cars can be returned to other Avis locations within the same city.
No one-way fee applies.

Cars can be returned to other locations in the country based on car availability.
One-way fees will apply.

One-way rentals outside the country are not permitted.

Late arrival

San Jose Airport (SJO) and Liberia Airport (LIR) will meet flights until 10 p.m with request reservations.
The counter will only wait 15 minutes after flight arrival.
Advance reservation and flight number are required.

Location information

Liberia Airport (LIR): Shuttle will pick-up customer at airport terminal free of charge. Customer will be transferred to the Avis premises where cars are located and paperwork completed. Customer must drive the car back to the same place and be driven back to the airport.

San Jose Airport (SJO): Shuttle will pick-up customer at airport terminal free of charge. Customer will be transferred to the Avis premises where cars are located and paperwork completed. Customer must drive the car back to the same place and be driven back to the airport.

Driving restrictions

Cross the border

Cars are not allowed outside of the country

Circulation restrictions

Cars cannot be driven in San Jose one day a week, based on the last digit of the license plate.
However, rental vehicles are exonerated from this restriction.

If a police officer stops an Avis Car, the customer must explain that the vehicle is a car rental and must present the rental agreement along with the car documents.

Optional services and equipment

Child Safety Seats

Child safety seats must be requested at the time of booking because it is subject to availability.
The cost is USD 5.00 per day and USD 30.00 per week.

Lost or damage fees: USD 150.00

An advance reservation of 24 hours is recommended.

GPS

Navigation devices (GPS) are subject to availability and must be requested at the time of booking.
The cost is USD 10.50 per day.

Mobile Wi-Fi

Mobile Wifi equipment is subject to availability and must be requested at the reservation.
The cost is USD 12.95 per day and USD 90.65 per week.

Lost or damage fees: USD 300.00.

An advance reservation of 24 hours is recommended.