SAMARA Car Hire

Customer must pre-arrange after hours service in advance. After hours service is available at some locations.

Minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21, and there is no maximum rental age. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 will incur an additional daily fee.

Cross Border Policy- Unrestricted Driving in Costa Rica. Renters wishing to visit Nicaragua or Panama must prearrange at time of rental for a vehicle exchange at the border. A three, 3, day minimum notice is required. Customers can only rent the following vehicles- Economy, Compact, Intermediate SUV and Standard SUV Upon vehicle exchange at the border, the original agreement is closed and a second rental agreement is issued by the other country, same rate is applied. A vehicle exchange fee totaling 50 USD for Nicaragua and 150 USD for Panama is assessed. When the renter returns to Costa Rica, the same process applies plus an additional 50 exchange fee. Renters not planning to return to Costa Rica must notify the rental location in Costa Rica when prearranging the vehicle exchange.

Collision Damage Waiver does not cover: tire punctures, wheel damage, interior damage, chipped or cracked windshield, wrong fuel, roof damage, undercarriage damage, mechanical damage, or damage from dangerous substances. Collision Damage Waiver will be voided if damage is caused by: driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unauthorized driver, racing or speed contest or competition, unlicensed driver or driver training, driving over state or international borders in violation of the Rental Agreement, towing or pushing, intentional damage, simple negligence, gross negligence or recklessness, driving off a regularly maintained roadway, using the vehicle for hire, driving in violation of local traffic laws, failure to secure the car keys, failure to lock or secure the vehicle, or unsecure parking.

All one way rentals must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. One way charges apply and are payable at the time of rental. One way charges cannot be prepaid.

As a customer, you have a choice as to how you would like to pay for fuel. Option 1 Prepay Fuel This option allows the renter to pay for the full tank of gas at the time of rental and return the tank empty. No refunds will be issued for unused gas. Prepaid gas is available at 5 percent less than the local fuel prices Option 2 We Refill This option allows the renter to pay Alamo at the end of the rental for gas used but not replaced. Price per gallon will be higher than local fuel prices. A 50 percent surcharge will apply. Option 3 You Refill This option allows the renter to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas to avoid extra fuel charges.

Cost of the rental includes time and distance, collision damage waiver, supplementary liability coverage, unlimited mileage, airport fee, vehicle registration and environmental fees.

A passport in addition to a credit card, with available credit and in the renter's name, must be presented. The signature on the back must match the name imprinted on the card. In addition, if the renter has an online transaction, the number and name printed on the card presented by renter must match the name and number stored for the online transaction. Credit Cards honored: American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club An authorization on the credit card in the amount of 500 USD, plus the estimated cost of the rental, will be taken at the time of rental. This authorization amount may be used toward damages of vehicles or late charges. In case that customer declined CDW-TP, the amount held on credit card will be 2500 USD plus the estimated cost of the rental. Debit/Check cards are only accepted at this location as a form of final payment. Debit/check cards are considered to be any non-credit card American Express, MasterCard, VISA, Diners Club, Discover logo. Any other non-credit card without one of these logos are not accepted. Cash is only accepted at this location as a form of final payment.

Roadside Plus (RSP) - Covers service for key replacement, towing, jump start, lockout service, fuel delivery. RSP includes towing (Not related to an accident), flat tire service (if no inflated spare is available, vehicle will be towed), and lockout service (if keys are locked inside the vehicle). Jumpstarts and fuel delivery service for up to 5 gallons (or equivalent liters) of fuel is also provided. Tire damage beyond repair as a result of driver neglect is the responsibility of the renter. RSP does not include the replacement of lost keys (including remote entry devices), the replacement cost of the lost vehicle key will be $50.

Customers must have a valid drivers license from the country of origin. Must meet the location's minimum age requirements to rent. Must present a major credit card in the renter's name at the time of rental. A customer can drive in country using their drivers license from country of origin for up to 60 days. If staying in country longer, they will need an International driving permit. International drivers must provide a valid license from their country of residence. In addition to the drivers license, if the characters are not in English or Latin Characters an International drivers permit is recommended. If the drivers license is in characters other than Latin, an International Permit is required or a Notarized English Translation is accepted.

Take the Interamericana Highway from San Jose to Guanacaste. At Limonal, go to Tempisque Bridge to Nicoya. At Nicoya take the Route 150 to Samara. At Hotel Samara, the National rental counter is located in the lobby. Please proceed to the National counter to obtain your rental agreement and vehicle keys.

Toll pass devices are available at the locations for an additional daily fee. The toll pass allows the customer to breeze through the toll facilities. Just drive thru and take the "fast" lane.

Third Party Liability (TPL) The purchase of Third Party Liability (TPL) is required by the rental location on all vehicles unless you provide proof of liability coverage or purchase the National Protection Package (NPP), which includes TPL. Customers can obtain coverage for damages and injuries to third parties under the local rental car company's insurance by purchasing its TPL protection, and such a purchase is required unless the customer presents valid written proof of current liability insurance specifying coverage in Costa Rica or if the customer purchases National Protection Package (NPP) which includes TPL. TPL provides coverage for incidents which occur during the rental period in Costa Rica. TPL coverage is subject to the actions listed on the rental agreement that invalidate the coverage as described in the rental agreement. A maximum deductible of 5,000 USD will apply. The minimum deductible is 250 USD. Please be aware that most auto insurance policies from outside Costa Rica do not provide coverage in Costa Rica. Liability insurance purchased on third party travel websites and insurance that accompanies US credit or debit cards are not acceptable forms of coverage. Employees of the local rental car company are not qualified to evaluate the adequacy of the customer's personal auto insurance coverage. The renter should contact their insurance company prior to arrival with any questions regarding their specific coverage.