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cconners1
  6/23/2017 10:04 EST

We are planning to move from the USA to the Playa Del Coco area of Costa Rica within a few months. We plan on renting a house for a year or maybe two and we have found a great real estate person who is helping us with our selection. In general we think we understand how to arrange for most of our initial needs.

However, the one area that I have not been able to resolve satisfactory is leasing a vehicle on an annual basis at an affordable price. My online queries of advertised vendors has come up empty. In general the price of the rental is high compared to other countries we have travelled in, and the mandatory insurance costs are outrageous in my opinion. The total cost for renting seems to range between $700 USD and $1000 USD per month for a very small vehicle. Even a golf cart is extremely expensive.

Buying a car doesn't make sense when we are only committed at this point to stay in CR for one year, and from what we have read many families rent homes and stay for one or two years.

Please would anyone who has found an affordable, reliable solution to transoprtation for one or two years pass on some ideas for us to research.

Thanks in advance for your help.

LongHammer
  6/25/2017 21:04 EST

The problem is no rental agency will do more than rent you a car for a month unless you first get residency. The reason is your US Driver's license is good for only 30 days. Though you may exit the country and return for another 30 days. Good reason rental prices are high. Lots of accidents and vehicle thefts. You cannot legally buy a vehicle unless you have Residency. And no vehicle you are renting or owe money on can cross the border. Title has to be free and clear.
The affordable and safe solution for transportation is to use buses and taxis.
If you have an accident in Costa Rica even if your vehicle is parked and the engine off, the police will take your driver's license and passport and you won't be going anywhere until all claims are settled, unless you have Residency.

I have never yet found a good real estate agent, here in Costa Rica, Central or South America or the U.S. And from the past experiences learned to always do things by other means. Most landlords will not rent to non Residents as it is illegal to have a foreigner making contracts when they are in country at the leisure of the Costa Rica Government. A way of protecting their citizens.

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ILuvCR
  6/25/2017 21:45 EST

longhammer, amigo you have written at least twice that I've seen "The reason is your US Driver's license is good for only 30 days. Though you may exit the country and return for another 30 days. " and that is incorrect.

The rule is 90 day's from the date of you arrival.

shermanwc
  6/25/2017 22:43 EST

Longhammer, your information is incorrect. A US driver's license is good for up to 90 days - as long a period as your Visa is good for.

If you use a credit card for CDW damage waiver, that may only be good for up to 30 days - one could do a series of 30 day rentals if needed.

LongHammer
  6/25/2017 23:23 EST

Thanks. Been out of country 2 years and apparently a the changes I haven't kept up with. I'm rather living it the past where my map of the world is still like the 1960's. And still having a hard time accepting there are only 8 planets.

LongHammer
  6/25/2017 23:43 EST

Yes, definitely 90 days. The attached link gives pretty complete details.

https://www.anywhere.com/costa-rica/travel-guide/rental-cars-and-driving

And surprisingly many of the fines are more brutal than in the US. $550 USD seems the most popular. Ouch!

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Kohl
  6/26/2017 04:51 EST

Article explaining driving with a foreign licenses: https://costaricalaw.com/costa-rica-legal-topics/driving-in-costa-rica/driving-in-costa-rica-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/

cconners1
  6/26/2017 08:14 EST

Thanks to everyone for the great information. It sounds like step one is a visa which I thought I could avoid.

lindyluvsCR
  6/26/2017 10:34 EST

LongHammer - Most landlords will not rent to non-residents????? I know many people who have never gotten their residency and they do live in houses.

LongHammer
  6/26/2017 15:58 EST

But again everyone has different experiences. I have personally not been able to rent for lack of residency. The landlords always mentioning a foreigner with a return airline ticket home within 90 days was not a risk they cared to take. And face it, foreigners are usually completely unknown usually without a credit or rental history, an employer or friends to express their good character. Though as with most things, money talks. So some landlords will take the risk with offering higher rent and deposits.

rhonkadlu
  6/27/2017 09:02 EST

We are only in CR for a year and bought a car (Toyota Rav 4). They hold their value pretty good and we wanted to be able to travel the country so it was worth it to us. There are facebook pages in almost every region to look at for buying and selling items from expats that are leaving the country, Car insurance is about $500/year.

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