Puerto Jimenez is a growing community in Costa Rica. Once a sleepy remote town, it has become a hospitable city acting as the entryway for entrancing Corcovado National Park. As a major station, it is here people can stock up on provisions before they take their car hire and its occupants into this national treasure of a park. Both hikers and campers alike find Puerto Jimenez an essential stopping point.
Whether your destination is Puerto Jimenez or Alajuela, it is essential you have sine firm of transportation. While public transit is capable of taking you most places throughout the island, not all are easily accessed. For those difficult to get to places, a car hire is the best solution. However, before you arrange for a vehicle, it is essential you understand certain aspects of renting and driving a car in Costa Rica.
Precautions You Need to Take
While some people may argue that signing up for a car hire in Costa Rica is foolish, others would disagree. While some say it is expensive and driving on this country’s roads are risky, others say, if you take precautions and do not drive at night, all will proceed. In fact, if you do take the right precautions, you can insure that trips to places such as Puerto Jimenez are not only possible, but also enjoyable.
Consider the following to be a rough guide to having a good time with your car hire in Costa Rica. Remember, it is all about being prepared.
1. Book your vehicle well in advance and online. It will save you time and possibly money.
2. When you pick up your vehicle, be sure to examine it thoroughly. Make sure you do not sign off until you have documented all the scratches, nicks, dents and oddities. Take pictures to ensure that when you return the vehicle, you have proof of your innocence. While most companies are honest, mistakes do happen.
3. Remember to include such things as insurance in your budget. Insurance is a mandatory charge for all Costa Rica car hire companies.
4. Know in advance the conditions of the roads you plan to travel. In Costa Rica, it is not only about constant construction. It is about roads being washed away or vanishing without apparent warning.
5. Be sure to obtain a vehicle with a GPS. Since there is a positively scary (for North Americans and Europeans) lack of road signage and street and house numbers, the only way you may locate your destination is through this device. A paper map simply will not cut it.
6. Be sure you completely understand the terms of the car hire. Have it thoroughly explained in detail to you. Check to sees the various conditions that may affect your credit card charges.
Final Thoughts on a Car Hire
If you pay attention to the rules and regulations in Costa Rica, your drive from San José to Puerto Jimenez may be enjoyable and trouble free. Just be sure to avoid the congestion of rush hour with its traffic jams, remember most bridges are single lane. Above all drive carefully but defensively. By doing so, you will find out why so many tourists believe a car hire is the best and even only way to see and experience the true beauty of Costa Rica.
