Costa Rica

I need help fast. I have a trip to Costa Rica next week and it seems that my car rental reservation isnt going to work out as I planned.
First off, let me just say that I am 27 years old and I do not have a credit card, nor have I ever. Now its kicking me in the ass, i know. I will be getting one as soon as I get back from this trip.

The problem is, I was going to use my check card for the "HOLD" on the vehicle, which is fine, except for the fact that they want me to have $1500 + my rental fee approved on my card. I am on a budget, and most of my money will be out of my account in either cash form or colones (costa rican money) I will have plenty for the price of the rental, but im not going to have the amount they want me to have.

Now, my mother has agreed to let me use her credit card for the hold. Another problem, they say that I can pay with her card at the end of my trip, but cannot use her card for my "HOLD" which is $1000 on a major credit card. This makes no sense to me, but this is where I am.

So if anyone has any ideas of something I can pull off to make this happen, that would be great. I was thinking, go to my bank, get one of those pre-paid credit cards, let my mom use her visa to put $1000 on my card. Then I would have a Credit Card in my name with the right amount. Do you think this would work? and how fast can I get a card from the bank if I pay a rush fee or something?

I have been hearing horrid stories on travelers now, when it comes to credit cards. Banks are now cutting lines of credit without informing the owners, and suddenly a card is declined, exceeding the credit limit. Very embarrassing when one has to pay for a hotel room or in your case, car rental.

I think you are looking at it the right way, get yourself a debit card (pay the extra fees, and they should do it right then and now at most banks) with $1500-$2000 (just to cover all ends, a $1000 is just not enough), you can always give the card back to whomever loaned you the money.

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I need help fast. I have a trip to Costa Rica next week and it seems that my car rental reservation isnt going to work out as I planned.
First off, let me just say that I am 27 years old and I do not have a credit card, nor have I ever. Now its kicking me in the ass, i know. I will be getting one as soon as I get back from this trip.

The problem is, I was going to use my check card for the "HOLD" on the vehicle, which is fine, except for the fact that they want me to have $1500 + my rental fee approved on my card. I am on a budget, and most of my money will be out of my account in either cash form or colones (costa rican money) I will have plenty for the price of the rental, but im not going to have the amount they want me to have.

Now, my mother has agreed to let me use her credit card for the hold. Another problem, they say that I can pay with her card at the end of my trip, but cannot use her card for my "HOLD" which is $1000 on a major credit card. This makes no sense to me, but this is where I am.

So if anyone has any ideas of something I can pull off to make this happen, that would be great. I was thinking, go to my bank, get one of those pre-paid credit cards, let my mom use her visa to put $1000 on my card. Then I would have a Credit Card in my name with the right amount. Do you think this would work? and how fast can I get a card from the bank if I pay a rush fee or something?

I have been hearing horrid stories on travelers now, when it comes to credit cards. Banks are now cutting lines of credit without informing the owners, and suddenly a card is declined, exceeding the credit limit. Very embarrassing when one has to pay for a hotel room or in your case, car rental.

I think you are looking at it the right way, get yourself a debit card (pay the extra fees, and they should do it right then and now at most banks) with $1500-$2000 (just to cover all ends, a $1000 is just not enough), you can always give the card back to whomever loaned you the money.

Our trip to Monteverde-Costa Rica last July 09 driving a Toyota Prado (3drs) rented for the Toyota Rent a Car Company in Costa Rica (toyotarent.com)
Monteverde, Costa Rica (Spanish for ‘green mount’) is a small town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. It is often considered a major tourist destination in Costa Rica, primarily frequented by ecotourists drawn by the high biodiversity of its numerous reserves, the most famous of which is the Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde (Wikipedia).

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My boyfriend and I are planning a vacation to Costa Rica. We plan on doing all the outdoors things such surfing, jungle trekking, horse back riding..etc. We think we a general idea on what and where we are going to go and do. But would appreciate any input from thos who have visited the area as well. We will be flying into san Jose and renting a car and driving to Tamarindo. We also want to visit the Arenal volcano. Any ideas on car rentals and hotel would really help. Thanks in advance!

I´ve been to Costa Rica twice, last time I stayed at the Pension de La Cuesta B&B http://www.pensiondelacuesta.com which is located in the downtown San Jose. I do recommand you this hotel, there is very safe and near to the supermarket, restaurants and banks…It´s an antique rustic house, but most of rooms are with shared bath, it´s ok,my room was very clean, the bathroom also. If you are looking for some budget or cheap accomodation, the room rate is resonable and can meet your needs. The breakfast is simple, but is suficient for the price you pay. And the staffs were helpful and interesting people.
We took 5 in 1 tour on the first day, well…it´s cool, and the buffet lunch ..yummy…..we went to volcan Poas, La Paz Waterfall, Sarapiqui river boat ride….etc. very beautiful…We were lucky, it was sunny and we could see all the volcan. Then we spent 3 days in San Jose city, not much to see, but it was fun, we went to Tobocan ( I think it´s in El Pueblo) and danced Salsa with live music..
I didnt rent a car at this time, but 2 of my friends did…they told me
the car rental company which work with the hotel we stayed was generous, they offered them one more day for free, all brand new 4×4 in good condition…
Go to arenal, my opinion is take a tour or rent a car…although La Fortuna is a Small town, but most of the hotels are not closed to these attractions, like hot springs, Arenal national park and Arenal lake…you have to take taxi. Not very convinient.
Costa Rica has many ourdoor activities to do, there are many tours your can join…as long as you get there, ask the tour desk at where you would stay, it would be useful.

Coats Rica MAshing

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What is the town like? Restaurants? Rental car? Best way to get there?

I just got back from 2 weeks in Puerto Viejo

Read about it here http://sean-costarica2007.blogspot.com/

Hey Everyone, this is an UPDATED version of another video we did about flying into the Juan Santamaria International Airport (San Jose Airport). This video combines the old footage with some NEW changes that needed to be added. Check OUT this video to have an understanding of what you can expect when arriving into Costa Rica via the San Jose Airport. pura vida.

here’s the video –

Hey guys Im Michael Alan for http://TravelCostaRicaNow.com hey, last year about this same time we made a video tape about flying into the San Jose airport (airport is really in Alajuela not San Jose). Well the information is still strong, and youre going to see it couple of minor changes that we need to tell you about So, this is the new video about flying in to the San Jose airport. Ill see you I a couple of minutes with the changers take a look.

Welcome to Juan Santa Maria International Airport better known as the San Jose airport (again, the airport is in Alajuela not in San Jose its just known all over as the San Jose Airport.). ah, were just going to show you uhm what you can expect when you arrive here in to uhmm Costa Rica. Maybe give you a couple of tips on make this a little better transitions on where ever it is youre going okay, so well be right back

Hey guys, when you get off the plain youll go through baggage claim and customs and all that stuff. When you come out youll get inundated with a lot of people, a lot of signs, people yelling taxi, people trying to get your attention.. and that kind of thing. If youre set up on a tour thats good. Theyll uhm. Theyll pick you up here. If you got uhhh if you need a rental car all the rental car places are inside and theyll bring a shuttle around and take you to the rental car places which are about 5 minutes away. If youre coming in and you have nothing youre just coming to Costa Rica, but you have nothing set up I would highly recommend you get a taxi and go where ever it is you need to go outside the airport whether its another bus transfer type of thing, and you can get the taxi service inside you dont have to come out because youll get inundated with people saying Ill take you here for $25 or Ill take you here for $50, but inside its all official.

So the other thing is. This is the place youll want to watch your luggage. The only people you want touching your luggage possibly are the people that work here you know the guys out here in the front the (official) taxi people. Other then that people that say oh, Ill help you to the bus station that kind of thing NO. Alright, so hope it helps just know when you get outside the airport youre going to be inundated with a lot of people. A lot of people kind of swarming you.. sometimes theyre worst then others . But, You can really feel a little intimidated sometimes coming off the plain here so Hope it helps hope your ready see you in Costa Rica.

Okay guys, you heard me mentions something about a taxi boot. Well, If youve ever flown into San Jose before or youre a regular coming into the airport you know about the orange taxies whom basically had a monopoly on the airport service for a lot of years. Well, it looks like thats not going to apply any more. But if youve never been to Costa Rica before it doesnt even matter all you have to know is that if there is a taxi booth of any kind inside the airport that you can pre-pay for your San Jose destination or close Just know that youre going to pay a little more for the convenience if theres no booth dont worry about it

Now, another thing you go out and get into a taxi Just make sure they TURN THE METER ON thats all, thats basic information. And the other thing is DO NOT exchange your money in the San Jose airport theres much better places DONT DO IT THERE! Uhm I dont want to say ripped off, but you know.

Alright guys, hope it helps Welcome to Costa Rica enjoy your stay Im Michael Alan for http://TravelCostaRicaNow.com PEACE. Hope it helps.

For more helpful travel information on Costa Rica make sure you check out our website and our blog.

Our Travel Tip Website- http://www.TravelCostaRicaNow.com

michael alan’s blog – http://www.DoingCostaRica.blogspot.com/

Our pictures from around Costa Rica – http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelcostaricanow_com/

Our Gay Travel Tip Webpage – http://travelcostaricanow.com/index.php/Gay

michael alan’s gay blog – http://www.DoinGayCostaRica.blogspot.com

Lots more travel tips on video by us – http://travelcostaricanow.com/index.php/Costa_Rica_Travel_Videos

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I am arriving near 7 at night and have a car rental and reservations at Hotel Borinquen but it occurs to me that I probably don’t want to make that drive at night.

Correct..you dont! But..not really many options in Liberia – there are 2 Best Westerns – …budget at best.

My favorite hotel closest to airport is El Ocotal – awesome views!! It’s about 22km from airport – good roads….

http://www.ocotalresort.com/

If its just for 1nt…not sure if i’d do it…since best, best thing about Ocotal is the sunset – but if you could do 2nts? Yes, yes…do it….definitely.

Or…just know that if you decide Best Western, just understand it’s going to be basic.

Have a great trip – Borinquen is awesome!

Beating on the rental car near Playa Negra Costa Rica

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