Tamarindo car hire
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Cheap car hire in Tamarindo
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People carrier |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Tamarindo
- Opting for car hire in Tamarindo is a great way to explore the city and visit nearby beauty spots. Tamarindo has a local bus network; however, this system can be quite confusing for tourists, and all the buses make multiple stops, meaning journeys can take much longer. Hiring a car in Tamarindo will also give you access to great beaches along Costa Rica’s south coast, such as the Playa Avellana and the Playa Callejones, which cannot be reached by bus.
- If you are travelling to Tamarindo by plane, you can collect your hire car from branches located near Tamarindo Airport (TNO). TNO is a small domestic airport that is used to connect passengers with Tamarindo from different parts of Costa Rica. Given the airport’s small size, there are no on-site car hire agencies. However, you will find Tamarindo car hire companies located around a 5-min taxi ride from the airport. A taxi fare to travel this distance will usually cost around 300 CRC (4 GBP).
- Driving conditions in Costa Rica can vary greatly depending on when you visit and which parts of the country you choose to drive in. In and around Tamarindo, you will generally find that roads are well-maintained. However, if you are exploring further afield and driving in more remote places, you may have to use your judgement to decide when to push on and when to turn back. One important factor to consider is weather conditions. If you visit Tamarindo during the rainy season (May-November) floods and landslides can be a problem, especially along the coast. Meanwhile, in the dry season (December-April), you may find that roads are very dusty and that you need to drive carefully to avoid skidding. It is a good idea to check weather conditions before you head out on long drives, and use maps on your phone to plan your route as roads are generally not signposted.
- Between May-October, Tamarindo is usually very crowded with surfers aiming for the beach. When you choose car hire in Tamarindo during these months, you may find that traffic congestion in and around the city is a problem. You will also find a lot of congestion on major roads around Tamarindo, like the 155 and the 152. These roads are especially busy at rush hour, from 07:00-09:00 and from 17:00-20:00.
- Book your car hire in Tamarindo at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Standard car hire in Tamarindo are around -10% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Tamarindo
How much is the price of fuel in Tamarindo?
The average price of fuel in Tamarindo is R102,11 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R1 225 and R1 634, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Tamarindo?
Standard (Hyundai Tucson or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Tamarindo.
How can I find car hires near me in Tamarindo?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Tamarindo?
A Standard car hire in Tamarindo costs R942 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Tamarindo?
A Compact car hire in Tamarindo costs R512 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Tamarindo?
An Economy car hire in Tamarindo costs R581 per day, on average.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Tamarindo?
When you choose car hire in Tamarindo, you should think about the type of driving you will be doing during your stay. As Tamarindo is a small, rural destination, visitors who want to explore beyond the town may find themselves often driving on tough terrain, meaning that an SUV with 4X4 capacity is an ideal car hire option. However, if you plan to stay mainly in the town or stick to the major roads and motorways, a standard-size car will suit your needs just fine.
What’s the speed limit in Tamarindo?
You may not see a lot of speed limit signs while driving in Costa Rica, so memorising the general speed rules is a good idea. In urban areas, the speed limit is usually 40 km/h (25 mph), although this may fall to 20 km/h (10 mph) on some city roads. On rural roads and single-carriageways, the speed limit is 60 km/h (35 mph). Meanwhile, on motorways, you can travel up to 100 km/h (60 mph). Motorways in Costa Rica also have a minimum speed limit of 40 km/h (25 mph).
Where are the best places to park in Tamarindo?
When you choose Tamarindo car hire, you will find plenty of convenient parking options. Most Tamarindo car parks are located near the coast, meaning they get busy in the peak months for surfing (May-October). Parking fares in Tamarindo are usually around 3500 CRC (0.5 GBP) for a short stay. Do not be tempted to park at the roadside unless you are sure it is not a restricted parking zone. Restricted zones are marked in yellow, but can also include areas near taxi ranks, driveways, and bus stops. If you park in a restricted zone, you could face a fine or have your licence plates removed by authorities.
Tamarindo car rental reviews and directory
Europcar
10,0
Wonderful
1 reviewCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.0
Value for money
9.0
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Filters
Reviews
10,0 Wonderful
Feb 2022
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8,0
Very Good
1 reviewCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
8.0
3 locations in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Diagonal To Tamarindo Diria
+506 2653 0727
In Jw Marriott Hotel
+506 2653 0727
Tamarindo Downtown
+506 2653 0727
Filters
No reviews available
Economy Rent a Car
6,8
Okay
6 reviewsCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.3
Value for money
6.0
2 locations in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Tamarindo Airport
+506 2299 2000
Tamarindo Downtown
+506 2299 2000
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Reviews
6,0 Okay
Feb 2021
Pros:
Staff were helpful and area was cleanCons:
Lots of hidden costs. Minimum insurance purchase amounts and red tape. Payment online is solely for the car rental not for any insurance etc. Staff were great though it’s not their fault.6,0 Okay
Jan 2020
Pros:
Drop off was great and they transferred me back to my hotel.Cons:
Pickup was a mess — I was 60 mins late to pick up my car and they had already given it away. After Expressing my displeasure they finally offered a large tourist van as a replacement and promised to replace it was a small SUV later that day. They never replaced it — even after much follow up — which directly affected the quality of our experience and travel.2,0 Poor
Jan 2017
Cons:
when we arrived car was not available. Wanted us to wait 2 hours for delivery. Next they announced additional 28 dollars a day for "mandatory" additional insurance. Went nearby got same car cheaper from Alamo/National no "mandatory" insurance. Never again with Economy.Alamo
6,5
Okay
7 reviewsCleanliness
7.1
Comfort
7.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.5
Value for money
6.5
3 locations in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Diagonal To Tamarindo Diria
+506 2653 0727
In Jw Marriott Hotel
+506 2653 0727
Tamarindo Downtown Diagonal
+506 2653 0727
Filters
Reviews
2,0 Poor
Mar 2021
Cons:
I booked for one amount and I was charged extra ( a lot) for insurance.2,0 Poor
Feb 2021
Cons:
We spent over an hour talking to the front desk with no clear explanation of what’s going on, until she finally told us they never had the car we booked. They gave it to another couple (who was standing beside us the whole time) who had to get to the airport. And that’s fine, but we could have went to a different rental place without wasting an hour watching her sit behind her computer.2,0 Poor
Feb 2021
Pros:
The car was comfortableCons:
The people and pickup process were just awful. I made a reservation, but there were no cars. An hour after my reservation, we started the pick up process, and it took over an hour! They gave me paperwork for the wrong car, the service was terrible, and it was a huge waste of tiime10,0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Pros:
The staff is great!10,0 Wonderful
May 2023
Avis
5,8
Fair
No reviews available
Cleanliness
7.3
Comfort
6.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.6
Value for money
4.6
2 locations in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
In front of Natl Bank of Costa Rica
+506 2653 0032
Plaza Garden Shopping Center
+506 4032 0031
Filters
No reviews available
National
5,0
Fair
No reviews available
Cleanliness
9.0
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
5.0
3 locations in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Diagonal To Tamarindo Diria
+506 2653 0727
In Jw Marriott Hotel
+506 2653 0727
Tamarindo Downtown Diagonal
+506 2653 0727
Filters
No reviews available
Thrifty
6,0
Okay
3 reviewsOne location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Ctro.comercial Plaza Esmeralda
+506 2653 0829
Filters
Reviews
8,0 Very Good
May 2017
Pros:
The car itself was perfectly fine. A good working car with no issues.Cons:
I was quoted a very low rate for rental but the insurance to cover the car was over four times the rental rate. I wasn't able to rent without the insurance even though it should be covered through the credit card used to pay for it.5,6 Fair
Jan 2017
Cons:
When we picked up the car, they charged us 4 times the price we were given when we booked online.Sixt
10,0
Wonderful
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Calle Central
+506 4000 3022
Filters
No reviews available
Budget
5,9
Fair
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Tamarindo Zullymar Hotel
+506 2436 2064
Filters
No reviews available
NU Car
4,2
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Entrance Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas
+506 2653 9129
Filters
No reviews available
Hertz
3,1
Poor
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Tamarindo City Center
+506 2653 1358
Filters
No reviews available
easyCar
2,0
Poor
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
From Huacas Intersection 3 Km through Flamingo and Conchal served by Adobe Rent a Car
+506 2653 6262
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
CC Paseo del Mar, Local #6, Route 180, Huacas - Conchal Cabo Velas, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste
+506 2667 0608
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Plaza Esmeralda commercial center.
+506 2653 0829
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Centro comercial Plaza Esmeralda, frente al Hotel Tamarindo Diriá. Tamarindo, Guanacaste.
+506 2653 0829
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Provincia Guanacaste, a lado de hotel Best Western Vista Villas.
+506 4002 3857
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Tamarindo
Locations in Tamarindo
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Tamarindo
Good to know
Most popular car type | Standard |
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