Sergio L. Palacios's Blog, page 13
September 24, 2012
¿Puedes correr más rápido que tu sombra?
Episodio 2º de la primera temporada de la serie de TV
Futurama
. Nuestros intrépidos protagonistas Fry, Leela, Bender y Amy se encuentran cumpliendo una de sus misiones de transporte de mercancías en la Luna, donde se ha instalado un asombroso parque temático en un ambiente
paraterraformado
.Mientras Amy trata de recuperar las llaves de la nave que han sido extraviadas, Leela y Fry deciden hacer una pequeña excursión por la superficie de la Luna. Tras precipitarse con su rover al fondo de una sima y después de darse cuenta de que sus tanques de oxígeno casi se han agotado, consiguen llegar desesperadamente a una granja donde un extraño individuo convive con sus tres hijas robot. Y, claro, como la curiosidad mató al gato, el siempre pendenciero Bender se acerca también por las inmediaciones de la granja y trata de seducir a una de sus congéneres, con el consiguiente enfado de su papá humano. Éste acusa a los tres de tamaña fechoría y comienza una enloquecida persecución por la superficie de nuestro satélite.En un momento dado, nuestros amigos, que huyen a pie, se dan cuenta de que la noche lunar se acerca a toda velocidad. Aterrorizados por la posibilidad de morir congelados echan a correr a todo lo que dan sus piernas. ¿Tienen alguna posibilidad real de eludir una muerte cruel y heladora?
Veamos, todos hemos escuchado, en una u otra ocasión, que la Luna siempre muestra la misma cara a nuestro planeta. Esto sucede porque el tiempo que emplea nuestro único satélite natural en describir una órbita completa alrededor de la Tierra es prácticamente idéntico al tiempo invertido en dar una vuelta en torno a su propio eje. Dicho de otra manera, los períodos de rotación y traslación alrededor de la Tierra son iguales: aproximadamente, unos 27 días, 7 horas y 44 minutos.Ahora bien, ¿cómo saber si la gélida noche lunar alcanzará sin remedio a nuestros amigos? Pues nada más fácil, ya que para que tal hecho suceda debe cumplirse que la velocidad de rotación de la Luna (que coincidirá con la velocidad a la que la sombra recorre la superficie lunar o, más rigurosamente, el
terminador
, la zona que delimita la región entre sol y sombra, entre noche y día) debe ser mayor que la velocidad a la que pueden correr Leela, Bender y Fry. ¿Cuál es entonces la velocidad de rotación de la Luna alrededor de su eje? Consultemos la voz sagrada de la Wikipedia.
Nuestro vecino selenita es un cuerpo celeste de unos 3476 km de diámetro en el ecuador. Como tarda más o menos 27,3 días en completar una revolución, esto significa que si dividimos la longitud del ecuador (pi veces el valor del diámetro) por el tiempo empleado, tendremos la velocidad buscada. En nuestro caso: 16,7 km/h. Así pues, a esta velocidad deberán galopar, como mínimo, los intrépidos violadores de hijas robot. Difícil, pero no imposible. Más problemático, en cambio, podría resultar, la falta de oxígeno a la hora de respirar a un ritmo capaz de compensar el enorme gasto metabólico que requiere desplazarse con una velocidad comparable a la mitad del valor de la velocidad máxima a la que llega a correr un atleta de élite los 100 metros lisos.Por otro lado, nuestros amigos podrían tener más fácil lograr su hazaña si se desplazasen por la superficie de otros cuerpos del sistema solar, como Mercurio, donde la velocidad de rotación ecuatorial ronda tan sólo los 10,9 km/h. De hecho, esta velocidad tan baja es aprovechada por Kim Stanley Robinson en su trilogía de Marte para situar en Mercurio un hábitat permanente situado a bordo de un tren cuyo recorrido siempre se encuentra a la sombra, lejos del alcance de los rayos solares que, sin duda, resultarían abrasadores y mortales para sus pasajeros.
Mucho más sencillo aún resultaría correr por la superficie del ecuador (la velocidad de rotación disminuye con el coseno de la latitud geográfica a medida que nos desplazamos hacia los polos del cuerpo celeste en cuestión) en el planeta Venus (suponiendo que obviamos sus condiciones de temperatura, presión, etc. absolutamente extremas) ya que allí la velocidad es de poco más de 6,5 km/h.En cambio, cuando se determinan las velocidades ecuatoriales para otros cuerpos de nuestro sistema solar, la cosa se hace cada vez más difícil, casi siempre imposible. Así, para Titán, el mayor satélite de Saturno, es de 42,4 km/h; en Plutón 49 km/h; en Europa, uno de los cuatro satélites galileanos de Júpiter, asciende hasta los 115,4 km/h; en Marte se alcanzan los 867 km/h; nuestro propio planeta gira a más de 1670 km/h; Urano llega a los 9310 km/h; en Neptuno 9660 km/h; y en los dos gigantes gaseosos Júpiter y Saturno se llega a los 44920 km/h y 36064 km/h, respectivamente. Se necesitaría un transbordador espacial para escapar de la noche o del día, según se mire.
Podría ocurrírsenos recurrir a dar enormes saltos en lugar de correr. Sin embargo, para determinar si semejante táctica resultaría exitosa, habría que tener en cuenta la influencia del valor de la gravedad en cada cuerpo celeste considerado. Por ejemplo, en la superficie de la Luna, el valor del campo gravitatorio es casi seis veces inferior al terrestre. Los cálculos elementales que hace cualquier estudiante de bachillerato demuestran que, tanto la altura como la distancia horizontal alcanzadas en un salto, dependen inversamente del valor de la aceleración de la gravedad. En consecuencia, si fuésemos capaces de efectuar un salto de altura o uno de longitud con el mismo impulso y velocidad que en la Tierra (cosa que es absolutamente discutible), alcanzaríamos unas distancias seis veces mayores en comparación. Los records mundiales en la Luna rondarían los 14 metros para la altura y los 54 metros para la longitud. A pesar de ello, también se puede demostrar que el tiempo empleado en recorrer esas distancias, igualmente se multiplica por seis. No queda, entonces, nada claro, que los records de velocidad se modifiquen sustancialmente...
September 20, 2012
Muchos mundos en uno
"Muchos mundos en uno: la búsqueda de otros universos", editado en 2009 (la versión original data del año 2006) por
ALBA
, es un libro escrito por Alex Vilenkin, doctor en física, profesor en la universidad norteamericana de Tufts, director del Instituto de Cosmología y una de las figuras más destacadas en el campo de la cosmología moderna."Muchos mundos en uno" es la historia de una idea sorprendente y enormemente original, una idea debida al propio autor del libro. Aunque no siempre los autores de ideas son precisamente las personas más indicadas para explicar éstas y hacerlas llegar al común de los mortales, éste no es el caso del profesor Vilenkin, cuyo estilo divulgativo es claro, riguroso y fácil de seguir.
La idea que constituye el motor del libro es la de la inflación eterna, una propuesta que supone la existencia de un multiverso formado por distintas burbujas o "universos isla", independientes los unos de los otros y sin ninguna posibilidad (ni siquiera teórica) de comunicarse entre ellos. Todos estos universos distintos surgen de forma continua y eterna en distintos lugares de un mar de falso vacío, dando lugar a procesos de inflación.
El texto es una descripción detallada y bastante minuciosa de los avatares por los que tuvo que pasar el propio autor hasta llegar al desarrollo completo de su propuesta. Para ello, Vilenkin nos cuenta con mucho sentido del humor (no os perdáis los pasajes donde habla de su gusto por la buena comida y el buen vino) multitud de anécdotas personales, conversaciones y discusiones con colegas de enorme talento y prestigio, algunos de los cuales también contribuyeron a la difusión del modelo de la inflación eterna, como el español Jaume Garriga o el mismísimo Alan Guth, la primera persona que habló de inflación cosmológica.
El método científico queda maravillosamente plasmado en este fascinante libro, pues por sus escasas 300 páginas van pasando distintas hipótesis, unas incorporadas y otras desechadas, distintos refinamientos y mejoras del modelo hasta llegar a contrastarlo con otros o proponer potenciales formas de comprobar su validez y poder predictivo mediante pruebas experimentales u observaciones astronómicas. Para lograr dicho fin, Vilenkin no duda en cuestionar, de forma harto persuasiva, las opiniones de afamados científicos, muchos de ellos férreos enemigos de las teorías del multiverso o de los razonamientos de tipo antrópico. Aunque quizá lo que más me ha gustado del texto es la parte en la que el autor nos cuenta cómo demostró, en colaboración con Arvind Borde y Alan Guth, el teorema que implicaba la existencia de un origen para el universo (sin más que utilizar matemáticas al alcance de cualquier estudiante de bachillerato).
Al final, todas las ideas expresadas en el libro conducen de forma lógica a una idea aún más audaz, si cabe, que la propia inflación eterna: la de cómo pudo originarse el propio espacio-tiempo eternamente inflacionario en un universo cerrado y minúsculo. Nada menos que por efecto túnel cuántico a partir de la nada (un concepto muy diferente del concepto, aparentemente análogo, de vacío). Para Vilenkin, por lo tanto, el universo es eterno, aunque sin duda tuvo un principio.
September 16, 2012
Lo que Bolonia nunca dejará hacer a los mejores profesores universitarios (II)
[image error] Uno de los problemas más acuciantes a los que nos enfrentamos todos los profesores del mundo es el de la motivación de nuestros estudiantes. Ninguna otra cuestión me ha producido y me produce más desasosiego que ésta en los ya 24 años de experiencia en la docencia universitaria. ¿Cómo conseguir motivar a un alumno inmerso en un sistema educativo que está basado fundamentalmente en las calificaciones?Estudios psicológicos han puesto de manifiesto que si a una persona se le ofrece una recompensa o premio extrínseco para intentar reforzar su interés en una cierta materia, saber, conocimiento o similar, aquél desaparece o disminuye casi inmediatamente tras la retirada o desaparición de dicha recompensa. Es decir, que si ofrecemos a nuestros alumnos como premio unas buenas calificaciones para conseguir que estudien y se interesen por la materia que impartimos, cuando estas calificaciones ya no existan o, lo que es lo mismo, cuando finalice el curso o concluyan sus estudios, su interés por la materia se verá mermado considerablemente, cuando no desaparecerá por completo. Está demostrado.En cambio, parece funcionar mucho más eficientemente el refuerzo verbal, la retroalimentación positiva como son los ánimos, los elogios. Algo así como lo que haría un buen entrenador deportivo, siempre animando a sus pupilos a lograr la meta y a convencerlos de sus posibilidades. También se ha observado y constatado que la motivación extrínseca, como las calificaciones, induce a los estudiantes a optar por la elección de problemas que les resulten siempre sencillos de resolver, sin complicaciones, mientras que la motivación intrínseca (basada en el logro de objetivos) los empuja a todo lo contrario, a intentar superarse en todo momento, eligiendo siempre problemas de complejidad creciente, buscando un aprendizaje duradero y útil.Los expertos suelen establecer cuatro categorías distintas a la hora de clasificar a los estudiantes según su actitud ante el aprendizaje, a saber:
Los sabedores de lo aceptado son aquellos que piensan que aprender es memorizar y cotejar respuestas con los expertos, con el saber aceptado, el que se refleja normalmente en los libros de texto. Estos estudiantes no juzgan, no analizan, no critican el saber ni la materia que están estudiando. Mucho menos son capaces de contribuir con sus propias creaciones o aportaciones personales. Se limitan a reproducir lo más fielmente posible aquello que encuentran en sus apuntes o en la bibliografía disponible. Como profesor, reconozco que la gran mayoría de mis estudiantes caen dentro de esta categoría. Tristemente.Los sabedores subjetivos son unos seres muy peculiares, pues mantienen la creencia de que el saber y el conocimiento son opinables. Para ellos una idea es correcta solamente cuando se tiene la sensación de que lo es. Si eres profesor o alumno te sonará la típica frase de los sabedores subjetivos: "me ha suspendido porque me tiene manía, porque no le gusta mi opinión...".En tercer lugar están los sabedores del procedimiento, esos que son especialistas y especialmente hábiles para adaptarse al medio, para camuflarse. Saben lo que la mayoría de profesores quieren y se lo dan. Aprenden a resolver los problemas, tal y como hacen los libros de texto o el profesor. Suelen sacar buenas notas y ser reconocidos como buenos estudiantes. Sin embargo, una vez que abandonan el aula, su comportamiento puede diferir enormemente y comportarse en la vida de una manera totalmente diferente, sin aplicar nunca lo que parecen haber aprendido. No suelen poner en práctica sus conocimientos a la hora de desenvolverse en la vida diaria.Por último, tenemos a los pensadores independientes. Se muestran objetivos en todo momento, críticos, creativos. Analizan desde fuera sus conocimientos y los saberes establecidos. Con frecuencia aportan cosas nuevas y contribuyen al conocimiento de la materia, sin necesidad de ser premios Nobel. Son personas con iniciativa propia, que no necesitan motivación extrínseca. Una raza en vías de extinción en los últimos años.La habilidad de los mejores profesores universitarios está en poder y saber diseñar un plan específico de aprendizaje para cada una de estas categorías. Pero siempre con sumo cuidado, pues a los estudiantes tampoco suele gustarles sentirse controlados, manejados. No quieren tener la sensación de que su educación cuelga de los hilos de un títere que manejan otros.La motivación consiste en formular preguntas adecuadas, aquellas que disparan ese cierto mecanismo interno en las mentes, que encienden la chispa del interés intrínseco: el de aprender por aprender, porque se disfruta, porque la respuesta interesa realmente y porque perdurará en el interior del estudiante, formando parte de su bagaje cultural para siempre. Estas preguntas deben ser lo más generales posibles, para que cada estudiante las interiorice, las haga suyas y las coteje con sus sensaciones personales. Solamente de esta manera porfiará en la búsqueda de su respuesta y en la adquisición de conocimiento.
Los mejores profesores universitarios deben disponer de un ambiente a su alrededor y de unos medios que les permitan plantear desafíos intelectuales a sus alumnos, plantearles cuestiones enigmáticas que les dejen perplejos, incluso confusos, para que intenten descubrir incongruencias y paradojas. Los estudiantes deben, por su parte, especular, colaborar en grupo, intercambiar ideas y opiniones, interaccionando y realimentándose una y otra vez, formulando nuevas preguntas con las que corregir su propio conocimiento, ampliándolo. El profesor tan sólo debería intervenir al final de este proceso, para deshacer el lío, si es que lo hubiese. En los ocho cursos que llevo impartiendo la asignatura de
Física en la Ciencia Ficción
siempre he intentado poner en práctica muchas de las ideas expuestas. Las clases son de tipo socrático, montadas en forma de coloquio donde se exponen las ideas y opiniones de cada uno, con sus conocimientos personales. Mis estudiantes tienen libertad casi absoluta a la hora de trabajar. Lo hacen a su ritmo, confeccionando un blog personal donde escriben de los temas que prefieran o que más les gusten. Lo mismo escriben un post semanal que cinco diarios o diecisiete al mes; a mí no me importa, yo solamente persigo el objetivo final. La ciencia ficción es motivadora, planteadora de preguntas paradójicas, chocantes, lo suficientemente intrigantes como para provocar la motivación intrínseca, esa gran desconocida. Fuente original:Lo que hacen los mejores profesores universitarios (2ª edición) Ken Bain. Publicaciones de la Universidad de Valencia, 2007.
September 6, 2012
How to Get a Life-time Ban From a Lease Car Company
Okay so, in my lifestyle I've done quite a bit of journeying, and I've probably mentioned more standard resort bedrooms than 95% of the inhabitants. Indeed, I've visited to more places than 99% of the inhabitants, and I've also been prohibited from more rental car organizations that I proper want to keep in mind. Why you ask? Because in my organization I put far too many kilometers on car rentals, no, it's not because I'm scared to fly, I'm actually a lead, it's because I am a outdated franchisor, and would when developing my organization generate from town to town, and I didn't take airliners that much because I had too many prevents along the way.
I can keep in mind once I leased a car in Atlanta, and I put 48,000 kilometers on it in five several weeks. Actually, I leased the car for $260 weekly. You can think about when I introduced the car returning how stunned they were, and upset, and how they desired to damage my bank cards for $10,000 more. However, I created them adhere to the $260 weekly, and I informed them that was the cope, that's what I finalized up for, and it wasn't my mistake that I ran their car approved 26,000 kilometers, which is usually the factor where they business the car in because they have a cope with the automatic public auction.
You can know that obviously placing nearly 50,000 kilometers on an vehicle in five several weeks and operating out 50 percent of its useful lifestyle and only spending 1200+ cash price the automatic rental organization a ton of cash. They missing, and I won, but that was the cope. Indeed they sensed as if I took benefits of them, and I was prohibited for lifestyle from ever hiring a car from that organization again. Over the decades identical circumstances, although not as many kilometers, had happened. I am currently prohibited by four different automatic rental car organizations, for my lifetime.
You might have a good laugh, but this is not very crazy because automatic rental car organizations and brands often combine, and there aren't as many as there were before, so there are now only a few that I can lease from. Be sufficient it to say I'd suggest that you try not to take benefits of the Rent-A-Car organizations, but still get the best cope for yourself.
Otherwise you are responsible to get yourself also prohibited from the Rent-A-Car organizations, and that might harm your capability to journey later on. Indeed, I've been to some air-ports where 75 percent of the Rent-A-Car organizations were out of vehicles, and the only organization that had a car remaining, well it was one that I'd already been prohibited from leasing at. Perhaps you will please consider all this and think on it.
I can keep in mind once I leased a car in Atlanta, and I put 48,000 kilometers on it in five several weeks. Actually, I leased the car for $260 weekly. You can think about when I introduced the car returning how stunned they were, and upset, and how they desired to damage my bank cards for $10,000 more. However, I created them adhere to the $260 weekly, and I informed them that was the cope, that's what I finalized up for, and it wasn't my mistake that I ran their car approved 26,000 kilometers, which is usually the factor where they business the car in because they have a cope with the automatic public auction.
You can know that obviously placing nearly 50,000 kilometers on an vehicle in five several weeks and operating out 50 percent of its useful lifestyle and only spending 1200+ cash price the automatic rental organization a ton of cash. They missing, and I won, but that was the cope. Indeed they sensed as if I took benefits of them, and I was prohibited for lifestyle from ever hiring a car from that organization again. Over the decades identical circumstances, although not as many kilometers, had happened. I am currently prohibited by four different automatic rental car organizations, for my lifetime.
You might have a good laugh, but this is not very crazy because automatic rental car organizations and brands often combine, and there aren't as many as there were before, so there are now only a few that I can lease from. Be sufficient it to say I'd suggest that you try not to take benefits of the Rent-A-Car organizations, but still get the best cope for yourself.
Otherwise you are responsible to get yourself also prohibited from the Rent-A-Car organizations, and that might harm your capability to journey later on. Indeed, I've been to some air-ports where 75 percent of the Rent-A-Car organizations were out of vehicles, and the only organization that had a car remaining, well it was one that I'd already been prohibited from leasing at. Perhaps you will please consider all this and think on it.
August 6, 2012
Getting a Lease Car Across the Border
Driving accommodations car across the boundary can be challenging. Whether or not accommodations organization will allow this really rely on a wide range of aspects, such as the car hire organization and which boundary you are trying to combination.
However, you may need extra insurance policy to be able to generate in another nation and you will need to discover out if there are any variations in the street guidelines in the nation you are going to.
Canadian Border
You have a lot more flexibility here than if you are seeking to combination the boundary into South america. Almost all car accommodations in both North america and the U.S. will allow you to take your rental car across the boundary, provided that you are preparing to come returning again. The exemption to this concept is if you are a resident of the nation that you are generating into. For example, if you are a North america resident, you cannot take an United states rental car into North america unless it has North america certificate dishes.
Also, if you are going to be taking accommodations car across the boundary into North america, you will need to demonstrate your rental records to the boundary authorities, so have them useful. Moreover, you will probably need to buy extra insurance policy, since the plan that comes with the car hire won´t protect injuries or robbery outside of the U.S. You will probably need to have a North america non-resident insurance policy cards in this situation.Talk to your rental organization before trying to combination the boundary, since you do not want to be traversing without authorization or insurance!
Mexican Border
This is a bit more difficult. You'll be challenged to discover a car hire organization that will allow you to take accommodations car into South america, due to the great criminal activity and robbery amount in this nation. There are a few rental organizations that may allow you to take the rental car across the boundary, but this is pretty unlikely. A better choice would be to just recreation area at the boundary and stroll across. If you need to have a automobile on the other part, lease from a Spanish car hire organization as they are better prepared to cope with the threats.
You will definitely need to buy extra insurance policy if you do choose to combination the boundary into South america in accommodations car and handle to get authorization from your car hire organization. Sometimes, you can get this extra insurance policy to protect you in South america from your rental organization, but you may want to go with a third celebration insurance policy provider if it is less expensive. Study the agreement properly and create sure that you are protected for everything from car robbery to injuries. South america can get a bit crazy, particularly in the boundary cities, so try to recreation area the car in secure places where you pay someone to keep an eye on it.
Taking accommodations car across the boundary is possible in many situations, based on which boundary, but do create sure to discuss to your rental organization first about your programs. They may need extra insurance policy or have some guidelines for you. You will also discover out what is needed to be able to combination the boundary, whether or not you need a ticket and what other documentation is necessary.
However, you may need extra insurance policy to be able to generate in another nation and you will need to discover out if there are any variations in the street guidelines in the nation you are going to.
Canadian Border
You have a lot more flexibility here than if you are seeking to combination the boundary into South america. Almost all car accommodations in both North america and the U.S. will allow you to take your rental car across the boundary, provided that you are preparing to come returning again. The exemption to this concept is if you are a resident of the nation that you are generating into. For example, if you are a North america resident, you cannot take an United states rental car into North america unless it has North america certificate dishes.
Also, if you are going to be taking accommodations car across the boundary into North america, you will need to demonstrate your rental records to the boundary authorities, so have them useful. Moreover, you will probably need to buy extra insurance policy, since the plan that comes with the car hire won´t protect injuries or robbery outside of the U.S. You will probably need to have a North america non-resident insurance policy cards in this situation.Talk to your rental organization before trying to combination the boundary, since you do not want to be traversing without authorization or insurance!
Mexican Border
This is a bit more difficult. You'll be challenged to discover a car hire organization that will allow you to take accommodations car into South america, due to the great criminal activity and robbery amount in this nation. There are a few rental organizations that may allow you to take the rental car across the boundary, but this is pretty unlikely. A better choice would be to just recreation area at the boundary and stroll across. If you need to have a automobile on the other part, lease from a Spanish car hire organization as they are better prepared to cope with the threats.
You will definitely need to buy extra insurance policy if you do choose to combination the boundary into South america in accommodations car and handle to get authorization from your car hire organization. Sometimes, you can get this extra insurance policy to protect you in South america from your rental organization, but you may want to go with a third celebration insurance policy provider if it is less expensive. Study the agreement properly and create sure that you are protected for everything from car robbery to injuries. South america can get a bit crazy, particularly in the boundary cities, so try to recreation area the car in secure places where you pay someone to keep an eye on it.
Taking accommodations car across the boundary is possible in many situations, based on which boundary, but do create sure to discuss to your rental organization first about your programs. They may need extra insurance policy or have some guidelines for you. You will also discover out what is needed to be able to combination the boundary, whether or not you need a ticket and what other documentation is necessary.
July 6, 2012
Describing Lease Car Insurance plan And Lease Compensation Coverage
Whenever purchasing car insurance, most providers and providers like to motivate customers to buy extra rights that many might need but many more could do without. Right at the top of that list is accommodations car driver, which expands security to automobiles that are leased for a few several weeks.
For some individuals, such extra programs can be beneficial, particularly if they journey a lot and create use of such automobiles several times. And the price of such programs usually is low, maybe amounting to between $10 and $30 each six several weeks. But for many others, there is no need of extra price of any type due to the fact many bank credit cards give free security when using them to pay when leasing a automobile.
As always, there are restrictions to such insurance coverages, whether using a bank cards or when having it as part of an automatic plan. Many bank credit cards have a moment period restrict for when genuine statements may be registered, such as within 45 days of the damage-causing occurrence. And the security might not be transferred to another country, such as South america or when journeying international. But the price of purchasing security when actually leasing a automobile can be very high, and most organizations will not let a automobile off their lot without the security of a plan in place.
A latest study done by the Nationwide Organization of Insurance plan Commissioners indicates about 42 % of those asked at best had only a "rough idea" of whether or not their already in power automobile programs would bring over when leasing. And 34 % went forward and compensated for extra security when at the reverse before generating off in a leased automobile because they did not know if they had security or not and desired to make sure they were protected. In many situations, either the right credit score cards or their automatic guidelines would have disregarded the need for that extra price.
While the extra price of such programs often is complicated to individuals, the idea of rental reimbursement security usually is better recognized by individuals. Generally, when journeying and a automobile is broken and needs maintenance or even if engaged in a car incident while generating regionally, the price of acquiring short-term transport will be compensated up to certain boundaries with accommodations reimbursement plan.
Such programs can help create it possible to proceed journeying or generating to and from work and operating other everyday tasks instead of having to use community transit or just bumming trips from others while looking forward to maintenance. Such guidelines usually will pay a restricted quantity per day and have a highest possible complete quantity offered by plan boundaries, such as $125 in complete, for example.
For some individuals, such extra programs can be beneficial, particularly if they journey a lot and create use of such automobiles several times. And the price of such programs usually is low, maybe amounting to between $10 and $30 each six several weeks. But for many others, there is no need of extra price of any type due to the fact many bank credit cards give free security when using them to pay when leasing a automobile.
As always, there are restrictions to such insurance coverages, whether using a bank cards or when having it as part of an automatic plan. Many bank credit cards have a moment period restrict for when genuine statements may be registered, such as within 45 days of the damage-causing occurrence. And the security might not be transferred to another country, such as South america or when journeying international. But the price of purchasing security when actually leasing a automobile can be very high, and most organizations will not let a automobile off their lot without the security of a plan in place.
A latest study done by the Nationwide Organization of Insurance plan Commissioners indicates about 42 % of those asked at best had only a "rough idea" of whether or not their already in power automobile programs would bring over when leasing. And 34 % went forward and compensated for extra security when at the reverse before generating off in a leased automobile because they did not know if they had security or not and desired to make sure they were protected. In many situations, either the right credit score cards or their automatic guidelines would have disregarded the need for that extra price.
While the extra price of such programs often is complicated to individuals, the idea of rental reimbursement security usually is better recognized by individuals. Generally, when journeying and a automobile is broken and needs maintenance or even if engaged in a car incident while generating regionally, the price of acquiring short-term transport will be compensated up to certain boundaries with accommodations reimbursement plan.
Such programs can help create it possible to proceed journeying or generating to and from work and operating other everyday tasks instead of having to use community transit or just bumming trips from others while looking forward to maintenance. Such guidelines usually will pay a restricted quantity per day and have a highest possible complete quantity offered by plan boundaries, such as $125 in complete, for example.
June 6, 2012
Guidelines for Discovering the Unique Lease Car Of Your Dreams
When you're in the marketplace to find accommodations car that is a cut above the relax, here are some suggestions to help you along the way:
Fellow travelers - The car you lease may be absolutely different if you are going with your tennis friends to a hot identify compared to your partner to a fascinating hotel. It can be also different if you're journeying with children (especially little children). Contact forward to the rental car organizations that provide high-class vehicles so you know what is available in the place you are preparing to lease from so there are no excitement later. A Maserati may be available in Las vegas, but not New You are able to, and viceversa.
Research - Go to a web page such as Edmunds.com, vehicles.com, or an automobile business journal to study opinions on some of the biggest executing vehicles out on the street these days. Also, analysis sites, Tweets nourishes, and Facebook or myspace webpages that particularly concentrate on high-class products or high-class journey. Many periods, these places have excellent material on the kinds of vehicles available for lease or buy, and can provide you with concepts on what you would like to lease on your next journey.
Reward yourself during a significant occasion in your lifestyle - Preserve up, then during a marriage, significant birthday, big marketing, or other significant lifestyle occasion, take a day or two and lease a high-class car that you've been seeking to generate for a lengthy period.Insurance - Assuring a heavy cost automobile can be costly, or in some situations, not available. The threat is basically too excellent and a threat insurance plan providers are not willing to take.
Plan, strategy, strategy - I couldn't pressure this enough. Most holidays that are organized well end well, even if there are a number of snags along the way. The purpose is that when individuals strategy factors in advance, they are more prepared for incidents that can occur, and can better perform around those incidents. If the rental car organization doesn't have the car you want, create sure to have a back-up in thoughts. If you reduce your pockets, create sure you know where to get additional cash/funds/credit. If you're getting children with you, create sure to strategy for the factors they will need. Of course, since you're in the marketplace to lease an super top high quality excellent end exotic automobile, there can be some space for being impromptu!
Don't ignore about how much it's going to cost! - For some, especially those seeking an greatest top high quality car for a joy generate, won't proper worry about the cost. But the cost of a one day rental in some places can be as much as the cost of having a high high quality used automobile, which can be more than $8,000 a day to lease a Saleen S7. Of course, hiring a car like this compared to spending $100,000 or more can create it appear like a cope. Just create sure it's in your cost range.
Fellow travelers - The car you lease may be absolutely different if you are going with your tennis friends to a hot identify compared to your partner to a fascinating hotel. It can be also different if you're journeying with children (especially little children). Contact forward to the rental car organizations that provide high-class vehicles so you know what is available in the place you are preparing to lease from so there are no excitement later. A Maserati may be available in Las vegas, but not New You are able to, and viceversa.
Research - Go to a web page such as Edmunds.com, vehicles.com, or an automobile business journal to study opinions on some of the biggest executing vehicles out on the street these days. Also, analysis sites, Tweets nourishes, and Facebook or myspace webpages that particularly concentrate on high-class products or high-class journey. Many periods, these places have excellent material on the kinds of vehicles available for lease or buy, and can provide you with concepts on what you would like to lease on your next journey.
Reward yourself during a significant occasion in your lifestyle - Preserve up, then during a marriage, significant birthday, big marketing, or other significant lifestyle occasion, take a day or two and lease a high-class car that you've been seeking to generate for a lengthy period.Insurance - Assuring a heavy cost automobile can be costly, or in some situations, not available. The threat is basically too excellent and a threat insurance plan providers are not willing to take.
Plan, strategy, strategy - I couldn't pressure this enough. Most holidays that are organized well end well, even if there are a number of snags along the way. The purpose is that when individuals strategy factors in advance, they are more prepared for incidents that can occur, and can better perform around those incidents. If the rental car organization doesn't have the car you want, create sure to have a back-up in thoughts. If you reduce your pockets, create sure you know where to get additional cash/funds/credit. If you're getting children with you, create sure to strategy for the factors they will need. Of course, since you're in the marketplace to lease an super top high quality excellent end exotic automobile, there can be some space for being impromptu!
Don't ignore about how much it's going to cost! - For some, especially those seeking an greatest top high quality car for a joy generate, won't proper worry about the cost. But the cost of a one day rental in some places can be as much as the cost of having a high high quality used automobile, which can be more than $8,000 a day to lease a Saleen S7. Of course, hiring a car like this compared to spending $100,000 or more can create it appear like a cope. Just create sure it's in your cost range.
May 6, 2012
Guide to Car Lease Organizations in Costa Rica
"My time's restricted... how do I choose?"
Car rental is a hot topic for tourists headed to Costa Rica. Latest analysis performed by the Costa Rican Institution of Travel and leisure (ICT) indicates that, after accommodations, hiring a car is the largest expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day holiday.
The Internet is buzzing with adverse opinions discussing overcharging, poor client support and engine repairs and faults. You might have even published one yourself!
A typical midsize (3 - 4 adults) 4X4 rental runs between $58 and $65 everyday with third celebration insurance plan and prices can differ as much as 20 percent among car rental companies, so studying a quick evaluation will the perfect well spent once you calculate the savings.
So the question is; which rental organization provides the best balance of reasonable cost, capable client support and reliable vehicles? I've researched it all for you, so keep reading!
Disclosure: This analysis was performed in May - This summer 2013. The following companies were selected because they are the most widely used in Costa Rica. Some are regional companies; others are worldwide businesses of recognized brands. Comparisons include: client support, costs and the reservation process. The details mill detailed alphabetically and not depending on personal or on the internet preferences.
Consider this details before renting:Insurance
One of the biggest causes for problems is from the stack of unexpected expenses provided to the tenant once standing at the rental company's reverse. Vacationers are generally tired after a long flight and then are confronted by expenses that were not anticipated, explained or budgeted.
Topping the record of issues is the non-disclosure of charges associated with the compulsory third-party insurance plan at plenty of time the reservation is made.
According to Costa Rican law, every car owner is required to carry responsibility to insure against injuries to third parties. Car hire companies usually refrain from disclosing the cost of this plan in the estimated rental amount to appear more aggressive. Mandatory third-party insurance plan can sometimes be as much as double the vehicle's rental cost. The only guarantee against insurance plan misunderstandings is to inquire if your estimate contains the third celebration insurance plan and insist on an itemized quotation.
Cost of Mandatory Insurance (also called Third Party or SLI)
Expect to pay between $12 and $15 everyday for this insurance plan, in accordance with the design of the leased automobile and the rental-car agency. This is a legal situation of your rental contract and is usually not protected by bank credit cards and cannot be waived. It's a fact of hiring a car in Costa Rica.
Collision Harm Waiver (CDW)
As the name suggests, this isn't insurance plan, but a waiver, which relieves the tenant from any responsibility for harm to the rental-car after the deductible is paid (usually from $750 to $1,500). Some organizations require tenants to buy their CDW policy; thereby negating any bank credit cards program. For an extra fee, many organizations do offer a zero responsibility choice where the tenant will be freed from paying for any harm to the car. Some companies may put pressure upon tenants to buy the zero responsibility coverage; however, it is entirely optionally available, unless it is in the terms and circumstances of their rental contract.
Credit credit cards insurance plan programs may protect the CDW for accommodations automobile. Examine with your chosen rental-car organization to find which proof of insurance plan is required and then request that from your credit score bank prior to arriving. If you use your credit score card's CDW plan, anticipate to pay a greater down payment on the vehicle; around $1,500 to $2000 is typical. The greater down payment ensures that the bank credit cards owner has enough financial supplies to protect loss if required. It is important to consider that if using CDW protection provided by a bank credit cards (in lieu of the lease a car operator), all loss will be billed to the renter's bank credit cards. The money score bank will then reimburse the credit cards owner for loss.
More Insurance
Tires and windshields are rarely involved in plans, although extra guidelines may be taken out for covering these regularly broken products. Neither the interior nor the underneath of the automobile may be protected. Always read the terms and circumstances.
Standard Procedure
Your bank credit cards will be billed, or a 'hold' placed, for the rental automobile during plenty of duration of the rental agreement; i.e. from picking up the rental until you come back it. An atm card are usually not acceptable.
Additional Charges
Most companies have taxes for extra motorists, car seats/boosters, mobile phones, coolers, GPS and/or roof shelves. The cost varies from organization to organization, but since these accessories are billed at a everyday amount, it is worth checking the all inclusive costs -- extra choices can add up very quickly! A GPS is around $8 to $10 per day; however, some providers may offer discounted units. Anticipate to pay around $5 everyday for a kid chair and a few dollars a day for all the other 'niceties'. Vamos is notable for offering most of these choices and, during some promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Cost range, Hertz and Nationwide cost the most for such extra options; whereas the other manufacturers detailed, cost more cheap costs.
Surcharges
Most companies add little incremental expenses, such as license plate and environmental charges, into the complete tally. Be wary of providers who insert these extra expenses into the little of the rental contract. Automobiles leased direct at manchester international terminal incur international airport taxes, which are a whopping 12% of your rental cost!
The rental automobile should be returned with the same amount of energy, unless otherwise indicated. If not, companies may cost above gas station prices for missing energy.
Vehicles
There is a discussion over the vehicles supplied by rental companies: Mature vehicles allow the car owner to blend in more than a shiny, new car. Having a non-current timepiece may have the indirect benefit of being less examined by car rental organizations for recent nicks and scrapes, unlike a modern automobile. However, a modern automobile may be more roadworthy. This discussion carries on into the different automobile brands. Generally, Costa Rican companies are able to lease their vehicles for a low cost because their vehicles are generally three to five decades of age (versus two to three). Online opinions would recommend that the regional companies have no more problems concerning automobile quality than transnational franchises; analysis on forums, such as TripAdvisor.com, seems to indicate that clients regularly appreciate driving a less-than-new automobile through the wilds of Costa Rica. The reasons are plenty, from street circumstances to the notion of less-then-new vehicles blending in better -- a modern automobile may draw more unwanted attention.
The choices of car rentals in Costa Rica are mostly restricted to brands that sustain a aggressive resale value, are a typical product in the country, and are inexpensive to sustain. As such a rent-a-car operator's fleet usually do not be as diverse as the United Declares. Chevy, Car, Mitsubishi and Cars constitute the principal brands of most rental fleets.
Sometimes, motorists are billed for supposed 'damages' to the automobile upon come back. Once receiving the automobile, tenants should carefully check out pre-existing faults and compare it with the automobile inspection document used by the rental-car associate. Some tenants recommend taking photos or videoing the automobile from all perspectives, to prevent any disagreement between pre-existing and recently broken products.
Pricing
Car rentals in Costa Rica are costly in comparison to other countries. Duties on vehicles are great (as much as 50% of their value!), parts are costlier and unforgiving street circumstances contribute to greater deterioration, generating greater maintenance expenses.
The rule is you get what you pay for -- there are other choices than those rental companies right here, but they are not detailed for reasonable. They basically fail to offer primary client support and/or a suitable automobile situation required for a (nearly) trouble-free holiday.
When comparing rental-car expenses, it is best to go directly to the Costa Rican website of the rental-car organization, rather than trying to use their worldwide format or an intermediary (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). For the same vehicles and reservation dates, the prices provided by the respective worldwide vs. Costa Rican websites for Alamo, Cost range, Hertz and Cash conscious differed substantially.
To prevent misunderstandings, create out all correspondence with the car rental organization with whom you have reserved a automobile and bring this to the rental workplace with the quotation given at plenty of duration of reservation.
The following top ten chart positions the companies from highest priced to smallest and it contains the compulsory insurance plan cost. In the situations of Alamo and Hertz, the figure contains their CDW fee as it is one of their rental requirements. This cost evaluation is depending on a week's rental of a Daihatsu Bego, where available (Dollar provides the Suzuki Vitara) from Sept Fourteenth - 21st, then again in Dec to view both Natural and High Year prices. The record easily demonstrates that the cost variation depends greatly on the organization -- for basically the same support. These costs were acquired in June/July 2013.
Rental Car Organizations Ranked According to Price
September
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Hertz $514.27
8. Adobe $449
7. Cost range $455
6. Nationwide $428.01
5. Cash conscious $421.05
4. Service $374.43
3. Vamos $370.30
2. Money $364
1. Crazy Driver $350
December
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Nationwide $597.51
8. Hertz $566.52
7. Cost range $555
6. Money $532
5. Cash conscious $506.58
4. Service $494.43
3. Vamos $461.30
2. Adobe $459
1. Crazy Driver $395
Alamo positions variety ten for both periods, creating it the most costly organization. Cost range, Hertz and Nationwide also amount low on the scale for economical rental choices.
Company Summaries
Adobe
Website is obvious and simple to use, but costs and even the vehicles detailed are not the same as those given by an workplace associate over the cellphone. Mandatory prices are not shown with the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as a client goes towards reservation a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet. E-mail reaction is less than 24 time, but may not offer all asked for details.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. No Stay Talk.
10 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $19 daily
Additional charges: GPS $9/day, kid chair $5/day
Alamo
Website is obvious and simple to use, but costs differ against quotes acquired over the cellphone. Mandatory prices are not given with the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as the client goes towards creating a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet. E-mail reaction is less than 24 time.
No toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety or Stay chat
14 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $11.95 everyday, but must also take their CDW at $12.95 daily
Additional charges: GPS $12/day, kid chair $6/day
Budget
Website is primary, but simple to use. Prices on the internet differ to the estimates given by a associate over the cellphone and depending on whether the worldwide or Costa Rican website is used. Mandatory prices are given along with the record of vehicles; however, the other expenses are not detailed. Combined testimonials on the internet. E-mail reaction is more than 24 time.
No toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. No Stay Talk on Costa Rican website.
10 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: involved in the detailed price
Additional charges: GPS $10.95/day, kid chair $12/day (the most costly of the top ten)
Dollar
Website is obvious and simple to use. Prices estimated differ if calling from the U.S. or in Costa Rica. Mandatory prices are not given with the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as a client goes towards a creating a reservation. Combined on the internet opinions, but usually receives beneficial feedback. E-mail queries answered within 24 time.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. No Stay Talk.
3 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $16 daily
Additional charges: GPS $9/day, kid chair $5/day
Hertz
Website is obvious and simple to use. Mandatory prices are not given besides the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as the client goes towards a reservation a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet. E-mail reaction less than 24 time.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety and Stay Talk (although it seems to be completely offline)
7 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $17.43 everyday, but their CDW is also a requirement
Additional charges: GPS $12/day, kid chair $2/day
National
Website is obvious and simple to use. Mandatory prices are not given along with the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as a client goes towards creating a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet, but more beneficial than adverse. E-mail reaction less than 24 time.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. Stay Talk.
22 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $25 everyday (the most costly of the top ten)
Additional charges: GPS $12/day, kid chair $6/day
Service
Website is obvious and simple to use with just a slight misunderstandings in that an on the internet quotation is acquired by basically simply clicking 'Reserve Now' and not the 'Get a Quote' choice. The reaction to a cellphone inquiry was to use the website. Mandatory prices are given along with the record of vehicles and rental expenses for the low season expenses and on the second web page of the other quotation web page. Remember is a strongly recommended sales rep who is described in many on the internet opinions for the advanced stage of his client support. Generally on the internet opinions are beneficial for Service. E-mail reaction is less than 24 time, although all details asked for may not be acquired.
U.S.A contact variety, but not toll-free. No Stay Talk.
5 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $15 daily
Additional charges: GPS $5.99/day, kid chair $2.99/day
Thrifty
Costa Rican version of the website is impossible to use and you are asked to register for a customer name and password. Mandatory prices are not given along with the record of vehicles and rental expenses. A client has to click on "Protection Options" on the U.S. website and select the compulsory insurance plan by basically simply clicking it -- implying that it is optionally available and not a required cost. Cash conscious usually get mixed on the internet opinions. E-mail reaction is more than 24 time.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. No Stay Talk.
4 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $19.99 daily
Additional charges: GPS $10/day, kid chair $5/day
Vamos
Website is obvious and simple to use. Mandatory prices are not given along side the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but are clearly shown on the following web page as the client goes towards reservation a reservation. Anibal, a associate, is regularly described in on the internet opinions for his advanced stage of client support skills. General Manager, George Schwarzenbach is known on Trip Advisor for his upfront and honest reactions to clients' posts.
In the past svereal decades, Vamos has acquired very beneficial on the internet opinions. E-mail reaction is less than 24 time. Stay Talk has instant reaction a chance to queries.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. Stay Talk.
3 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $11.95 daily
Additional charges: GPS $8/day, kid chair free
Wild Rider
Website is obvious and simple to use. Mandatory prices are given next to the record of vehicles. Crazy Driver is the only car rental firm in Costa Rica with no visible bad on the internet opinions. Owner, Thorsten, is often praised for his efficiency and client support, despite the very restricted resources the organization has at hand. Emails get very immediate and detailed reactions in less than 12 time.
No toll-free contact variety or Stay Chat
1 workplace -- no Liberia international airport office
Mandatory insurance: included
Additional charges: GPS $8/day, kid chair $5/day
Comparison Review
Customer Service
Vamos and Crazy Driver react easily to email stay chat queries. Adobe, Alamo, Money, Hertz, Nationwide, and Service react to email queries in less than 24 time, but Adobe and Service did not offer all the details asked for (possibly a language barrier). Cost range provides a 100 % free telephone support, but it seems to be always busy. Hertz's live chat seems to be constantly off-line. During the past year, clients who published to on the internet evaluation websites expressed a particular satisfaction with the client support provided by Service, Vamos and Crazy Driver.
Clarity
Adobe, Alamo and Cost range have different housing expenses published on their websites than those estimated over the cellphone. Telephone costs were reduced than that estimated on the website in the situations of Adobe and Alamo, but yet greater in the case of Cost range. Adobe also provides different automobile designs over the cellphone as in comparison to their website. International car rental companies with both a Costa Rican and worldwide website appear to have costs differences between the two websites.
Budget and Crazy Driver consist of the compulsory insurance plan in their housing expenses, but Cost range states that 'other charges' which will be provided at the reverse in the little on their website. Lease costs for car seating had to be verified on the cellphone as they are not detailed on the Cost range website.
All other manufacturers with the exception of Cash conscious (a U.S. website), clearly show the compulsory insurance plan cost with the quotation given. Thrifty's Costa Rican website is basically unusable.
Pricing
Service, Vamos and Crazy Driver consistently offer the best prices for both Natural and High periods, although Money has one of the smallest Natural season prices available, while Adobe has a cheaper High season amount. Vamos offer the best "all inclusive" prices, given that most choices are provided for 100 % free.
Adobe, Money, Service, Cash conscious and Crazy Driver remain aggressive with their costs of products such as kid chairs. Alamo, Hertz and Nationwide are the most costly companies to lease from and their extra choice expenses are also more costly.
Car rental is a hot topic for tourists headed to Costa Rica. Latest analysis performed by the Costa Rican Institution of Travel and leisure (ICT) indicates that, after accommodations, hiring a car is the largest expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day holiday.
The Internet is buzzing with adverse opinions discussing overcharging, poor client support and engine repairs and faults. You might have even published one yourself!
A typical midsize (3 - 4 adults) 4X4 rental runs between $58 and $65 everyday with third celebration insurance plan and prices can differ as much as 20 percent among car rental companies, so studying a quick evaluation will the perfect well spent once you calculate the savings.
So the question is; which rental organization provides the best balance of reasonable cost, capable client support and reliable vehicles? I've researched it all for you, so keep reading!
Disclosure: This analysis was performed in May - This summer 2013. The following companies were selected because they are the most widely used in Costa Rica. Some are regional companies; others are worldwide businesses of recognized brands. Comparisons include: client support, costs and the reservation process. The details mill detailed alphabetically and not depending on personal or on the internet preferences.
Consider this details before renting:Insurance
One of the biggest causes for problems is from the stack of unexpected expenses provided to the tenant once standing at the rental company's reverse. Vacationers are generally tired after a long flight and then are confronted by expenses that were not anticipated, explained or budgeted.
Topping the record of issues is the non-disclosure of charges associated with the compulsory third-party insurance plan at plenty of time the reservation is made.
According to Costa Rican law, every car owner is required to carry responsibility to insure against injuries to third parties. Car hire companies usually refrain from disclosing the cost of this plan in the estimated rental amount to appear more aggressive. Mandatory third-party insurance plan can sometimes be as much as double the vehicle's rental cost. The only guarantee against insurance plan misunderstandings is to inquire if your estimate contains the third celebration insurance plan and insist on an itemized quotation.
Cost of Mandatory Insurance (also called Third Party or SLI)
Expect to pay between $12 and $15 everyday for this insurance plan, in accordance with the design of the leased automobile and the rental-car agency. This is a legal situation of your rental contract and is usually not protected by bank credit cards and cannot be waived. It's a fact of hiring a car in Costa Rica.
Collision Harm Waiver (CDW)
As the name suggests, this isn't insurance plan, but a waiver, which relieves the tenant from any responsibility for harm to the rental-car after the deductible is paid (usually from $750 to $1,500). Some organizations require tenants to buy their CDW policy; thereby negating any bank credit cards program. For an extra fee, many organizations do offer a zero responsibility choice where the tenant will be freed from paying for any harm to the car. Some companies may put pressure upon tenants to buy the zero responsibility coverage; however, it is entirely optionally available, unless it is in the terms and circumstances of their rental contract.
Credit credit cards insurance plan programs may protect the CDW for accommodations automobile. Examine with your chosen rental-car organization to find which proof of insurance plan is required and then request that from your credit score bank prior to arriving. If you use your credit score card's CDW plan, anticipate to pay a greater down payment on the vehicle; around $1,500 to $2000 is typical. The greater down payment ensures that the bank credit cards owner has enough financial supplies to protect loss if required. It is important to consider that if using CDW protection provided by a bank credit cards (in lieu of the lease a car operator), all loss will be billed to the renter's bank credit cards. The money score bank will then reimburse the credit cards owner for loss.
More Insurance
Tires and windshields are rarely involved in plans, although extra guidelines may be taken out for covering these regularly broken products. Neither the interior nor the underneath of the automobile may be protected. Always read the terms and circumstances.
Standard Procedure
Your bank credit cards will be billed, or a 'hold' placed, for the rental automobile during plenty of duration of the rental agreement; i.e. from picking up the rental until you come back it. An atm card are usually not acceptable.
Additional Charges
Most companies have taxes for extra motorists, car seats/boosters, mobile phones, coolers, GPS and/or roof shelves. The cost varies from organization to organization, but since these accessories are billed at a everyday amount, it is worth checking the all inclusive costs -- extra choices can add up very quickly! A GPS is around $8 to $10 per day; however, some providers may offer discounted units. Anticipate to pay around $5 everyday for a kid chair and a few dollars a day for all the other 'niceties'. Vamos is notable for offering most of these choices and, during some promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Cost range, Hertz and Nationwide cost the most for such extra options; whereas the other manufacturers detailed, cost more cheap costs.
Surcharges
Most companies add little incremental expenses, such as license plate and environmental charges, into the complete tally. Be wary of providers who insert these extra expenses into the little of the rental contract. Automobiles leased direct at manchester international terminal incur international airport taxes, which are a whopping 12% of your rental cost!
The rental automobile should be returned with the same amount of energy, unless otherwise indicated. If not, companies may cost above gas station prices for missing energy.
Vehicles
There is a discussion over the vehicles supplied by rental companies: Mature vehicles allow the car owner to blend in more than a shiny, new car. Having a non-current timepiece may have the indirect benefit of being less examined by car rental organizations for recent nicks and scrapes, unlike a modern automobile. However, a modern automobile may be more roadworthy. This discussion carries on into the different automobile brands. Generally, Costa Rican companies are able to lease their vehicles for a low cost because their vehicles are generally three to five decades of age (versus two to three). Online opinions would recommend that the regional companies have no more problems concerning automobile quality than transnational franchises; analysis on forums, such as TripAdvisor.com, seems to indicate that clients regularly appreciate driving a less-than-new automobile through the wilds of Costa Rica. The reasons are plenty, from street circumstances to the notion of less-then-new vehicles blending in better -- a modern automobile may draw more unwanted attention.
The choices of car rentals in Costa Rica are mostly restricted to brands that sustain a aggressive resale value, are a typical product in the country, and are inexpensive to sustain. As such a rent-a-car operator's fleet usually do not be as diverse as the United Declares. Chevy, Car, Mitsubishi and Cars constitute the principal brands of most rental fleets.
Sometimes, motorists are billed for supposed 'damages' to the automobile upon come back. Once receiving the automobile, tenants should carefully check out pre-existing faults and compare it with the automobile inspection document used by the rental-car associate. Some tenants recommend taking photos or videoing the automobile from all perspectives, to prevent any disagreement between pre-existing and recently broken products.
Pricing
Car rentals in Costa Rica are costly in comparison to other countries. Duties on vehicles are great (as much as 50% of their value!), parts are costlier and unforgiving street circumstances contribute to greater deterioration, generating greater maintenance expenses.
The rule is you get what you pay for -- there are other choices than those rental companies right here, but they are not detailed for reasonable. They basically fail to offer primary client support and/or a suitable automobile situation required for a (nearly) trouble-free holiday.
When comparing rental-car expenses, it is best to go directly to the Costa Rican website of the rental-car organization, rather than trying to use their worldwide format or an intermediary (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). For the same vehicles and reservation dates, the prices provided by the respective worldwide vs. Costa Rican websites for Alamo, Cost range, Hertz and Cash conscious differed substantially.
To prevent misunderstandings, create out all correspondence with the car rental organization with whom you have reserved a automobile and bring this to the rental workplace with the quotation given at plenty of duration of reservation.
The following top ten chart positions the companies from highest priced to smallest and it contains the compulsory insurance plan cost. In the situations of Alamo and Hertz, the figure contains their CDW fee as it is one of their rental requirements. This cost evaluation is depending on a week's rental of a Daihatsu Bego, where available (Dollar provides the Suzuki Vitara) from Sept Fourteenth - 21st, then again in Dec to view both Natural and High Year prices. The record easily demonstrates that the cost variation depends greatly on the organization -- for basically the same support. These costs were acquired in June/July 2013.
Rental Car Organizations Ranked According to Price
September
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Hertz $514.27
8. Adobe $449
7. Cost range $455
6. Nationwide $428.01
5. Cash conscious $421.05
4. Service $374.43
3. Vamos $370.30
2. Money $364
1. Crazy Driver $350
December
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Nationwide $597.51
8. Hertz $566.52
7. Cost range $555
6. Money $532
5. Cash conscious $506.58
4. Service $494.43
3. Vamos $461.30
2. Adobe $459
1. Crazy Driver $395
Alamo positions variety ten for both periods, creating it the most costly organization. Cost range, Hertz and Nationwide also amount low on the scale for economical rental choices.
Company Summaries
Adobe
Website is obvious and simple to use, but costs and even the vehicles detailed are not the same as those given by an workplace associate over the cellphone. Mandatory prices are not shown with the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as a client goes towards reservation a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet. E-mail reaction is less than 24 time, but may not offer all asked for details.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. No Stay Talk.
10 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $19 daily
Additional charges: GPS $9/day, kid chair $5/day
Alamo
Website is obvious and simple to use, but costs differ against quotes acquired over the cellphone. Mandatory prices are not given with the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as the client goes towards creating a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet. E-mail reaction is less than 24 time.
No toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety or Stay chat
14 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $11.95 everyday, but must also take their CDW at $12.95 daily
Additional charges: GPS $12/day, kid chair $6/day
Budget
Website is primary, but simple to use. Prices on the internet differ to the estimates given by a associate over the cellphone and depending on whether the worldwide or Costa Rican website is used. Mandatory prices are given along with the record of vehicles; however, the other expenses are not detailed. Combined testimonials on the internet. E-mail reaction is more than 24 time.
No toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. No Stay Talk on Costa Rican website.
10 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: involved in the detailed price
Additional charges: GPS $10.95/day, kid chair $12/day (the most costly of the top ten)
Dollar
Website is obvious and simple to use. Prices estimated differ if calling from the U.S. or in Costa Rica. Mandatory prices are not given with the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as a client goes towards a creating a reservation. Combined on the internet opinions, but usually receives beneficial feedback. E-mail queries answered within 24 time.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. No Stay Talk.
3 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $16 daily
Additional charges: GPS $9/day, kid chair $5/day
Hertz
Website is obvious and simple to use. Mandatory prices are not given besides the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as the client goes towards a reservation a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet. E-mail reaction less than 24 time.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety and Stay Talk (although it seems to be completely offline)
7 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $17.43 everyday, but their CDW is also a requirement
Additional charges: GPS $12/day, kid chair $2/day
National
Website is obvious and simple to use. Mandatory prices are not given along with the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but they are clearly shown on the following web page as a client goes towards creating a reservation. Combined testimonials on the internet, but more beneficial than adverse. E-mail reaction less than 24 time.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. Stay Talk.
22 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $25 everyday (the most costly of the top ten)
Additional charges: GPS $12/day, kid chair $6/day
Service
Website is obvious and simple to use with just a slight misunderstandings in that an on the internet quotation is acquired by basically simply clicking 'Reserve Now' and not the 'Get a Quote' choice. The reaction to a cellphone inquiry was to use the website. Mandatory prices are given along with the record of vehicles and rental expenses for the low season expenses and on the second web page of the other quotation web page. Remember is a strongly recommended sales rep who is described in many on the internet opinions for the advanced stage of his client support. Generally on the internet opinions are beneficial for Service. E-mail reaction is less than 24 time, although all details asked for may not be acquired.
U.S.A contact variety, but not toll-free. No Stay Talk.
5 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $15 daily
Additional charges: GPS $5.99/day, kid chair $2.99/day
Thrifty
Costa Rican version of the website is impossible to use and you are asked to register for a customer name and password. Mandatory prices are not given along with the record of vehicles and rental expenses. A client has to click on "Protection Options" on the U.S. website and select the compulsory insurance plan by basically simply clicking it -- implying that it is optionally available and not a required cost. Cash conscious usually get mixed on the internet opinions. E-mail reaction is more than 24 time.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. No Stay Talk.
4 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $19.99 daily
Additional charges: GPS $10/day, kid chair $5/day
Vamos
Website is obvious and simple to use. Mandatory prices are not given along side the record of vehicles and rental expenses, but are clearly shown on the following web page as the client goes towards reservation a reservation. Anibal, a associate, is regularly described in on the internet opinions for his advanced stage of client support skills. General Manager, George Schwarzenbach is known on Trip Advisor for his upfront and honest reactions to clients' posts.
In the past svereal decades, Vamos has acquired very beneficial on the internet opinions. E-mail reaction is less than 24 time. Stay Talk has instant reaction a chance to queries.
Toll-free U.S.A and North america contact variety. Stay Talk.
3 workplaces nationwide
Mandatory insurance: $11.95 daily
Additional charges: GPS $8/day, kid chair free
Wild Rider
Website is obvious and simple to use. Mandatory prices are given next to the record of vehicles. Crazy Driver is the only car rental firm in Costa Rica with no visible bad on the internet opinions. Owner, Thorsten, is often praised for his efficiency and client support, despite the very restricted resources the organization has at hand. Emails get very immediate and detailed reactions in less than 12 time.
No toll-free contact variety or Stay Chat
1 workplace -- no Liberia international airport office
Mandatory insurance: included
Additional charges: GPS $8/day, kid chair $5/day
Comparison Review
Customer Service
Vamos and Crazy Driver react easily to email stay chat queries. Adobe, Alamo, Money, Hertz, Nationwide, and Service react to email queries in less than 24 time, but Adobe and Service did not offer all the details asked for (possibly a language barrier). Cost range provides a 100 % free telephone support, but it seems to be always busy. Hertz's live chat seems to be constantly off-line. During the past year, clients who published to on the internet evaluation websites expressed a particular satisfaction with the client support provided by Service, Vamos and Crazy Driver.
Clarity
Adobe, Alamo and Cost range have different housing expenses published on their websites than those estimated over the cellphone. Telephone costs were reduced than that estimated on the website in the situations of Adobe and Alamo, but yet greater in the case of Cost range. Adobe also provides different automobile designs over the cellphone as in comparison to their website. International car rental companies with both a Costa Rican and worldwide website appear to have costs differences between the two websites.
Budget and Crazy Driver consist of the compulsory insurance plan in their housing expenses, but Cost range states that 'other charges' which will be provided at the reverse in the little on their website. Lease costs for car seating had to be verified on the cellphone as they are not detailed on the Cost range website.
All other manufacturers with the exception of Cash conscious (a U.S. website), clearly show the compulsory insurance plan cost with the quotation given. Thrifty's Costa Rican website is basically unusable.
Pricing
Service, Vamos and Crazy Driver consistently offer the best prices for both Natural and High periods, although Money has one of the smallest Natural season prices available, while Adobe has a cheaper High season amount. Vamos offer the best "all inclusive" prices, given that most choices are provided for 100 % free.
Adobe, Money, Service, Cash conscious and Crazy Driver remain aggressive with their costs of products such as kid chairs. Alamo, Hertz and Nationwide are the most costly companies to lease from and their extra choice expenses are also more costly.
April 6, 2012
New Zealand Lease Car Vacation Beginning Points
A New Zealand rental car holiday is an simple and relaxed way to see some of the most awesome nation on the globe. The location regularly changes as you move through it, which range from high snow-peaked alps to lavish jungles. With accommodations car you can begin from any of the primary facilities, and many of small sized ones as well. From there you can strategy a journey that takes you through your preferred landscapes, and based on your needs you can choose a automobile that you prefer exactly.
Auckland Lease Car Holiday
As New Zealand's greatest city, Auckland has an worldwide airport terminal that will be the starting point for many international guests. There is a New Zealand Lease A Car store right next to manchester worldwide terminal, or you can take a bus into the city and discover the attractions and appears to be for a few days, then choose up accommodations automobile from there. An excellent journey from Auckland is to go northern up through the Coromandel and forward to Kaitaia. The elements here is warm all year long and the browsing, diving and touring are remarkable. Or you can go down southern through the primary level.
Wellington Lease Car Holiday
For those getting started from the investment, there are many holiday options. Head up northern towards the Hawke's Bay bottles areas and stop at the Art Deco city of Napier for a unique social experience. Or you can go southern and leap across Prepare Directly on the boat, which you can do with your rental car in tow. After coming in Picton you can explore the top of the South Isle, full of warm climate, fantastic seashores and creative thrives.
Christchurch Lease Car Holiday
Though a little shaken, Christchurch is still a good spot to begin your trip of New Zealand. Canterbury is a area of moving flatlands and small, characterful cities. It's also home to a world-famous bottles area, so you can enjoy a cup and a food as you successfully go through. From Canterbury it's an simple journey over to the Western Shore, or you can go down southern along the strong shoreline to see awesome crazy animals and crazy landscapes.
Wherever you strategy to begin your experience, a New Zealand rental car holiday is a great way to see the nation. Comfortable, practical and fuel-efficient, accommodations automobile gives you the independence to discover at your own speed and completely appreciate your environment.
Auckland Lease Car Holiday
As New Zealand's greatest city, Auckland has an worldwide airport terminal that will be the starting point for many international guests. There is a New Zealand Lease A Car store right next to manchester worldwide terminal, or you can take a bus into the city and discover the attractions and appears to be for a few days, then choose up accommodations automobile from there. An excellent journey from Auckland is to go northern up through the Coromandel and forward to Kaitaia. The elements here is warm all year long and the browsing, diving and touring are remarkable. Or you can go down southern through the primary level.
Wellington Lease Car Holiday
For those getting started from the investment, there are many holiday options. Head up northern towards the Hawke's Bay bottles areas and stop at the Art Deco city of Napier for a unique social experience. Or you can go southern and leap across Prepare Directly on the boat, which you can do with your rental car in tow. After coming in Picton you can explore the top of the South Isle, full of warm climate, fantastic seashores and creative thrives.
Christchurch Lease Car Holiday
Though a little shaken, Christchurch is still a good spot to begin your trip of New Zealand. Canterbury is a area of moving flatlands and small, characterful cities. It's also home to a world-famous bottles area, so you can enjoy a cup and a food as you successfully go through. From Canterbury it's an simple journey over to the Western Shore, or you can go down southern along the strong shoreline to see awesome crazy animals and crazy landscapes.
Wherever you strategy to begin your experience, a New Zealand rental car holiday is a great way to see the nation. Comfortable, practical and fuel-efficient, accommodations automobile gives you the independence to discover at your own speed and completely appreciate your environment.
March 6, 2012
Guidelines For Generating A Lease Car In The Rain
Although the relax of the nation may be dry during the cold months months season, we all know when it down flows it flows in the European and North Cpe. We also know that driving in the rainfall can be risky and quite terrible. Moreover, we know that driving an different rental car is not just shocking, but risky as well. However, if you were to generate in such bad varying climate circumstances, here are some suggestions to help you avoid injuries due to stormy environment. Who knows? You might even preserve from having to pay car rental loss.
The street is slippery:
Without a question, the street you'll be driving on will be smooth, and the greatest problem with driving in the storm: is hold. Traction mostly happens when the sidewalk is wet and produces a company smooth area which causes car tyres to reduce hold, creating it challenging to quit easily. Should your rental car slide or hydroplane, it is recommended that you avoid suddenly getting on the braking program as this can rotate your car. Instead, strongly hold your leader and slowly down.
By all indicates, avoid using vacation management.
Don't generate through puddles:
It's storming, so possibilities of arriving across a large mess in the street are great. You might have an reaction to generate through it. Please, avoid that desire. The risk here: that regular water could be concealing a enormous pothole. Even more hazardous: regular water splattering up into the vehicle's motor section could harm the electric program. You don't want to harm a employed car, right? Right.
Your front lights must be on:
Turning your lighting on will not only support you see the street better, but it will also help other motorists see you. But, you must try to avoid switching on the great supports as they can actually unknown your perspective further. If you're worries prepared with fog lighting, try to turn them on. The low mild from these headlamps may help increase your exposure in the rainfall.
Keep at a distance:
When it's pouring it requires more time to have management over the car. You won't be able to quit, braking mechanism or convert as easily. The other automobiles on the street won't as well. So driving more slowly and maintaining a range between you and other motorists is essential.
If you can, keep your car tyres and guiding varied with the car driving at the front side of you. Why? Because, the car at the front side of you is moving and forcing regular water away, cleaning the street, while, it makes a better driving area for you.
Avoid driving next to big cars:
Trucks and automobiles make big regular water splashes that can hit your windows and temporarily avoid your vision.
Driving on a dirty road:
Now, you've stepped from the wet tarred streets of the town, into the mud-coated nation streets. In this situation, two things may happen: you might get through it without an occurrence, or you may get trapped.
One factor is assured though, you will skid. But, don't hit the braking program. Be conscious of where your front side tires are directing. Drive gradually. Generating gradually will reduce your automobile, and make sure you obtain hold. Once you're in management of the rental car again, keep going.
What if you get stuck? Keep a stable stress on the gas your pedal. Media your decrease. Doing so will make a mild rim rotate, which will try the mud from the stand, providing the car tyres a hold again. If that doesn't work, convert the leader back and forth. Shifting the tires, may allow the stand a opportunity to obtain enough comprehend to keep your car moving.
Should your car be incapable to progress, try to toss the transmitting into opposite. Chances are: you might come back to a dry street. Slowly convenience onto the decrease, and hopefully, out of the mud. Once you're out - before returning to to regular rate, provide the car tyres a opportunity to punch the debris out of the stand.
Clean the rental car:
You don't want to pay for car rental damages! So fresh the car, because mud maintains wetness against steel, which results in deterioration and deterioration. Dry mud on a generate base, may toss it out of positioning and cause harm.
The street is slippery:
Without a question, the street you'll be driving on will be smooth, and the greatest problem with driving in the storm: is hold. Traction mostly happens when the sidewalk is wet and produces a company smooth area which causes car tyres to reduce hold, creating it challenging to quit easily. Should your rental car slide or hydroplane, it is recommended that you avoid suddenly getting on the braking program as this can rotate your car. Instead, strongly hold your leader and slowly down.
By all indicates, avoid using vacation management.
Don't generate through puddles:
It's storming, so possibilities of arriving across a large mess in the street are great. You might have an reaction to generate through it. Please, avoid that desire. The risk here: that regular water could be concealing a enormous pothole. Even more hazardous: regular water splattering up into the vehicle's motor section could harm the electric program. You don't want to harm a employed car, right? Right.
Your front lights must be on:
Turning your lighting on will not only support you see the street better, but it will also help other motorists see you. But, you must try to avoid switching on the great supports as they can actually unknown your perspective further. If you're worries prepared with fog lighting, try to turn them on. The low mild from these headlamps may help increase your exposure in the rainfall.
Keep at a distance:
When it's pouring it requires more time to have management over the car. You won't be able to quit, braking mechanism or convert as easily. The other automobiles on the street won't as well. So driving more slowly and maintaining a range between you and other motorists is essential.
If you can, keep your car tyres and guiding varied with the car driving at the front side of you. Why? Because, the car at the front side of you is moving and forcing regular water away, cleaning the street, while, it makes a better driving area for you.
Avoid driving next to big cars:
Trucks and automobiles make big regular water splashes that can hit your windows and temporarily avoid your vision.
Driving on a dirty road:
Now, you've stepped from the wet tarred streets of the town, into the mud-coated nation streets. In this situation, two things may happen: you might get through it without an occurrence, or you may get trapped.
One factor is assured though, you will skid. But, don't hit the braking program. Be conscious of where your front side tires are directing. Drive gradually. Generating gradually will reduce your automobile, and make sure you obtain hold. Once you're in management of the rental car again, keep going.
What if you get stuck? Keep a stable stress on the gas your pedal. Media your decrease. Doing so will make a mild rim rotate, which will try the mud from the stand, providing the car tyres a hold again. If that doesn't work, convert the leader back and forth. Shifting the tires, may allow the stand a opportunity to obtain enough comprehend to keep your car moving.
Should your car be incapable to progress, try to toss the transmitting into opposite. Chances are: you might come back to a dry street. Slowly convenience onto the decrease, and hopefully, out of the mud. Once you're out - before returning to to regular rate, provide the car tyres a opportunity to punch the debris out of the stand.
Clean the rental car:
You don't want to pay for car rental damages! So fresh the car, because mud maintains wetness against steel, which results in deterioration and deterioration. Dry mud on a generate base, may toss it out of positioning and cause harm.
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