Car Rental Fundamental Guidelines:
The Rental Agreement includes the terms and conditions, along with the rental document that outlines the hire details. This document, referred to as the 'Rental Document,' is provided with each vehicle at the time of hire.
Our Vehicles insurance is available through Casa Garitas On Wheels. When renting a vehicle from Casa Garitas On Wheels, the Full Coverage Package is included in the total rental cost. This package provides coverage for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Third Party Liability, Roadside Assistance, Unlimited Mileage, an Additional Driver, Vehicle Theft Protection. Tires & Windows insurance (available for an additional $8 per day).
A $500 USD security deposit is required at the time of vehicle pickup. This deposit is a security hold, not a payment, and will be fully refunded on the final day of the rental.
This security deposit may be utilized by Casa Garitas On Wheels to cover potential additional costs, such as lost keys, lockouts, traffic violation fines, damages if incurred.
Before submitting your Booking Request, please review the terms and conditions carefully to ensure all details are accurate and confirm your acceptance. Submitting a Booking Request constitutes your agreement to these terms. We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time, with changes taking effect immediately upon publication on the Website, in brochures, at the Sites, or through other communications.
The Rental Agreement forms a contract between Casa Garitas On Wheels (OWNER) and the individual or company completing the Rental Document (THE HIRER), with all details thoroughly recorded in the Rental Document. The agreement is established as follows:
Vehicle Specifications and Rental Duration:
The lessor agrees to provide, and the lessee agrees to accept, the motor vehicle specified in the Rental Document (hereafter referred to as 'the vehicle') for the hire period outlined in the Rental Document."
Authorized Drivers of the Rental Vehicle:
The vehicle may only be operated by individuals named in the Rental Document or an additional driver sheet attached to the Rental Agreement. All authorized drivers must hold a valid, full driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle throughout the rental period. Additionally, only individuals who have resided in Costa Rica for less than three months are permitted to drive the vehicle. All drivers must be at least 21 years of age."
Vehicle Utilization Terms The hirer is strictly prohibited from:
- Using or permitting the vehicle to be used for transporting passengers for hire or reward, unless explicitly authorized by Casa Garitas On Wheels for passenger services.
- Subleasing or renting the vehicle to any third party.
- Allowing the vehicle to be used beyond their authorized control.
- Operating or allowing the vehicle to be operated under conditions that constitute an offense, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Using the vehicle in any race, speed test, reliability trial, rally, contest, or on any race or rally circuit, or for pacing or testing for such events.
- Transporting more passengers or goods than the vehicle’s certified capacity, as per the certificate of loading or road user charge certificate, whichever is lower.
- Operating or allowing the vehicle to be driven by anyone who does not hold a current, valid, full driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle.
- Driving or allowing the vehicle to be driven on roads in poor condition, through water deeper than 0.5 meters, or on any surface (such as beaches or driveways) that may cause damage to the vehicle.
- Permitting anyone not listed in the Rental Document as an authorized driver to operate the vehicle.
- Using the vehicle to tow or propel any other vehicle.
- Transporting animals in the vehicle, except guide dogs for visually impaired individuals or animals pre-approved by Casa Garitas On Wheels
- Engaging the vehicle in any illegal activities.
- Operating the vehicle to cross bodies of water (rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans, estuaries, etc.). Any water-related damage to the vehicle, engine, or electronics will not be covered by insurance and will be the sole responsibility of the hirer, including all recovery and repair costs.
Hirer's Responsibilities and Obligations:
The hirer is responsible for ensuring the following:
- Exercise reasonable care when driving and parking the vehicle.
- Maintain the vehicle's water/coolant levels in the radiator and battery.
- Keep the vehicle’s oil at the appropriate level.
- Use only the specified fuel type for the vehicle.
- Ensure the tires are kept at the correct pressure.
- Securely lock the vehicle when not in use, with keys kept under the hirer’s personal control.
- Avoid tampering with the distance recorder or speedometer.
- Refrain from interfering with the engine, transmission, braking, or suspension systems.
- Stop driving and promptly notify Casa Garitas On Wheels if a warning light appears or if the hirer suspects the vehicle requires mechanical attention.
- Ensure all authorized drivers are familiar with and comply with the terms of the Rental Agreement.
- Ensure that all authorized drivers carry a valid driver’s license at all times while driving and present it to enforcement officers upon request.
Owner's Responsibilities and Commitments:
In the event of an accident, damage, breakdown, or the need for repairs or salvage, regardless of the cause, the hirer must promptly notify Casa Garitas On Wheels by phone and provide full details of the situation. The hirer may not arrange or carry out any repairs or salvage, including replacing a tire, without explicit authorization from Casa Garitas On Wheels, unless such actions are necessary to prevent further damage to the vehicle or other property. Complimentary 24-hour roadside assistance is available for all mechanical faults inherent to the vehicle, as determined by Casa Garitas On Wheels or its authorized repairer. For other roadside assistance related to hirer negligence—such as refueling, lost keys, or keys locked in the vehicle—a service fee will apply. If the vehicle requires repair or replacement, the decision to provide a replacement vehicle is at the sole discretion of Casa Garitas On Wheels. If a similar vehicle is available, it will be provided, or a standard vehicle of the same size and capacity will be supplied. Casa Garitas On Wheels is not responsible for any costs related to hotel accommodations, meals, or lost bookings during the rental period.
Vehicle Return Protocol:
The hirer must return the vehicle to the designated drop-off location specified in the Rental Document on or before the end of the rental period, during operational hours. Alternatively, the hirer must obtain explicit consent from Casa Garitas On Wheels to extend the hire term, in which case additional charges will apply for the extended period.
Failure to comply with this requirement or to return the vehicle on time allows Casa Garitas On Wheels to report the vehicle as stolen to the authorities. In such cases, the hirer will be responsible for either the full replacement cost of the vehicle or any additional costs and losses incurred until the vehicle is recovered by Casa Garitas On Wheels.
Liability and Responsibilities The hirer is responsible for:
- Any loss or damage to the vehicle and its accessories.
- Any consequential damage, losses, or costs incurred by Casa Garitas On Wheels, including salvage expenses, loss of rental opportunities, and lost revenue.
- Any loss or damage to third-party vehicles and property that occurs during the rental period.
Insurance Coverage and Provisions:
Our Vehicles insurance is available through Casa Garitas On Wheels. When renting a vehicle from Casa Garitas On Wheels, the Full Coverage Package is included in the total rental cost. This package provides coverage for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Third Party Liability, Roadside Assistance, Unlimited Mileage, an Additional Driver, Vehicle Theft Protection. Tires & Windows insurance (available for an additional $8 per day).
A $500 USD security deposit is required at the time of vehicle pickup. This deposit is a security hold, not a payment, and will be fully refunded on the final day of the rental.
This security deposit may be utilized by Casa Garitas On Wheels to cover potential additional costs, such as lost keys, lockouts, damages, or traffic violation fines, if incurred.
Exclusions from Insurance Coverage:
The hirer acknowledges that insurance coverage will not apply in the following situations:
- When the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- When the vehicle is in an unsafe or unroadworthy condition, whether arising during the rental period or not, and the hirer or driver was aware or should have been aware of this condition.
- In cases of mechanical failure, breakdown, or electrical/electronic issues resulting from improper use of the vehicle, including damage to the engine or transmission. However, this exclusion does not extend to other parts of the vehicle damaged as a result of such failures.
- When the vehicle is used in any race, speed test, reliability trial, rally, or contest, or driven on any race or rally circuit, or used for pacing or test-driving purposes.
- When the vehicle is driven by anyone not listed in the Rental Document as an authorized driver.
- When the vehicle is driven by an unlicensed driver.
- When the vehicle is willfully or recklessly damaged or lost by the hirer, a nominated driver, or any person under the hirer’s authority.
- When the driver commits a traffic offense while operating the vehicle.
- When the vehicle is loaded beyond the manufacturer's specifications.
- When the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded off-road, and the loading or unloading is not done by the driver or an attendant of the vehicle.
- When the driver fails to stop or remain at the scene after an accident, as required by law.
- For any fines or penalties arising from legal violations.
- For punctures, cuts, tire bursts, or brake-related tire damage.
- For any wear and tear on the vehicle.
- For damage caused by vibration or the weight of the vehicle to bridges, roads, underground pipelines, cables, or other underground installations.
- For overhead damage to the vehicle or third-party property resulting from such damage.
- When the vehicle is operated beyond the rental period or any approved extension, or under any other circumstances notified by the owner.
- When water damage is caused by crossing rivers, speeding through bodies of water (lakes, oceans, estuaries, etc.). Water damage is not covered and is the sole responsibility of the hirer.
Traffic Offenses and Violations:
All penalties related to traffic and parking offenses are the hirer's responsibility. Casa Garitas On Wheels reserves the right to charge the hirer’s security deposit or debit/credit card for any infringement fees arising from such offenses. Upon notification of these offenses, Casa Garitas On Wheels will promptly send a copy of the notice to the hirer and provide the necessary information to the relevant issuing authority for direct communication with the hirer.
The hirer has the right to contest or dispute the alleged offense with the issuing enforcement authority and may seek a court hearing. If the court dismisses the offense, Casa Garitas On Wheels will refund any charges incurred.
Additionally, Casa Garitas On Wheels may charge an administration fee of $50 to cover the costs associated with processing and sending notices related to traffic and parking infringements to the hirer.
Cancellation of Rental Agreement:
If the hirer fails to comply with any terms of the Rental Agreement or causes damage to the vehicle, Casa Garitas On Wheels reserves the right to terminate the rental and take immediate possession of the vehicle. Termination under this clause will not affect any other rights held by Casa Garitas On Wheels or the rights of the hirer as outlined in the Rental Agreement or elsewhere.
Privacy Policy and Confidentiality:
The information requested from the hirer is crucial for Casa Garitas On Wheels to assess the hirer’s vehicle rental request. While providing this information is optional, the hirer acknowledges that failure to do so will prevent Casa Garitas On Wheels from proceeding with the vehicle hire. The hirer agrees to the collection, retention, and use of their personal information by Casa Garitas On Wheels for purposes directly related to the vehicle rental and associated customer services. This includes activities such as direct marketing and assessing customer satisfaction with Casa Garitas On Wheels’ products and services.
Additionally, the hirer understands that their personal information may be shared with debt collection agencies if there is a default in payment. Information may also be disclosed to other parties involved in an accident with the vehicle during the rental period or to organizations handling traffic-related infringements. The hirer expressly authorizes the sharing of their personal information for these purposes.
HIRER NOTE
Casa Garitas On Wheels is required to provide the hirer with at least one copy of the Rental Agreement. This document must be securely stored in the vehicle for the entire rental period and presented promptly upon request to any enforcement officer.
