Car Rental

[momofslg]

Nope I just didn't want to put any more $$$ on the credit card than necessary. I brought along cash so I could keep an eye on spending. I never seems to fail that when we charge items we always spend more than if we use cash.

[MIcruiser99]

I saw your review and wondered how you found driving in Curacao. I have heard it is hard to drive around there and wondered if you found the same or was it easier to drive their streets, not confusing street signs, etc. Thanks.

[nhlbd]

We rented a car in Curacao a few years ago and it was easy. I'm sure it would be the same in Aruba. We rented near the port.

[momofslg]

I found the driving to be easy an both islands. We weren't given a map in Aruba and we had one on Curacao. Believe it or not we found our way around Aruba better.

If you are going to rent a car in Curacao make sure you pre-reserve a car or you will be charged double the price at the pier (at least at Avis) We walked out of the Avis office at the pier and went into town. We asked a local for a recomendation and were directed to the Howard Johnson and they had an Avis office inside. We talked with Helen and rented a car from here for only 42.00 (not the 80.00 we were quoted at the pier Avis office) Helen took very good care of us. Would rent from her again.

~Lisa

[MIcruiser99]

I found the driving to be easy an both islands. We weren't given a map in Aruba and we had one on Curacao. Believe it or not we found our way around Aruba better. ~Lisa

 

Thanks! It is hard to know about driving on island you have never seen! I heard so many horror stories about St. Thomas and San Juan that I didn't even want to try there.

 

I did reserve a car thru Avis for Curacao. They are right on the pier? I saw the price is less with Hertz but cannot figure out where they are in comparison to the cruise ship. Did you see Hertz?

[Arubalisa]

I have a friend who travels to Curacao quite frequently on business. He warned us when renting a car in Curacao that some of the agencies use old, un-maintained vehicles. His recommends were Avis or Budget. IMHO, cheaper is not always better :) I was looking yesterday and if we do decide to rent a vehicle will go with Avis since they are right at the port.

[momofslg]

Avis and Hertz have an office right at the pier. There wasn't anyone in the Hertz office when we were there though. I would definately reserve a car beforehand or you will be charged ALOT more. The Avis office had someone there the whole day.

If you don't want to reserrve one beforehand, walk through the pier area and when you go into town there is a Howard Johnson hotel on the left(maybe a 5-10 minute walk). Go inside and talk with Helen. She rented us a car for 42.00 for the day (the pier wanted 80.00 if you didn't have a reservation)

 

Forgot to mention... if you want to rent a car in Aruba there are probably 8-10 rental booths on the way out of the pier area, there are signs pointing you where to go. Had many to choose from, but went with a company that I've read about.

 

~Lisa

[sharks48]

Momof... - The car rental place at HoJo's in Curacao is what "brand"? Is this an Avis office? We've reserved with Avis at the pier for $60, but if we can do it for $42 by walking a few minutes, that's great! Sailing soon - hope for an answer at your earliest convenience!! Thanks.

[MIcruiser99]

His recommends were Avis or Budget.

 

I know you mentioned before that you had an old jeep from Hertz in Aruba, do you think this would be true in Curacao. And that is why their price is cheaper?

 

When I think of Hertz, I guess I think of a big "name" company and new cars!

 

I checked out Budget and all locations show sold out for our date. I guess we stick with Avis.

 

Thanks for all your help.

[momofslg]

Momof... - The car rental place at HoJo's in Curacao is what "brand"? Is this an Avis office? We've reserved with Avis at the pier for $60, but if we can do it for $42 by walking a few minutes, that's great! Sailing soon - hope for an answer at your earliest convenience!! Thanks.

 

Yes it was an Avis. Just walk outside the pier area and it will be on the left just past a Subway and Pizza Hut. If Helen is there tell her that Mike and Lisa said Hi.

[MIcruiser99]

Momof... - The car rental place at HoJo's in Curacao is what "brand"? Is this an Avis office? We've reserved with Avis at the pier for $60, but if we can do it for $42 by walking a few minutes, that's great! Sailing soon - hope for an answer at your earliest convenience!! Thanks.

 

What date are you sailing?

 

I checked the price between the two Avis locations and was a difference of $5 savings at HoJo. I am surprised that different dates have such a large difference.

[Arubalisa]

I know you mentioned before that you had an old jeep from Hertz in Aruba, do you think this would be true in Curacao. And that is why their price is cheaper?

 

When I think of Hertz, I guess I think of a big "name" company and new cars!

 

I checked out Budget and all locations show sold out for our date. I guess we stick with Avis.

 

Thanks for all your help.

Yes, we very disappointed with Hertz in Aruba. :( We are 99.999% sure that the Hertz agency in Aruba is a franchise and thus the condition of the vehicle.

 

Our family is really limited in Curacao because we need a vehcile to hold 10 people and will be on the island during a peak week during high season. :eek:

[momofslg]

I checked the price between the two Avis locations and was a difference of $5 savings at HoJo. I am surprised that different dates have such a large difference.

 

We sailed on Octoberr 8th- 15th. We did NOT reserve a car in advance in Curacao. So the price we were quoted at the Avis office at the pier was $80.00. I asked the lady why there was such a big price difference between reserving in advance or just showing up and she said that's the way they do it. So hubby and I just walked away and found the Avis office in the Hojoand rented there.

~Lisa

[robtulipe]

We returned the car after putting about 15.00 in gas in it. When we returned to the parking area the man from American inspected the car and just asked for 40.00 (we wanted to pay cash instead of credit card.) We handed the money over and received our credit card papers and carbons. I've been watching the credit card online and haven't seen anything mysterious.

If you have anymore questions just ask.

 

 

~Lisa

 

We to like to pay in cash also when paying in $US for things like rental cars instead of putting the charge on the credit card that you must use to rent the car. In our case, being Canadians, it is to control the exchange rate and avoid the typical 2.5% spread the credit card companies charge for foreign currency transactions. I can get cash or traveller's checks for around 1% over the official exchange rate ( typically used in very large money amount transactions ). Also we tend to buy $US when the exchange rate is good to use when it is not so good. We have $US account in our banking system.

Just make sure you get a receipt for the cash payment in case a charge does show up on your credit card. I have experienced when this was not voluntarily or automaticcally offered for the cash payment and had to ask for one. This is to ensure you have documented support if a charge did show up on your credit card although we have never had a problem in this respect. I think not giving a cash receipt make it easier for them to pocket the cash payment in order to hide it from the company or local IRS.

[A Sixth?]

We rented through Optima a few years ago, and they were fine.

 

This time I reserved with Avis, only because Optima doesn't have a five passenger SUV.

 

I see that the Avis office only reopens at 4pm at the dock. Our ship sails 5pm so last boarding is at 4:30, will there be enough time to return our car?