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Renting a Car While on Vacation

March 16, 2016 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

To rent or not rent a car on vacation, that is the question.   I am sitting here debating whether to rent a car on my next vacation (I am headed to Antigua for a couple of weeks).

image

I tend not to rent a car but it totally depends on the location and cost.  I have never rented a car in Europe as they usually have such good public transportation.  I have rented in the US, usually in places like Florida where driving is easy, car rental is low cost and public transportation is more difficult.

I learned a big lesson as I had a bad experience renting a car in Panama.  As I was booking my ticket on Copa Airlines a query popped up asking if I would like to add a rental car for $250.  I thought that was a great deal so I booked it.  When I turned the car in they said it was $600 – much higher than the rate I had booked.  They informed me that that price did not include the mandatory national insurance – more than the cost of the actual rental.  It’s like when they advertise airfare at $200 – then you discover that doesn’t include $200 in taxes and fees (there are so many nowadays).

So I’m thinking for now that I won’t rent a car as it is a small island and there are ways to get around.  Anyone have an experience renting a car in Antigua?

 

 

Filed Under: Central America, Panama, Travel Tips

Renting a Home through Sites Like VRBO and airbnb

July 24, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

View from AirBnB apt in Play Blanca Panama

I know that most of the time I talk about free homestays but if you “can’t do that” there are always options like airbnb and VRBO.  I actually have used both of these sites and had good experiences as a renter myself.  I just started renting recently and have had great success in renting my entire house and sometimes just a room within my house.

As someone who has rented for USNA graduation over many years, I thought why not try renting for an occasional weekend.  I have had a lot interest during the Navy games and boat shows but there are also several summer weekends we have rented.

This weekend we rented and we are going to the Hyatt Chesapeake Bay and we will have the whole weekend paid for by renting our house.  Kinda genius if I say so.  My house is going to be vacant anyway, why not capitalize on the opportunity to pay for my weekend getaway!

I just have two examples to share with you to learn from my experiences in renting on these sites…
1)  Be very explicit in your descriptions, almost to a fault.  I had one guest, who did not read the top word that said “PRIVATE ROOM”  and she ended up running out the door like some crazy person because she thought it was a private house :-0.  Yes, her fault but I am putting more and more detail to be sure that never happens again!
2)  I rented on airbnb in Playa Blanca, Panama (my first experience).  I was unsuccessful in trying to CouchSurf so I thought I would try renting a house.  It was kind of a nightmare.  We got into the apt – it wasn’t clean, there were no towels and no hot water (and no Wi-Fi).  I should have just said I’ll clean and have them knock money off.  Instead we moved to another property they owned and that had a water leak and ants.  The first one was a beautiful place with an amazing view.  I think with a lot of these experiences (like in life) you just have to roll with the punches and make best of it.  I had my daughter and it was so stressful moving 3 times.

Lagoon and water park at AirBnB apt complex Playa Blanca

Lagoon and water park at AirBnB apt complex Playa Blanca

As I always say, staying in the apt was “nice” but so culturally unrewarding.  I really don’t know what Panamanians are like because I only met them superficially.  It’s a shame because I was there three weeks!

Filed Under: Destinations, Panama, Travel Tips

Costa Rica

July 13, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Julie Paul Costa Rica

Laurie, Paul, Julie, Brian & Laurie at Towne Center concert

We had a great visit with some guests from Home Exchange – Paul, Julie and their daughter Laurie.  They spent a couple of days and it was a very enjoyable visit.

We had a great night out with dinner at Paladar, one of our favorite happy hour spots.  Our favorite summer Friday tradition is enjoying the free concert series at Parole Towne Center.  Afterward, we headed back to our house to roast marshmallows in the outdoor fireplace and soak in the hot tub. We really had a great time enjoying our favorite activities with our new friends.

Filed Under: Central America, Hospitality

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