🚗 Tips for renting a car in Costa Blanca

Choose the right category

Luxury providers (e.g., Sixt, Drivalia Premium) offer top-tier vehicles, full-flexible policies, strong support—but at higher prices.
Best value options (e.g., Enterprise, Zest-partnered companies like Centauro, Alquicoche, Record Go) balance costs and included extras.
Low-cost providers (e.g., Goldcar, Key Go, Discover Cars’s budget picks) are the cheapest—but beware of extra insurance and fees.

Don’t skimp on insurance

Low-cost rentals may exclude collision/waiver insurance. If you decline it, take extensive photos/videos of every angle (doors, wheels, bumpers) at pickup and drop-off. Keep timestamps to avoid disputes.

🧭 Comparison Matrix

Company	Insurance Included*	Roadside Assistance	Customer Support	Cancellation Policy	Booking Adjustments
Sixt	Full (can cancel/exchange) discovercars.com+3driveboo.com+3blancacars.com+3 discovercars.com+3zestcarrental.com+3drivalia.es+3 enterprise.com+4discovercars.com+4zestcarrental.com+4	24/7+ on-site	4.7★, multilingual	Free changes/cancellations	Yes
Drivalia Ultimate	All-inclusive no‑excess	24/7 support	Strategic office shuttle	Flexible	Yes
Enterprise	Standard, upgrades optional	Roadside included	Pre‑pay & save 10%	Free modifications	Yes
Zest partners (Centauro, Alquicoche, etc.)	Excess protection + top‑up	Included	24/7 and Which? vetted	Amend up to 48 h before pick-up	Yes
Low‑cost picks (Goldcar, Key Go, Discover Cars deals)	Often only basic; waivers costly or hidden	Varies, usually no	Mixed reviews	Cancellation may incur fees	No

🛡️ Tips for Budget Rentals

Inspect the car thoroughly and document all existing damage before leaving the lot.
Buy full-no‑excess coverage if unsure about the basic insurance.
Fill up to “full–full” fuel policy to avoid refilling fees.
Refuse extras at the desk (GPS, car seats)—rent separately or use your own.
Book early—prices jump in high season (July); cheapest rates in January (~$12/day) zestcarrental.com+6discovercars.com+6rentaholliday.com+6 zestcarrental.com.

⚠️ Radars & Fine Hotspots in Alicante Province

Alicante has ramped up speed-camera enforcement:

Avenida de Dénia (La Goteta) – most fined spot in 2024 with 1,774 infractions sixt.com+13cadenaser.com+13euroweeklynews.com+13.
Avenida de Elche and Villajoyosa were among top radar locations too murciatoday.com+2cadenaser.com+2alicantetoday.com+2.
Since January 2025, four new urban radars are active in central Alicante (Dénia, Elche, Caja de Ahorros, Villajoyosa) alongside seven existing ones cadenaser.com.

Tip: Stick to 50 km/h in urban zones, watch for cameras on industrial avenues, and obey highway limits (90 km/h secondary, 120 km/h motorways) .

🏞️ Best Villages & Towns to Explore by Car

This private-car-friendly route reveals hidden gems inland and along the coast:

Gata de Gorgos – famous wicker‑craft market, scenic mountain foothills community.ricksteves.com getbueno.com.
Jesús Pobre – base of Montgó, surrounded by orchards, wine‑tasting villages getbueno.com.
Benissa – historic town, dramatic cliffs, prehistoric caves campingarenablanca.com+7getbueno.com+7chicvillas.com+7.
Villajoyosa – rainbow façades, beach, medieval castle; crowned “Best Hidden Gem in Europe 2024” cadenaser.com+2chicvillas.com+2cntraveler.com+2.
Altea – whitewashed village dubbed “Spanish Santorini,” charming streets, beachfront promenade campingarenablanca.com+6thesun.co.uk+6thesun.ie+6.
Dénia, Jávea, Calpe – iconic Costa Blanca coast towns with diverse scenery rentaholliday.com+9janadventures.com+9campingarenablanca.com+9.

🧭 Final Suggestions

Plan your itinerary by car — inland villages are easier reached by driving than public transport.
Refuel and photograph carefully with low‑cost rentals to dodge hidden fees.
Stay speed‑aware in town centres—cameras in Dénia, Elche, Villajoyosa are actively enforcing 50 km/h limits.
Season‑time matters: January offers bargains; summer costs peak.

By following insurance-smart tips, using the matrix to choose the best rental company, avoiding radar fines, and planning scenic village stops, your Costa Blanca road adventure will be smooth, safe—and unforgettable.