When demand is high, rental car companies are less willing to make cheap deals. Why should they when there are plenty of people who want to rent a car?

Take Tampa, Florida. People flock there in droves from January to April.

January has the Outback Bowl football game, while February has the Gasparilla Pirate Fest and Florida Strawberry Festival.

March has the Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival and the reopening of the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Island 30-acre water theme park after being closed for the winter.

All of these are big draws, forcing rental car rates up, so you definitely want to avoid traveling to Tampa during those months.

You might also want to avoid renting a car in Tampa in October, when thousands dress in their finest Halloween customs head to Tampa’s Latin Quarter, Ybor City, and celebrate Guavaween.

Guavaween may not as big a draw as Tampa’s January through April attractions, but it makes October a “shoulder” month for Tampa - kind of mid-way between “high” season and “low” season. Other “shoulder” months: May and November.

For true “low” season rental car rates, travel to Tampa in June, July, August, September and December.

Most find the climate in Tampa’s summer months to be uncomfortably hot and humid, with temperatures averaging 90 degrees in the summer and the humidity factor off the chart.

That leaves December, a time when fewer people choose to visit Tampa, but when humidity is down, and at 71 degrees, so is the temperature.

In addition to getting the cheapest car rental rate, you’re also likely to get the best air fares and hotel rates in December. Remember to book ahead to get the best rates.

The most popular car rental agencies in Tampa are Avis, Hertz, Dollar, Budget, Enterprise, and Thrifty. Of these, Dollar, Thrifty, and Enterprise are usually the cheapest. They are all also located near the Red Baggage Claim area in the Tampa Airport so it will be easy to go to each of them to get the best and cheapest quote. Of course, you don’t have to wait until you arrive in Tampa to make your car rental reservations either. All of these companies take reservations over the phone so you can have it all set up for you before you even step foot on the plane. Doing this can actually help you save money on your car rental in Tampa.

There are so many things to see and do in Tampa that you’ll definitely want a car to get around. Hiring taxis in Tampa can become pretty expensive, especially when you need to use one for wherever you go. And while the transportation system has greatly improved, you still need to be pretty familiar with the city in order to use it. Finding a car rental in Tampa takes all the hassle and stress out of your trip and ensures that your journey will go smoothly!

The simple way to ensure that the cigarette lighter is functioning is to ask the employees of the rental company if the cigarette lighter port is disabled. If they answer yes, ask if they can enable it for use to help power your devices through your adapters. This may cost an extra fee, simply because they are not sure if you would use the cigarette lighter to light up cigarettes and cause them extra cleaning and deodorizing later when you return the vehicle. They may even refuse or say that the feature is simply excluded because it is not integral to the rental vehicle.

Connecting the cigarette lighter on your own could be troublesome if you do not know what you are doing. One easy fix could simply be that the small fuse that is meant to be used for the cigarette lighter was removed which will cut the power supplied to it when you try to use it. Getting the appropriate fuse and putting it into place will usually do the trick. Depending on the type of vehicle and whichever company you are renting from, this may not even be an issue. Just make sure to ask about it before it is too late and you are already on your trip!

The most popular Tampa experience is Busch Gardens. This is perfect for thrill seekers and usually best suited for older children and teens plus adults. Here, you will experience the adventure of a lifetime!

Another great excursion is a trip just north of Tampa to the Crystal River where you can swim with the manatees. This is great for animal lovers and casual observers alike. Swimming with the manatees is a once in a lifetime event that builds a lasting bond between all who participate as well as a greater appreciation for life and nature.

Other great experiences include the Florida Aquarium which is known as one of the best in the world, Lowry Park Zoo known as the number one family zoo of America, the Museum of Science and Industry, Tampa Bay History Center, Hillsborough River canoeing, Camptain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, and the Big Cat Rescue. Any of these experiences is guaranteed to be a hit for both children and adults and leave you with something to talk about!

Wingate by Wyndham Tampa North: This establishment is rated as the number one stay in Tampa. If offers friendly service at a prime location, very close to Busch Gardens. The room is immaculately clean with an inexpensive price averaging just $134 per night.

Homewood Suites Tampa Brandon: This hotel is the number one ranked place to stay for all business adventures. It boasts comfort and cleanliness with all the business amenities that you could expect. Staying in the Homewood Suites is inexpensive with an average nightly stay of $128.

Embassy Suites Tampa: Downtown Convention Center: Accommodations at the Embassy Suites are slightly higher than the rest at $236 per night but offer luxury beyond the rest. The breakfast is delicious, the rooms are in perfect condition, and the staff are very friendly making this hotel truly feel like a home away from home.

The Ben.T Davis beach is the nearest beach to downtown Tampa and perfect if you fancy a quick getaway from the city. Simply jump in your hire car and you could be there within 10 minutes! This beach has powdery white sand and several lovely spots to enjoy a family picnic.

For something a little more quiet, travel to Sand Key county park, south of the clear-water pass and accessible by car. Grassy mounds and sand dunes surround this stunning stretch of beach. But it still offers the little comforts one may need on a beach including sun lounger and cabana rental as well as nine showers to wash off that sand!

Or how about For De Soto county park, although its a little bit out of town it is a nice scenic drive in your hire car. This beach was voted no.1 of all beaches in America in 2008 and after one visit it will be easy to see why!

If your looking for a reputable rental car hire company, then Vroom Vroom is a great choice as it compares all the major rental companies, ensuring you get a quote that wont be beaten anywhere else.

So the first thing you will need to do is decide whether you want to fly in and pick up a Tampa car rental at the airport or if you want to hire a vehicle where you are right now and then drive all the way there you can do that too. It won’t always be cheap but in my opinion it is better to have a car rental in Tampa which will allow you the freedom of moving around the city as you please rather than getting off the plane and having no other option than taking a taxi.

At the moment one of the highest rated hotels in Tampa, Florida for both cost and quality is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites which is right near the I-75 (exit 270). It has often been called a 4 star hotel without the 4 star price tag, and with complimentary beer, ice cream, and breakfast, how can you go wrong? Just do some research on hotels before you decide, then get your Tampa car rental and you’re good to go.

Bern’s Steak House: Arguable the best steakhouse in Tampa, Bern’s Steak House prides itself on serving superior steaks that are cut by hand and dry-aged. Dishes are prepared with fresh organic ingredients. And with more than 20 caviar options, you are sure to have a meal your tastebuds won’t soon forget.

717 South: Looking for a hint of sophistication? Then jump in your Tampa car rental and head to the eclectic restaurant 717 South. A popular spot for many professionals after work, their creative martinis, Art Deco paintings, and open kitchen keep people coming back for more. You’ll find Italian classics with an imaginative twist like jumbo sea scallops paired with penne and pesto.

Mel’s Hot Dogs: This hot spot is close to Bush Gardens Tampa and turns a simple hot dog into somewhat of a masterpiece. Expect all-beef hot dogs of the highest quality on poppy seed buns. This restaurant has a little bit of something for everyone from veggie burgers to sandwiches.

Now you know the details about the top rated restaurants are in Tampa, I wonder how quickly you’ll jump in your car rental to enjoy a fabulous meal.

If you have a newer car, you don’t want to rack up the miles on it because a lot of those cars have a warranty that once you reach a certain amount of miles, your warranty ends. Save your warranty and get a rental car. The great thing about a rental car is that if you get the added insurance, you are covered and you can drive all over the place.

You don’t want to take your car because if your car happens to break down, you have to pay for the parts to fix it and get your car back on the road. With a rental car, if it breaks down, all you have to do is call the rental company and get a replacement car. You might have to sit around for a little bit before you get the other car but you are not paying for the parts to fix the rental car.

So if you are going to Tampa, you want to rent a car.

Traveling by car is the best way to see the sites because you can stop at the sites you want to see instead of being led around to sites that you have no interest in seeing. The freedom to see the sites that you want to can bring everyone closer as a family. Renting a car to go and see the great sites that Tampa offers you as a tourist can brighten up anybody’s day.

It is better to rent a car to see the sites and other attractions because it is a lot cheaper. Instead of spending money on a bus ticket or other modes of public transportation, you can rent a car from the airport terminal when you arrive at Tampa without ever leaving the airport. The convenience of that saves you some money so that you can spend it on other things like souvenirs and post cards. Traveling by car is the greatest way to enjoy your vacation.