www.CostaRicaTicas.com :: View topic - CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice!!!

Hey guys, I'll be doing CR for the first time next weekend. I just have a few questions that hopefully some CR experts can help with. Please see below and I appreciate any help in advance!!! there are few absolutes, but here are a few suggestions for a noob

1. Night time taxi availability -

I've read that they are 24/7, but question is - can I find them literally everywhere 24/7? Like cabs in American cities will operate 24/7, but more so in the busy city areas. After bar/club hours, they start getting hard to find. Should I expect the same? Also, is it harder to find taxis in less crowded areas in the day-time (like let's say Krysis or Club Monaco and other MPs)? literally everywhere in the downtown area. rates will vary so good to confirm BEFORE getting in

2. Taxi by phonecall -

Is there a number I can call where I can order a legitimate taxi at any time of day? Any speak English? Or at least understand if I say ie. "Avenida 7, Calle 6", so they can pick me up at the corner? The reason I ask this question is I don't want to get stranded or lost, if I go to an MP a good distance away from my hotel. don't know this one, i've never called

3. Airport taxi -

I will be arriving fairly late, midnight, will the legitimate red/yellow diamond taxis still be out front? Any risk factor for legit taxis at midnight? I plan to do what most suggest - offer $20-25 for a flat rate to take me to the hotel. actually, the orange taxis downstairs are 'official' airport taxis, but if you go upstairs, you can catch a red taxi about to deadhead back to the city, most will take 15-20 dollars

4. Camaraderie -

How friendly are mongers at these bars, strip clubs, and hotels? I'm in my early 30's and an Asian dude. Will I be accepted? It would be awesome to find other mongers to hunt/drink with. like anyplace people will vary, but in my experience most are good guys and will help you out

5. Smartphone -

Does Google Maps work in SJ if I got the international sim card? I'm planning to use it to GPS where I'm at if I'm walking to a MP. Will the navigation feature work or would I just be stuck with Maps/GPS? i do NOT recommend walking around town looking at your GPS...it will be somebody else's phone quick..if you want to take your phone home with you either leave it in your pocket or in your room...

I know this is a super long post, but I'd greatly appreciate it if any of you guys can help me out!

Author:	JimGIN [ Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:02 pm ]
Post subject:	CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice!!!
Hey guys, I'll be doing CR for the first time next weekend. I just have a few questions that hopefully some CR experts can help with. Please see below and I appreciate any help in advance!!! 1. Night time taxi availability - I've read that they are 24/7, but question is - can I find them literally everywhere 24/7? Like cabs in American cities will operate 24/7, but more so in the busy city areas. After bar/club hours, they start getting hard to find. Should I expect the same? Also, is it harder to find taxis in less crowded areas in the day-time (like let's say Krysis or Club Monaco and other MPs)? 2. Taxi by phonecall - Is there a number I can call where I can order a legitimate taxi at any time of day? Any speak English? Or at least understand if I say ie. "Avenida 7, Calle 6", so they can pick me up at the corner? The reason I ask this question is I don't want to get stranded or lost, if I go to an MP a good distance away from my hotel. 3. Airport taxi - I will be arriving fairly late, midnight, will the legitimate red/yellow diamond taxis still be out front? Any risk factor for legit taxis at midnight? I plan to do what most suggest - offer $20-25 for a flat rate to take me to the hotel. 4. Camaraderie - How friendly are mongers at these bars, strip clubs, and hotels? I'm in my early 30's and an Asian dude. Will I be accepted? It would be awesome to find other mongers to hunt/drink with. 5. Smartphone - Does Google Maps work in SJ if I got the international sim card? I'm planning to use it to GPS where I'm at if I'm walking to a MP. Will the navigation feature work or would I just be stuck with Maps/GPS? I know this is a super long post, but I'd greatly appreciate it if any of you guys can help me out!

Author:	Krico [ Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:08 am ]
Post subject:	Re: CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice
JimGIN wrote: Hey guys, I'll be doing CR for the first time next weekend. I just have a few questions that hopefully some CR experts can help with. Please see below and I appreciate any help in advance!!! there are few absolutes, but here are a few suggestions for a noob 1. Night time taxi availability - I've read that they are 24/7, but question is - can I find them literally everywhere 24/7? Like cabs in American cities will operate 24/7, but more so in the busy city areas. After bar/club hours, they start getting hard to find. Should I expect the same? Also, is it harder to find taxis in less crowded areas in the day-time (like let's say Krysis or Club Monaco and other MPs)? literally everywhere in the downtown area. rates will vary so good to confirm BEFORE getting in 2. Taxi by phonecall - Is there a number I can call where I can order a legitimate taxi at any time of day? Any speak English? Or at least understand if I say ie. "Avenida 7, Calle 6", so they can pick me up at the corner? The reason I ask this question is I don't want to get stranded or lost, if I go to an MP a good distance away from my hotel. don't know this one, i've never called 3. Airport taxi - I will be arriving fairly late, midnight, will the legitimate red/yellow diamond taxis still be out front? Any risk factor for legit taxis at midnight? I plan to do what most suggest - offer $20-25 for a flat rate to take me to the hotel. actually, the orange taxis downstairs are 'official' airport taxis, but if you go upstairs, you can catch a red taxi about to deadhead back to the city, most will take 15-20 dollars 4. Camaraderie - How friendly are mongers at these bars, strip clubs, and hotels? I'm in my early 30's and an Asian dude. Will I be accepted? It would be awesome to find other mongers to hunt/drink with. like anyplace people will vary, but in my experience most are good guys and will help you out 5. Smartphone - Does Google Maps work in SJ if I got the international sim card? I'm planning to use it to GPS where I'm at if I'm walking to a MP. Will the navigation feature work or would I just be stuck with Maps/GPS? i do NOT recommend walking around town looking at your GPS...it will be somebody else's phone quick..if you want to take your phone home with you either leave it in your pocket or in your room... I know this is a super long post, but I'd greatly appreciate it if any of you guys can help me out! that's my two cents. others will chime in with their experience and/or recommendations

Author:	Rac [ Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:27 am ]
Post subject:	Re: CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice
You're arriving at midnight. Don't count on too many red taxis at that hour upstairs on the departure level to get you into town.

Author:	JimGIN [ Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:29 am ]
Post subject:	Re: CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice
Thanks Krico for the advice! Big reason for question 1 was what if I had a 4:00 urge for some action. I read that I shouldn't walk at night, so wanted to check the taxi situation haha

Author:	BashfulDwarf [ Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:17 am ]
Post subject:	Re: CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice
JimGIN wrote: Thanks Krico for the advice! Big reason for question 1 was what if I had a 4:00 urge for some action. I read that I shouldn't walk at night, so wanted to check the taxi situation haha Jim, 4am is the HDR. Taxis are hard to find outside the clubs after about 2am, but they will summon one with little issue. The orange airport taxis are less likely to have a jacked-up meter than a random red street taxi, because it is easier for them to get reported on. The last time I came in I chatted to my cabbie about it, and he said there is a phone number to report the abuse, and all you need is the taxi number and date/time. Of course I don't know the number, so what da heck do I know. "Taxi by phonecall:" - DAMN GOOD QUESTION! Kudos bud! Yes there are and all the hotels,clubs, etc know them, but I suspect you need to speak Spanish to be truly understood. Ask at your hotel desk for their numbers they use. Camaraderie: - TEHO. Most guys will not approach you. If you want to be a part of a group, you need to walk up and ask to join. I've never been rejected, though occasionally I find a group I don't click with. Just make it a habit to meet all the guys you come across and you'll find compatible wingmen quickly. Google Maps works well. However it is spotty outside of the gulch due to tower distances. On the bus ride to Cartago, there was a 20 minute span where my position never updated, and then jumped 10 miles east. Don't walk at night on your first trip. Get your bearings and the feel for the streets. I'll see ya down there.

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CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice!!! https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=46945	Page 1 of 1

Author:	GoodDayJohn [ Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:19 am ]
Post subject:	Re: CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice
1. What you said about taxis in American cities holds true in San Jose also. There will be taxis around the HDR all the time, the one's that park outside the doors are rip-offs - will charge at least double what the fare should be. After midnight, taxis are scarce in most areas. 2. There is a number you can call for a taxi, but I don't know what it is. Different hotels have called taxis for me, and it's a regular red taxi, not a hotel taxi. 3. You still have time to reserve a shuttle from Costa Rica Shuttle bus (http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr/) for $14.25. As Rac pointed out, at midnight you probably won't find a red taxi dropping someone off. 4. The Sportsmen Lodge is an easier place to meet guys than the HDR because there will be more guys sitting at the bar in the SL. At the HDR, many guys sit at tables to watch the talent show. 5. I don't know about GPS on your phone, but as Krico pointed out, don't walk around town looking at your smartphone. Also, don't walk around looking at a map. If you must look at either, go into a fast-food restaurant or some other business. Always appear to know where you are going - a lost gringo is a good target for someone who does not have your best interest at heart. You can buy a local sim card for your phone for about $5, and that includes some minutes. There are many kiosks around town that will sell you a sim card.

Author:	JimGIN [ Thu Feb 19, 2015 1:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice
This is all great information guys. I want to hit the ground running (or shall we say pumping haha), so all the info about taxis is awesome.

Author:	Gator Hater [ Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: CR Newbie visiting last weekend of February! Need advice
Jim - My wing and I will be there from Wed. the 25th to March 1, for our fourth trip down. We make camp at Sportsman's, and always have a blast. Would be happy to hang out and buy ya some cervezas. Feel free to drop me a PM. Also, relating to transportation from the airport, we always use Sid (One Lucky Dogg Transportation) and he and his team have been great. He gave us a lot of great advice on our initial trip down. Also, read as much as you can on this site before you go down - it made things SO much easier for us. Have a great time!!

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