Miamiheller wrote:
I always use the orange airport taxis. No fuss, and conveniently waiting for you right as you're walking out of baggage claim.
Then again, I speak fluent Spanish and I'm totally familiar with the route to/from the city.
When Copa had a meltdown and sent everyone home, they gave me a voucher for the Orange Taxi. They told me I had to use it on the upper level (departures). I assume they must have contacted them to let them know tons of Copa passengers would need one. The service was acceptable. Probably since Copa was paying.
Those hawkers when you leave baggage claim may or may not be taxis. For example in my first travels I went to use one and the man offered to carry my suitcase. The guy walked me out of the airport to a real taxi and then wanted a propina. I, speak Spanish as well, and told him that I wasn’t giving him a propina, he said he WAS the taxi. I didn’t need a guide to walk me out of the airport to a waiting taxi. The taxi driver said I had to give him one. I jerked my suitcase out of his hands and walked back to the airport. They tried to come down in price then threaten me. I told them sure, we could fight if they want.
Again, another story of violence by those baggage claim hawkers. I have never had to threaten violence in the 25 countries’ airports I have visited.