www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Orange, that Mas x Menos is actually on Ave. Central. You could have told the first guy to go to the Prez and then walk three blocks east.

I hate that it is so hard to find a driver that knows where the hell he is going. I had to try the driver yesterday. I'm trying to get to Idem and the driver is taking me somewhere in Paseo Colon. Good thing I had Get Rythems' map. I had to show him how to get there. Less than a week and I'm telling this asshole how to drive around his home town? Crazy, it ended up costing me over 4000 colones from the Horseshoe to Idem.

In December I had a meeting in Curridabat, which is a little ways past San Pedro to the east. I flagged down a taxi on the main road and asked him to take me to the Hotel La Amistad.

He didn't know how to get there. I then said Parque Nacional, Sportsmen's Lodge, hospital (I could not remember the name specifically), Hotel Del Rey, embasie (Don't know if this is the right word) de Mexico, Cafe Mundo, and I think Holiday Inn. I figured it would not be a big deal to walk the rest of the way from one of those landmarks and I didn't want to find another driver as that taxi took probably 15 minutes to find. Anyway he didn't know ANY of those landmarks and probably a few more I forgot to mention. I rummaged around in my backpack and found a map of SJ, and I pointed to the location of La Amistad. HE STILL DIDN'T GET IT!!! He spoke very little English.

Finally he called someone on the phone. I heard him say "no hablas mucho espanol," or something like that. He talked for about 5 minutes as he drove west and finally he figured out where to go. THe funny thing was the return fare cost me less than the fare there - and the first driver knew where I was going.

WTF! 3,500 too much.

Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in a country where there are no street names (at least not ones any taxistas know). It's not a gringo thing either, it happened to my girl and I this past week. And don't even bother saying 7th ave and 9th street. You'll probably end up in San Pedro.

Sorry bro - you were a victim of "Phuck the gringo". Between your chica appointments during the day, study the map, talk a walk around town. Places always seem further away when you don't know where you're going. Idem is a quick and relatively safe 10 minute walk 6 blocks south of the Horseshoe.

About two months ago, I was overcharged by a taxista returning to my house. Not a huge amount, but enough that we had words. I paid him what I knew was the right tarifa and closed the door a little more firmly than usual.

About 15 minutes later my doorbell rang. I looked at the security camera and saw that it was the same taxista. I thought "WTF, this is going to be fun."

I opened the door only to find out that he was returning the 4 bags of groceries I had left in the back seat.

He politely refused a propina.

He definitely won the "I've got more class than you" contest.

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It's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money--Tom T. Hall
No man is a failure who is enjoying life--William Faulkner

Yea, I saw that it was not much further on the map but I did not want to be all sweaty for my appointment with Melissa. Once I was in the cab and realized I was not in Kansas anymore I was not getting out. He called a guy that spoke english. He did not know were it was either so I told him Tin Jo's. Nothing. The damn guy did not even understand Avenida Central. I ask you, why go to a part of town were the even number Calle's are when I needed Calle 11. Friggin idiot.

Pelo de Gato,

That was a funny story and an honorable admission. I think we've all had this sort of thing happen to us. I can remember 30 years ago going to a massage therapist in CA and she wouldn't provide a happy ending. At the time I was young and poor and obviously wasn't pleased with the service. After we were finished, she asked me to leave the money in the vase by the door when I left. Every fiber of my being wanted to stiff (or "pull a straddler") on her, but for some reason I did the right thing. Good thing, as I would have felt very stupid returning for my car keys having ripped her off.


Ciaociao

These stories combine to underline the fact that in these countries there is a huge financial, language and cultural gap between us and them. Its hard to find the balance between holding taxis and other services to "local" prices, while realizing for US, even with some overcharges, it is still very cheap to get around in these taxis. There is a time to just pay up and keep our mouths shut for a dollar or two overcharge...and then theres a time to make a stand and not let them get away with thievery. Every person has their own fine line in defining 'taking advantage" and "thievery". These stories underscore the importance of negotiating price or seeing if the "maria" is in use BEFORE going a few blocks. If we dont do so, we must be prepared to pay a little extra or have an unpleasant conversation with our local host. It is understandable that there is often a language barrier in place...and misunderstandings are going to happen. We cant EXPECT these people to understand English...no more than someone getting in a USA taxi should EXPECT the taxi driver to understand spanish. AFter you have been in CR or Panama for a while, you should have a pretty good feel immediately if the taxi you are entering is experienced or not, or is safe or not.

And yes, we shouldnt be surprised if some of these drivers have huge chips on their shoulders towards us "wealthy americans". It is best to try and put yourself in their place. If we were getting paid maybe $4-5 per hour and paying $4 per gallon of gas and paying 100% duties on the used cars we were forced to buy, we might get a little miffed at penny pinching, non Spanish speaking, ornery gringos bitching about feeling ripped off at less than $5 for a ride (not saying this happened in any above stories...but it DOES happen), we might be less than civil and say a few paricular spanish phrases ourselves.

WHen living in CR, and now here in Panama, I always try to have a couple reliable drivers at my disposal and use them as often as possible. These relationships can be invaluable to getting things done and having a pleasant local person watching our back besides. Yes, there is a time to let them know our limits of being taken advantage of...but if at all possible...ALWAYS be nice. Smile even if you are saying "Phuck you". Above all, do not fall into the trap of being the "Ugly AMerican"...feeding fuel to their fire. Slamming doors and shouting obsenities might make YOU feel better...but it accomplishes nothing for promoting peace between locals and gringos and makes it worse for the next guy or lady.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings on this.

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All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

Tman,

I accept your expertise on this, but I strongly disagree.

When one enters a taxicab, certain laws guarantee one's safety and the business practices of the taxista, including use of a regulated taximeter.

"We make more money than them...." Aw.... too f*cking bad. This is the same rationale many guys put out there for overpaying hookers.

I tip taxistas, usually to the nearest 100 CRC. But, I will not be robbed.

Taxistas have placardas...licenses that they pay dearly for. ARESEP is the governing agency over the taxistas. I strongly suggest that if in a confrontation with taxistas, one a.) get the placard number and b.) make a report to ARESEP the following business day.

If violence is threatened, as happened to me on my Memorial Day trip last year, the police should be called.

And yeah, I speak Spanish.

Part of the problem of course, as always is idiot gringos.

Peter (musician at SL), two CRT'ers and I were headed to the Key Largo around midnight.

I get into the front seat of the cab and ask the driver....five times...to turn on the meter.

We go from the corner of Avenida 9/calle 13 to the KL. Driver demands 1k000 for what should be a 650 CRC ride. Yeah, I know we're talking about 60 cents difference, but it's dishonest. Then, one guy in the back shoves a red bill at the driver, who takes it. The other guy, having already gotten out of the cab, shoves a second 1,000 bill into the driver's paw. Now the 650 CRC ride has turned into a $4.00 ride.... and the driver pulls away from the curb laughing. The fact that the two CRT'ers were so drunkenly loud in the back seat may have something to do with the fact that the driver "didn't hear me" when I asked five times for him to turn on the meter... I dunno.



I have been physically threatened by one cab driver, had my white cane destroyed by another. I've been taken on joyrides to pump up the meter.

Most taxistas have been good honest dudes, but the exceptions are infuriating.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Taxi driver stops picks up 2 people that want to go 3 blocks for .80US gets a <.20 US tip and is pissed.

The nerve of the A hole

I assume you're referring to me... He wasn't pissed about the tip, he didn't like the length of the trip.

what should I have tipped him? $2? $4?

EL C said

I respect your view and experiences here El C. I would personally like to deal with the taxista that has taken you on a joyride or taken advantage of your handicap. That being said, I think it is naive to think that making reports to the taxi authorities is going to accomplish anything. The rules and laws in most things in CR and elsewhere in these Latin countries are "made to be broken". One persons complaint or letter is not going to get one finger lifted towards your cause, unless it is the middle one. This is just the reality down here and we have to realize we are NOT protected by many laws or have any influence or power...especially in things like overbilling for services...or taxis. So...unfortunately it is in our best interests to be prepared with our approach to taking a taxi. ALWAYS ask the rate, or ask if they will use the meter. If they dont give you a clear answer or sense of fair play...just like the chicas...NEXT. Get another taxi. This can cause delay and/or inconvenience, but might be more relaxing than having it out with the "asshole" taxi this thread is about. These taxistas are the exceptions...not the rule. Most are friendly and straight players. So, just dont give assholes your business, learn to recognize them upon entering the taxi...and take decisive action immediately (get out). The notion of police or ARESEP coming to your aid is just false hope...and doing battle with locals on their home turf...well, its usually just not worth it. Gringos dont usually win in this regard. You have no rights or protection of law in most of these situations. You are a foreigner.

Just trying to manage expectations here after years of dealing with these issues in Latin America.

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All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

Yeah, Tman... you are undoubtedly right about this.

Sadly, I can't always catch the vibe when climbing into a taxi. Fortunately, as*hole taxistas have been the exception rather than the rule.

The old "give him the fair fare and get out" routine is a bit less effective for me as well. I try to engage the taxista in small talk, giving directions as well as I can without sight... and hoping for the best.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Funny thing we are talking about this, just today, a taxista comes to my hotel to pick me up. I ask him first how much to The Intercontintental where I had a meeting, he tells me 6 mil colones, I say no way, yesterday it was 3,500. I offer 4, he stands firm. I am pissed but in a hurry(and at an out of the way hotel w/not many taxis) so I offer 5mill, $10 for a $7 ride. He says no, and that he thought I was going to the airport, I said no one even said anything about an airport, that's not my problem where you thought you were taking me. I say take off, I'll wait for another taxi. He then says ok, 5mill, vamos, I say adios. Now, the pende*o had to drive up a mountain and back with no fare b/c he thought he would rip off a gringo. By the way, when the next taxista came, I quickly learned, La Maria por favor. Turn on the meter. The fare:$2.5mcollones, $5 and I tipped him $2 for the honesty.

I have a bunch more stories on taxistas, and I am pleasant with them, talk to them in Spanish. Some are great and some are a**holes.

For another funny taxista story, read my post on the Trannies in the Girls Review section.

Remember, "La Maria, Por Favor."

PURA VIDA!

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!