www.CostaRicaTicas.com

When you leave the HDR a man asked if you need a Taxi. They tell you it will cost you so many colonies which is actualy double or triple of a metered ride. There is a sign in HDR which states that taxis are required to use there meteres. When I asked about this, the chico told me the cabs that are parked only work for the Hotel......bullshit!!!! When one cab dropped someone off, I just flagged him down right in front of the guy. Don't get screwed by these scammers.

Yes the cabs parked out front are always a ripoff unless you actually know one of the drivers. Always walk across the street or to the corner and grab one passing by. maria por favor!

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Living well is the best revenge
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Yup that fact goes back at least 20 years to cabs that we lining the street outside the KL when that was the center of action. I was told by a working girl, if you want a real cab, flag one down in the street outside the HDR. Works everytime.

There is something to that "some cabbies where for the hotels" ; I don't know if they own the cars, or licenses, or what--but same thing happened to me at Gran Hotel de CR with same exlanation.

It applies to about any hotel that cabbies in front or waiting by the door charge a premium. It is always best to flag one from street and make sure they use the maria. rbc100

Also applies to the Hotel Presadente. Dude wanted to charge me $4 to the SL. When I said "Stop, let me out" he said "ok, ok, dos dollars".

Walk across the street to the Horshoe Casino, stand in front and flag a cab going west. Before you get in ask if he has "Maria" slang for meter. He should hit a button and 365 should pop up. Over to the SL is 500 colones, about a buck. Tipping is not expected by cabbies. Never use the piratas out front, they overcharge and many are scumbag drug dealers also. Never let a chica you are with get the cab. Usually harmless but could be a set up. If you get in and the cabbie starts with broken Maria - get out and do not pay. Sit in the front seat if you are alone and if asked make sure you say you have been to San Jose many times.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

There was an incident over Labor Day where somebody I know took the taxi from HDR to SL and the driver must've thought he was a total newbie and said 6,000¢, that's right $12.

Luckily the guy wasn't a newbie, threw the driver a 1,000¢ bill, and walked out the taxi into the hotel. That was the end of it.

Not so sure that sitting in the front seat is a good idea especially at night. I have a car so I do not use taxis anymore. However when I first moved here, and used taxis, old timers told me never sit in the front at night. When it is dark someone can be laying on the back seat floor. When he stops at a corner an accomplice can jump in the back seat. In both scenarios then can grab you in a choke hold and you have no defense.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I agree. In the event of a collision, I am safer sitting in the back seat. And these are small cars. The ones parked in front of just about anywhere very often seem to want to charge more. Maybe because they have been sitting in line for awhile - As opposed to one that you flag down that is happy to have another fare. ANOTHER WARNING and a good example - I got in one parked behind the KL one night and said Pantera Rosa por fa vor. He tried to tell me this place was closed for the holidays and he would be happy to take me to the "Atlantis" a clip joint where he gets a nice commision. When I told him to pull over and let me out, he changed his mind and said he thinks they may be open. They were. And yes , he did agree to use the "maria".

If the law is that they use a maria and they don't, has anyone had a problem just giving a little more than what the fare should have been?
2 weeks ago,when I gave the driver 1K for a 600c ride, thinking "keep the change",he said 3K so I said "impossible" with attitude and got out.
Any problem?

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Why Chicas Come to CostaRica:

"Predators gather where prey abounds"

best thing is say Maria in the best spanish accent you can muster.I always carry a card from the hotel also.I have been to CR enough times to know my way around also. You also should learn the basic words in spanish of straight,left, & right.This helps if the driver gets a little confused.

I prefer to sit forward, as do many ticos. . Sitting in the front seat makes it easier for me to communicate with the driver.


If you want to check the back seat for lurkers, it's easy enough to do as you board the cab. Well, if you're not blind.

The respectful "textbook" way to ask the taxista to turn on the meter is "Ponga el taximeter, por favor." Some SJ cabbies, particularly devout Catholics are disturbed by the term "maria." Otherwise, the phrase is "Ponga la maria, por favor."

There is a complete taxi FAQ in the Newbies section, but for the sake of newbies who are more lost than I, I'll make the following suggestions.

Look at a map of downtown before taking your taxi trip. Note one-ways and other distractions. This way, if your taxi driver tries to take you from the Presidente to the SL via Alajuela, you'll know enough to complain. Note typical fares when you ride with other gringos. Yes, fare from the Pres to the SL should be about 500 colones, but I typically paid 700.

The guys outside hotels do not have a legal right to charge a price which is above the tariffa, which is specified by municipal code. So what? These as*holes will charge what the market will bear.

Buyer beware.

In addition to licensed cabbies (red cars, yellow triangle decal with registration number, meter, roof sign (maybe), there are two other groups of competing drivers. One group are the piratas. If you know one personally, they can be a great deal, but many pirates will try to cheat gringos. One typical scam is to tell the passenger, "Pay me what you think is fair" when the passenger enquires about the fare from point A. to B. If you know the common fare charged by licensed cabs, you simply tell the pirate driver how much you're willing to pay before he leaves the curb. Negotiations may follow, but often the pirate will shrug andd say okay.

The second competing group are telephone-dispatched pirates who have formed a pretty substantial syndicate and who are legally opposing certain taxi ordinances which they say unfairly restrains their trade. The licensed taxistas regard both groups as enemies, but it's surprising how often they refer business to each other.

As a non-driver I use taxis exclusively and have logged several hundred kilometers in hired cars over my 86 total days in Costa Rica. Cabs can be very good to horrifiying, with everything in between. Keep eyes and ears open, learn the city layout, speak a little Spanish and follow the example of local taxi passengers and you should be fine.,

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

Whenever I am using a taxi I confirm the cost first. I used the taxis outside the HDR a few times on my last trip and had no problem. I tell them where I am heading and ask "1000 colones" or "2000 colones" depending on where I am going? Generally they reply yes and I take that amount out and have it ready. Also, I make sure I have plenty of 1000 colone notes at all times to make it easier. I may have just been lucky with the HDR taxis, but this is something I practice whenever travelling. Of course it helps to have a general idea how much it will cost before starting out. I usually ask at the concierge, front desk, doorman, valet, etc. to make sure I am not getting ripped off. They will usually have a very good ballpark figure. That is all I need. Interesting point on riding in the front seat. I will be more aware now. I am just used to riding in front from going to Tijuana. Today I had the craziest driver in San Jose take me back from Sabana Sur to Barrio Amon. It was worth more for the thrill ride, but still was only 2000 colones.

FreeSpirit,

The only problem with paying a flat 1,0000 or 2,000 is that you may be overpaying. For instance, the fare from the HDR to the Sportsmen's should be less than 700 CRC. Now, perhaps 60 cents means little, but over several trips can quickly add up.

Furthermore, the law requires SJ taxis to have, and use a working taximeter.

There are times when paying a flat fare will of course be cheaper, but until you've clocked a given route a few times to find the exact cost, you'll never know.

Unless the taxista performs some extraordinary service, tipping is neither expected nor respected. With literally thousands of licensed taxis in the valley, you might or might not soon ride again with the same cabbie.

Yes, keeping 1,000 notes (red, picture of red snapper "pargo"), 500 and 100 colones coins on hand is a good idea. Besides taxi fares, these denominations are useful for tips.

In most hotels, a 1,000 to 1,500 CRC daily tip for room maids is sufficient, and 500 per bag carried by a bellhop and other fairly tips (ice, etc.) are customary . Depending upon your lodgings and personal tastes, your tipping habits may vary somewhat from mine. Whatever you tip, it's always good to have the small plata handy.


You make a good point about finding out information from the doorman, concierge or front desk clerk about the normal fare for a given route. It's a frequently-asked question, I'm sure.
It's good to read your thoughts on this.
Thanks. .

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