www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Last night I took a taxi from the SL (one of those regular red taxi's with a sign on top that says TAXI) to the DR. The charge was 500 colones. Had dinner at Del Mar, spent some time at KL and DR and then took another "red" taxi with a taxi sign on top from the DR back to the SL. He charged me 2,000 colones (I didn't tip him). Exact same trip...one charges 500 and the other 2K. Am I missing something here or is it protocol to ask the driver how much the ride will be before agreeing to the ride?

Any red cab with a yellow triangle on the door is required to have and use a meter (called a maria in CR).

Any time you get in one make sure he turns the meter on. If he does not say "encienda el maria por favor". If he refuses or says it is broken get out of the cab and hail another one.

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

They will do this if you don't ask them to use the meter and many tourist don't.

In general don't take a cab parked outside the Del Ray, hail a passing one. Anytime I have tried a parked cab the refuse to use the meter saying something like they are flat rate.

It would also be quicker if going to the SL from the DR to walk down the street past the Casino Colonial to the intersection of callle 11 and hail a cab going up the hill. They can keep going straight through the tunnel and have you there in no time. Should be no trouble walking that far at anytime. There is a guard at he entrance of the casino

Ride should defiantly only be 500 colones

Bill

NEVER take a cab parked outside the HDR, they always say they have a "night rate" or something similar. All of them are in on the scam.

My buddy William (used to be the lot attendant before the new management fired him) drives a pirate taxi and works the front of the HDR, he's always been good to me (but I don't know how he would treat someone new).