www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm leaving in a few days and I was just trying to get more info on the airport. I want to make sure I don't get in the wrong taxi. What exactly do the official taxis look like?

Also when in the gulch, do you just flag down the official taxis only?? Is it easy to get a good taxi off the street?

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The sexiest part of the human body? The brain.

At the airport the official taxis are orange. When you leave the customs hall turn left and walk straight ahead to the window, tell them what hotel you are going to, they will tell you the price which you can pay in dollars or colones and the driver will take you and your bag to the taxi.

In San Jose official taxis are red in color with a yellow triangle decal on the door with a number in that triangle. That number will be the same number as on their front and rear license number. Make sure the cab has a meter and insist he use it. If he says it is broke or he will not turn it on get out and hail another cab. make sure you have small bills and coins as the driver will always say he has no change.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
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Alex Levine

Very good information ID.

Just to add a bit, when at your hotel you may consider using hotel taxis.

While they may or may not be a little more expensive ( a couple of bucks only) I feel they have a vested interest in you if you are staying at the hotel they have the prized concession.

The taxis will also wait for you if you request them too or return to pick you up at an appointed time. Also, they will give you a card with a cell number that you can ask someone to call for you and coordinate a pick up.

Again, ask them to use the meter which they call "La Maria" I think.

I've read that one of the more important phrases you can know is, "Pongo La Maria, por favor" = "Turn on the Taxi meter, please".

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Some good ideas about having a cell number of a taxista for pick-ups and to schedule.

But I disagree about using hotel taxis. They are not a little more expensive, they are double or triple the fare. At SL, the guys who hang out in front were charging 1,500¢ to HDR on my last trip. I know it's only a couple of bucks... but multiply that by 4-6 trips daily times 7 day trip. That's enough for an extra session.

Don't use a taxi and save money! Book a transport service through the great information at:

http://www.searchcostarica.com/ and pay a mere $6.00 . Look for the AIRPORT TRANSFER IN/OUT which is in the upper left hand corner of that web site. You can even pay via PayPal, so you know there won't be a problem.

This outfit is a travel service which uses the well known InterBus service.

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

AIRPORT TRANSFER IN/OUT Shuttle - Has anyone used it? Do they wait for few passangers before starting?
It seems like a good alternative but I don't want to wait for 30 mins at the airport.



Is this information still true that they accept US dollars to pay the pre-paid taxi and will call the driver of the cab?
I guess in that case one does not need to exchange $ at the airport at all. Just give them $50 and get the change as well

I read about rip off exchange rate at arrivals level and that one needs to go to departures to get better rate. But many people also mentioned that it is not always possible and often the guard won't let you in because one needs a valid departure flight ticket. Is this so?

And of course if one pays for pre paid taxi, there really is no time or even need to go to departures. Am I right amigos

in 8 trips in less than 3 years, NEVER had a problem getting into departures from arrivals (walk out past taxis, cross street, stairs up and accross breezway to departures). You have a valid ticket (your return, which they never have checked). I always buy my exit tax and exchange some money. Guards have never even said boo to me.

for 15 -20 dollars you can get a red taxi from SanJose that just dropped someone off, you just have to haggle with them. They are going back into the city anyway this way they can make a couple of bucks.

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

Good plan, stick on $15, if no, next, you won't wait long.

I always just flash my passport to the guards and never had a problem entering back into departure level for exit tax or the bank.

There are 2 "Cambios" at SJO - avoid both but do go to the bank, located in the ticket lobby, just past where you buy your exit visa


Never even had to do that, ie flash passport - going to the bank, buying your exit visa (upon arival) are both great ideas - no one - security, whoever - has ever stopped me - and my last trip was in March, so I think I'm operating on current info.

Re comment highlighted

Being over in that part of the airport also lets you grap a cab dropping off someone (while cabs cannot legally pick you up from the the airport, you can hail whatever cab you wish from say, downtown, and take it into the airport - its this cab you want to take to your hotel - they can't <legally - but they do it every day > pick up a fare, so they are deadheading back to San Jose - any fare they get is gravy - offer $15, and see what happens - they are not giving you anything if you are quoted $30, the "Orange Taxi" rate. Another great way to save $$ is share a cab - you don't have to be going to the same hotel - just say, downtown - get 3 guys and its like $10 or less each - I sometimes ask guys on the plane, or in baggage claim.

Another great alternative is take the bus from the airport to downtown - from the ticket lobby/bank/ visa section of the airport, walk outside and head to the right - you will likely see people standing at the bus stop - its under $2 - maybe under $1 - and even if you need a taxi when you arrive downtown, it should only be a couple of dollars taxi fare to your hotel.

The bus runs like every 20 min's and makes few stops - its really great - just ask the driver "Directo a San Jose?" - you want him to say "Si" - some buses stop in Alajuala first - not the end of the world, but you want direct if possible

Yes, security at the airport entrance (top level) can ask to see a passport, which all incoming travelers obviously have, for entrance into the airport. Most times, especially if you have a suitcase in tow, they won't give you a second glance. However, if you have no bags they seem to ask almost every time. Several times I've been denied entrance to the upper level because I don't carry my passport with me (have permanent residency) and a cedula isn't good enough.

The bank on the upper level does give the best rates on exchange and you can buy your exit tax there as well. However, I've seen guys spend 1/2 to 1 hour doing this where you could get the exit tax while you are in Sportsmen's in 5 minutes and there are literally hundreds of places within walking distance of the gulch that will give you just as good an exchange rate as the banks do. Personally, I use nothing but an ATM card with withdraws in colones so you are guaranteed the best exchange rate.

Another thing, if you don't plan to leave the gulch area, you don't really even need colones. Every business (including taxis) will gladly accept dollars but you might lose a few cents on the exchange rate. One thing though, they will NOT accept any $100 or $50 bills so bring $20's for miscellaneous purchases and save the $50's and $100's for the girls.

Right now, with the rate under 500 to 1, it works in your favor to pay the girls in dollars because with the 494 exchange rate, 50,000 colones is about a $1.20 more than $100.

Really about how much time do you want to waste at the airport versus the ease you can do the same transactions downtown.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...