Didn't realize I was raising such a big controversy. ID, had it exactly right this time. I was just trying to lay out ALL the alternatives with all their pro's and con's as objectively as possible. And then explain my own personal preference while understanding where others under different circumstances might understandably have different preferences. In fact, even with my own "preference", I allowed that it was not my preference all the time.
DEAR_JOHN wrote:
It's amazing all the shit people will go through to save a lousy 5 bucks. I just grab a proper airport (orange) cab and head on in. To me, it's just worth the effort. And no, I'm not rich.
Orange wrote:
20-7 = not 5 bucks.
I'm not proposing people drag their suitcases to the tico bus, but Interbus is just as easy as the taxi.
DEAR_JOHN wrote:
I was talking versus red or pirate cabs versus the orange cabs.
Actually, you both misunderstood where I got that amount. I was talking about Interbus vs. taking the public bus, not red or pirate cabs vs. airport or airport vs. Interbus. But since you all brought it up let's talk more about those differences.
Orange vs Red - I'm not sure of the exact difference since the fares for red cabs can be negotiated. I was guessing that the savings might be about $7. The "cost" is having to walk 50 yds outside the airport to hail one. There is virtually zero "time cost" beyond the time it takes to make that walk since cabs are so ubiquitous in the area.
Orange vs Pirate - Again, I'm not sure of the exact difference since the pirate fares are negotiable as well. Presumably, you'd save at least as much as you would when taking a red cab. You also might be able to find one operating right at the terminal curb, saving yourself the walk out to the street and the slight delay associated with that. The "cost" here is in risk level. Berk feels that risk is overhyped. Perhaps he's right or perhaps he's just been lucky. There have certainly been plenty of reports of some problems with pirate cabs. Usually just things like hustling for higher fares once you're in the cab, but driving you to a deserted spot or dangerous area where you can be ripped off has been reported too. And then there is DJ's 2nd hand report. That actually didn't involve any security issue and if that guy's cab hadn't been stopped by the policia he'd probably have been driven right to his hotel without any problem. What it did result in was some inconvenience due to him having to catch another cab. So the "risk" is definitely questionable and probably overhyped, but some risk is certainly still there. How do you put a price on something like that? To some like Berk the cost savings more than offset the slight risk. To others, ANY extra risk is just not worth a few bucks.
Personally, like I said before, if I were traveling around SJ with little cash in my pocket and thus little to lose, I might take a pirate cab. If the guy tried to pull a fast one on me I'd just get out at the next available stop. How do you jump out at a traffic stop easily when you have large items with you in the back seat or even god forbid in the trunk of the cab? With all my stuff on me, I'll opt for something other than a pirate cab, particularly when there are cheaper or just as cheap ways to go that are safer and just as convenient or nearly so (such as Interbus or public bus). But, of course, YMMV.
BTW, I think the term "pirate" comes more from the fact that these guys are operating illegally by not getting the proper permits to operate a cab and as a result not necessarily following any of the other regulations that official cabbies are subject to rather than any similarity to Blackbeard or Captain Kidd.
Orange vs. Interbus - Orange is correct the savings are $13 and not just "a lousy 5 bucks" and, apparently, the cost in terms of added time is really minimal (usually less than 5 minutes if the guy isn't actually waiting for you with his van). Personally, I'd state the opposite. Its not worth it to me to pay an extra $13 to save a lousy 5 minutes. Again, YMMV applies and thank god we live in a world where everyone can practice whatever trade-off seems most worth it to them.
Orange vs. Public Bus - Here the cost difference is more like $18 and not $5 or $7 or even $13. That is almost one hour session at Oasis or more than a half hour session at most tico MP's.
Yes, it means you'll get to your hotel about 20 minutes later than if you take a cab or, perhaps, Interbus. But what's the big rush? I usually arrive during the day and if I didn't, like I said before, I wouldn't take the bus anyway for other reasons. As it is, the action doesn't really get going at the HDR until later anyway and the chicas will still be there whenever I arrive.
And yes, it is not as convenient as just jumping into a cab. However, I never suggested people "drag their suitcases to the tico bus". If you look what I posted you'll see I specifically did NOT recommend it for those with heavy luggage. OTOH, if you just have a carry-on bag as I usually do, it really is no big deal at all to carry the bag an extra 50 yards. Heck, you have to carry your bags further than that just to get it through the terminal and, IMHO, if that is too tough for you than you have much bigger issues (fitness-wise) than which form of transportation to take.
To me the bigger inconvenience comes after you get off the bus and have to make it the rest of the way to your hotel. Then you have to catch another cab just like you could have done to begin with back at the airport (the difference being that this one will only cost you a buck). OTOH, if you're staying at someplace like the Nuevo Johnson or the Doral, you can just as "easily" hoof it the 1-2 blocks to your hotel.
Personally, IMHO, what I've described hardly adds up all that much "shit that people go through to a lousy" few bucks. Naturally, others may add it up differently and say the added inconvenience is not worth even the "lousy" 18 bucks. To which I'd say, I can appreciate your different perspective. Its all an individual choice and you can keep on spending that $20 each time for all I care if that is what you want to do.
Last but not least...
Interbus vs Public Bus - here the cost savings really are only "a lousy 5 bucks". When I thought the transit times were comparable, I thought taking the bus was worthwhile even if it were just a savings of $5. Now that I know that for just $5 more than the bus I can shave some time off my trip and get to my hotel more quickly and easily, I'll have to give that form of transport more consideration. I still like taking the bus, if for no other reason than I like mixing with regular ticos (as opposed to just "hookers"), plus the fact that it makes me feel more like a local myself (for me probably as big a reason as any cost savings). Call me weird that way. But if I take the bus, it will only be (as it has been) during the middle of the day, when things are safer (even I'm not so crazy as to enjoy being in the Coca Cola area after dark or early evening), traffic delays are less of a factor and I have no real reason to rush to my hotel. Otherwise, I'll have to give Interbus a try. But with either $7 or $2 alternatives, each with so little downsides, my days of paying $20 to get into town are definitely behind me.
The rest of you can do whatever you like.
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Pura Vida 
Interbus has been great the few times I've used them, even when my flight was late the guy was there waiting and called for the van. The 5-10 minute wait is perfect for me as it gives me time to run upstairs to the bank and restroom. Each time I was the only one in the van even though sometimes there are more names on the sign they are usually going someplace besides downtown. Well worth saving 13 bucks IMO and what's the hassle to plan at least 3 days advance 
. Can anyone validate this?
