www.CostaRicaTicas.com

My flight arrives at 9 pm on a Saturday night, and I plan on staying at the Del Rey that night. Should I have any saftey concerns If traveling by cab? Should it be cool to take a cab, arrive at Del Rey, & head directly to check in? Any tips & check-in tips would be appreciated...

You will be fine. The cab will drop you either right at the front door or very close. There will be a ton of foot traffic outside and the registration desk it dead in front of you from the front door.

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Keep your eyes on your luggage

I would recommend you take one of the "official orange airport cabs" from the airport to the hotel.......cost prabably $20 to $22. Go to the cab kiosk inside the airport to get one.

Zebra

Actually you'll go out the exit of the airport then turn left. There will be two cuties working behind the glass. Tell them where you want to go, they speak English.

They will charge you $22 and give you a receipt. Give that to one of the guys wearing an "official-looking" shirt out by the curb and he'll get you a taxi. At that time of night you should be downtown in about 15-20 minutes.

The "unauthorized" taxi drivers were quoting $25 2 weeks ago.

Wit

How is it that gypsy cabs charge more than real cabs?

Not so unusual. When they are dealing with a gringo who is not experienced they will almost always quote a high fare hoping the guy will say ok. If you tell them a metered cab, or in this case the airport taxi, is xx amount they will usually back off and give you a better price.

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Alex Levine

Are you saying Witling looks like a newbie gringo sucker?

To a Tico any gringo coming out of the airport carrying luggage is a "gringo sucker" until he proves otherwise.

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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

But.. but.. they seem so friendly.

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Orange,
I hadn't been in Costa Rica for 2 years I probably DID look like a newbie!
Or maybe I still had the look of shock on my face since the taxi fare had gone up $10 since my last visit.

When I showed the pirate taxista my receipt he just laughed and went back to sitting on the rail.

Wit

Pothead702:

having nothing else to do I'll give you the long-winded version of arriving in San Jose and checking in to the Del Rey. First I hope you have a reservation for a Saturday night that would be pretty much mandatory for the Del Rey. After picking up your luggage and going through customs you'll make a right down the hallway. Along the hallway on the left are several small booths where you can purchase different types of transportation pretty much ignore them. At the end of the hallway you'll see a glass wall and an exit to the right. Stepping out of that exit look to your left you'll see a couple of cashier windows or you can purchase your taxi ride into town. As you step out of the door you'll probably be approached by one of the drivers just tell him you want to go to the windo to purchase a taxi. Once you've paid for your ticket given it to the driver who will take you to his car. If it's just you and the driver feel free to sit up front with him if you like are in the back. On your way out of the airport he will make one-stop so that his ticket can be verified.

You will have an interesting 20-25 minute ride into town. As you leave the airport off to your right you'll see the surrounding hills that define the valley San Jose is in. As you begin to enter the city itself you'll see several large hotels casinos and car dealerships. At that time your driver will make a left and perceived in rather heavy traffic where he will make another right were you'll see a gas station off on you left is a large church he'll make another left proceed to the national Theatre where about two blocks later he'll make a left go about four blocks in make another left just under a brige go up a slight hill make another left and pull up to the main entrance of the hotel on your left.

As your taxi stops if they're not too busy with other guest one of the bellhops will come out and help you in to the hotel with your luggage. Prior to entering the hotel is customary to give your taxi driver small tip two or three dollars would be generous. As you step through the door you'll see that front desk just over to your right and straight ahead. Stop looking at the girls and go over to the desk and give them your name so that they can find your reservation. You will need your passport and the credit card you used to make the reservation. This would be the appropriate time to ask what room number they're giving you and if it's on the second floor ask for something up higher. After completing your paperwork they will give you a card that will identify you as a hotel guest. Your room key will be a piece of plastic. Ask for the key to the minibar for they will not give it to you unless you do.

One of the bellhops will help you up to your room one of the things he will offer you is extra towels. There will be two in your bathroom. If you tell him you would like extra towels and you give him an appropriate tip two or three dollars he will see to it that you get two more towels that will stay with you for the rest to your visit. He will also ask you if there's anything you need and he means anything else you'll be amazed what they can do for you. Frank is particularly good. I warned you I was being long-winded.

By the way the night time thing is no big deal. Over the years have checked in at that time several times with no ill effect's. If you get a taxi driver with a good sense of humor he'll take you for a spin around the park to see the freaks before he drop you off at the hotel. Although I would as others have strongly recommend you stay with the airport taxis.





Lee

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