www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Everything you possibly could have wanted to know about airport taxi tariffs can be found at this link: http://www.aresep.go.cr/docs/RRG-7976-2008%20extraordinaria%20taxi%20aeropuerto.pdf.

For whatever it is worth, the correct fare at current rates on an unaltered meter with no waits for the 19kms from the airport to the front door of the SL should be 7245 colones (405 for the 1st km and 380/km thereafter) which @ a 520c/$ exchange rate would be just under $14. Any delays should not add significantly to that amount unless you were at a dead stop for significant amounts of time (another $4.25 if you sat parked for a full hour), but dead stops of more than a minute or so have never happened to me in all my experience. Do they have added expenses that red cabs don't have? Of course, I have no idea what sort of cut Alterra (the airport managment company) gets on the higher "official" airport taxi rates, but it seems to me that still allows for a significant profit advantage of the orange airport taxis over the regular red cabs. Do they wind up driving empty back to the airport? Sure, if they don't get dispatched to someone who calls in for a ride back to the airport. But you can bet the red cabs wind up burning a lot of gas just driving around cruisng for fares too. Personally, I wouldn't start take up any special collections for these orange taxi guys any more so than I would for the red ones or even the pirates. And at $20-22 for a 20 minute trip, which can be nearly as easily done for a couple of bucks using the bus and a local city cab, I'm not so inclined to add any more to that already high fare.

I'd also like to know where El C read that it is "customary" to tip the taxi driver a couple bucks per bag, if he helps you with your luggage IN CR. Where is he getting that? Customary to whom? That might be true in the US but that is the first I've heard of anything like that in CR. Besides, how much time does it take or how hard is it to lift a bag and put it in the trunk or back seat? $2 seems like an overly generous compensation for so little effort in a country where people typically only make $20/day.

Personally, I never travel with so much luggage that I can't easily handle it myself and I'd sooner bring my bag in the cab with me for security reasons anyway. I have no problem tipping regular cabbies with the loose change from whatever the fare comes out to (IF I feel they haven't already ripped me off in some way), EVEN THOUGH even that is not "customary" amongst ticos. On an already HIGH FLAT fare, I figure I've already paid enough for the service. IF they feel they aren't making enough, they can take up the official fares with the appropriate regulatory authorities and get the fares raised YET AGAIN and if they do I'm willing to bet that more and more guys will wind up taking the Interbus option.

BTW, brother Pierre should learn to use the search function (also why is this question in "Roll Calls!" rather than "Transportation"?). Not only has the side topic of tipping been discussed ad infinitum, but the question of airport taxi fares has also been asked and answered innumerable times. Here is just one link to a thread including my own very COMPREHENSIVE discussion of airport transportation alternatives: http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21954

if you have a reasonably good driver.

One who does not get lost.

Speaks enough english to communicate with the average gringo.

Does not run out of gas.

Does not have a flat.

Does not try to show you around.

Gets you to your hotel within 30 minutes.

Knows where the best prettiest girls are working during that time of year.

Will wait on you if you need to stop and pick some things up from the mas por menos, or grab some food.

Has change in colons and dollars.

Will give you the exact change upon the completion of the said transaction.

$18 to $20 with a dos mil propina

50

Back to Interbus......

I found their service GREAT in Feb. of this year....both for the pickup at SJO and the pickup at the Hotel back to SJO.

However, I can't get them to answer their phone; can't get any email responses (I did get one, finally, today telling me to provide them flight and pick up time detail which was in the other several emails).

I'm registered on their site, but the credit data acceptance page is not https which means it ain't secure.

The last time, the agent phoned me here in the USA and all was well. Do I just keep sending emails and keep my fingers crossed? Suggestions?

Thanks!

PS: Also, I thought I had read that the $20 "correct" fare from SJO to the Gulch included as many people and bags as you could fit in the one taxi. Can't one simply hook up with another single or double traveler and seek to share space? Given I most typically travel alone (prevents delays of all sorts...), I'm more than willing to have 2 or 3 people in those taxi's. Is it "not done" to ask to be included in a ride with some other pure D strangers getting into a taxi??

Thanks again!

_________________
"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

Am I the only one that finds it more than amusing that a bunch of gringos who drop wads of cash to go to another country... drop more wads on a hotel and truckloads of colones for P4P in the space of "X" days can't seem to part with a few bucks getting to and from the airport?


Berk.....

_________________
FRUITCAKE... and you thought it was something you eat! Not on CRT!

I believe it is imperative for us as a group to flex the strength of numbers and do everything in our powers to exert control on prices on the things we rely upon and utilize and, essentially, under our control.

It's been my experience, world wide, that taxi drivers quite often have and control much power given their knowledge of their respective City. I've met many friendly taxi drivers world wide.....and I've experienced many a rip off artist. The correct meter fare from SJO to Barrio Amon has been posted by a senior member whose view points I trust blindly. After reading that data, it's further convinced me that the use of Interbus and things like Greyline (they operate a shuttle that seems accessible only thru the booking of air tickets on places like Orbitz) is essential to helping taxi drivers understand we represent a good portion of their income. I don't use the cabs outside the Del Rey, either. I believe there is a reason why the sign is out front of that hotel.

Berk2302, I also will stop in the street and pick up a pennie. It's just the way I roll. I wish you'd just let me make my posts in peace and do my thing.

I'm hoping the other members who have had recent experiences with booking Interbus might be able to add some input. It seems that BERENICE BRENES may not be with them anymore and one Catalina Montoya has taken her place? However, the first was handling on-line sales and the 2nd reservations. Catalina has responded to an email but it's pretty much the same one Western posted a couple of weeks back....

_________________
"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

JUNE/JULY TRIP:

Orange airport taxi from airport to Hotel Castillo......$22 plus $2 tip.

Hotel taxi from Hotel Castillo to airport.......$22 plus $2 tip.

Oh grand! I've located and alternative way to pay Interbus and it's even $1.00 less: $6.00 each way! You can pay via PayPal or a secured server.

http://www.searchcostarica.com

I expect, however, that the proof shall be in the pudding....and this is a chance I'll take....will report back after the fact if all went well.

_________________
"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

Steve (and all):

Bernice is still working reservations at Interbus.

Last month when their website did not work for airport shuttle reservations she was the person who responded when I emailed them about the problem.

I suppose if you still have her email address you could contact her directly or take a chance & use the "contact us" email address on their website.

Phone, Internet, or email Interbus seems to work pretty well. You just have to look past the niggly issues they seem to have quite often.

Que Tico! or Pura Vida!

_________________
Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

you right, Western......but when I've phoned them in the past four days, full on ignorance has been pledged relative to Bernice....perhaps things have changed since your most recent trip??.......

_________________
"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

paid 25.00 to the SL 8/5 paid at the window in the airport like i always do.

bbrenes@interbusonline.com

Bernices' email

I am "NOT" a "shill" for this operation, but I am convinced it's full on legit or else I am being seriously fibbed to:

http://www.searchcostarica.com has a $6.00 shuttle service through InterBus.

The owner of the service used to be the CIO of InterBus and set up their internet presence. Take a look at the InterBus site now because it's very different....and then look at http://www.searchcostarica.com . Look familiar.

Additionally, it has been written to me:

"I personally know the owners whom I consider them dearest friends. I witnessed Interbus starting as a company about 12 years ago and I still maintain friendly communication and business with them."

Again, the proof shall be in the pudding and it looks like I'm going to be the first to take the leap.....unless someone else books with them prior to September 3.

Heck, maybe this new outfit could be a VIP sponser, admin?!

_________________
"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

well, you paid $22 & contributed $3 to the slick Tico who works the booth fund

I would pay a lot more than 3 bucks to have the smokin TICA that was running the booth last month.

not a tico a tica at lest she was hot