www.CostaRicaTicas.com

With the cost of a taxi in CR, I have never figured out why anyone would even take the chance . Spanish
or no spanish, right or wrong. You are in CR, ie guilty until proven innocent. If I lived there, maybe, but if I'm
on vacation, not worth it.

You said it the best ICS, go get it the next day. Problem solved

Pilsen is the only tico cerveza which agrees with me. Pilsen marketed a "Pilsen 6.0" a few years ago with 6% alcohol by volume. I believe it was replaced with "Pilsen Red" which has a slightly reduced alcohol content... 5.2%

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Since we are on the alcohol subject. What do the police do or say about public intoxication? Sometimes I get pretty wasted before going out to dine or while dining. I do not EVER drive or walk the street other than crossing from the DR to KL. Has this situation ever been an issue?

Well then, I'm convinced. I mean, the head of the department definitely knows all the policies. It would be quite embarrassing if a reporter asked him a question and he didn't know the policy. Do you think the head of immigration has learned all the immigration policies yet in case he gets asked another question?

No need. He got promoted to a bigger job in the new administration.

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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

Sounds like a career path in NJ government.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Well, the meters in many taxis are rigged, so why not a breathalyzer being used by crooked cops...

For the OP, was anything else said about the "plato o sexo" comments??? I would be livid if a cop made such a suggestion to my novia, especially in my presence...

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"Mongo only pawn in game of life"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3K6UmgJIOw

Not to mention the phone calls also.

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Go Dolphins!!!

Maybe formerly but not with Christie the Ax in charge--he'll Schundler your ass in a minute (inside joke).

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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

Ok, this topic is perfect for my question. I've been traveling to CR for over 10 years. Only rented a car once about 8 years ago and travelled to Manuel Antonio. I was stopped (speeding I think). They let me go with no explanation after a couple questions. I haven't driven in CR since, always use taxi.

BUT, lately I'm finding my activities starting to move around in Escazu, as well as Gulch. Taxi cost using meter is about 8k colon ($16) each way. I even stayed at Marriott last month.

Taxi to/from airport was around $25 each way.

So, I looked online and Thrifty car rental WAS ONLY $13 a day for a small car. I'm sure there will be some additional cost such as insurance (which I'll likely take, simply cause I'm in CR, not the US). I plan on staying at Holiday Inn in two weeks, which claims to have free parking for guests.

Hearing all this news about the harassing metro cops... I'm a very calm driver, likely to only use the car a few time, normally during daytime hours, and I never drink a drop before I drive. My total bill for a 5 day stay will be around $100 for the rental, parking free at the Hotel. I'd save the $50 airport taxi, and likely save a few $32 round trips to Multiplaza (take my favorita out for dinner one evening).

In your expert opinions: Is it worth it? Is the hype over the cops over stated? I just haven't noticed it being much of a problem over the years with the many taxi rides I've taken.

Mr. Paco:

I suspect your bill will be higher. Many do not include the mandated insurance(s) in their quotes. I typically was paying about $65 a day all-in with Hertz (stupid, but I rented from the 51 times the previous year & anticipated a bit of a break) and $40 all-in from fastcr.com. I like Johanna at fastcr - they're located in Alejuela and will meet you at the airport & took 1/5 the time Hertz took. They offer Daihatsu Terios vehicles. Only issue, if you're a bit wide in the ass like me they're like a very old hotel - no ball room.

If you like to visit out a ways then rent a car & don't sweat it. Keep a copy of your DL, ask the hotel receptionist to copy your visa stamp & keep your original US D/L & you should have no problems, other than parking in the centro area. However, parking is free at the HDR & Horseshoe garages if you also visit their casinos. Same as Colonial which has a better parking area though they stopped us once when we left to get something to eat. Haven't been back since.

And since you'll be staying at a [crappy for mongering?] hotel in the centro area, no reason to drink & drive at all. BTW - Sleep Inn & Presidente also offer free parking.

/dddick

BTW - with a Garmin GPS (~$150) & a Costa Rica map chip (~$50) you can get anywhere with ease & use it over & over on every trip. There are many day-trips that most folks like (if you're a tourist-type). We enjoy visiting the clothing-optional/swinger parties in Pocora, about an hour & a half towards Limon.

I think the decision to rent a car depends upon your "mission". If you intend to hang in the gulch, you don't need to rent a car. There are also more cost-effective alternatives to paying $25 cab fare to and from the airport. I like to take roadtrips across the country, so renting a car is cost-effective and offers me latitude to travel that I would not have with a shuttle, bus, taxi or plane. I also rent from Thrifty, who offers some very good deals. They have both an airport office and downtown branch on Calle 3 (near the Clarion). However, the $13 daily rate you got does not include the $20/day mandatory Supplemental Liability Insurance. That is what I paid the last time I rented in 2009.

I've never experienced any problems with transitos, except once. I was caught for speeding and improper passing on Cerro del Muerte...I didn't know better and paid the bribe instead of the fine. That was over 5 years ago, when traffic violations in CR were still affordable. The fine would have been less expensive than the transito bribe. Other than that, all my encounters with tico police and transitos have been straightforward, courteous and troublefree.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Here's a link to Brother DDD's car rental mention: http://www.fastcr.com/
One thing: Be sure to inspect the car thoroughly before acceptance. Shine a flashlight laterally on all exterior surfaces, and make sure all flaws are noted and initialed by the agent. This is even more important in CR than the US, as you will get charged for damage not noted even if it existed previous to your use. This advice came from the Board's and TA's accumulated knowledge--hate for anybody here to be another CR ripoff story.

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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

Mr. Jazz:

I agree 100% and this was one of the reasons I quit renting from Hertz. I'm sure, had I not been President's Circle, I would have been hit with extra charges once or twice. And I was constantly pissed at their slow service.

My experience with Johanna & fastcr was 180 degrees different. When I rented she inspected it closely with me. When I returned it there was a 30 second review - a simple walk around. Can't speak for the other options in SJO but I would recommend against Hertz (I have a Hertz rental now as I write this in Charlotte, before catching my flight home) and I would endorse fastcr. One note however - the Terrios I got did NOT have electric windows though she promised them on my subsequent rentals at the same price. Our buying a car last month however has rendered that option moot.

Bottom line - if you stay in the gulch don't even consider renting a car. If you're a frequent flyer & want to explore a bit, don't let the corrupt police presence deter you, rent a car & enjoy your time. Just remember to drive less aggressively, more slowly & don't get pissed when other drivers' behavior would normally cause you to blow a gasket back home. And watch out for the right lanes....they often stop with little warning before bridges. Also remember that even if it looks like a limited-access highway (like the road to the airport), cars & buses routinely stop - sometimes for no apparent reason - in the right lane.

/dddick

I have never heard of anyone in the gulch getting hassled for public intoxication by the police. However if you are a loudmouth and causing trouble, you are a target. Always best to keep a low profile. Also be very careful getting totally smashed because of course, and you know this, you are a "wounded deer" attracting the wolves and will get taken advantage of or worse.
(Addendum: I speak from experience.)

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."