www.CostaRicaTicas.com

2nd Steven's post - I too have had good luck using these folks over many trips, have not waited long for transportation downtown from the airport -

I think they leave downtown too early (yeah, I know about the bridge traffic) for the return airport trip.

One small "however" - I felt there were too many "hands" out looking for tips the last trip (Jan '11) - basically for doing nothing - while I declined (No, I don't need you to come with me while I go to the bank and buy my exit VISA) - its still a hassle especially in a culture that does not embrace tipping - we have really taught them well!

If it happens next trip (hopefully early May) I just will not use them in the future - the biggest culprit was the guy w/ the clipboard at the airport; they also had 2 drivers, and you could tell they expected something ($$).

+1 for Interbus.. Used them a lot when I was down there to get from sj to tamarindo to jaco beach and even after the several hotel pick ups. The drivers are more timelier than a Columbiana after the 59th minute..

I usually tip 1 mil ($2) each to Mr. Clipboard (if he watches my suitcase while I go up to the bank) and the driver (if he gets me to my hotel in one piece). That's it.

You don't have to tip just because they have their hands out. Just ignore them or if they ask, say "Soy un gringo barato, lo siento"

The return to the airport always picks you up about 4 hours before your flight. They do this to make sure they don't get you there late in case they have to pick up other passengers at other hotels. On the reservation form, put the flight time as 1 hour later, so they will be there 3 hours before your flight.

I normally tip along the lines you posted too; just felt like they were a little agressive in the way they were "asking" -

I'm a fairly experienced CR visitor (30++ trips in 15 years) and they were (trying) to deal w/ me as a newbi. And when i was going across the street to the bank, Clipboard should have mentioned to avoid the CE, and maybe purchase the Exit Visa to save time when I left - that would be some added value - especially for a 1st or 2nd timer and would be valuable advice - worthy of a tip!

Great suggestion in the last paragraph

That's a nice tip. I hadn't thought about that. The 4 hours was enough to have me thinking about a taxi back to the airport instead.

There was some sort of mixup on my last trip and the bus never showed up to pick me up. I called to see what was up and took a few times to get through but when I did they sent a new bus for me. I think I was under three hours when they picked me up if I remember right. They took me straight to the airport and I still had about an hour to kill after paying my exit tax and hitting the terminal. I was pretty pleased with how they worked it out and I'm using them again for my inbound leg as well. Maybe I'll try the three hour trick to get back to the airport as well.

upon arrival, and after clearing customs - what i do is walk upstairs to departure pay the exit fee then walk outside and bird dog a tixista who’s dropping off a fare - walk up and ask “vente dolores para bario amon si puede...¿ (can you take me to bario amon for $20) 7 times outA 10 they’ll agree...

Personally, I don't worry about $10 or $15 when I am going to or from the airport. I just want to get where I am going as fast as possible and with as little hassle as possible. I spend about $2500 each of my trips so I am not going to try and save $10 by booking a bus or trying for a bootleg fare. Out the door, red taxi --> La Amistad. This last trip, I was off the plane, through customs, bought booze at the duty free, set up a new cell phone and grabbed a red taxi and was unpacking in my hotel room less then an hour later. Sometimes I will pre-book a fare with a driver I know when leaving, but on my arrival day, I am fine with the $28 official red cabs.

When I am in the gulch though, I never let the cabbies try and gouge me. Never more then a mil from the LA to the HDR. Even when its on the fare and only 560 colones or so, I just give them a mil, since I hate the tons of large coins i seem to accumulate, lol. And if some idiot driver tries to tell me "dos mil" for a gulch run, I tell them to Phuck off.

One thing to check out before booking this site. I took a peek at the list of hotels/destinations that they serve and the Hotel Little havannah/HLH wasn't listed. just something you may want to investigate before booking here if you're staying at the HLH, because i didn't see them listed.

Just pick the Dunn Inn or Hotel Santos Tomas and then let the driver know that you want to go to HLH. I didn't use them for the return trip but you could walk to either hotel to catch the bus. Both are a block away.

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When I first started using them, Sportsmens wasn't listed either. Once a few guys started requesting it, they added it to the list. Once acouple of guys ask them about it, it will be added.

In the mean time, you could do what the above poster suggested.

This would kill it for me, waiting 10 -20 minutes for everyone to get their luggage and then stopping at several hotels before mine, just to save 10 dollars.

I have before looked for single male travelers while waiting at baggage claim and asked if they were going downtown . Shared a taxi with them . This accomplishes the same thing.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

After you exit the departure area, turn left and walk past the cabs 100 yards to the street. Then turn right and walk 100 yards to the bus stop. These buses ride like school buses and have open window air conditioning. The current fare is 400 colones and it takes 30 minutes to get downtown. Buses arrive every 10 minutes so there is not much waiting. Coming back be sure to ask if the bus is going to the aeropuerto.
I found the best vaue for the buck to get downtown is the interbus service.

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Pura Vida

I booked the IB from the airport to the SL for $11.40. Was going to take it back to the airport as well until I read that they want to leave 4 hours before the flight. I'd rather save the extra 1 1/2 hours to kill at an MP and just cab it last second!

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-Si dice mentiras, te meto la verdad-