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How much will it cost for four mongers from airport to SL. I know it's about $25 for one person thanks for the info coming in November

Its the same price for all - you pay the meter, or what you negociated w/ the driver (you can find some who will take you for a flat $20).

4 guys, plus luggage, however, may not (will not) fit in one cab - so you can take 2 (at +/- $12.50 each) or better still, see if you can get a van, so you all can go in one vehicle, at the same price - that is what I would do - they do have vans at the airport; ask/look for one - makes the cost very low.

PS The pricing is the same, monger or not

Thanks scuba 1

When I arrived on August 3rd, the fare from the airport to the La Amistad was $29, give or take a buck (forget the exact amount in colones). The SL is literally like 500 meters from the LA, so the price would be the same. The Hotel had a set rate of $28 from there to the airport for when you leave if you use one of their preferred cabbies. If you do go with the official red cabs on the departure level as you leave, you just talk to one of the cabbies waiting in the lobby right at the exit, he grabs a slip from the guy in the booth and then you go out to his cab. A lot of them have vans, so you might be able to grab one of them to better fit all four of you.

Ahhhh ... the infamous taxi ride to/frm airport ....

I may not be the person to listen to in this matter because I already have a bone up my ass about taxi's in foriegn countries

First ... San Jose, Costa Rica 2010 .... I have taxi pick me up from departures at the airport who when I tried to negotiate flat rate said he had to use the meter ... fine ... meter typically works out to your advantage. Upon arrival to hotel (Dunn Inn) he pulls up 50 ft or so past hotel front. Meter shows 8,000 colones almost on the nose as he stops ... I get out the car to pay him, he hands me my luggage from the trunk and then shakes his head to the 10,000 colones I handed him in which I was going to let him keep the rest for a tip. He points to meter and now the meter reads 18,000 colones ....roughly $36. I told this jackass I could go to the airport and back on 18,000 colones with a meter.

To make a long story short, the clown adjusted the meter as I got out of the cab, we argued, I refused to pay 18,000 colones, the doorman saw the arguement ... got involved and ripped him a new asshole in spanish ... took the 10K from me ... gave it to the guy and took down his cab information. Just a story to share.

My understanding is that $20 can be negotiated and will be readily accepted ... had someone do it recently within the past 2 weeks to and from the airport. There will always be a higher price tag if you go to cab stands or go through 3rd parties affiliated with hotels ... thus you can expect the price to be $25, $28 or more .... of course if you are flying solo to save a couple pennies ... find a like minded traveler with similiar destination to the gulch and split the fare ... so even paying the higher price and only paying half you feel like haven't been gringo'd.

Hell...since I am on a roll ... told you I had a bone up my ass about cab fares to and from airports....

After a 5 year hiatus ... just made a recent trip to Rio a day when the dollar didn't supremely suck ... it was about 2.3 then ... and now its 1.6 roughly.

OK, better Brazilian economy, rising gas prices, falling dollar ... yeah I get that .... So OK, dont expect to make it into Copacobana for 25 Real like I used to.

When I researched and asked how much it would cost me to get a cab from the airport to Copa here is a sample of what I got (all prices one way):

Bobby - Blame it On Rio For Travel: 110 Real ($68)
David - Gringo Management: 80 Real ($50)
Inside Airport Terminal Cab Company with Cheapest Price running a special (there are 3 differenet companies there): 99 Real ($61)
Miscellaneous Driver Outside Baggage Claim Exit willing to strike a deal: 80 Real ($50)
What friend and frequent visitor to Rio told me I could pay: 50 Real ($31)

...ended up splitting cab of Miscellaneous with another Copa bound traveler: 80 Real (40 apiece) or ($25 apiece)

Now ... on my return ... spoke with a cab driver "through a new found friend" on how much it would cost to go from Copa to the Airport
The Cab driver told her between 50 -55Real but not more then 60 depending on traffic and because it was a Sunday and they calculate on a higher rate.

Driver taking me from Copa to Airport on a Sunday ... meter said: 45 Real ($28)


So you see the desparity in prices depending on how diligent you want to be in finding the cheapest fare:

Invariably what you pay will vary on your budget verse the importance of just getting the hell to where your going as quickly as possible.

This means ranging from taking public trans that may take you an hour or hours .... or just taking someone elses premium going rate for a matter of convenience.

i never pay more than 20 from the airport with an indy, may have to wait a while and deal with alot of hustlers, and may not be a/c or whatever, look for the guys not dressed in a uniform who want to help you with your luggage and ask you if you are looking for a taxi. before you let them, tell them 20 that's it including tip for him and driver. if no, just keep walking south to where the hustle-bustle subsides and stand roadside there. sooner or later you'll hit and he'll call his buddy off site and in a few minutes along he'll come--make sure he's on board with the todo es 20 dollars deal. i've had drivers say they weren't aware of that deal when i got to the hotel. if you see another guy looking for a cab, hook up and split it.

also, when i stay at si they pick me up for free or pay the cabbie. that ='s chica fee for one night. Free return too but their depart times seem to change--they play with you i think, and the fat dope they use to drive their van insists on playing jesus christo music until you yell at him or change it your self, and then tries to convert you. he still thinks i'm redeemable.

25bucks is normal. had some guys last time who wanted my pass port number and name, told them to shove off and grabed a different cab.

After exiting baggage claim you can exit to the left or right to the curbside.

To the left the official orange airport taxis are lined up.

To the right there's a group of contract taxi drivers.

They all wear white shirts with an official looking embroidered Taxi symbol on their shirts.

They are licensed Taxi drivers. They are different from the orange airport taxis.

They are working a gray area just like many Ticos do in any industry in CR.

You can easily get these guys to negotiate on the rate to your destination.

They will start with the standard $25 or so to the gulch.

I tell them $20 and that its not my first time in CR ( No es mi primera vista aquí en Costa Rica) and they take it every time.

So yes they are organized and legal taxis. Not Piratas. However they have to log your info, including passport info and create a contract. You will even sign a slip of paper that they print out after they take your info. While they are logging your info and printing out the contract the driver goes to get his car or van from the parking garage. Sometimes they will ask you if you mind walking with them to the vehicle in the garage if its parked close.
They have to have your info on a contract to show the police if stopped. I know its sounds different. Welcome to CR.

I prefer these guys over the orange cabs because they are:

1) willing to negotiate (cheaper)
2) actually quicker, there frequently is a long line for the orange cabs
3) these guys always seem to speak some english and enjoying chatting on the ride into the city.
4) I like the hustle they're pulling. Capitalism undercutting the overpriced orange taxis.
5) Many of them have vans.

My understanding from them is they are allowed to be there waiting for contracted customers. That's why they must have your info to make you a contracted customer. They will always give you their business cards in hope that you will use them again. I have used them countless times. In fact some of them recognize me and welcome me back

If you want to save a few bucks, exit the terminal, cross the street, go upstairs, and catch a red taxi that is dropping somebody off. You can usually get a ride to SJ for under $20. If you offer $15, most will take it. Just make sure you say 15 dolares so they don't think you are offering 15,000 ( 15 mil) colones.

I do the same thing after changing money & buying exit tax, I offer 8k, has only been turned down once.

_________________
"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

Great idea(s) and great points - guys are so much in a hurry for no good reason (Yeah - not my first rodeo - I know the "reason" - just that it might be good, if you give a damn about prices, to consider other options).

Thing that kills me is its only a few years ago that the cab ride from SJO to SJ was $12 - it has doubled in just a few short years.

Next trip I'm going to try the bus, at least from the airport.

good tip that i didn't know, save 10 bucks for 3 minutes effort. the bus is iffy when you have 3 bags, not worth the at least extra 30-40 minutes con mierda.

Save more if you are travelling light and catch the bus in front of the airport to San Jose for a couple of bucks or less. Then a taxi where the bus ends shouldn't be very much. Once again, only a tip if you are travelling light.

yea when I arrive I have bunch of cash and other shit with me

I use a few pirate guys for 20 bucks... if they do not show... well I want to get to San Jose... I am not going hang around SJO for to long... Taxi...

Will Inter-Bus take you to a private home?????

the q is will they wait for you if you are delayed, no, good 12 dollar rate but everything has to click. i think they are german or they think they are. 3 day advance purchase. no way will they take you to a private home, just cab it.