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Ok amigo's, it's been over a year since my last return to CR and I am coming back the end of January, solo this time. What would be the recommended mode of transportation from the airport to the Gulch these days? How much are taxi's now? I'd prefer to stay away from the regular tico bus option. Also, I was checking interbus and it's now up to $15. When I started coming to CR it was $6.00!! Haha. Any info would be appreciated.

SK

I think the orange taxis are at least $25 now, but if don't mind the cost they are still the easiest and best way, they're always available no matter what time your flight gets in. And besides, if you're staying at a place like the SL's Mansion rooms, you can easily afford the airport taxis. Guys staying at the Nuevo Johnson and going to the Calle 6 MP's are the ones who need to use Interbus or the regular bus.

That last comment from a hiker was just a smartass making a categorizing people whom he knows nothing about. It is an offensive statement! I would rather ride the bus and have money in my pocket than be a wannabe showoff pretender. Some of the richest people I have ever known are very frugal with their finances. I have many personal friends that are worth $200 million up to over a billion dollars that would never make that statement. Some of them got their money the hard way, inherited it. Some of them earned it by working smart and being in the right place at the right time. Riding the bus is better than hiking. I daily watch people who have lived above their means lose their houses. Not their wealth because they were never wealthy. It is not that I can not afford to ride a taxi, but if you begin to think you are better than anyone else that is where the problem begins. It really depends on time of day your flight arrives the bus is great transportation and helps you learn about CR culture.

59 thanks for your input, I do appreciate it. I've known HT for quite some time and we've both been around the hobby in CR and north of the border in Montreal, so I know he was just being a bit of a joker, no harm at all really. Besides, I'd love to stay at the SL again but every f'n time I call to book they don't have any rooms!!

I'm coming in early afternoon, about 1pm. I'm going to have 3 bags total, 1 regular luggage, a carry on and a personal bag so I don't think dragging all that onto the bus would be very manageable, lol. So Orange taxi's for $25 does that include the tip as well or about $28 all in? Any reputable drivers do pick ups at the airport for a reasonable price?

its been addressed here before,,, what i do upon arrival is walk upstairs to departures and wait for a taxi to arrive. after they drop of their fare i’ll approach and offer $20 back to barrio amon. works just about all the time - and if the first should say no wait till the next who’ll agree,,,

$15 will usually work.

It's also very easy to make a left after exiting the airport and walk down to the street and catch the bus to downtown San Jose.

Busses leave every 5 or 10 minutes and it's very simple to do that. In the day, sometimes the busses aren't even filled up so there's plenty of room to hop on and take the 25 to 30 minute ride to downtown San Jose. Might have to take a taxi for another 1 or 2 mil colones to your hotel but if your hotel is close enough to where the bus drops you off, you can even walk to your hotel. I've done it several times and it's quite simple if you're not in a rush to get to your hotel when arriving in the day.

Bus from the Airport to downtown San Jose costs about 1 dollar.

If you are walking out of the airport, would the bus stop to downtown not be on right?

I don't find it a hassle at all, and they come with a lot of frequency; quick trip to Downtown; you just need to ask the driver "Directo?" because some make a stop in Alajuela first - but its as quick a way and as you point out you can't beat the price, even with a taxi to your hotel from the bus station downtown. My total w/ the bus is under $3 and its a great value and really easy.

OP says he has 3 bags and and does not want to hassle w/ the bus - it really isn't one but to each his own.....

It may not drop you off directly at your hotel, but if you arrive in the day and aren't in some crazy rush to get to your hotel immediately, it is so easy to hop on the bus for 1 dollar to downtown San Jose.

It's a quick and economical way to get to downtown SJO and the bus drops passengers off very close to where most of the downtown hotels are located.

I think taking the city bus is a great idea. I do that in Vegas mainly because I hate the Vegas cabbies. However sometimes when I arrive at SJO Iv'e got the itch on and I need to get it scratched as quickly as possible at the SL/KL/HDR.

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

I will say that the bus does save one 15 to 20 bucks and is a good way to go with minum of bags.

Many do travel with computers, gifts,and some cash, I like the van pick up,PVT, or a trusted taxi/pirita... for my trip to downtown... last thing I need is a bus ride at this point of my trip... I want to get in a car and go to my hotel and then I am on Bacation

Travel light... take the bus
Got stuff you want safe... cab

I will take the bus all day long for all reasons, but I live here. I have never skimped on transportation when I first get into a country unless we are talking hundreds maybe. You've been travelling a long day, maybe are not super experienced with CR. Shit, work another shift at the mill and pony up the extra $15 or so. The comfort is worth it. More advice for tourists. Not necesarily saying it to guys who live here who make a hobby out of shaving here and there.

I always smile when I read about the ride from the airport. Usually the discussion is over saving $5 or $10. I live here so I am comforatble with the bus when I don't have a lot of luggage. When I am tired or its late I take a cab. The orange cabs are convenient and quick. $25 more or less should not be a deal breaker. Enjoy the ride in without any hassle.

S.K., If you are packing light, just take the city Alajuela bus to San Jose for 450 colones. From there you can take a taxi. I live here and go back to the U.S. about every 2-3 month and when I come back, most times I take the orange taxi. I cost me about $30 to San Jose including tip. Heck, I have a big SUV, let me know when you are flying in and I'll pick you up at no charge.

The Bigg Dogg

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Add a little spice to you life.This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No "Sex tourism or travel" promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided any compensation for this hopefully entertaining contribution. Any posts regarding any event or hotel item are just my humble opinions only.

God, it's hilarious reading about people trying to save $5 or $10 on the taxi from the airport. This topic comes up, what? 2, 3 times a month? LOL.

Anyhow, the last couple of times I was down the metered cab ride to LA was just about exactly $28.

And Vette, I'm guessing your remarks were sarcastic (?) In any case, I take a cab because the last thing I want to do after a day of navigating airports and sitting on an uncomfortable airplane for 5 hours is to take my two bags and wrestle them onto a city bus just to save myself a few bucks. Once I'm settle in, I like to walk wherever I am going, if I can. Heck, I even walk to the HDR and KL at night .... alone even!