www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Spur of the moment trip and PVT had other obligations.Pvt first recommended OLD but his website was down and I needed a response fast.PVT then recommended Alex Palma who provided excellent service and speaks perfect English.I highly recommend both PVT and Alex Palma for your transportation needs.
Thank you Steve for the recommendation.

How much did Alex charge? Contact info?
I keep struggling with paying these guys the standard $30, when I know Ticas pay about the equivalent of $20 from the airport to San Jose.

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It's no trouble at all to go upstairs to the departure level of SJO and find a red taxi at the curb that has just dropped off a passenger.

Red taxis are not supposed to pick up fares at the airport, but, if you're quick to get into the cab, most of them will take you into town for $15-$20, in dollars or in colones.

The alternative for them is to leave the airport empty, so they'll "deal" with you. Just approach them and "bargain" a little.

I take the tico bus for about $1, then a taxi for $2 to the hotel. ------ or sometimes I hoof-it from the bus terminal to the hotel.

I walk out to the sidewalk, by the bus stop, and will be approach by the guys with a walkie-talkie. They'll call a cab, parked across the street, and they'll take me anywhere downtown for $20.

cheers,
Attila

He took me from the airport to the beach
8846-6868

Exactly what I do; the bus is excellent; fast, clean, no hassle -right in front of the airport - I always ask "Directo a San Jose?" to make sure its going to San Jose without stopping in Alajuala - but if its your first trip, you might be more comfortable with Puravida or One Lucky Dogg - I've had mixed success with the red cabs - really good luck during the day, really bad late at night - so it just depends.

Actually, the real airport taxi rate will run you around $28 during no traffic periods. If you get caught in traffic, it could be a lot more for either going or coming. The $30 is pretty standard fee among most hotels and private transport services. I don't think many Ticos get that transport for $20 at all. Most I see have their own cars or use the real airport taxis.

The red taxis that drop people off will pick up customers for a set price so the driver can put the money in his pocket and not report it to his boss. There have also been several reports of red taxis being stopped and ticketed with passengers inside for picking up a fare at the airport, which is illegal. You can walk out front of the airport and get a red taxi legally but on the meter, it will still run you around $25 unless you hit traffic. Recently had a guy that ended up paying over $40 because of bad traffic.

On the buses, yes they are cheap but people get robbed on buses all the time in Costa Rica. Coming from/to the airport with everything you have with you, you are a prime target. Just a couple of days ago, two men got on a bus to San Ramon and robbed everyone. Made the driver stop and got out to be picked up up by a following car. I did a quick Google search and found the following links to people being robbed on the bus.

http://insidecostarica.com/2012/10/09/4 ... -to-pavas/
http://amcostaricaarchives.com/2012/02/ ... ublic-bus/
http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/how-we ... -avoid-it/
http://doingcostarica.blogspot.com/2010 ... buses.html
http://ticotimes.com/costa-rica/armed-r ... ro-cariari

Only selected English sources and some are outdated but in the interest of full info for all the CRT brotherhood, yes, you can save $10-$20 but it could also ruin your vacation. A private driver also offers a lot the taxi/bus can't like a stop at Wal-Mart, help changing money at the airport, getting exit tax, stopping at a pharmacy, showing you where some places are located, giving advice etc...

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

All good points PVT. I was just putting out there what locals have told me.

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I always use PVT. $10-$15 is not a big deal for me when on vacation. I use PVT because i trust him to be there when i need it. Not that i don't trust OLD. He must be good too. In fact, OLD had a $15 off for his airport pickup but i still used PVT because it is just me and i am always loyal and i got used to PVT. I know i could have saved a few bucks by using OLD but thats not me looking for nickels and dimes when i will be spending a lot on pussies, saving $20 is not on my mind. If PVT is not available, i dont mind using OLD at all.

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I die on the day I can't nut 5 times a day.

Pvt or old??? Can someone explain and share contact details?


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You can negotiate with the driver for a fixed amount.
All your examples are trips that traveled outside the metropolitan area. There are a few common sense precautions to take. Don't have your wallet in your pocket. Put it in your personal or carry-on bag, and keep that bag in your hands at all times. Only have a small amount of money in your pocket. Don't ever take the bus to or from the airport at night.

I have taken the bus from and to the airport the last four trips, and haven't encountered any problem. I know that the next trip can be the exception, but I think it is very unlikely. There are enough people on the bus and on a busy route to make a common robbery difficult.

Pura Vida Transport (Steve)
One Lucky Dogg (Sid)

Maybe one of you can explain in a little more detail about the directo bus to/from SJ for people here, like me, who haven't taken it yet. Is this the Tuasa bus? Where is the bus stop? I have read directions that say "in front of the airport", but its not clear to me if I walk past the taxis on arrival and get it on the other side of the parking garage, or if it means the front of the airport where drop offs/departures happen.
Some clarification would be great, as I intend to take the bus at least one time to see how it works out.
I have an Osprey backpack, so no big luggage to deal with.

Walk out of arrival and make a left towards the main road. When you get to the main road, make a right and you'll see the bus stop. Wait for the red & white Tuasa bus. Look for the Tuasa bus, with signs on front, that says "San Jose Directo." Ask the driver if it's the directo bus to SJ. It will take you to the Tuasa Terminal on 2nd ave. between calle 12 & 14. It's across from Parque de la Merced(Nica Park).
http://www.lost-lands.com/costa-rica-transportation/

Thanks, Attila! I appreciate it.