www.CostaRicaTicas.com

So, I'm new here. Didn't find this site until just before I left for CR, and now I'm here until this Friday. I've searched and read more threads than I can remember now, and I have to say, this is a very informative site. I'm impressed!

But, I'm a little confused about the taxis. Not how to use a taxi - I'm not that dense. But, in one thread I read "be sure to take a taxi to <location> because of the bad neighborhood". Then another says "don't take taxis directly to where you are going because of the kickback they get and the additional cost inside because of it." Still other threads say that the taxi drivers don't know the street names, so they are useless - use a well known landmark. And apparently some taxi drivers don't know the names or locations of some of the places one might want to visit.

I know there can't be a simple single answer, but what is the best way to get where you are going here in SJ?

If you're reasonably healthy, you can WALK to most places of interest in or near the gulch through the end of the evening rush hour. If you can't hoof-it, get a map of SJ from a big hotel and show it to the taxista.

Thanks. The map may be the best bet. I am here working, so I don't have my days to do anything. Looks like by the time we finish all of the "hey, let's get together for dinner" stuff, most, if not all of the MPs are closed, so that leaves SCs, I guess. I am pretty sure my hotel is not "visitor-friendly".

During the day time there are very few places in San Jose that you should not walk. That said as in any large city anywhere you can possibly have problems but not likely. Night time can be a totally different story. As a newbie I would not recommend you walk anywhere after about 7pm, maybe 8. Walking from say the Amistad to the SL (1 block) should not be a problem. Walking from the SL to the Rey at night can be problematic because of the Trannies in Parque Espania according to a lot of guys. In 8 years of living here and making that walk several hundred times, I have never had a problem.

Taxis: Taxistas can be a real pain in the ass here. And especially if they think you are a gringo newbie. Yes, they will go in and ask for a commission for bring you to most of the MPs and Bars, and this will almost always be added to your cost. Even more of a problem is often when you tell them a certain MP or Bar they will try to tell you it is not open or they know one much better, and sometimes they will just not say anything and take you to a different place. The reason is they get a bigger "commission" at some places (New Fantasy for example). if they think you do not know SJ, they will often take a much longer route to your destination also. never get a taxi in front of the Rey nor SL; walk to the corner and flag down a passing taxi. The trip between the SL and the Rey should be (unless traffic is really, really bad) 610 colones (the minimum fare). many will try to not turn on the meter(Mery) and charge you c1000 or even c2000. Most guys do not consider paying c1000($2) that big of a deal, more than that no way. If he does not turn on the meter, ask him to. If he refuses get out or make sure you agree on a price you can live with before starting out.

The best advise for a newbie would be to try to hook up with another monger in the SL who knows the places. During the day most of the MPs in the central area and in Barrio Chino are an easy walk. Those in Paseo Colon are a little far unless you really like to walk. What I tell guys is if going to 360 in Paseo Colon tell the taxista to take you to the Taco Bell in Paseo Colon. Get out there and it is a short 3 block walk north. This is hard to do if you do not know places close to your destination - reason for finding a wingman who knows the areas. And very true, many will not know most of "our" places and even when they do, will say they don't. They are now beginning to learn the street numbers (slowly).

As you said, not an easy nor short answer!!! But I hope this helps a little.

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

If you can get the tel # of the place you are going to, give that to cabbie, they all have cells, and he'll call and figure it out.

If you are a seriously shy man and have a hard time even finding a hip wingman, consider hiring a "professional wing". Not touting anyone, just the concept, but consider: added security on your frolics with somebody you can tell anything to/make any request of who is definitely one of us. I'm thinking in particular of a retired policeman who I'm confident would have your back in any conceivable situation. A PM to BB57 or some other long-time salty one could probably yield other gents. This is a left-field solution but if the suit fits, strut in it.

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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

Well, I'm late with the thanks, but thanks! I'm back and having fun. Well, I'm working during the day, but having fun after. I stay at the Crowne Plaza because my trips are for work. (At least that's what I tell the boss.) The MPs near Paseo Colon are a short walk. Even walking around after dark, I've never felt threatened in any way. I have traveled to enough places around the world that I know there are places I shouldn't go. But, I also know that if one walks with a sense of purpose, like you know where you're going, or that you belong there, *most* of the time, you won't have any trouble. I try to pay attention to the "types" of other people out walking around. If I am seeing mothers walking around with K*ds, or a lot of couples, or older feeble-looking folks, I figure it's relatively safe. If I do figure out I went the wrong way, or decide I need to backtrack, i either make a circuit, or I stop suddenly, take out my phone, and talk to it, all while taking in my surroundings, who's around, etc. Then turn around like I'm being called back home or something. That might be overkill, but...

I never did find a taxi last time that would take me to Le Grillon for what I really thought was reasonable, but in the end, I don't pay for it anyway, so as long as it isn't outrageous on the expense report, I'll choose the convenience factor and just get moving.

Forget the strip clubs, they are great to look at the women and get some dances, but they are really bad for phucking. The rooms are very uncomfortable- small, dark, dingy, no bed.

Go to Del Rey in the evening, find a girl, take her to a motel (there are a couple within walking distance of DR) and get it done.


Reasonable? If you take a hotel taxi, obviously you are going to get gouged. What were they trying to charge you? A metered taxi should be no more than 1500-2000 colones from pretty much anywhere in the city center, that's less than $4. A hotel taxi may want $6 or 8, still no biggie.

Yeah, that's about what I found was the hotel taxis were around $8. I wasn't sweating it. If I had to use the taxis every day for everything, then it would add up, but they are at the hotel because it's convenient for me, and for them. I just read the reviews and see people get chastised for paying that much. Oh, a taxi shouldn't cost you more than "X", and if you paid more than that you got ripped off. Come to think of it, that's what a lot of folks say about the Ticas, too.

I'm waiting to see if I'm supposed to meet a customer for dinner or not. If not, I'm heading out pretty soon. I fly out tomorrow morning, so there's time for one last round!