www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I am sure this is answered somewhere in the thousands of posts and topics, but I also wanted the chance to post.
I am planning my second trip next month: my first solo trip. The newb guides on here are awesome and made my first trip fantastic. As when traveling anywhere (especially if the plan is to be drinking and having fun) I try to be smart and not make myself a target. Something that made me uncomfortable last time, that I did not understand, was how to find cabs. The tip in the Guide was great for my arrival and specified to use the orange cab from the airport: Here's where they are, and here is where the gypsy cabs are. Perfect and clear answer.

Once I'm in town I had a lot of anxiety about which cars to get into. For example, I'm at the Del Rey and have had a few (too many) and need to get back to SL. I step outside and get approached by people offering me a ride, "This way, my friend. My brother will take you." and the like.

Obviously, everything worked out. On the other hand it could have just easily not have and the responsibility lies on me. I didn't worry about it so much last time with my buddy as I didn't feel like we were easy targets, but this time traveling alone my guard will be up.

When I step outside in the late night hours what do I look for to find safe transportation?

in general, aim for red taxis with yellow triangle on the door.

Outside of HDR, there are ropers that secure you private taxis for double the going rate. If they are parked close to the door, and several people acknowledge that it is ok to use, then they are *PROBABLY* safe(er) than a passing non-taxi. But if it is not a proper red taxi, then you are taking a chance getting ripped off (or worse). I would suggest *NOT* walking away from the HDR door to a car parked somewhere else.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

It's been a couple years so I had forgotten, but Red Taxi's sounds familiar. After posting I found it under "Rental Cars" in the newbies guide. I knew it was in there somewhere.

Thanks!

Go out the side door of the HDR (near the Blue Marlin bar) and get a passing red taxi on that street. You may have to walk to your right to the other side of the intersection to get rid of all the guys wanted to get a cab for you, but there are enough people around that area to make it fairly safe. Another option is to go across the street to the Key Largo and go out the front of Key Largo and get a taxi. Don't feed the rip-off taxis in front of the HDR.

Yes, yes this is coming back to me now. Exactly the kind of answer I was looking for. Thank you.
You are right I always looked for red cabs, but would also find myself in other less trafficked areas than outside the Del Rey.

There was one night we were coming out of a strip club (I have no idea which one, but it was very much like an American strip club. Very Big, Very shiny, and very overpriced. We left after 15 minutes) and there were no cars on the street. We went back in and asked the host/bouncer if they would call us a cab and he directed us to a couple cars parked in the parking lot that were obviously just friends of theirs taking rides for cash. We refused and they wouldn't call anyone else. So we started walking.

Again, nothing happened, but that was really the only point on the trip where I was genuinely concerned for my safety.

This happened again at HLH where we asked reception for a cab to go out and the girl put us in a car with a friend of hers. Come to think of it, it was that driver who talked us into the overpriced strip club in the first place.

I got most of my site seeing out of the way last time and have a pretty good idea where I want to go this time. I liked Pirate club, any other recommendations of strip clubs with heavy traffic outside where finding a cab is just as straightforward as GoodDayJohn's instructions?

John, the only issue with the side door (South) is that you need to cross that street to get a taxi. So you're dragging your chica in tow, which I have seen as awkward. Especially if it's raining.

The West door (facing the Key Largo) has zillions of taxis passing by, typically, slowly due to the foot traffic. I have been able to grab a red taxi on that street (Calle 9?) very easily at any time of the day or night.

As for the Key Largo front entrance, it can be a no-mans land after midnight, with regards to traffic (especially taxis).

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Do not EVER get in a cab by your self when there is more than the driver in that cab. That includes a woman up front as well.

Do not accept the recommendation of the cab driver for him to take you too any strip clubs either. You will wind up owing big time.

TL, I have found taxis waiting outside of LeGri and Alcazar ... they may be 'private' taxis, but I check the rate *before* getting inside, and they've never been worse than the banditos at HDR. At 3am the extra rojo isn't going to bother me.

J&N is on a busier street, but the traffic is going in the wrong direction (out of the gulch), so they might try to scalp an extra rojo or two for the turn-around.

If you're not alone, Alcazar is 3 blocks west of Zona and Scores (J&N is 4 to 5 blocks). I have walked both in tandem and not felt uneasy (and actually never saw anyone on the streets). Still, that is a last resort if no taxis present themselves.

Also, any of the clubs will call a taxi for you if there's nothing outside.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

You do not need to cross the street to get a taxi from the South door. I use this exit every time when leaving with a girl. There are usually way less hustlers there than at the West door. I walk out the door to street's edge, ignore anyone offering me a taxi & almost always within a minute or 2, a taxi will turn left onto Ave 1 from Calle 11 that you can wave down.

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