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Are the taxi drivers generally honest or do they try and rip you off? Are there meters?


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Generally, the Orange taxis run a meter (called a "Maria") and are somewhat honest. However, they will certainly run you around the long way if they think you are a newbie. From the Airport to downtown you can expect to pay $25 to $35 depending upon the route and the level of traffic.

However, if you do a bit of research on CRT you can find some independent taxis/vans who can take you from the airport to your hotel for a reliable $20-30 fare and some will give you a beer too. Some of these guys carry sidearms if you feel the need for such protection and they can be reliable drivers to take you where ever you want to go in Costa Rica. Ask your hotel about recommended drivers if you don't want to search CRT.

At the Del Rey late at night when you have a chica in tow the independent (pirata) taxis may seek to charge you a lot of $$ to go a short distance. Typically an early evening ride from most downtown hotels TO the Del Rey is 1,000 colones (Aprox $2) but by meter it might be only 625 colones. Late at night with a chica in tow you might stick your head into the passenger side window of the taxi and offer 2,000 for a ride to Sportsmens, etc.; just shout out "Esportsmens Lodge 2,000?" and either he will agree or the next one probably will.

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Slut Puppy in Training

Is low self esteem a prerequisite for being a good Ho or is it a result? ;-)

When I was there week before last, the taxi drivers accepted 1000 from the HDR to the SL late at night. But I never asked one of the drivers that park just outside the HDR. I walked away from HDR on Avenue 1 and hailed a taxi that was moving.

To the OP's question, there are a few drivers who have rigged meters. They will run about twice as fast as they should. There are also a few who will not start their meters, then charge about twice what the fare should be. Almost all the drivers I have encountered have charged the correct amount. You are more likely to be taken for a ride when a chica is with you.

Your best bet is to ask the driver "Uno mil?" when going between any of the hotels in the gulch.

Airport taxis are Orange. City taxis are red. There are also unlicensed pirate taxis which are just regular cars. The airport taxis are pretty much all honest and run an accurate meter. I have not heard of any issues. I'm sure there are but not many. The city taxis are a different story. Like has already been said, they will have some with no meters, fast meters, and not using a meter.

When you hail a taxi, ask "Maria?" If they say yes, get in and make sure they turn it on. If not, ask them to stop or get out at the next light. In general, the taxis that are parked in front of places (hotels, bars, clubs, etc) whether they are legit red taxis with meters or pirate taxis (regular cars with no taxi license), they will usually charge 2-4x the going rate. All fares are negotiable with the pirates.

Be careful of some of those hotel drivers from the Delrey. A Grey van driver Tico that is tall and slender and irrc a thin mustache. Rip off bastard.

Coming out of the HDR (chica or not), do not use any non-red (official) taxi UNLESS you are desperate and the HDR door guy is willing to vouch for the car and driver (Yes! you can still get stung, but it is far less likely that they are in collusion over a measly taxifare).

Don't just jump into any car with an open door offering a taxi ride. And NEVER let your chica lead you to a 'preferred' car door either (though that can definitely lead to an interesting adventure).

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

Several years ago, I picked up a chica from HDR and we went to CAFE MUNDO to eat. After the meal, I asked the waiter to call me a taxi. It seemed a long while but the waiter came to the table and told us the taxi is here. We went outside and he was across the street in a non marked car. My chica jumped in the back and I noticed the young tico was looking at me and I didn't like the "look" he gave me. So we get in and I tell him "HOTEL PRESIDENTE" . She then tells me he doesn't know where the Presidente is. So were heading in the right direction and suddenly he makes a quick left turn. My chica sitting right behind him starts yelling at him and sticking her finger into the back of his neck. He's yelling back at her and I am thinking WTF. He then turned back around and we got stopped in traffic, so the chica and me got out and walked back to the hotel. So I am careful when I get into a taxi.

The correct fare from the Del Rey to the Sportsmans is 630 colones, the minimum fare, if there is no traffic and the taxi takes the most direct route. The taxis parked at the curb, pirate and standard red taxis will insist on charging you 2k. The guy outside the door, directing you to the taxi at the curb is getting a commission. It is a rip off. If you want a reasonable rate, cross the street and wave down a moving red taxi, offer 1000 colones, up front. 9 of 10 will accept this. It includes a tip. The taxis at night regularly fail to turn on the meter. There is a reason for this. Many of the drivers are working for someone else. By not turning on the meter, they pocket the money and steal from their employer. So will most of them steal from you? In a heartbeat. It just reinforces their opinion of you that Gringos are stupid and deserve to be taken advantage of.

... or a robbery (or worse)

A non-marked car is not a taxi.

What is a 'preferred car door'? Are you saying something is amiss if she wants to get into the right or left side of the back seat or into the front passenger seat? Please explain!

Some of the girls working the Rey have their boyfriend/husband/partner in crime waiting outside to give you a "ride". On my first trip, made this mistake. After the (terrible) session, we go to leave and the same taxi is still waiting in front of the apartment I had rented. He over charged me on the trip from the Rey and no way I was getting back in with him so just stayed at the apartment. Turns out, watching her throughout the trip, this same guy was always around with her talking to him and sitting in his car in front of the Rey. Gave me a very uneasy feeling...

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

THAT's the adventure.

Sure it is. It's just an unlicensed taxi. I spent 10 days in Krasnodar, Russia hailing unmarked taxis before I realized that what I was actually doing was hitchhiking. Seems it's normal for people driving around in daily tasks picking up someone for some gas money. The thing is, I should have gleaned the truth after a couple refused to take me to my destination and drove off. Clearly (now) I realize that they were not going in that direction, but at the time I just put it down to the Russian attitude, and hailed another taxi.

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

Lehoi is exactly right. However, the stating rate for the flag drop (banderazo) is now 630c. The tariffs were reduced by the government about a week ago. Major point of contention with the cabbies whose gas price is going up. I commiserate by giving them an extra few hundred colones. If the meter starts at 640c it means the driver hasn't recalibrated his Maria.

For the most part cab drivers in SJ are helpful, polite, and knowledgable. I tend to trust them. Once I had several destinations to go to and the driver quoted me 30,000. I declined and asked him to run the Maria instead. It cost me 34,000 or $8 more because I didn't trust him.

I usually take 5 night trips to CR and on my last night at 9pm in the Del REy decided on my last session. The chica grabbed my hand and led me out the Blue Marlin exit. As we got outside a tico on the sidewalk opened a door to a unmarked car with heavy tinted windows. My chca jumped in quickly and I realized this is just to convinient(sp). I refused to get in, The chica got out and told me "just get in the taxi, I will pay for it" I noticed how upset she was that I didn't get in. I turned and went back in the Del Rey