www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Yesterday, the taxistas went on strike and disrupted many roads all day with slow traffic-stopping measures. .
The government agreed to review and tighten up on Uber, pirate cabs, and other transportation.
http://qcostarica.com/is-this-the-end-f ... osta-rica/

I use Uber and the buses. ( I had a car for 2 years here and got rid of it)
It is reassuring to know the prices, in advance; know the exact location of the driver; know that there is supervision of the transaction; know that the driver is trustworthy, and many other super-positives of using a service like Uber. The taxistas just don't get it.

A while back there was an app called ez-taxi. It gave you the location of your driver, how far they were from you and allowed communication between the driver and the passenger. It was the closest thing to Uber technology at the time. Instead of embracing technology and provide better service, the taxis just ignored it.

IMHO, Uber and others are extremely positive services and contribute to the good of the country. They set an example that the taxis should follow. Clamping down on alternative transportation services is like punishing the cell phone companies in favor of pay phones on the corner. Rewarding dishonest, dirty, shoddy service and outdated technology is not healthy for anyone. The obvious solution is for the taxis to 'step up their game'.

But, this, after all, is Costa Rica. Let's see how they confront and solve the war between the taxis and everyone else.

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Having too much fun. 8)

The last few trips, I have learned and enjoyed walking to my destinations in San Jose as streets are too congested; much too much traffic in the past five years. Walking gets me to most places I want to go much faster and gives me some exercise. I have used drivers from the hotel for distant travel; leaving early in the morning before 6:00 AM. That seemed to work best for me.

I love the convenience of Uber and use it often. Most of the red taxi drivers are good people trying to make a living. But some are thieves. The bad ones seem to work late at night.
You can't blame the taxi drivers for protesting as they invested lots of money for the licence fees and all the other stuff. Especially since Uber is illegal.

Uber is not perfect either. Some of the drivers can't read the maps on their phones. Keep sending messages which are irritating.
Took a short trip the other day, paid the driver. Requested a ride shortly thereafter and Uber said I had not paid for previous ride. Had to pay fare again to second driver. Got it straightened out later but Ubers first response was....the driver reported you did not pay, hope you understand. Think driver was a thief.
My neighbor got a ride from Uber , they got lost in San José for a half hour, then driver kept ride active for another hour doubling the charge. She got refund a week later.

So Uber has some thieves who drive for them and some can't read the map location.
I will continue to use Uber but watch them also. Had a driver the other day who used to drive a red taxi.

My fiance and her father are now doing a combo Concierge service / driver. What is different about this than a typical taxi service is you have a person driving you who will stick with you instead of just dropping you off. If you speak spanish then he can show you around and keep you from being taken advantage of because you are a gringo as well as taking you places you might not ever find on your own. If you do not speak spanish then my fiance is happy to go along and be your tour guide / wing woman. Just to be clear she is not available for sex but know girls that are available. She is happy to take you to different bars and pensions, not just in downtown area but other locations as well. We live close to Heredia so airport pickups are also available. If anyone is interested in this type of service you can PM me or send and email to crconserje at gmail. There is a 2 hour minimum for this service and they are happy to go on overnight trips or be your private transportation if for multiple days at a time. Rates are very reasonable for their time. She is only available if her dad is providing the transportation though.

My Uber payment is made using Paypal. Is that an option in CR or do you just pay with cash?

Jimbo

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MBA CR offshore fishing

I pay with my US paypal account, no problems
I can opt to pay cash for a trip. When I set up a trip, I click on the bottom left and change the card on file with cash as the payment option
Uber drivers like the cash. They have to wait for their bank payments, but still have to buy gas and stuff.

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Having too much fun. 8)

Thanks Rico

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MBA CR offshore fishing

I use Uber for transportation in CR with the exception of taking a regular cab from the airport. I have Uber linked to an international credit card that charges no transaction fees and I pay cash when it's for a chica...I learned that the hard way.

Uber is about 7000 colones from the airport.... meet the driver at the cafe near the arrivals exit to the right...

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its easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled- mark twain

I'll give it a go in a few weeks when I go back.