Beaches - Vacation & Travel

One Less Way to Get Taken in Costa Rica

I had a red taxi try to rip me off. He tried to charge me $225 to go to Atenas from the airport.

I told him to take $25 and to get lost

Another trip I took an orange taxi that charged $25.

Let the buyer beware …

Costa Rica Real Estate Information on January 1, 2010 9:29 am

There are a few options out there, but the most prominent is certainly orange taxi and they do charge too much! Thanks for the great advise.

Lisa on January 3, 2010 9:00 am

So what is the fare price from SJO to the capital San Jose for example?
Tourists still pay what they are asked to pay, you cannot argue if you don’t know local rates.
But one certain company, let it be monopoly or whatever, is always the sure bet, in any foreign country.
Will be visiting CR in few weeks, we’ll see how it works.

Tim on January 3, 2010 10:28 am

Depends where in downtown… thus use the meter! I see fares from $12-$30.00

Tracey on January 14, 2010 4:07 pm

I have travelled to and from downtown San Jose 6 times now and the rate was always the same over the last 3 years…$25.00. Knowing what it is like to drive in San Jose without street signs, crazy oneway roads, slums, the Pan Am, I was happy to pay the $25. Recently to get approximately the same distance in Calgary AB from my friends to the Airport cost me $50 with a meter. I agree with Paul M. and Lisa to most Hostels/Hotels in San Jose near Central Park is $25 US dollars. Oh and PS I have yet to take cab that uses his meter…it is always a flat rate and the challenge is to find the regular “flat rate” and keep the driver honest. Ask before you get in.

Tim on January 27, 2010 11:11 am

And… as I mentioned… you overpaid by $5.00 to $10.00, and THAT was my point. You had no options. Those of us who live here know to use the “other” not so public services available as you leave the airport.

jesus on January 27, 2010 11:28 pm

I think the extra fare for the airport taxis gives a security. I’m from CR, however I would recomend take the airport taxis, just for safety.

Janie on February 8, 2010 9:52 am

For what it’s worth to your readers…
We found out in December that, if you are insured by INS, INS is now paying for taxis to and from the airport. We have an email from our insurance agent with the info – in Spanish. Friends of ours have taken advantage of it and love not having to drive themselves or haggle with the taxi drivers.

Janie

Maleah on February 24, 2010 1:58 pm

I am travelling to CR for my first time next week and will be needing a taxi van from the airport to the west coast (Punta Leona and then to Jaco) for 5 people. any advice or recommendations? what is a fair price to expect to pay total? is this something i need to arrange ahead of time?

Brendan on March 24, 2010 2:58 am

On my first visit to CR I arranged for someone from the hostel to pick me up from the airport. He was supposed to be standing outside the airport with the name of the hostel on a sign. Unfortunately he was late. A “helpful” taxi driver outside accosted me and I explained I was waiting for the hostel driver. So he offered to call the hostel and check on the delay. He called and told me that they had just left the airport with another guest and it would be about an hour before returning to the airport. And of course he offered to take me to the hostel instead. Don’t remember the fare proffered, but I turned him down and called a friend in Heredia. While waiting for my friend, the hostel driver arrived and said no one ever called the hostel and he hadn’t picked up anyone from the airport earlier that day. So the taxista was just a big liar.

Brendan on March 24, 2010 3:05 am

TRY A BUS. After my initial experience with taxistas at the airport, I resolved to find alternate ways to get to San Jose from the airport. My best discovery was that there is a bus stop on the other side of the parking garage from the terminal. From this stop, buses will take you to downtown San Jose, about 8 blocks west of the Teatro Nacional. Of course if you have several pieces of luggage this may not be a viable option, but usually I have just a duffel bag and overnight case and I hug them closely during the ride into San Jose. The bus fare was about $1US.

Capullo Costa Rica Sport Fishing on April 14, 2010 9:22 am

You know that is really sad that this happens because it gives tourist a bad flavor as soon as they get off the plane. Its too bad that it has to be like this and I hope you can update us when these orange taxis are gone! We want people to come to costa rica and enjoy the beauties of the friendly people, relaxing beaches and great oceans. Keep us posted!

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Labels: beware, Costa rica, Taken, taxi in costa rica

posted by Costa Rica Beaches @ 7:55 AM