| As we mentioned in Chapter 3, it is not necessary to own
an automobile if you live in or near San José because
taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. San Jose's buses are
cheaper, but taxis are the best way to get from point A to
point B.
Taxis registered with the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation
(MOPT) are red with a yellow triangle on both front doors.
The triangle contains the taxi's license number, which begins
with the letter(s) of the province where the cab is licensed
and registered, followed by a "P" for province.
For example, a taxi registered in San José province
has a license plate number beginning with SJP.
Taxis charge 365 colones ($.70) for the first kilometer
and 340 colones ($0.60 ) per kilometer thereafter.
You can rent cabs by the hour or by the day. There is a delay
fare of 3,200 colones ($6.20) an hour when a taxi is
going less than 10 km an hour (in case of traffic jams or
bad roads) for more than six minutes. Drivers cannot legally
charge more to pick up or drop off a passenger at a hotel
or mall, if the service is at night or if the passenger is
a foreigner.
If you want the driver to wait while you do an errand or
some other business, there is an hourly rate of about 1,555
colones ($3). There is an official rate/fare sheet
published and the taxi drivers usually have a copy. You may
be able to get him to show it to you or even make you a copy.
If you have to go more than 12 kilometers outside the metropolitan
area, there is another rate. A trip of about five kilometers
will cost 2,500 colones ($2.50), 10 kilometers will
cost 5,000 colones ($10.00) and 20 kilometers will
cost 10,000 colones ($20.00). In this case the driver
and the passenger should negotiate the fare (do this in advance).
If you are planning to use a driver/taxi for say, half a
day, you may be able to agree upon a flat rate for the time.
Once decided you could ask the driver to write down the amount
on a piece of paper so you can be sure you understand correctly'how
much it is. A rate based on a certain number of hours agreed
upon in advance is more likely to be honored without the driver
trying to gouge a little more at the end.
If you have had your taxista help with loading a bunch
of things or several heavy things or he has been extra helpful,
you may want to include a modest tip at the end. Just remember,
taxis generally don't get tips (except maybe the orange taxis
from the airport), so don't overdo the tipping.
Nearly all taxis have computerized meters called marías.
Always insist that your taxi driver use his meter, and be
sure to ask about rates before traveling anywhere. Even if
you negotiate a flat rate, drivers are required to put on
the meter. The meter should display the starting fare on its
face. Drivers are required by law to use their meters, even
if they tell you they are not. The meter must be in working
order. If the maría is missing or broken, you
might be overcharged for the trip. Always tell the driver,
Ponga la maría por favor or Con la maría,
por favor. (Please turn on the meter). If the driver won't,
get out and take another cab. Don't worry; there will almost
always be another nearby.
Many city cab drivers get upset if you try to pay with large
bills. If you intend to pay with a big bill, ask the driver
if he has change before boarding the cab to avoid last minute
misunderstandings. If you tell a driver beforehand you are
going to pay with a large bill, he'll usually stop along the
way to get change at a gas station.
Be aware that some unscrupulous taxi drivers will take a
circuitous route to your destination, which will rack up extra
fare.
Here are some tips you may want to follow under certain circumstances
when traveling alone by taxi:
- Check license plates.
- Don't get into taxis with polarized windows.
- Don't get into taxis without license plates.
- Check that the identification coincides with the driver and is up-to date.
- Don't wait for a taxi in the street at night.
- Once inside the car, call home by phone (cellular), giving the license plates
and a description of the vehicle, and how long it will take
you to arrive. If there is nobody at home, fake the conversation.
Most taxi drivers are polite, but if you are overcharged
or dissatisfied with service, you can take the driver's permit
number, usually on the visor of his taxi or his license number
and complain to the MOPT Office at Plaza Víquez. You
can do this in person, by letter or over the telephone (257-7798,
ext. 2512).
Taxies can be found around every public square and park,
outside discotheques, on most busy streets, and in front of
government buildings and most hotels.
Be careful, since many taxis parked in front of hotels may
overcharge. Some of the drivers claim they work exclusively
for the hotel and will overcharge you. Taxi drivers at hotels
justify their high rates because they sometimes have to wait
for customers.
WARNING: Many of the taxi drivers who work in front of hotels
will try to sell you property, offer you seemingly good contacts
or other services. Your best bet is to deal only with professionals
in your area of interest and not depend on taxi drivers for
these services.
They will try to double the fare to account for driving back
to the hotel, their home base, empty. Many times the explanation
is fair and the driver is honest. Also, if you have a complaint
and the driver works for the hotel you have immediate recourse:
the hotel's management.
It is difficult to find a taxi during the rainy season, especially
in the afternoon, which is when it usually rains. You may
also have trouble getting a cab on weekdays or during rush
hour between 7 to 9 a.m. and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., as in
most cities.
To hail a taxi just yell, Taxi! If a taxi is parked just
ask the driver, ¿Libre? (free) to see if he
is available. If the taxi is available, he will usually nod
or say, Sí (yes). If you want to stay on a taxi
driver's good side, NEVER slam the taxi's doors; taxis are
expensive in Costa Rica and drivers try to keep them in good
shape.
Some people moonlight as taxi drivers using their own unmarked
cars. Many look like regular cabs but without the yellow triangles
on the front doors. They are called piratas (pirates)
by the locals, and will often approach if they see you looking
for a taxi. Since they do not have meters, we advise you not
to hire any of these vehicles for transportation. Most do
not have insurance to cover their passengers in the event
of an accident. If you do have to take one, remember there
is no meter, so negotiate the fare before you get in or you
may run the risk of being overcharged.
A lot of working-class locals depend on informal taxis called
colectivos. What they do is take an unmarked mini-van
instead of a bus. They pay less and get to their destinations
more quickly. These collective pirate taxis operate only during
rush hour and in the areas of Desamparados, Hatillo, Escazú,
Vázquez de Coronado, Tres Ríos and Pavas.
If you call a taxi, be able to give your exact location in
Spanish so the taxi driver knows where to pick you up. If
your command of Spanish is limited, have a Spanish speaker
write down directions to your destination. We know one old
grouchy gringo who has never made an effort to learn a word
of Spanish. He has all the directions of the places he has
to go written in Spanish for taxi drivers. If you phone for
a taxi, the driver can turn on the meter when he gets the
call and charge for the driving time to your location.
Taxis are a Bargain in Costa Rica
Airport pick-ups can be arranged in advance
by calling one of the taxi companies. We recommend doing this,
especially during the rainy season, when it is difficult to
get a taxi when you need one.
Telephone numbers of the local taxi companies are in the
yellow pages of the telephone book under the heading Taxi.”Alfaro
(2218466), Coopeguaria (226-1366), Coopeirazú (254-3211)
and Coopetico (224-7979) have taxis available 24-hours a day.
(See the directory in the back of this book for a list of
taxi companies.)
Many of these companies also rent big trucks, or taxis
de carga, at a low hourly rate. These vehicles can be
very helpful if you ever have to move furniture.
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