 Taxis in Costa Rica are an inexpensive, efficient and convenient way to travel. You can hail a cab 24 hours a day, and for most trips, a taxi will be quicker than the bus. As of mid-2008, taxi fares begin at ¢420 (approximately $0.77), going up depending on distance and traffic congestion.
Costa Rica's taxis can be divided into three groups: Cooperativas (semi-independent companies), private taxis, and pirate taxis. We highly recommend taking only official taxis, identified by their red color and yellow triangle on the door, because only these taxis are regulated by law. Official taxis are required to use the meter (la maria) at all times, which helps assure that you are charged a fair price. If the driver refuses to use the meter, get out and hail another. Pirate taxis, which come in all colors and models, do not have a meter, and will charge you per kilometer.
For San Jose taxi trips, always make sure that the meter is running at the beginning of your ride. (Puede poner la maria, por favor? – Could you please turn the meter on?) If not, the taxista may take advantage of your tourist status and charge an exorbitant fee at the end of the trip. For longer rides, always try to negotiate a fee: first ask the driver how much he'll charge, then counter with a sum 25% less than the driver’s. Depending on the driver and your smile, your offer will be accepted or refused. You must have basic Spanish to complete these negotiations, as many taxi drivers don't speak English.
Airport cabs are orange in color, and only operate from the airport. They are authorized to charge flat fees, without a meter, and will quote you a price. You may try to negotiate, but these fees are usually firm. If you don't like the airport taxi fare, head out to the main road, just a few feet away, and flag down the bus (less than $1) or a red, official cab. As you drift through traffic, your cab driver may tell you horror stories about your destination hotel – It's infested with rats, completely booked or closed, or a haven for prostitutes. This is a scam. Do not let your driver redirect you to a more expensive hotel where he will get a commission.
If you arrive in San Jose by bus, watch out for taxi scams. Many official taxis will be parked outside of the bus terminal, and will quote you a flat fee to your destination. Usually, this fee is almost twice the cost of a metered ride, so always insist that they use the meter. If the taxista says no, move along; there will be plenty of fair taxi drivers willing to deliver you to your destination.
You hotel may have taxis waiting out front, or offer to call you a cab. These two options can be of great convenience, but come at a price. You can expect to pay up to 20% more for their ready availability. If you're staying in San Jose and don't want to fork over the extra cash, walk a block or two away from your hotel, and you should find plenty of regular taxis willing to pick you up.
Taking a taxi is a lot of fun in San Jose, allowing you to bypass heavy traffic and to leave all of the terrifying driving to experienced taxistas. Watch as your driver carefully maneuvers through San Jose's traffic, dodging other cars and using his horn more during one ride than you've used in your lifetime. If you speak Spanish, strike up a conversation with your driver, as they are usually friendly and full of amusing, sometimes amazing stories. And don't forget to enjoy the ride.
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