San Jose - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Diplomats are only authorized to use Uber, which is technically not legal in Costa Rica, so drivers frequently want you to sit in the front with them so it looks like you're a friend if they get pulled over (yes, it is awkward). There are red taxis that are generally considered a rip off, even by locals. There are no other transit options for diplomats. - May 2024
We are not allowed to ride local buses, but local taxis are safe and moderately priced, and Uber is safe and cheaper. - Sep 2020
Taxis, uber, are in use and are doable. - Jul 2018
Uber is great, taxis are expensive. Buses are okay on some routes but overcrowded often. - Dec 2016
Taxis are common though pretty pricey. RSO advised never to use buses due to safety risks. - Feb 2016
Trains and buses are generally safe but crowded and deemed an unnecessary risk for U.S. embassy folk. Red taxis are generally very safe -- keeping a few of their phone numbers can come in very handy. The less official "pirate" taxis are also usually safe, and cheaper, but another unnecessary risk. - Apr 2014
Buses are off limits by RSO. And the train is not located effectively for use. Taxis are average cost. I pay approximately $16 for a 9 km trip home from the embassy to Santa Ana. - Jun 2013
There are public buses but no schedule. Some taxis are safe and affordable. - Aug 2011
Taxis are very cheap - Feb 2010
Affordable compared to the U.S. - YES. Taxi prices are going up along with fuel prices. Buses are cheap. Safe depends on your definition. Drivers, when asked, will say, yes, of course they have seat belts. Then the taxi arrives, and lo and behold, the seat belts are shoved so far under the seats as to be unusable. I had to learn to specify that I needed the seatbelts to be functional and on more than one occasion I asked the driver to demonstrate how he would go about using them since he insisted that they were there. Later I got a car. - Jul 2008
