Getting a taxi in San Jose
Moving around by taxi in San Jose is the most comfortable and fastest way to explore the city and see as much as possible during your trip. Taxis roam the streets of San Jose all day long so you can secure a ride almost anywhere, especially near busy areas, tourist attractions, and major public transport hubs.
San Jose taxi service is provided by official red taxis in the city and orange taxis from or to the airport, with the latter being slightly more expensive. If you prefer to arrange everything upfront and enjoy peace of mind during your trip, you can pre-book your San Jose Airport taxi or any other rides you may need and ensure top-rated service wherever you are.
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WHAT ARE THE SAN JOSE TAXI RATES?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO HILTON GARDEN INN | 27 € | 27 € | 15 MIN |
| FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO COCA-COLA BUS TERMINAL | 32 € | 32 € | 20 MIN |
| FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO TOBIAS BOLANOS AIRPORT | 33 € | 33 € | 20 MIN |
| FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO ATLANTIC RAILROAD STATION | 37 € | 37 € | 25 MIN |
| FROM HOTEL BARCELO SAN JOSE TO CENTRAL MARKET | 7 € | 7 € | 6 MIN |
| FROM PARQUE METROPOLITANO LA SABANA TO PARQUE DE LA PAZ | 14 € | 14 € | 12 MIN |
San Jose taxi rates
Taxis in San Jose are metered and the Public Service Regulatory Authority, ARESEP, sets the rates, which can change frequently. While there is a single tariff throughout the day, there are different rates for different types of taxi services.
For an orange airport taxi in San Jose the price is:
First Km – $2.10 (CRC 1,085)
Rate/km – $1.77 (CRC 915)
For a regular red taxi in San Jose the price is:
First Km – $1.80 (CRC 930)
Rate/km – $1.76 (CRC 910)
The passenger is expected to pay any tolls and for both taxi services, there is also an extra charge by the meter for time delays like if you get stuck in traffic. However, it’s probably a scam if a driver tries to charge you extra for hiring a taxi on a Sunday or late at night. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate a fixed fare but this may require a good level of Spanish as most drivers speak only basic English.
According to these rates, you can expect the average cost of a San Jose taxi around the city to be about $17 (CRC 8,788), while a journey from San Jose Airport to the city center should cost around $30 (CRC 15,509).
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How to get a taxi in San Jose
Over 10,000 taxis operate in San Jose so finding one should be easy anywhere in the city. There are official taxi stands near major squares and tourist attractions, where you will see multiple red taxis lined up. Besides the standard taxi sign on the roof, red taxis have a yellow triangle on the side, which displays the license number and the name of the province where the taxi can operate.
Besides official taxis, there are illegal, unlicensed taxis operating all around the city, including the airport, known as ‘pirate’ taxis. These are regular vehicles driven by individuals without a taxi license who approach tourists and locals offering rides. You should avoid using a pirate taxi as they are unreliable and dangerous. It has been reported that, if stopped by the traffic police, the driver may ask passengers to quickly exit the car or hop into the front seat and pretend they know each other.
To ensure reliable and safe service, it’s best to stick to the official red taxis, or orange taxis if you’re leaving San Jose Airport.
How to get a taxi from San Jose Airport
Orange taxis are the only official taxi service permitted to pick up passengers from the airport, and a San Jose Airport taxi can take you to any desired destination. The official taxi stands are right in front of the terminal after you exit the Arrivals Hall. During peak hours, there may be a queue, so you may need to wait a bit. After hopping in a taxi, you should reach the city center in about 20 minutes and you can expect to pay around $30 (CRC 15,509).
How to get a taxi from Atlantic Railroad Station
If you’re arriving in San Jose by train at Atlantic Railroad Station, you can continue your journey by taxi to reach your hotel or apartment in the city. There is an official taxi stand right in front of the train station on Av. 3; just exit the station and head right until you see the line of red taxis.
How to get a taxi from Plaza González Víquez
Plaza González Víquez is a main train station in the southeast part of San Jose. There is a taxi stand on Frente al Pipiolo, C. 13. If you’re exiting the train station, it’s a 5-minute walk; head left after exiting the station and walk around the park to reach the taxi stand.
How to get a taxi from Parque Metropolitano La Sabana
There are two official taxi ranks near Parque Metropolitano La Sabana. One is on P.º Colón on the east side of the park and the other is on the southeast corner of the park, a few minutes past the McDonald’s.
How to get a taxi from Estación de Buses la Coca-Cola
If you’re arriving in San Jose by bus, you’ll probably disembark at Estación de Buses la Coca-Cola, the city’s central bus station. To continue your trip by taxi, head to the southeast corner of the station and you’ll find an official taxi stand and red taxis lined up there.
Most popular San Jose taxi apps
Ordering a taxi on a San Jose app can be convenient when you don’t see any taxis around and you don’t want to walk to the nearest taxi rank. The most popular apps used in San Jose are Uber, Didi, and InDriver. While you may secure a lower fare through these apps, availability may be limited, resulting in long waiting times, especially in more remote areas.
Instead of waiting on on-demand taxis, you can secure reliable door-to-door service 24/7 anywhere in San Jose with Welcome Pickups. In a matter of minutes, you can easily pre-book your Welcome ride via the online booking form or the Welcome Pickups App. That way you’ll enjoy peace of mind throughout your trip with fixed fares and no hidden fees.
Useful San Jose taxi numbers
If you don’t have internet access or simply don’t wish to order a taxi online, you can call a taxi number in San Jose and have a taxi sent to pick you up. If you’re staying at a hotel, you can also ask the hotel concierge to call a taxi for you, which is convenient in case the taxi operator doesn’t speak English.
If you want to call a taxi number in San Jose yourself, the following are some of the many official operators in the city:
Easy Taxi Costa Rica: +506 (403) 33 414
La Guaria: +503 (222) 79 300
Coopetico: +503 (222) 47 979
Coopetaxi: +503 (223) 59 966
Benefits of pre-booking a taxi in San Jose
Although San Jose taxis offer 24/7 service, finding a taxi in a remote area or late at night can be more difficult. Also, if it’s you don’t speak Spanish, fighting off pirate taxi drivers at the airport may be challenging, making your arrival stressful. The best way to avoid the hassle is to pre-book your taxi in San Jose and enjoy peace of mind knowing a professional driver will pick you up.
With Welcome Pickups, you get top-rated door-to-door service, trusted by hundreds of travelers around the world. Instead of worrying about which type of taxi you should use, you can ensure a seamless start to your trip with a San Jose Airport transfer and continue enjoying stress-free rides around the city. Also, all Welcome rides come with a fixed fare that you will know and pay in advance, saving you from any surprises or the trouble of carrying cash.
Tips on San Jose taxi service
- The taximeter is referred to as ‘Maria’ by local taxi drivers. Once you get in the taxi, check that it is on and set to the base fare.
- San Jose doesn’t have conventional numbered addresses so you may need to mention a nearby landmark or show your destination on a map app on your mobile.
- Sometimes drivers may claim there are road closures ahead to take a longer route; tracking the route on your mobile is a good idea to avoid being overcharged.
- If you’re near a taxi stand, you can’t hail a taxi from the street; you’ll need to grab the first taxi in line.
- Make sure to carry cash in small notes as paying for your San Jose taxi by card is usually not an option. You can pre-book online if you don't want to pay with cash.
- Always ask for a receipt at the end of the ride in case you wish to file a complaint or claim a lost item.
- Tipping your taxi driver is completely optional but it’s very much appreciated, especially if the driver provides exceptional service.
- Baby/child seats are not provided as standard in a San Jose taxi so it’s best to pre-book your ride if you need one.
Wheelchair-accessible taxi in San Jose
Most taxis around San Jose can accommodate a folding wheelchair in the trunk but it’s highly unlikely to find a fully accessible taxi on the street. However, you can arrange your transportation in advance by calling the Association of Costa Rican Special Taxis at +506 (296) 6443 or +506 (396) 8986. They have a fleet of forty wheelchair-accessible vans equipped with ramps for wheelchair users and their companions.
San Jose taxi safety and complaints
If you stick to using officially registered San Jose taxis and you’re familiar with their pricing, payment methods, etc., you shouldn’t encounter any issues. Using a ‘pirate’ is highly discouraged as they can never be fully trustworthy and you won’t be able to file an official complaint if anything goes wrong.
With official taxis, you can request a receipt at the end of the ride, which includes important information, like the driver’s name, registration number, and license plate. That way, if you encounter any issues during your ride, you can report it to ARESEP by calling their toll-free number 1 800 (027) 3737, or by email at [email protected].