Private drivers in Costa Rica

[rahulthack]

I am visiting for the first time to CR from 6th to 21 March, 2007.

Please let me have some names of good drivers cum guides.

Also I may plan to check out some built condominiums or lands near ocean. Anyway can you help? Allsuggestions are welcome.

[Andrew]

For a recommended driver, please see

You may wish to double-check Hernan’s rates as that article is about one year old …

We do have preferred real estate professionals that we recommend on the coast but perhaps you could email me privately with your desired locations and I will send you their details.

You can contact me by clicking here

Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.com

[Alfred]

rahulthack, We had a private driver this past August. He was recommended by the B&B we started from in Alajuela. The cost was $120 US From Manuel Antonio back to Alajuela, which was the longest trip we took. The nice thing about a private driver is their knowledge of the country and its attractions. For us it was better than renting our own car. We found almost any hotel or B&B has private drivers available for hire.

[cindyc]

I recommend Frank Chicas. I have used him several times in San Jose as a driver and I know he goes all over the country. He speaks great English and has helped me get my driver’s license and many other things where I needed someone who spoke Spanish. Very nice guy. His numbers are 391-2030 & 283-8857.

[ssure]

Hi Cindy:

My guy is Jeffery 506-888-1156 (cell)

Very safe driver and believe me, feeling safe in traffic WILL be an issue if you’re not used to the way they drive there. Former tour guide and now works as a taxi driver with the good company in San Jose. The one that has all the new cars and has the airport contract. His English is good and his knowledge of Costa Rica is, of course, excellent as far as I can tell. If you want him to pick you up at 9 he’s there 15 minutes early. He always wears dress pants, shirt and tie. Very professional guy. And he’s a really nice guy too. I’m plugging him hard here because I’ve used him and really like the guy, AND he just got married! If you use him tell him Rick from Vancouver Canada say’s hello.

[dehaaij]

Oscar Cascante has been a good friend of mine since 2001. I have used his services frequently for trips to the airport and to Valle del Sol golf course. He was a licensed taxi driver for many years with his own vehicle up until 2005 when he decided to sell out and buy a minivan. The reason for this was that most of his clients were established regulars and he needed a larger vehicle to accomodate the increasing demand for group transportation. Oscar is a very friendly, talkative and easy going person who is responsible and punctual. He speaks English very well, is a non-smoker/non-drinker and lives in a southern suburb of San Jose.

Details from his business card:

Transportes Cascante Cab Services
Trips all over country and Airport Transfers 24 hours
Oscar Cascante Bogarín
Home/fax (506) 270-3686
Cell: (506) 388-1281
P.O. Box 1968-2100
email: octravelcr AT hotmail DOT com

[Johnzane]

Carlos Fernandez, Cell 837-3251, Home 290-5570. Carlos works from the Posada El Quijote, a great looking hotel in Escazu Heights, with great views of the central valley. He’s a happy-go-lucky kind of family man, speaks excellent English and translates to spanish very well. If you want KFC, he takes you to the closest restaurant, and will order for you. If you want him to pick something up for you, he’ll run the errand. He will come anytime of day or night, crazy, but true.

I stayed at Las Cumbres Inn, up the street, which caters to medical tourists, and where you can also find other excellent drivers, including Juan and Minor. Ask Elkie, the owner, for recommendations.

These guys agreed that $10-13/hour is what you can expect to pay. Traffic in and around San Jose is often snarled, a relatively short distance can take a very long time to cover. Do not show your ignorance by insisting on paying by the kilometer, it’s just embarassing to your fellow passengers who are accustomed to taking taxis, anywhere. I know it should go without saying, but it happened to me just three days ago going to Tony Roma’s in Escazu, from a guy who lives in Florida. He stopped arguing when he found out our ride was $2.

By the way, tips are included. I know, I found it hard not to tip, but Carlos kept giving me the tip back. It took me awhile to figure out that 100 colones is only 20 cents, and he’d rather not sweat the coins, which are incredibly heavy and clumsy. I think the lowest paper denomination is 1000 colones, which is $2. I’ve never known a driver to turn away paper money, I wouldn’t.

[teksmith]

I’d have to second Carlos as a choice. We have made 4 trips so far and have used him each time. he is very helpful and we consider him one of our friends in Costa Rica.

[Author]

Posts