San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) Taxi Service

Unofficial taxi drivers sometimes charge less, but often charge more than the current prices.

Random individual taxis paint their ragged unsafe vehicles in the burgundy colour of the predominant cab company and pull up to the curb when it's obvious there's a tourist looking desperate for a San Jose Airport taxi. Do not be fooled by this as you will surely be taken for a steep ride.

Fake English Diploma Scam

While upon greeting, it may seem that your taxi driver speaks English, but that may not be the case. In September 2013, an investigation revealed that hundreds of Costa Rican taxi drivers had fraudulently obtained their English diploma, which is mandatory to obtain an airport taxi license. The scam involved language-school workers selling fake English diplomas to drivers who had not attended a single class. Some small talk as you greet your driver, and your bags are stowed, may reveal if your driver had inadequate English to understand your directions.

Hotel Switch Scam

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.