Taxi in Quepos and Manuel Antonio

Calling for a Taxi

If you don’t find a taxi in the street or if you want a red cab to pick you up, you can call the taxi headquarters. The base will ask you for the following information: Pick up location, number of passengers, and the your name.  If you have a large group or a good amount of luggage, try asking for a large taxi. If there is one available, they will send it and the price should be the same or similar.  When your taxi is confirmed, the taxi operator will provide you with a taxi number. The taxi number is important as you only want the taxi that is sent for you and not just random passing taxi. The taxi number will always be posted in the yellow triangle on the side of the taxi and should also correspond to the taxi's license plate.

Taxi Headquarters phone numbers:

• (506) 2777-0425
• (506) 2777-3080
• WhatsApp- (506) 8799-7663

Scheduling a Taxi

Taxis can be easily scheduled by calling a taxi headquarters. Just give them your pick-up location, name, number of guests, and pick up time.

Taking a taxi in Spanish 

Finally, you can find here some sentences in Spanish with their translation to help you to discuss with the taxi driver if he/she doesn’t speak English :

• I want to go to Manuel Antonio = Quiero ir a Manuel Antonio
• How much is it? = Cuánto cuesta?/Cuánto es?
• Thank you very much, have a nice day! = Muchas gracias, buen día!

Pirate Taxis

In Quepos and Manuel Antonio you can also find pirate taxis or “taxis piratas”. Pirate taxis are not official. They are not red and don’t have a specific license plates. They are not insured and their drivers can be anyone and everyone. These taxis are normally small and old five seater cars. These taxis are generally pretty safe, but not recommended for tourists because they are uninsured and their drivers are unknown. Riding in these taxis is similar to hitch hiking but you have to pay for your ride.  Normally these pirate taxis run from central Quepos or near the futbol field, all the way to Manuel Antonio's playa Espadilla and back all day. The cost to jump in is around 700 CRC and they don't like you if you slam their car doors.  You can identify these taxis by their look or by them slowing down or flashing their lights at you. They drive up and down Manuel Antonio looking for riders and the best way to catch one is to hail it like a cab. You will regularly see locals using these pirate taxis as they tend to be quick, easy, and cheap.  These taxis will only stop on the main roads between Quepos and Manuel Antonio and will not take you off route.

Writers Tips

• Always ask for the price before getting into a taxi. Most taxis don’t use meters unless you ask for it.
• Pirate taxis should be taken with caution and never at night if you are alone or vulnerable.
• Ask for a large cab or van if you have a large group.
• Call a cab using the WhatApp number above, but be patience as it sometime take a few minutes to get a response.
• For more information about Quepos and Manuel Antonio, visit our Manuel Antonio Travel Guide.