Destinations › Costa Rica › San José › Scams
San José, Costa Rica
15 reported scam patterns travellers run into in San José, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Unofficial drivers soliciting at the long-distance bus terminals, quoting several times the standard fare and disputing it on arrival.
Reader overlays on standalone cash machines in the centre, and cards taken away from the table to be processed out of sight in tourist-area restaurants.
Rental-car damage claims for pre-existing marks, and insurance excesses that exclude gravel-road damage without this being stated at the counter.
Slashed bags and coordinated theft in the Mercado Central, on the Coca-Cola bus terminal streets and in Parque La Sabana.
Unmarked cars at Juan Santamaría arrivals presenting as taxis; only the orange fleet is licensed at the airport.
'La maría está dañada' — the meter declared broken — with a fixed fare quoted at several times the metered rate, particularly from the airport.
Imported carvings and textiles sold as Costa Rican artisan work at handmade prices in the craft markets.
Bills in the central nightlife streets carrying rounds that were not ordered, particularly where a group has been brought in by a street promoter.
Drivers steering passengers to souvenir, coffee and jewellery shops that pay them per head, offered as a stop on the way rather than a paid referral.
Multi-day and transfer packages sold through hostel desks and street agents that are resold on to a third operator, arriving as a longer and more crowded journey than the one bought.
Fake police stops asking to inspect wallets for counterfeit notes.
Service charge and tax added to a menu price that already included them, effectively charging twice.
Change given in colones against a dollar price at a rate well below the bank rate.
Volcano and rafting tours sold the night before that are not refunded when the park closes on volcanic activity.
Men attaching themselves to visitors around the central plazas and the museums, presenting a fee for commentary once the walk is finished.
