Hiring a cab on the pier

When in doubt, ask on Cruise Critic.

I guess my biggest question about hiring a cab on the pier to take us around for a few hours in which ever of the ports we visit is "What is the going rate?" We have never just gotten off the ship and hopped in a cabfor a few hours of touring and I would just like to learn more about how to do it, especially the negotiation process.

I don't want to be taken advantage of by paying too much but at the same time, I don't want to insult anyone by offering too little.

Do I need to have a plan or can I ask the driver for suggestions?

We are stopping Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt and Valparaiso.

Whatever help you can give would sure be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I haven't hired cabs in South America yet, but plan to on our cruise in February.

We did use cabs a lot on our European cruise, and I think it's fine to negotiate, as long as it's done with a smile the drivers do not seem to mind - it's probably expected. We do usually research in advance and have a plan of place/places we would like to go, and how long we would like the cab for.

In Kotor (Montenegro) the taxi at the port wanted $50 for a 20 min drive, and by walking 5 mins into the old town we got another official local taxi for $10 ... so if you really feel it's too expensive walk away.

For South America I plan to brush up on my very rusty Spanish, I think it really helps if you can at least speak a few works of the language.

Hopefully others can help more with specific information on the South American ports.

Check the boards for tour guide recommendations... Much better than a cab, you can get an English speaker who knows what they are talking about...:)

Check the boards for tour guide recommendations... Much better than a cab, you can get an English speaker who knows what they are talking about...:)

Steve, thanks. That is a good suggestion but not what I am looking for.

I just want a driver for a few hours and that is why I would like to hear from people who have hired cabs on the dock or in town in any of these ports.

I especially would like to get a handle on the going hourly rate either from the 2007-2008 season or from those cruising this season.

With the short port times, I sure wouldn't trust my entire vacation to a wing and a prayer and a GOOD taxi driver. You may have a FANTASTIC time. But more likely, a time worn boring time. Not much to see in Puerto Madryn/Usuaia without a long ride. Taxis/cars/drivers are NOT regulated any way shape or form in South America most Americans find acceptable. So you may get a new car, but more likely, a worn car. What happens when you break down??? What happens when your negotiation goes badly??? What happens when the driver doesn't understand what you want or wants more money (happens A LOT in SA for those NOT fluent in Spanish).

I think you are being very foolish trying to just grab a cab for pot luck in all your ports, unless you are a fluent Spanish speaker. Your problems could be much more than paying too much or too little. Montivideo and Valparaiso are fairly large cities, with a seamier side. Even though I am in Valparaiso 3 or 4 times per year, I RARELY just jump into any old cab. If it is not sent by the hotel/restaurant/shop, I don't get in the cab. You are not in Kansas, Toto!!!!

MAKE arrangements in advance for most ports-ESPECIALLY Puerto Madryn, Puenta Arenas, Puerto Montt and Montivideo. You will be FAR better off.

I guess my biggest question about hiring a cab on the pier to take us around for a few hours in which ever of the ports we visit is "What is the going rate?" We have never just gotten off the ship and hopped in a cabfor a few hours of touring and I would just like to learn more about how to do it, especially the negotiation process. I don't want to be taken advantage of by paying too much but at the same time, I don't want to insult anyone by offering too little.

Don't worry about paying too little. The cabbies will not allow you to do that. They expect to negotiate. First agree on program , then discuss cost. Let them make first offer and then counter. Prices will not be very exhorbitant. BUT, if you speak no Spanish the deal making process will be difficult as cabbies in these ports generally don't speak English.Try to enlist the aid of a Spanish speaking fellow passenger and make sure the deal terms are CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD or you will be inviting a hassle when it comes time to pay.

Do I need to have a plan or can I ask the driver for suggestions?

You can ask (assuming you can communicate) as the cabs who work the piers are generally knowledgeable about providing a day tour, but it is better to have a plan particularly the amount of time and distances you want to travel. Do a little advance research about sights,penguins,nature,that are prevalent in some of these ports.

We are stopping Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt and Valparaiso.

You may not need a cab ( tour) in Valparaiso. Visit the museum home of Pablo Neruda and ride a couple of funicular cars, take the easy10 minute public bus ride to Vina del Mar for walks around beach and casino.

In Puerto Montt do get a cab to the nearby lake and German town with small museum. I'd guesstimate $25 per hour is plenty for a 3 hour trip. Less per hour for longer trips but 3 will suffice. Upon return to town, leave 2/3 hours for perusing local crafts /fish markets near pier where you can buy tasty, cheap, smoked, farm raised salmon ( vacuum packed-ok to enter thru customs). I wish I had bought more of that salmon.

For the other ports it's mostly penguins and nature. I never did cab tours in those places as I'm not into penguins and didn't feel compelled to explore nature outside short cab/ walking distance of the ports.

Whatever help you can give would sure be appreciated.

Thanks in advance![/quote]

See interlineations.

A few things.

It is true that many of the cab drivers will not speak english even in large cities. So, be aware of that.

Second, the price is not the same. Just like the USA where the price varies by area the same is true in South America.

Some will negotiate and others will not.

And, it's not like certain areas where you hire the cab and they take your around the island for an hour or two.

So, I would suggest you figure out what you want to do in each port and you have a back up plan in those ports where you either don't get the price you want, or the cab driver(s) do not speak english, etc.

And, personally, I have been to South America multiple times and do not recommend going with the cab approach.

Keith

A few things.

 

It is true that many of the cab drivers will not speak english even in large cities. So, be aware of that.

 

A few more things on the taxi topic

 

It might have been our beginner’s luck. On our very first cruise around Cape Horn (it was the MS MARCO POLO farewell cruise in February 2008), we hired a cab in most of the ports and even chose public transport on the Island of Chiloe and in Valdivia. In La Serena, a cab driver took us to the observatory of Mamalluca. and we liked it so much that we have decided to visit La Serena again, but this time, we will travel with TURBUS from Valpariso.

Yes, it is better to have some knowledge of Spanish or to have somebody who speaks Spanish with you. Also, one should read about the different ports and listen to the lecturers on board describing the sights worth visiting. Most cab drivers were very friendly and knowledgeable. In Buenos Aires, we had only 4 hours to see the sights and were shown more than we had ever expected. Now, we will look forward to discover B.A. on our own, by metro, bus, a walking tour, etc.

 

I will write again after our return from our S.A. cruise in January 2009, and I just hope that we will be just as enthusiastic.

greatam & Keith1010

Can I ask why you would advise against taxis?

Have you heard of people being assulted, or robbed, or of frequent breakdowns and crashes?

I haven't been to South America, but I used taxis in a lot of places in the world, and apart from a few over-speedy drivers I haven't encountered any real problems.

A friend of mine who is longhaul cabin crew, and has used taxis in Rio, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires hadn't heard of any problems. The crews have not been warned of any potential dangers (things like that are covered in their safety brief on each destination)

Although I can see the benefits of pre-arranging tours, sometimes we just want to see what we feel like on the day, and just hire a cab to take us somewhere.

greatam & Keith1010

 

Can I ask why you would advise against taxis?

Have you heard of people being assulted, or robbed, or of frequent breakdowns and crashes?

 

I haven't been to South America, but I used taxis in a lot of places in the world, and apart from a few over-speedy drivers I haven't encountered any real problems.

 

A friend of mine who is longhaul cabin crew, and has used taxis in Rio, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires hadn't heard of any problems. The crews have not been warned of any potential dangers (things like that are covered in their safety brief on each destination)

 

Although I can see the benefits of pre-arranging tours, sometimes we just want to see what we feel like on the day, and just hire a cab to take us somewhere.

As I posted previously-you may not be able to find driver who speaks enough English to act as tour guide. How's your Spanish??? Do you KNOW where you want to go, what you want to see???? Most of the drivers in SA (other than in large cities) are NOT tour guides. They are taxi drivers-transport between point A and B, NOT sightseeing.

You MAY luck out and find a PERFECT driver-one who wants to act as tour guide and speaks enough English to actually understand what YOU want. Would be a bad day if you wanted to see architecture, museums and buildings and instead spent the day at the beach, watching surfers. This kind of mis communication is a REAL possibility unless you are a fluent Spanish speaker.

And if you insist on taking a taxi, MAKE SURE you KNOW where you are going, how you are going to get there AND BACK, and HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST YOU BEFORE you get in the cab!!!!!!!

While there is always a chance of a "bad" taxi driver, those are most likely found in the cities. I DO NOT take chances with street hailed taxis in Santiago, Valparaiso, Cusco or especially Lima. But there again, I am usually a woman alone, so don't have the added safety of another person with me.

I will bet your air crew friend takes cabs that are called by hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars-as do I.

IF you had a couple of days in a place, you COULD be OK with a taxi. But with only a few hours in each port, you could have a VERY boring experience, a VERY bad experience, or NO experience at all (can't find a cab, non English speaker, no communication). AND you have to worry about breakdowns.

I would feel comfortable in places like Montivideo, Santiago, BA, Rio getting a taxi from a REPUTABLE source. But in Puenta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Tierra del Fuego-long drive from the port to most interesting things. IF you would breakdown, help may be a long time coming.

I was on a tour to see the elephant seals in Puerto Madryn a few years ago. This was an organized tour arranged by a reputable company. 2 hours each way on gravel/dirt roads Our van broke down (fan belt). The van that was sent to rescue us had a flat tire. All in all, the drive took about 3+ extra hours between changing tires and replacing the fan belt.

If it would have been a taxi I hired at the pier and mechanical problems would have happened, who would have come to rescue me???

Thank you for explaining.

I do realise that breakdowns are a risk, but then that could happen with a private tour as well as a taxi, and hopefully they have mobile phones to call for help.

We wouldn't be doing long distances, all within 60-90 mins of the port. I research in advance where to go, and how long roughly it would take, and wouldn't expect the taxi to be a tour guide, just transport.

For example from Punta Arenas to Otway sound, wait for an hour, then bring us back again - the ships tour for this is $100 each, which we can't afford at every port. Also hopefully we could get a cab from Puerto Chacabuco to Rio Simpson National Reserve and maybe from Ushuaia to go round the Tierra del Fuego park.

My Spanish is rusty and not fluent - I studied it to help South American passengers when i worked at Heathrow airport. However, I have just bought a South American Spanish PC course, and I hope to be able to relearn enough to arrange a taxi, order food and the essentials to get by! :o

greatam & Keith1010

 

Can I ask why you would advise against taxis?

Have you heard of people being assulted, or robbed, or of frequent breakdowns and crashes?

 

I haven't been to South America, but I used taxis in a lot of places in the world, and apart from a few over-speedy drivers I haven't encountered any real problems.

 

A friend of mine who is longhaul cabin crew, and has used taxis in Rio, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires hadn't heard of any problems. The crews have not been warned of any potential dangers (things like that are covered in their safety brief on each destination)

 

Although I can see the benefits of pre-arranging tours, sometimes we just want to see what we feel like on the day, and just hire a cab to take us somewhere.

There are too many issues to deal with in tems of the cabs in South America.

The first is that many of the cab drivers do not speak english. So, you have the issue of communicating with them.

Second, it's not like in certain ports of call where you say take me around the island. You really have to know where you want to go. And many times the places that you might want to visit are very far away.

Third, there is the issue of reliability with the cab.

In certain places you do not want to just any old cab. You may find that it is a one way cab drive and that you are either robbed or possibly in danger.

You know, my daughter's in law were born in South America but have now lived in Canada and now the USA for the past 20 years. They do not recommend going with a cab in most of these ports.

Here's my suggestion.

1. Select some nice tours to do through the ship. This can be places such as seing the Penguins in Ottway Bay when you are in Punta Arenas.

2. In some selected ports just walk around on your own. And in a few of these places you can just take a tour on your own such as going on a catamaran on the Beagle Channel.

3. And then in a few ports see if the cruise ship has a shuttle that takes you into town. And with a good map and a well thought out plan you can visit some of the top tourist spots.

Keith

Thank you all for your replies. I understand that risks exist.

In spite of the warnings and objections that have been posted, I would still like to hear from people who have actually taken cabs in South American ports recently. I would like to hear about your experiences --good and bad --before I decide for myself what risks I am willing to take. Two people have spoken; I would like to hear from more people since 2 is just not a large enough sampling of experiences.

As I've posted before, I've hired a cab in Punta Arenas to go out to Otway, and will do it again, and recommend it. There's a taxi "booker" at the pier who helps you arrange it, then out you go. While it's a long ride, it's a major highway a good portion of the way, and Otway has a high number of cars and busses going to it constantly. I wouldn't push the timing getting back to your ship in case of mechanicals, but I don't feel like it would be difficult to get back to town should something happen to the taxi.

I do agree that you want to know exactly what you want and where you're going. A modicum of Spanish helps.

I wouldn't rely on this in every port or every destination in port, but at least in Punta Arenas, no problema.

One poster mentioned he/she took taxis in Rio with no problem. We wanted to take taxi from cruise terminal to Sugarloaf and then get another taxi to Copacabana Hotel for drink and then short walk on beach (all in day light). Have heard pros and cons about taking taxis in Rio (we do not speak the language). Any thoughts would be appeciated.

We took a taxi from near the pier in Ushuaia. There is a lot of tourism infrastructure there unlike a lot of the SA ports we visited and we bumped into lots of English speakers. There were several cab drivers who of course spoke no English, but right outside the port entrance there were several who did speak English. I think this is a port where you could be fine with the taxi approach. Below is a link to our journal & photos of the day in Ushuaia. Sorry we kept no notes of the cost, but it was not inexpensive.

http://circle-south-america-2008-aboard.blogspot.com/2008/01/day-26-january-29-2008-ushuaia.html

One poster mentioned he/she took taxis in Rio with no problem. We wanted to take taxi from cruise terminal to Sugarloaf and then get another taxi to Copacabana Hotel for drink and then short walk on beach (all in day light). Have heard pros and cons about taking taxis in Rio (we do not speak the language). Any thoughts would be appeciated.

At current crisis driven exchange rates (R$2.45 per US$ at an ATM) cabs in Rio are inexpensive.Taxi drivers in Rio are required to use the meter if the customer so desires. At the cruise terminal and other touristic spots some cabbies may try to fix a price which surprise, surprise, would invariably be higher than the meter (but ordinarily not a lot higher).

The fare from the cruise terminal to Sugarloaf should run about R$25. The Sugarloaf sky car costs R$44 RT and a cab back to central Copacabana (Marriot) less than R$15. Tipping is neither required nor expected. Just round up the meter to the next R$. There are 2 meter settings. #1 for daytime, #2 for after 9 pm, Sundays and holidays (incl all the month of December). Drivers are permitted to charge R$ 1 per each large suitcase.

Most speak no English so it would be best to make sure your destination is clearly agreed upon, e.g., have a map to point to or print the name of the hotel/attraction you want to go to. Of course, even non-English speakers should know Corcovado, Sugarloaf, Copacabana Palace, etc.

A regular cab from the pier to Corcovado should cost about R$20. The train up to the Christ statute now costs R$45. A group of 4 can negotiate a 3 hour taxi tour for about R$130 from many of the cabs waiting near the ticket station at the base of the mountain. Cabs are now prohibited from ascending all the way to the summit, but they will let you out at a way station where you can get a shuttle to the top for R$13 RT. Or you can walk. The cab will wait for you (always pay at the end of the tour) and show you other scenic views on the way down. It's a good alternative to the train especially when there are long lines and you would otherwise have to wait to catch the train.

Copacabana beach is the prettiest beach because of its crescent shape, best viewed from a hotel rooftop bar ( Marriot, Othon Palace, Pestana, Sofitel). The nicest beachfront to stroll is Ipanema as are the commercial streets in central Ipanema the best for browsing/shopping. You might consider accepting Stern Jewelers' offer to cab you free of charge from the pier to its showroom in Ipanema. They have a booth in the terminal and should invite you if you inquire. Take the showroom tour it offers, but be mindful the prices are structured to recapture the cost of all those free cab rides. From there a cab to Sugarloaf is about R$15. Many consider Sugarloaf best at dusk as sunset from the top is pretty.

Taxis in Buenos Aires are even less expensive, but you must be careful to avoid counterfeit bills. Cabbies in BA are notorious for making change in false bills so never pay with a large note. Also, be mindful that the driver doesn't claim you, of all people, gave him a fake and then indignantly hand "your" note back - except he will have a substitued a fake one for the legitimate one you handed over. It's ok to hail cabs from the street, but try to hail one that says "radio taxi" on the side or on the roof and avoid old shabby cabs - they are more likely to be troublesome pirates. A cab from the BA pier to San Telmo is about 20 pesos, to my favorite parrillada in Palermo about 25. to the EZE airport about 80.

Thank you all for your replies. I understand that risks exist.

 

In spite of the warnings and objections that have been posted, I would still like to hear from people who have actually taken cabs in South American ports recently. I would like to hear about your experiences --good and bad --before I decide for myself what risks I am willing to take. Two people have spoken; I would like to hear from more people since 2 is just not a large enough sampling of experiences.

We booked a ships tour to the Penquin colonies, but we took a cab into Punto Arenas, he spoke enough English for us to get him to take us to a supermarket where we loaded up on Chilean wine! We took cabs around Rio de Janeiro, but they were arranged by multi-function boy ( a really good bellman at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel) and we had no problem. In Cuzco Peru we took a cab to the train station and our cabbie said he would be there waiting for us after the very long day in Macchu Picchu. He was. Everywhere else in South America we had pre-arranged a tour operator and they made our trip excellent providing us with some tours that were amazing.

Enjoy your trip, but I would definitely recommend many ports with a good tour operator.

One poster mentioned he/she took taxis in Rio with no problem. We wanted to take taxi from cruise terminal to Sugarloaf and then get another taxi to Copacabana Hotel for drink and then short walk on beach (all in day light). Have heard pros and cons about taking taxis in Rio (we do not speak the language). Any thoughts would be appeciated.

While I am not big on the taxis, you would be better to get one taxi that takes you the entire time. The best bet to do this is at the taxi stand at the cruise ship terminal. There will be a person there who will get the cab for you and negotiate the price. Be clear exactly what you want to do, the length involve in terms of time agree on the price, be sure the driver waits the entire time and don't pay until you arrive back to the cruise ship terminal. What I wouldn't do is to take one taxi to one place and then on your own take another one.

Now surely somoeone will post to say this is not a problem. And it might not have been for them. But the odds say it will in Rio.

I guess my analogy is that if you live in a big city and leave your door unlocked you might be fine. But each day you do this the odds increase that a problem will happen. And all it takes is one time. Now if the odds are 10% of a problem, that might not happen until the 10 of 10 tries or it could happen the first time.

Rio is a tough place. In fact out of all the South American ports we have visited it is probably the most dangerous place, other than the time I was in Bogota for a business trip. But we'll leave that one alone.

Keith

Any thoughts on renting a car in Puerto Montt?

While I am not big on the taxis, you would be better to get one taxi that takes you the entire time. The best bet to do this is at the taxi stand at the cruise ship terminal. ....What I wouldn't do is to take one taxi to one place and then on your own take another one...

Now surely somoeone will post to say this is not a problem. And it might not have been for them. But the odds say it will in Rio...

Rio is a tough place.

Keith

Sorry, Keith, but it is not a problem to take separate taxis from one popular tourist destination in Rio to another. Although the reports of crime are exaggerated, Rio may indeed be one of the worst cities in So America for common street crime; however, the taxis in Rio are comparatively safe, comfortable, and very easy to hail. After all, what we are talking about is the distinction between hailing cabs versus hiring a car. In either case time spent sightseeing or walking about on the street would presumably be indistinguishable.

Moreover, it would not be very practical to hire one cab for an entire day's activities if one were to visit Sugarloaf during such a trip. The cab would sit idly while you would be exploring Sugarloaf for the better part of 2 hours. It would be equally impractical while one was browsing the shops of Ipanema/Leblon or relaxing over a drink in a scenic bar, nevermind donning a suit for beachtime.

The approximate cost of a car with non English speaking driver is R$50/hr so if one were to hire a cab/car (especially at the cruise terminal) it would cost at least R$300 even with a discount off the normal hourly rate for a full day "tour. " As I understand the poster's inquiry such tour would consist in large part of having the car wait around at a couple of spots while folks sightsee. The cost would probably be more if a trip up Corcovado were included in the day.

Contrast this with R$25 to Sugarloaf + R$15 over to Ipanema + R$25 back to the ship. Less if a savvy traveller takes advantage of the Stern freebie. Unless one is talking just about a 3 hour trip up Corcovado, hiring a car to take visitors from one place to another and wait while they sightsee makes little economic sense. For the majority of travellers hiring a car for the day to sightsee would be an unnecessary extravagance. Cabbing around Rio is a breeze even for the uninitiated.

Sorry, Keith, but it is not a problem to take separate taxis from one popular tourist destination in Rio to another. Although the reports of crime are exaggerated, Rio may indeed be one of the worst cities in So America for common street crime; however, the taxis in Rio are comparatively safe, comfortable, and very easy to hail. After all, what we are talking about is the distinction between hailing cabs versus hiring a car. In either case time spent sightseeing or walking about on the street would presumably be indistinguishable.

Moreover, it would not be very practical to hire one cab for an entire day's activities if one were to visit Sugarloaf during such a trip. The cab would sit idly while you would be exploring Sugarloaf for the better part of 2 hours. It would be equally impractical while one was browsing the shops of Ipanema/Leblon or relaxing over a drink in a scenic bar, nevermind donning a suit for beachtime.

The approximate cost of a car with non English speaking driver is R$50/hr so if one were to hire a cab/car (especially at the cruise terminal) it would cost at least R$300 even with a discount off the normal hourly rate for a full day "tour. " As I understand the poster's inquiry such tour would consist in large part of having the car wait around at a couple of spots while folks sightsee. The cost would probably be more if a trip up Corcovado were included in the day.

Contrast this with R$25 to Sugarloaf + R$15 over to Ipanema + R$25 back to the ship. Less if a savvy traveller takes advantage of the Stern freebie. Unless one is talking just about a 3 hour trip up Corcovado, hiring a car to take visitors from one place to another and wait while they sightsee makes little economic sense. For the majority of travellers hiring a car for the day to sightsee would be an unnecessary extravagance. Cabbing around Rio is a breeze even for the uninitiated.

I am sorry but I do not agee with you.

First off, when we were last in Rio friends of ours with the help of the personnel at the Cruise Ship Terminal hired a cab and negotiated the rate for four hours. And this included several stops where the cab waited for them. The rate was negotiated up front, including where they would be taken and when they would be brought back and they paid substantially less money than you noted.

As I stated from the beginning, I am not taking cabs in any of the South America ports unless it is to get from the airport to the hotel and so forth.

Oh and by the way crime in Rio is not exaggerated. It is a dangerous place. And, I consider myself street smart and I have traveled most of the world.

Keith

First off, when we were last in Rio friends of ours with the help of the personnel at the Cruise Ship Terminal hired a cab and negotiated the rate for four hours.

Keith

Just out of curiousity what was the total cost for 4 hours and where did the car take them and drop them off? When was this?

Just out of curiousity what was the total cost for 4 hours and where did the car take them and drop them off? When was this?

February of 2007. A few days during Canival. I don't remember the exact cost but it was quite reasonable.

Keith

Just out of curiousity what was the total cost for 4 hours and where did the car take them and drop them off? When was this?

We kept a car and driver all night long during Carnival. DH went to the car after midnight and slept. He HATED Carnival. IIRC, we paid the driver $150.00 for about 8 hours. It was arranged by our hotel.

I'm with Keith1010 on taxi use in SA. I DO NOT hail taxis off the street. So IF you are going someplace where you would be subject to finding a return taxi on your own, I would pay the money to keep the taxi waiting around.

BIG difference going from a hotel to a restaurant/bar/shop where they could call you a taxi that they know and trust. But going to Sugarloaf/Corcavado/beach in one taxi (presumably arranged by hotel/someone other than a street hail), dismissing your car when you get to your destination, then trying to hail a cab on the way back is just asking for trouble. Wrong time, wrong place could end up to be a TOTAL disaster.