Taxis in Lima
Sep 8, 2014, 2:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
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Posts: 537
Taxis in Lima
Aside from reserving a taxi/car for airport transfers and asking the hotel to have a taxi pick us up, I was wondering how safe it is to hail one on the street. Also, if it is safe, which service/company is the safest?
Sep 8, 2014, 7:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: OAX
Posts: 109
Sep 8, 2014, 7:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: AAdvantage, Aeroplan, Flying Blue
Posts: 662
On this question there are a lot of opinions out there varying from "don't worry, be happy" to "never never NEVER hail a cab on the streets of Lima".
The truth is that hailing a street cab in Lima involves some degree of risk, because Lima street cabs are almost entirely unregulated. The routine is that you flag the cab and negotiate a fare before you get in, and of course you pay only on arrival to your destination. And you don't tip (but see comment below). If you are carrying bills larger than S/.20 you should confirm that the driver can make change before you board the cab.
The following factors increase the risk that you may be robbed en route:
1) You don't speak Spanish.
2) You don't know the most efficient route(s) to your destination, or worse yet, you have no sense of direction in Lima.
3) You have no idea what a reasonable fare is to your destination.
4) You look like a gringo (fair hair and skin).
5) You are wearing an expensive watch or jewellery.
6) You have a lot of luggage.
7) You are coming from, or going to, the airport or other destination in an unsafe part of the city.
One way of reducing your risk is to look for cabs where the driver is caged inside the vehicle. They do this to protect themselves from assault. Caged drivers are unlikely to be in cahoots with anyone interested in robbing you; they're just trying to make enough money to feed their family. Which is nearly mission impossible on most days, so these guys I often tip.
The truth is that hailing a street cab in Lima involves some degree of risk, because Lima street cabs are almost entirely unregulated. The routine is that you flag the cab and negotiate a fare before you get in, and of course you pay only on arrival to your destination. And you don't tip (but see comment below). If you are carrying bills larger than S/.20 you should confirm that the driver can make change before you board the cab.
The following factors increase the risk that you may be robbed en route:
1) You don't speak Spanish.
2) You don't know the most efficient route(s) to your destination, or worse yet, you have no sense of direction in Lima.
3) You have no idea what a reasonable fare is to your destination.
4) You look like a gringo (fair hair and skin).
5) You are wearing an expensive watch or jewellery.
6) You have a lot of luggage.
7) You are coming from, or going to, the airport or other destination in an unsafe part of the city.
One way of reducing your risk is to look for cabs where the driver is caged inside the vehicle. They do this to protect themselves from assault. Caged drivers are unlikely to be in cahoots with anyone interested in robbing you; they're just trying to make enough money to feed their family. Which is nearly mission impossible on most days, so these guys I often tip.
Sep 9, 2014, 12:37 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: AF FB Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 274
On this question there are a lot of opinions out there varying from "don't worry, be happy" to "never never NEVER hail a cab on the streets of Lima".
The truth is that hailing a street cab in Lima involves some degree of risk, because Lima street cabs are almost entirely unregulated. The routine is that you flag the cab and negotiate a fare before you get in, and of course you pay only on arrival to your destination. And you don't tip (but see comment below). If you are carrying bills larger than S/.20 you should confirm that the driver can make change before you board the cab.
The following factors increase the risk that you may be robbed en route:
1) You don't speak Spanish.
2) You don't know the most efficient route(s) to your destination, or worse yet, you have no sense of direction in Lima.
3) You have no idea what a reasonable fare is to your destination.
4) You look like a gringo (fair hair and skin).
5) You are wearing an expensive watch or jewellery.
6) You have a lot of luggage.
7) You are coming from, or going to, the airport or other destination in an unsafe part of the city.
One way of reducing your risk is to look for cabs where the driver is caged inside the vehicle. They do this to protect themselves from assault. Caged drivers are unlikely to be in cahoots with anyone interested in robbing you; they're just trying to make enough money to feed their family. Which is nearly mission impossible on most days, so these guys I often tip.
The truth is that hailing a street cab in Lima involves some degree of risk, because Lima street cabs are almost entirely unregulated. The routine is that you flag the cab and negotiate a fare before you get in, and of course you pay only on arrival to your destination. And you don't tip (but see comment below). If you are carrying bills larger than S/.20 you should confirm that the driver can make change before you board the cab.
The following factors increase the risk that you may be robbed en route:
1) You don't speak Spanish.
2) You don't know the most efficient route(s) to your destination, or worse yet, you have no sense of direction in Lima.
3) You have no idea what a reasonable fare is to your destination.
4) You look like a gringo (fair hair and skin).
5) You are wearing an expensive watch or jewellery.
6) You have a lot of luggage.
7) You are coming from, or going to, the airport or other destination in an unsafe part of the city.
One way of reducing your risk is to look for cabs where the driver is caged inside the vehicle. They do this to protect themselves from assault. Caged drivers are unlikely to be in cahoots with anyone interested in robbing you; they're just trying to make enough money to feed their family. Which is nearly mission impossible on most days, so these guys I often tip.
I would just add to the last point "your route takes you through an unsafe part of the city" - it often happens that the best route between two safe areas pass through a less safe one !
Sep 9, 2014, 6:10 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Flew over the Equator 55 times last 3 years
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Posts: 2,957
Yup. Lots of opinions. Just to add. Since you have already negotiated the fare the driver will, for his own interest as well as yours, drive the best route, no need to worry about that. As well, I agree not necessary to tip. A NA custom that I hope doesn't catch on in Peru. They mostly all have a family to feed, cage or not, and feeding a family is a reason to tip? Anyway, not expected and not necessary.
Also, just tell the driver if you have a large bill (as Siempre Viajando says S/.20 or more) and he will stop at a grifo to change it along the way.
I have a worldwide guideline to try to avoid any taxi driver that is waiting at any airport, on the theory they have time to plan and can be pretty sure of getting a pax with important stuff in the bags. We are most vulnerable when travelling because we have all our stuff. Not always possible, but preference goes to a taxi dropping off a pax.
Also, just tell the driver if you have a large bill (as Siempre Viajando says S/.20 or more) and he will stop at a grifo to change it along the way.
I have a worldwide guideline to try to avoid any taxi driver that is waiting at any airport, on the theory they have time to plan and can be pretty sure of getting a pax with important stuff in the bags. We are most vulnerable when travelling because we have all our stuff. Not always possible, but preference goes to a taxi dropping off a pax.
Sep 9, 2014, 9:35 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
Since I basically(and sadly) only speak Taco Bell and I'm white I think we'll be in for some amazing stories.
I do appreciate ya'lls imput, it does confirm a few things on how to behave and handle myself.
I do appreciate ya'lls imput, it does confirm a few things on how to behave and handle myself.
Sep 10, 2014, 8:51 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: AAdvantage, Aeroplan, Flying Blue
Posts: 662
This routine is not all that common in Lima but it happens, believe me, so you do need to pay attention to the route the driver follows. And of course if you don't know the city and don't know the most efficient route, or you don't have any sense of direction, well, then your risk increases. That's why this was on my list of risk factors.
Sep 10, 2014, 8:53 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: AAdvantage, Aeroplan, Flying Blue
Posts: 662
Sep 10, 2014, 10:01 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Flew over the Equator 55 times last 3 years
Programs: LANPASS Comodoro (Emerald), others
Posts: 2,957
Yes, you do have to worry about that. Your statement presumes that the driver has no interest in doing anything other than getting you to your destination and receiving the negotiated fare. But if he has other motives, like to rob you, one clue is that he deviates from the most efficient route, presumably to take you to where his buddies are waiting. There he miraculously runs out of gas (and his gas gauge isn't working, so who knows?) and then you're exposed and at risk.
This routine is not all that common in Lima but it happens, believe me, so you do need to pay attention to the route the driver follows. And of course if you don't know the city and don't know the most efficient route, or you don't have any sense of direction, well, then your risk increases. That's why this was on my list of risk factors.
This routine is not all that common in Lima but it happens, believe me, so you do need to pay attention to the route the driver follows. And of course if you don't know the city and don't know the most efficient route, or you don't have any sense of direction, well, then your risk increases. That's why this was on my list of risk factors.
Sep 10, 2014, 5:15 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: AAdvantage, Aeroplan, Flying Blue
Posts: 662
I don't mean to overstate the risks. I speak Spanish and I know the city well, and I regularly use street cabs. They're just too convenient!
Sep 11, 2014, 5:47 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Flew over the Equator 55 times last 3 years
Programs: LANPASS Comodoro (Emerald), others
Posts: 2,957
Me too, street cabs is the way I go. Not only convenient, but cheaper and given the number of times I go to/from LIM the savings add up. But for an infrequent visitor not familiar with the way it works the one time money difference is pretty small. More and more I am seeing taxi drivers with Satelitel (3555555) signs waiting for folks, but mostly at domestic arrivals.
Sep 25, 2014, 9:41 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: LAS, SMF
Programs: Marriott Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 184
Siempre, I think Uber would be safer because a third party has the identity of the driver. One solution for the OP might be to use the street cabs for short rides around town and a Green cab from the airport when he is unfamiliar with his surroundings and is laden with all his belongings.
Sep 25, 2014, 1:11 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 2,704
Lima isn't Bogota, and the taxis here don't make a habit out of taking people to ATMs and demanding they withdraw all of their money. Nor do they try and charge me 5 times the amount because I'm a gringo.
I don't see the need for Uber at all in Lima with Easy Taxi being a safe backup for those who feel they are going to be cheated. Remember, Easy Taxi has all the prices programmed into the app so you can just check the fares before boarding, even if it isn't an automated process like Uber is.
I don't see the need for Uber at all in Lima with Easy Taxi being a safe backup for those who feel they are going to be cheated. Remember, Easy Taxi has all the prices programmed into the app so you can just check the fares before boarding, even if it isn't an automated process like Uber is.