teacherkab

We will be in CR at the end of July. Is is possible or appropriate to try to bargain for lower tour costs? We want to do Sky Trek in Arenal, maybe Cano Negro, White Water Rafting in Manuel Antonio, and maybe a Mangrove or Dolphin Tour as well.

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Yes. We did.

jmvp

hmmmm
Thats is interesting that you can bargain for the cost of a tour.!

Personally I would not and perhaps could not bargain for the cost as I feel this is the Tico's way of making a living.

I do however bargain in Mexico when buying T shirts etc.

However, it is not much of a bargaining process as they are so will to reduce the price themselves in Mexico.

But I just learned that you can bargain for a tour price !!

jmvp

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What, jmvp, is the difference between bargaining in Mexico, CR, China, NYC, Morocco, or anywhere else?

Have you never had anyone attempt a discount at your place of employment?

Percy

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I do not know about jmvp , but I can answer for myself and the answer is NO!!...I have never ever had anyone attempt a discount at my place of employment.!

Also , I feel there is a big difference between bargaining for a T shirt or a piece of "Mexican " jewellery as opposed to bargaining for a tour.

I guess I can also join the ranks of never having bargained for the price of a tour.

I either pay the price and take the tour or I do not take the tour.

And don't forget that this is my personal preference.

To me, there are some thing you bargain for and something you do not.!

But to all you people that bargain and get a lower price.. more power to you!

Percy

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In some cultures, not attempting to bargain is a sign of weakness in a man. Not in my culture. However, this is something I have learned.

An attorney in the family repeatedly has clients request discounts on legal fees. A physician in the family also has discounted her fees.

I'm certainly not financially rich, but I am not wanting for anything, either.

I request and receive discounts for AAA membership, military service, etc.; and have been in the company of people who receive senior discounts, and people who show an AARP card for discounts.

We are not poor people. I do not need the discount any more than the Vanderbilts, Morgans, Stanfords, or Rockefellers need free meals at fine restaurants - which is verifiable.

However, when I thoroughly researched my trip and the sum of $45 per person was commonly reported as the fee for Zip Line Canopy Tours, I was prepared for the kid who quoted us $60 per person upon our arrival at his recently-completed establishment near Arenal.

People squirm over the price and value of a hotel, but are too bashful to request a 10% or 15% discount for being a AAA member?

Rockefeller is quoted as saying, "Just because I have more doesn't mean I have to spend more."

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Reflecting on our visit to Tabacon, I recall a man who resembles comedian Howie Mandel, hawking finely-painted balsa masks for $60-225 American. You already know I didn't pay his initial price. Nor did I pay the price to which he discounted. I feel we both we part of a fair transaction.

In any exchange of the type we are discussing, if the price is acceptable to the seller, that person is making a profit. I'm comfortable with that.

teacherkab

When we visited Mexico, it was recommended that we bargain for tour prices and the companies all expect you to bargain. In Costa Rica it seems that everybody gets a cut of the tour price (hotels, taxi drivers, etc.). So if I book a tour directly with a company (not through a hotel, etc.) shouldn't I get a discount since they are not paying out commissions?

There are some exceptions though. For instance, I already have booked with Finca Valmy horseback riding. They are a small family-run farm and not a big tour company. I would never try to bargain a discount with them.

Still wondering? Is bargaing common in Cost Rica or not? I just want to pay a fair price. Tour costs add up quickly.

cosmosmama

During my long bus rides throughout CR last year, I read an interesting comment by the Footprint guide book author...that while it is okay to bargain, it is not a standard practice in CR, and to remember that "your few dollars saved might be a week's salary to them."

Percy

You know I agree with all of you .

But like I said there is place to bargain and a place where you feel a little guilty to bargain.

cosmosmama said it very well.

In Costa Rica I feel if I bargain for a tour I am taking a week's wages from someone.

I have three friends in Costa Rica who are tour guides.

How can I say," Jose, for that $50.00 tour, how about if I give you $40.00 dollars !!?"

I feel he would be thinking, "Gee , you came all the way here to beat me out of $10.00".!!!

Yep, there is a time to bargain and a time not to bargain.

Even in Mexico I bargain very little because I do not shop and buy trinkets anyway....

Percy

jmvp

Boy did I spark a little debate just by stating that I did not know you can bargain for tours!!

But I agree with you Percy and cosmosmama, there is and there is not a place to bargain.!!

A physician discounting (his/her) fees!

Maybe in the USA and to those people that have no healthcare..otherwise a physician's fees cannot be discounted.

However a lawyer can discount his fee if he wants, they are very independent business people...anyway

all that does not matter, you can bargain for a T shirt in Mexico or a taxi ride, or for jewellery etc.

But when an all day tour to Havana is $75.00, bargaining will not get you very far when the tour is 99% booked!!

Also it is fine to bargain for something that you do not really need or want like little tourist shopping stores, or when there is 8 taxi's at the airport,all wanting to give you a ride but ...

when you want a certain tour and you try to bargain and you are told No!, then what do you do ??, eat a little crow and pay the original price anyway.

You are correct Percy, there is a time to bargain and a time NOT to bargaining.

Happy Bargaining to you all.
jmvp

teacherkab

Wow, did I spark a debate. All I wanted to know was what was common practice in Costa Rica. If it is not common practice to bargain, then I certainly would not. However, you hate to be the ones that paid full price when everyone else on the tour paid $10 less per person than you (as was the case in Mexico before I learned to bargain). Regardless of what I pay, I always tip the tour guides for their hard work. Thanks for the input so far.

tully

Personally, no, I wouldn't feel comfortable bargaining for tours in CR. $5 or $10 means a lot more to them than it does to me. Sometimes, though, I have been offered a discount if I book more than 1 tour thru the same company.

Percy

tully

You are correct.

I too have been given discounts on tours. But I did not bargain for them.

I took 7 tours with the same tour company my last time on Costa Rica and I knew I was given a "good price" tour after tour.

Then the day before it was time for me to leave...guess what !!!!

The Tour Guide's wife called me and saidquot;My husband and I would love to take you and your wife out for dinner."

I just about fell over.

But then he and I became quite chummy after 7 tours..but still, what a beautiful gesture.

They also sent us Three Pounds of Costa Rica Coffee about 2 months ago.

So , I never "bargained " for any tour.
I would not have dreamt to even think of bargaining...and look at the reward I received.!!

Now that was something I never "bargained" on . Pun intended.

Percy

lovesublime

You can, but I would feel guilty doing it..depending who your guide is, some people make so little money. if its a college kid whos parents are wiring money to every week, bargain away..but I dont suggest bargaining with the ticos..