[SantiagoDR]

To be more specific on "Public Cars".

Taking them late at night is more dangerous. Be sure that the Letter Designation is an official one and not one "Hand Written", those are the ones to be leery of, for many reasons. Each public car shoud have an official ID on the sunvisor or hanging from the mirror with a picture of the driver. During the day and night, the non-official ones may more likely be buddies working the passengers. That is not to say that the Official Ones don't have the pickpocket problems, just lest likely to be a conspiracy with the driver.

When I need to take a public car, I usually wait for an empty one and then take the back seat and sit behind the driver. Only one side of me needs guarding that way.

Be especially careful if your Public Car (non-Official) at night passes through a secluded area and there is just you, the driver and one other passenger. Be safe, get out earlier with other passengers if you have doubts. I would rather walk then get into a questionable situation just to save a few minutes of time.

When walkiing early or late at night, I always cross over to the opposite side of the street when I come upon other people during those times. And also if someone starts coming up behind me late at night or early in the morning.

Use common sense - don't be lazy and try to save a couple minutes.