Sad to report the Hotel Gran Via is now closed. Not that good anyway from recent reports.
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Sad to report the Hotel Gran Via is now closed. Not that good anyway from recent reports.
Recently there has been a number of street armed robberies between the Blue Marlin Bar in the Hotel Del Rey and the Presidente Hotel two blocks away. They have occurred aside of the Horseshoe casino on Calle 9 between Ave 1 and Ave Central across or in front of the New York Bar. They happen at 8:30 at night or later. Recently at 8:30 PM. Three or four thugs surround the victim who is robbed at the point of a machette or pistol.
So take a taxi or walk in a large group but do not walk alone or ever when drunk.
And of course never carry your passport or valuables or wear expensive jewelry. Carry only the cash you need for the night. Leave your gold watch at home and wear a cheap watch. I carry a dummy wallet to throw away.
I also use a neck pouch.
If you have to use an ripoff taxi parked outside the Hotel do it. Try to set the price first. Or try to catch one on the street outside. As much as I do not like to do this, even I will change my habits.
UPDATE AS of MAY 21:
The situation is even worse than I could believe. More armed robberies on the streets. Everywhere downtown in the popular areas. At night for now.
It is a war zone and no police to be found patrolling the areas where we would walk.
Due to circumstances beyond my control I could not book a room until tomorrow, and I arrive in San Jose next week (the 22nd).
Any ideas on a chica friendly hotel at this late date? I know most are full at this point?
Anyone know if the Gran Hotel (not the Gran Via, but the old famous Gran Hotel next to the theater) allows chicas? and at what price?
I may have to stay at a non-chica hotel.
Any ideas on hourly rooms to use? I mean, besides the Hotel Asia?
Thanks for any ideas!
If by most you mean the DR, Pres or SL, you're probably right, but it doesn't hurt to check as there may be last minute cancelations. It also might help if you told us what places you have already tried. For example, have you tried the Clarion Amon Plaza? Its a bit further out of the Gulch (but then so is the SL) but is definitely chica friendly. How about the Castillo? They have summer rates as low as $51 INCLUDING tax and if you finally bite the bullet and join CRT as many here have been suggesting you can get a discount of as much as 35% on top of that. That's a $125 savings just on your hotel bill if you're there for a week which would easily offset the $39 cost of membership a few times over.
Did you happen to read the series of posts just a few messages down on arriving in SJ w/o reservations and the Holiday Inn and Morazon Hotels? My understanding is that the Gran Hotel is not particularly chica friendly (though I have no idea what chica guest fee they charge). I've also heard their rooms inside look far less "Gran" than the hotel does from the outside. Since you're now well advised to take a cab when going to the BM after dark where-ever you're staying it really doesn't matter quite so much how close to the gulch you're staying and in fact might be a bit safer the less time you spend hanging out in that particular part of town. There are no shortage of monger alternatives in and about downtown. You could also try the Hotel Europa, Hotel Doral or even the BW in the zona roja.
As far as the pay by the hour places. I sincerely doubt you'd want to rent any of them by the day. The Motel Eden on the Tibas Hwy rents out 6-12 hours at a time and has been suggested as a very nice place that might make for good overnight stays, but I don't know whether they'll let you check in to the same room 24/7. What are you going to do if they won't, pack up your bags and move to another room twice a day or worse carry your bags around with you until they reopen for the day? To be completely honest, I really don't know if its possible or not. Check it out and let us know what you find out as I know there are many others who have wondered about that.
Don't underestimate or discount the Hotel Asia.
They have done extensive renovations and have brand new clean, tiled,
rooms with hot water and towels , televisions and a lock box for $11.00 per day...that's all day as in 24 hours.
It's a real Hotel!
The new lobby is clean and on the first floor...with 24 hour security and most importantly... chica friendly..
This is a real deal!
[QUOTE=Member #2666]Don't underestimate or discount the Hotel Asia.
They have done extensive renovations and have brand new clean, tiled,
rooms with hot water and towels , televisions and a lock box for $11.00 per day...that's all day as in 24 hours.
It's a real Hotel!
The new lobby is clean and on the first floor...with 24 hour security and most importantly... chica friendly..
This is a real deal![/QUOTE]
Wow, I'm amazed.
And they also still offer the rooms on the first floor to street hookers and such, for $6 or so per hour?
Anyone know if the Hotel Principe over in the "other redlight district" has finished renovating? Years ago, it was my place of choice to stay because I was living in CR on the coast, had little money to spend, but occasionally came into SJ for some fun. Stayed on the top floor of the Principe for $14 and although noisy it was above the street noise to some degree.
I checked it out in March and they had changed the desk to a "cage" style which told me maybe the area had gone further downhill, crime wise, (it's just up from the Caribe club (club with private rooms)). But they were renovating which made me wonder how it might be to stay there once they are done, and how much it would cost.
I have not heard back from Sportsman's lodge, Morazan and Castillo, am waiting for a return e-mail. At this point I STILL do not know for sure if the deal is on or not, so I am just doing exploratory inquiries. I did hear from some other guys that many of the hotels are full, and a quick check of the Sportsman's Lodge site showed it was full. Though as you say, there may be cancellations and what not.
I liked it better back in 94, when I had Costa Rica to myself! (-;
Another fall back is the Hotel Europa Central.
Some pointers for newbies.
Chase Star is the expert advisor about the scene in Costa Rica especially San Jose. Mark his every word.
RBrandon is the expert on saving money in San Jose. Listen to him and his places to go.
Now to become your own expert:
Here is a quick tip.
Every evening at 5 P.M. sit down at a table near the door to the street at the Blue Marlin bar in the Hotel Del Rey. Hotel of the King.
If you see some guy or guys sitting near you ask them:
"See our tea?" Yes, CRT. Like in Costa Rica Ticas. Google that and follow the links. Free.
If they do not know what you are talking about, forget them.
If they say YES, then strike up a conversation and buy them a round. It will be the best contact you can have there. Be friendly and learn the ropes from them. There is a Costa Rica Tica club called VIP. It costs $39 but is well worth it in your contacts with others, alone. Also you get substantial discounts at the ZB and Prez and elsewhere. So go the the google link, read the discussion board and join in. Keep reading the discussion board for good information. Do more reading for every question is answered there. The same guys posting info here are there under similar names like RBC100 and Prolijo.
Not having much luck in finding a cheap flight to SJO from the Washington D.C. area. Hoping to find a charter if possible. Very flexible on when I travel after Jan. 2007. Any help appreciated.
This question is for anyone that's been to Jaco- me and a few buds are going down soon and I was wondering how safe the area is. I read where tourists were being held up at gun point or roughed up by thugs for cash (mostly San Jose). Any general tips other than the obvious pointers? Like, are there any particular bars we should definitely avoid? What's the latest time we should be out and about? Do any of the Ticas have "pimps" to look out for? Are police even visible?
Thanks
Pimping is illegal in Costa Rica...and not necessary, as prostitution is legal, and the girls who engage in this line of work do not have a need for pimps.
You will encounter touts - guys who are working the streets who will offer to find you a girl, or most anything ..... for a tip.
But because there are so many working girls in plain site - you will have no need for a tout. Most of these guys are just beggers anyway, so stay clear of them.
Taxi drivers on the other hand can come in very handy when you need advice or help finding what you want to find. Usually a ride in their taxi or a small tip - if you don't take their taxi, is all that is needed.
General rule for safety in Central America - Stay out of the known bad areas, don't act like an idiot, and always (near or after dark) take a taxi, in lieu of walking.
If on the other hand - you are going only a couple of blocks and have 2-3 guys in a group, then you can usually walk without incident, as there is usually safety in numbers.
Jaco is very safe. I have not heard of any incidents like muggings or holdups, or anything like that going on there. But again just use good common sense and you will be OK.
San Jose has had a few incidents of late, but those victums were perhaps in the wrong place at the wrong time, and probably did not follow good common sense rules about safety in a foreign country.
I have had my pocket picked (once) while walking through the park adjacent to the Morizan Hotel (just to the North), but I was walking alone, at dark, and was a victum of my own stupidity. (( I lost $only 30.00 but now know better )).
But again use your head (the big one), be cautious and careful, and don't ask for trouble or put yourself in 'harms way'.... and usually it won't come looking for you.
Guys,
I'm thinking of making my first "PP" (pussy pilgrimage) to SJ in mid-December. Is that generally a good time go, in terms of quality/quantity of girls, weather, prices?
Thanx.
As a simple means of warning some that may read this, and other forums about Costa Rica, the positive comments commonly seen are not entirely the case, at least from my stand point. First, the girls are not (at least on the day that I was in the BM) all 10's. A few, maybe, but many in the 5-7 range, with some below that. Little to even less of english speakers. Plus, the dance that you see at the BM is the same dance that you see in a decent mens club in Houston. The girls make the rounds, smile, start a conversation, and move on if there is nothing to be had. You see the same attitude as you do with the dancers, ranging from pissed off at all mankind to boredome to working.
Frankly, and I know I will get flamed, but, if you are in town on business, it is probably not a place for you. It is talked about negatively by the local businessmen. The desired clientel is not the businessman. It was very clear that the clientel was, for the most part, guys that come to town to spend time with girls for 100 bucks a pop. The actual visual of this is quite different than the imagined view. Actually, the scene is just different. Not that anyone would, but, if you could compare it to someplace where you would go with a client, you would not do it. It is not as good as a decent club in Houston. Cheaper, yes, but quality wise, better, no.
I found the BM to be, simply, a bordello, with the face of a bar. The girls don't want to get to know you, nor do they care. This was the biggest difference I saw, when comparing the BM to say, Treasures or Centerolds in Houston, was that there was no desire to talk or visit. Not even an attempt.
To some, Costa Rica may be heaven. However, as far as I can tell, I am the first, or likely one of the very few, who has come on here with a not so positive review. If all you are looking for is wham bam, it may be for you, but if you are used to something a little more, and a little better, it may not be.
I only write because there hasn't seemed to be anyone who stepped out from the norm, and said, hey, wait, this may not be the dream that you think it will be.
I did not go down for the BM. Although, I did go to it one evening. I don't know if I would go back.
Houston Please...................
Everytime I visit I get a nasty sinus infection.
Houston is a polluted, overpriced, traffic jam.
Those of us who frequent Costa Rica and have time to get to know the girls and establishments know better.
Sorry you had a bad trip.
Your experience is not the norm.
A girl in a US strip bar, is going to try and get as many drinks and tips out of you. You're out $150 at the end of the night, and what do you have? Nothing.
I really don't think that anyone has portrayed the BM as anything with all model quality girls. They're all independents, so practically anyone can walk in the door. You're in a spanish language country, why would you expect them all to speak english? Yes, they want your money, what else is new?
If you want a high end strip club, there are some in San Jose. Let the champage flow! [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] away all your money. It sounds like you're looking for romance or something. Go to Puro Platino, Tango India, or other strip clubs. Throw money around, and you'll get lots of attention. Pump that ego up.