Costa Rica - Travel Advice

[Mr Jetsetter]

Let me know if I'm screwed! I'm going from March 25th-March 28th 2013 and Easter is that following Sunday I know. Will there be chicas around? Del Rey said yes but I don't know, they might just be trying to get some business. If so, they will get cussed out when I get there!

Don't worry about it. Things only start to get funky on Good Friday, March 29th. You should be fine.

[Mulano]

Let me know if I'm screwed! I'm going from March 25th-March 28th 2013 and Easter is that following Sunday I know. Will there be chicas around? Del Rey said yes but I don't know, they might just be trying to get some business. If so, they will get cussed out when I get there!

[Mulano]

Am I really screwed as far as chicas or do I still have a chance? I know Easter is that following Sunday and everybody celebrates Semana Santa that week but I heard they start Thursday. Am I truly screwed or do I have a chance? Del Rey said I was good but I don't know if they just trying to get my business. I hope not or I'ma be pissed at them and they might get cussed out. Somebody let me know something!

[Hioctane]

On a whim me and a buddy booked a trip to CR and are leaving in a few days.

I've never been to any part of latin America and therefore trying to read up as much as I can before my trip.

I've read the forum and still have some questions.

All the prices on the forum seem to be mostly qouted in USD, is this the currency of choice?

Should I be buying some USD and bringing it on the trip and using it to pay?

I would only have acsess to 100usd notes, so if USD is being use to pay should I expect to receive change in USD?

Or should I be paying strictly in colons?

From what I've read I will be getting qouted 100usd (50k) and should negoitate down to 60-80usd (30k-40K CRC). Sound right?

I'm staying in Jaco and from what I've read the Cocal is the place to go, is there any daytime place I should try and find or other night time spots?

Lastly, I have no spanish skills whatsoever, so I'm pretty concerned about how I will fair in a spanish speaking country. I'm trying to learn as many words as possible before I leave, any sugestions on must know words?

Any advice on anything that will make might trip enjoyable will be greatly apreciated.

Any good recomendations for a fishing guide and golf courses and any other activities that are must sees would be great.

Ill be sure to write review after my trip. Looking forward to some none asian mongering for a change!

The girls usually quote in dollars (because so many gringos) but most places usually only accept colones. I normally use an ATM. If you go to the common mongering spots, you will find gringos that will be more than willing to wing with you. Also, a lot more girls speak English than in most countries.

Good luck and have fun!

[Rockabilly77]

On a whim me and a buddy booked a trip to CR and are leaving in a few days.

I've never been to any part of latin America and therefore trying to read up as much as I can before my trip.

I've read the forum and still have some questions.

All the prices on the forum seem to be mostly qouted in USD, is this the currency of choice?

Should I be buying some USD and bringing it on the trip and using it to pay?

I would only have acsess to 100usd notes, so if USD is being use to pay should I expect to receive change in USD?

Or should I be paying strictly in colons?

From what I've read I will be getting qouted 100usd (50k) and should negoitate down to 60-80usd (30k-40K CRC). Sound right?

I'm staying in Jaco and from what I've read the Cocal is the place to go, is there any daytime place I should try and find or other night time spots?

Lastly, I have no spanish skills whatsoever, so I'm pretty concerned about how I will fair in a spanish speaking country. I'm trying to learn as many words as possible before I leave, any sugestions on must know words?

Any advice on anything that will make might trip enjoyable will be greatly apreciated.

Any good recomendations for a fishing guide and golf courses and any other activities that are must sees would be great.

Ill be sure to write review after my trip. Looking forward to some none asian mongering for a change!

[Dgfd]

Will do, thanks, mate. How are the roads from SJ to the west coast (Jaco) and down to Manuel Antonio? I've heard I should get a 4 wheel drive. I'll be going Feb 24. March 10. Thanks for any replies, guys.

No need for 4 wheel as long as you don't stray and do stupid stuff. If you are going to spend time Manuel Antonio, get an automatic because down shifting and double clutching going up stuck behind traffic gets very old after a few times. Only a few dollars more and well worth it.

[D Cups]

Thanks PapaMac!

No need for a 4 wheel drive or even an SUV. Save the money for the chicas.

I rented the cheapest car national has, equipped with a 1. 0 engine. Last month I took the trip to Jaco and Manuel Antonio with no issues. Roads are in decent shape for 95% of the journey. Yes there are steep inclines on the way to Manuel Antonio, just down shift and enjoy the climb!

[PapaMac]

Will do, thanks, mate. How are the roads from SJ to the west coast (Jaco) and down to Manuel Antonio? I've heard I should get a 4 wheel drive. I'll be going Feb 24. March 10. Thanks for any replies, guys.

No need for a 4 wheel drive or even an SUV. Save the money for the chicas.

I rented the cheapest car national has, equipped with a 1. 0 engine. Last month I took the trip to Jaco and Manuel Antonio with no issues. Roads are in decent shape for 95% of the journey. Yes there are steep inclines on the way to Manuel Antonio, just down shift and enjoy the climb!

[D Cups]

Will do, thanks, mate. How are the roads from SJ to the west coast (Jaco) and down to Manuel Antonio? I've heard I should get a 4 wheel drive. I'll be going Feb 24. March 10. Thanks for any replies, guys.

Use Thrifty. They have an office by the airport and another a few blocks from VIPs Taberna in San Jose.

Thrifty has the cheapest deposit from what I have found and after several times renting they have never tried to mess with me. Not sure about finding a chica to go to Manuel Antonio but there has to be someone who would want to. Make sure they don't have children because they will likely ruin it for you and they all play that game, mi bebe esta enfermo.

[Kcrl01]

Could some PM me reliable contact data for a reputable dentist in San Jose? Need some dental done, can either get it done on my Christmas break and not take a holiday or take a holiday abroad and get it done. Thinking I'll go with the latter.

Thanks

[BogieMaker]

Already booked thru SL for the airport pickup. It's $30 and a earlier report said $28 so it's a no hassle or worry that the cabbie will get lost deal. An post earlier had a great map with numerous locations:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...5ab0e0b6&msa=0

Sorry I forget where it was originally posted. To the orginal poster of the above map-thanks!

The Pirate Club isn't on there. Perhaps something the PirateGm can add. I'll be there my first night. Sounds like a great place. See a report by Jonesie on 29 July or thier website.

To the Dirty Pirate-Having a good time is back on the menu!

I have added the Pirate Club to the map. Two more weeks and I will be in Costa Rica the first time. Staying at the SL so I appreciate the taxi information.

after 1 great year. 3 good years, followed by 4 horrible

I hear you there. The first couple of years not too bad but the last three for me have kept me single for the past 20 years.

[CaGuy]

The main problem is that SOO few of the cabs know where the SL is, or can find it if they have a general idea. Print up the map that is on the SL webpage, and their written instructions on how to find it.

Already booked thru SL for the airport pickup. It's $30 and a earlier report said $28 so it's a no hassle or worry that the cabbie will get lost deal. An post earlier had a great map with numerous locations:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...5ab0e0b6&msa=0

Sorry I forget where it was originally posted. To the orginal poster of the above map-thanks!

The Pirate Club isn't on there. Perhaps something the PirateGm can add. I'll be there my first night. Sounds like a great place. See a report by Jonesie on 29 July or thier website.

To the Dirty Pirate-Having a good time is back on the menu!

[Psychman]

Guys, I've read almost every report from January and didn't see one about airport taxis. Any advise?

Already have reservations at the SL.

Lots of great info here.

I've also watched some youtube videos-looks like Panama but without the oppressive heat.

Hasta pronto.

The main problem is that SOO few of the cabs know where the SL is, or can find it if they have a general idea. Print up the map that is on the SL webpage, and their written instructions on how to find it.

[The Dirty Pirate]

dp, my comment wasn't meant as "all inclusive". seems as if my post touched a nerve for some reason. i'm sure there are peeps that feel comfortable paying cien or whatever the high end of the perceived market value might be at the time. others, myself included, like the challenge of getting the best bang for their buck (pun intended).

this will be my 1st trip to cr and i'm just trying to get good intel on what to expect. just got divorced after 1 great year. 3 good years, followed by 4 horrible years of a failed 8 year marriage. time to get back in the game.

thanks for sharing your opinion.

just "my two pennies worth"

no soft spot, just stating my opinion. have a good time, that's all that matters.

[MadisonGuy]

I think over time if most people pay more it will technically ruin it for others. But I doubt it will be a drastically fast change. It's definitely changed in CR and it's definitely not the economy that changed it. Supply and demand. So far I still think I hold the record for highest quoted price in the history of Key Largo. $800. A couple gringos bite on something like that and I do believe soon prices will start to rise. Word gets around even though I didn't pay it the next day the bartenders would shout ocho cien when I came in. In this occassion I think it was more my fault then the girl. I told her I was Walt Disneys son. Ha ha ha