Costa Rica - Travel Advice

[NastyBoy]

If money were no object, you had 3 nights in CR. Where would you go. Presuming that you were me, I like fine women (cheap is okay), fine dining (expensive is good), I like good bedding and air conditioning. a beach would be great, good drinks are great.

As I was saying....

Beaches....The best beach I have found was on the tour with Calypso Cruises to Tortuga Island. It's small and somewhat private. The tour is first class. I also made it down to Manuel Antonio, but even though it was a bigger beach, I really didn't like it as much as Tortuga Island. Didn't look for any action while on those tours, but there was plenty to be had amongst the tourists. Unfortunately, she was younger than my requirements. Also, I think the pros hit Jaco, so maybe there is some action there. Just drove through Jaco...not long enough to get a flavor for the town.

Drinks...they are always good wherever I find them.

To be continued...

[NastyBoy]

If money were no object, you had 3 nights in CR. Where would you go. Presuming that you were me, I like fine women (cheap is okay), fine dining (expensive is good), I like good bedding and air conditioning. a beach would be great, good drinks are great.

Interesting question and wonderful to ponder. If money were no object???? Oh yeahhh.....

If money were no object, I would, first of all, stay at the Marriot. It seems like the most upscale of all the hotels I have seen in San Jose so far. I'm sure they got AC and comfortable beds as well as a beautiful courtyard and it also looks quiet which I prize.

I like my women young, 18-20, and beautiful, and talented. I have always had good success with those requirements at Oasis.

On my last trip I had a cabbie drive me up to Alejuela so I could take pics of the valley. We ended up at a place called The Mountain of the Cross. I asked for a resteraunt where I could dine and enjoy the view. The food was expensive, but downright fantastic...I think the name of the resteraunt was Balthazaaar or something like that. The view was nice and even though the food prices were steep, the waitress recommended a dish for two that was reasonable and more than sufficient. Did I say the food was delicious?

To be continued.....

[Travalot]

I have been to CR many times, but never to any beach other than Jaco once. A hypothetical question to all of you. If money were no object, you had 3 nights in CR. Where would you go. Presuming that you were me, I like fine women (cheap is okay), fine dining (expensive is good), I like good bedding and air conditioning. a beach would be great, good drinks are great. I can't take the craziness anymore of del rey, presidente.

Opinions matter.

any info on heminway inn? sportman lounge and hotel? where to find the non agressive tica types to hang with for a couple of days. Not a late night person, not into loud clubs. Willing to even rent a house on the beach if available. just trying to relax, eat well, monger a bit, sleep well and chill.

[Willy 1]

I thought there might be one from ORD, but couldn't find it. UA has cut back on service to SJO. I find a direct flight from ORD to LIR (Liberia), which is in the Guanacaste region. Sometimes these flights are seasonal only. I picked a date in March, and couldn't find a direct flight.

United used to have a direct flight on Saturday's now gone.

US Airways has added a flight on Saturday morning only, Depart ORD 6 AM, arrive SJO 1:35 PM, outbound through Philadelphia, return through Cahrlotte.

Got very lucky and am paying $ 397 for my upcoming trip....

49 hours until liftoff

[Jaimito Cartero]

I have checked priceline and hotwire and they show no direct flights. That my be my only option but I hate airline travel and making connections. Any direct charter flights?

Well, you probably need to move if you only want a direct flight. Normal direct flights originate at: EWR, IAH, MIA, LAX, PHX, ATL and DFW. I'm sure there are a few more, but these I know off the top of my head, since I've flown them all.

I thought there might be one from ORD, but couldn't find it. UA has cut back on service to SJO. I find a direct flight from ORD to LIR (Liberia), which is in the Guanacaste region. Sometimes these flights are seasonal only. I picked a date in March, and couldn't find a direct flight.

[Prolijo]

I hate airline travel and making connections.

There's no reason to just stay home. Not nearly as inexpensive as CR but still much cheaper than the US and, for you, no flight connections or even any expensive flight is involved if you head north to Toronto for your mongering instead of down south. Just another possibility. Otherwise, I'm sure you'll manage to somehow overcome the slight inconvenience of how you get there for the much more significant advantages over mongering at home.

[Lorenzo]

I hate airline travel and making connections.

Probably your best bet is to stay home.

[Love Seeker]

What cities and airlines have direct flights to San Jose, Costa Rica? What are my best options? I live in NW Ohio. I am about 2 hours drive from the Detroit and Columbus airports, 2 ½ hours drive Cleveland and maybe 5 hours drive from Chicago.

I have checked priceline and hotwire and they show no direct flights. That my be my only option but I hate airline travel and making connections. Any direct charter flights?

Thanks for any helpful information

[Piper1]

Thanks Bandy - good info. I've done my research on the hotels, and I'll make sure I don't have to stay in the golf resort.

cheers

Piper

Piper1,

LACSA has a daily direct flight from New York (JFK) leaving around 5:15 AM and arriving San Jose (SJO) around 9:45 AM. (Flying time around 5 and a half hours). American Airlines may have a direct flight from JFK on some specific days.

Golf Resort Hotel is far from the "action" places. Places to stay near actions have been discussed extensively in the main sections. As a hotel, Del Rey is barely a two star facility, but that is the epicenter for all actions.

Bandy

[Player2]

I liked the Presidenty hotel very much.
There restaurant on the ground floor is great for chica watching all day.

Hi Guys - I have the opportunity to stay in San Jose for about a week in May. Checking flight options on the net, it seems like about 36 hours travel time and a number of connections from Dubai - too long for a brief visit. I can take a direct flight from Dubai to Europe or New York - but are there no direct flights from Europe or New York to San Jose?

Also, the place I would be asked to stay is the Golf Resort Hotel - I'd prefer to stay where the real fun is, and leave the chasing of little white balls to others. Is the golf resort far from the city centre?

[Jaimito Cartero]

Yes, the Superbowl will be shown on TV.

Alcohol is another story. It is illegal to sell any alcohol during elections which means you'll be on your own for 2 days from Saturday at 12:01AM to Sunday midnight. That will shut down most bars, but the BM might be semi-open since its part of the HDR but its liquor and booze will be locked up tight. A wise man will stock up as much as he can on duty-free booze when he arrives in CR and should be very popular whereever he goes (unless he runs out). You might also stock up ahead of time at one of the local stores, but again not during the weekend. And there will be a number of private parties where drinks will be available. However, many of those may already be fully booked up. I believe the one at the SL already is, but you could check with Bill.

I've seen a number of bars that cater to tourists that will discretely make booze available during elections. While your approach of stocking up is best, there are often options during this time.

[Tuna Man]

Lacsa has the only nonstop flight JFK-SJO that I know of. All AA flights stop in Miami. Newark, NJ has nonstop to SJO on Continental.

[Bandy]

.......but are there no direct flights from Europe or New York to San Jose?.....
Golf Resort Hotel - I'd prefer to stay where the real fun is, and leave the chasing of little white balls to others. Is the golf resort far from the city centre?

Piper1,

LACSA has a daily direct flight from New York (JFK) leaving around 5:15 AM and arriving San Jose (SJO) around 9:45 AM. (Flying time around 5 and a half hours). American Airlines may have a direct flight from JFK on some specific days.

Golf Resort Hotel is far from the "action" places. Places to stay near actions have been discussed extensively in the main sections. As a hotel, Del Rey is barely a two star facility, but that is the epicenter for all actions.

Bandy

[Piper1]

Hi Guys - I have the opportunity to stay in San Jose for about a week in May. Checking flight options on the net, it seems like about 36 hours travel time and a number of connections from Dubai - too long for a brief visit. I can take a direct flight from Dubai to Europe or New York - but are there no direct flights from Europe or New York to San Jose?

Also, the place I would be asked to stay is the Golf Resort Hotel - I'd prefer to stay where the real fun is, and leave the chasing of little white balls to others. Is the golf resort far from the city centre?

[Johnny Sax]

AirPanama is currently (01/17/06) offering flights between San Jose, Costa Rica and David, Panama for $99 each way. Mon, Wed, and Fri only.
http://www.turismoaereo.com/tickets/

I assume you still have to have some kind of round trip ticket, or show proof of a ticket out of the country before they will let you into Panama...?