San Jose General Reports

[Huacho]

I'm just wondering why I don't read much about Hotel Castillo?

Maybe because a lot of people don't like the owner. That's why I don't go there.

[Dave The Expl]

Taormina is a good option for this hobby, convenient and place is clean. If you are not a guest of the hotel, you won't be allowed in after 8:30 PM. But if you are, you can continue to party with girls till they close around midnight. I heard SL has a similar arrangement. The two are not far from each other. I believe there are other good lodging options, but you might have to pay a fee to bring a chica to your room.

Skokka is a bit tricky and need some efforts. Quality of Skokka girls also varies. In most cases, you won't see the girls until you turn up at their doors. Many girls use either fake or photoshopped pictures. So if you want to "see before buy", go to hotel bars, or go to some massage parlors who will give you a presentation.

I'm just wondering why I don't read much about Hotel Castillo?

When I was there early this summer I had a great time as it's between SL and Taormina making a walk between the two easy and good exercise outside of your hotel room. When I was there the rooms where livable and they offered an all-inclusive option for just $10 a night more, free shuttle to airport and half off COVID test if you stayed 4 or more nights. With it's large open air but covered courtyard where the chicas gather for all to enjoy. When I arrived from Jaco at around noon there where already 4-5 girls smiling and ready to chat which was a welcome change from being at the Cocal the night it got shut down for a week due to the size of the pool party.

So is it still a good option for single travelers to unwind and enjoy some of the local beauty?

[Viajando Musico]

Coming to CR for first time. Can anybody recommend some nice and safe hotels near the action that allow chicas. Looks like taomorina and SL are the top places to pick up girls rn. Has anyone had any luck with skokka? I am open to any suggestions and advice. Feel free to PM me.

Taormina is a good option for this hobby, convenient and place is clean. If you are not a guest of the hotel, you won't be allowed in after 8:30 PM. But if you are, you can continue to party with girls till they close around midnight. I heard SL has a similar arrangement. The two are not far from each other. I believe there are other good lodging options, but you might have to pay a fee to bring a chica to your room.

Skokka is a bit tricky and need some efforts. Quality of Skokka girls also varies. In most cases, you won't see the girls until you turn up at their doors. Many girls use either fake or photoshopped pictures. So if you want to "see before buy", go to hotel bars, or go to some massage parlors who will give you a presentation.

[Andhrakb]

Coming to CR for first time. Can anybody recommend some nice and safe hotels near the action that allow chicas. Looks like taomorina and SL are the top places to pick up girls rn. Has anyone had any luck with skokka? I am open to any suggestions and advice. Feel free to PM me.

[Nixonbd]

My rooms on the fifth floor, limited to only two, were very clean 2002 to 2013. I couldn't care less about dirty cards as gambling to me is a fool's errand. If they were so dirty I'd ask the dealer to change out the deck. The Rey won't re-open as the govt bought the Key Largo as a historical site.

A lot happened with the HDR between 2013 and 2020; the bar staff continued to decline, the Key Largo closed down, etc. What is important or not important to you, isn't important (or not) to everyone else.

[Paulie97]

Difference of opinion, obviously. I too stayed many times on the 4th and 5th floors of the HDR. It was a dump, but it was convenient for obvious reasons. I have also stayed in the 6th floor corner suites on several occasions; even had the "owners suite" on one occasion. My first visit to the HDR was in 2005 and it was in rapid decline year after year. The cards used in the casino were filthy, so I started going to the Colonial instead. Last, the quality of the bartenders and quality of service was terrible. The problem is, foreigners going to CR think they're going to find similar hotels that they are accustomed to, which is far from the case. I too would go back to the HDR if it were to ever reopen, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

Once there's a disagreement, especially in a monger forum where strong opinions flourish, one is liable to pull anecdotes out of their ass in order to try to get the better of it. Or some just have grumpy old guy syndrome and aren't happy unless they are complaining. My rooms on the fifth floor, limited to only two, were very clean 2002 to 2013. I couldn't care less about dirty cards as gambling to me is a fool's errand. If they were so dirty I'd ask the dealer to change out the deck. The Rey won't re-open as the govt bought the Key Largo as a historical site.

After finding Colombia in 2016 I'm no longer a CR guy, except for a short visit once a year or so for old time's sake.

P.S. I saw where Expedia gave the Taormina 3.5 stars, very generous. I'd give it 2.5 which is more consistent with the online reviews.

[Crusader560]

Sleep inn. Is a nice hotel. With very good wifi. But, the $25 guest fee adds up, LOL.

That's not exactly true. There are (were anyway) quality places to stay that could be found in Escazu. That problem with that though is that it would leave you removed far from the center of the action. The Presidente downtown wasn't bad, but then they got tired of catering to tricks and tutes, so they stopped it. I found the HDR to be clean enough when I first started going there, and I'm a stickler about that kind of thing. However, it did begin to decline over the years. For me, the bar service was fine, and I liked flirting with the cute to very hot chicas working there LOL!

[The Cane]

The problem is, foreigners going to CR think they're going to find similar hotels that they are accustomed to, which is far from the case.

That's not exactly true. There are (were anyway) quality places to stay that could be found in Escazu. That problem with that though is that it would leave you removed far from the center of the action. The Presidente downtown wasn't bad, but then they got tired of catering to tricks and tutes, so they stopped it. I found the HDR to be clean enough when I first started going there, and I'm a stickler about that kind of thing. However, it did begin to decline over the years. For me, the bar service was fine, and I liked flirting with the cute to very hot chicas working there LOL!

[Nixonbd]

The Taormina is a two star anywhere, unless you want to call a borderline shithole four star just by virtue of the country it is in. I'm not that accommodating but others may be. Regardless enjoy your time there.

I always stayed on the 5th floor of the Del Rey, at least once a year for ten years running and always found it plenty clean. In fact the maids were the big virtues, would save stuff I left behind to return to me on my next visit.

Difference of opinion, obviously. I too stayed many times on the 4th and 5th floors of the HDR. It was a dump, but it was convenient for obvious reasons. I have also stayed in the 6th floor corner suites on several occasions; even had the "owners suite" on one occasion. My first visit to the HDR was in 2005 and it was in rapid decline year after year. The cards used in the casino were filthy, so I started going to the Colonial instead. Last, the quality of the bartenders and quality of service was terrible. The problem is, foreigners going to CR think they're going to find similar hotels that they are accustomed to, which is far from the case. I too would go back to the HDR if it were to ever reopen, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

[Paulie97]

A two star hotel in the US is a four star hotel in CR. I found the Taormina to be much cleaner than the Del Rey ever was. I will go back there again.

The Taormina is a two star anywhere, unless you want to call a borderline shithole four star just by virtue of the country it is in. I'm not that accommodating but others may be. Regardless enjoy your time there.

I always stayed on the 5th floor of the Del Rey, at least once a year for ten years running and always found it plenty clean. In fact the maids were the big virtues, would save stuff I left behind to return to me on my next visit.

[Nixonbd]

The Taormina is a two star hotel anywhere, not just the USA. Someone was just lying to you, which of course isn't surprising. LOL.

A two star hotel in the US is a four star hotel in CR. I found the Taormina to be much cleaner than the Del Rey ever was. I will go back there again.

[SubComm]

Currently in San Jose and will file my trip report as soon as I get home. Can anyone recommend where to get a Covid test in Centro for the flight back to the US?

Clinica Biblica. Downtown. See attached photo.

40 usd and they will email you the results in 2-3 hrs. No appointment necessary. 10 min cab ride from gringo gulch.

[Crusader560]

I just went to the hospital to get my test. And if you are flying on American Airlines. Flying back to the states. All you need is a negative antigen test. Not, the more expensive Pcr test. Good luck.

Currently in San Jose and will file my trip report as soon as I get home. Can anyone recommend where to get a Covid test in Centro for the flight back to the US?

[Mishwar]

Currently in San Jose and will file my trip report as soon as I get home. Can anyone recommend where to get a Covid test in Centro for the flight back to the US?

[Crusader560]

Well, finally got to have a mini trip.

Stayed at hotel Santo Tomas. Not, the best hotel, but it has a lot of potential. If the owner put some money in the place it could be a real gem. I normally stay at sleep inn. But, with the curfew that I hate. I figured I would take a shot. Because it has something no other small hotel that I have ever seen. It has a swimming pool and a jacuzzi hot tub. The first night was good. Got something to eat. Then told my friend, let's go in the hot tub. The only problem is. I didn't realize the place was booked with a group of male tourist group. So, when we got in the hot tub. All of a sudden. Here come a group of 12 other guys, LOL. So, I said. You know what. I don't care. I am going to enjoy my time in here. The next night the desk guy wasn't so friendly about using the jacuzzi after dinner. Which made me a little angry because that big male group was gone. So, We just stayed in the room. The last I told him it was her birthday. And I am leaving tomorrow. So, he let us use it. It really needs updating. No refrigerator in the room, no ice machine in the place. And a common microwave in the hall. With a common freezer outside by the pool for all to use. If they made changes it would be great. But, anyway. Before my stay over friend showed up the first day. I did go by the old new fantasy. It, was okay. A few 6's & 7's. Then I went to hotel Castillo. It, looks like it wants to be the new del ray. I saw maybe 20 women sitting around near the bar. It might be something to try on another trip. Then I left to see my friend. The curfew is very annoying. If you don't get up to eat by 8 or 8:30. You might be screwed. Everything closes by 9:30. I mean ghost town. So, you better have everything you need before the place goes black. Or, you have to wait until the morning. The worst part about the trip was the covid test. I did it at the hospital, so I wouldn't have to worry at the airport. But, wow. It was rough. They stick it all the way in your head until starts to hurt a little, where your eyes start tearing. Then she does a slow six count, LOL. It was crazy. Then she does the other nostril. I left there in tears, with my nose running. It was an experience. But, after 5 minutes I was okay. I might wait until the curfew is over to go back. Being I am a night owl.