San Jose General Reports

[Stevewxly]

Thanks for the taxi / transportation advice. I have another question.

Ok, I booked the standard regular room-Courtyard in the SL for four nights in Sept. (on waiting list for the fifth night. $60 a

Night with the CRT discount, I believe). However, now I'm wondering if it's going to be too noisy for me. At what time does it get quiet and when does the noise pick up again? (Does it pick up when the bar / restaurant opens up again. And when does that happen? In the morning?)

Thanks for the info. Do I have to jump to the standard deluxe room deluxe room at $100 in order to ensure a quiet time? I'm just trying to figure out how noisy it's going to be or if I should just stay somewhere else that's quieter.

Thanks for any info. I've been trying to contact the Castillo, but can't reach them. Poor customer service from that hotel. No way that should happen.

Thanks!

The 3-4 rooms on the 'courtyard' at the Sportsmans Lodge are not too noisy. But if you retire early. Don't expect to get a good rest until the courtyard closed down- at 12 Midnight. After that, the bar is shut down and everyone leaves and it is quiet.

If you can 'live with that' then you should be fairly comfortable in your room there. If not then go for one of the other rooms on the interior of the hotel. Where the noise will not be a problem.

Contact Darin the hotel manager at the Castillo. I have stayed there a number of times, and it is my favorite hotel in all of SJ. The Castillo has a website, and you should be able to book a room thru the site....they are very popular as is the Sportsman's Lodge...so reservations are pretty much mandatory at both hotels.

If you do not get into either of the above then try the La Amastad Hotel...it is only about 3-4 more blocks up from the Sportsman's Lodge is very nice and comfortable, chica friendly, and a good place to stay.

If you do not get into either of the above hotels...then try the La Amistad Hotel...it is only about 3-4 blocks on up from the Sportsmans Lodge...and is a very good place to stay...rooms run about $ 50-60.00 a night....also 100 % chica friendly to bring your gals back to your room. Search Google for the web site of La Amistad San Jose, CR.

Steve

[Mr Jetsetter]

I always catch a taxi on the departure level after exchanging money at the bank on the same level, near where you pay your departure tax. I simply offer them $20 or 10, 000 colones, and I have never been turned down.

I have used Interbus as well on a couple of trips, with mixed results. One time things went quickly and smoothly, another time we sat around the airport for over an hour waiting for a couple whose plane was late.

[Redfield10]

Thanks for the taxi / transportation advice. I have another question.

Ok, I booked the standard regular room-Courtyard in the SL for four nights in Sept. (on waiting list for the fifth night. $60 a

Night with the CRT discount, I believe). However, now I'm wondering if it's going to be too noisy for me. At what time does it get quiet and when does the noise pick up again? (Does it pick up when the bar / restaurant opens up again. And when does that happen? In the morning?)

Thanks for the info. Do I have to jump to the standard deluxe room deluxe room at $100 in order to ensure a quiet time? I'm just trying to figure out how noisy it's going to be or if I should just stay somewhere else that's quieter.

Thanks for any info. I've been trying to contact the Castillo, but can't reach them. Poor customer service from that hotel. No way that should happen.

Thanks!

[Soft Bob]

Go to the shuttlebus web site and book your ticket. They use Pay Pal so it is safe. Should cost $11:40 to $12. 50 from the airport to your hotel. The driver will wait for you at the arrivals gate. Collect your bags and walk out the door and look for a driver holding a sign with your name.

www.shuttlebus.co.cr

Taxis are between $25 to $30 now.

[Qncterra]

Red, the SL stopped arranging for pick up at the airport for a while now. I was last there in April and as far as I know this had not changed. You can get market price and a safe ride by using the window which is to the left through the last set of doors before you exit to the street. Do not stop at the taxi windows along the way since you are likely to be ripped off. You may be quoted $25US, but should be able to get them down to $20. 00 easily. Pura vida. Bunda.

Not sure if $25US is the going rate anymore. I have seen prices at the inside window continue to increase. I was here in May and they ran the meter to Hotel Morazan, (next to HDR). Cost me $30. Just returned here yesterday and when the inside taxis bombarded me (AeroPuerto Taxi, they have to charge for that prime space), I told them that I had a driver. Went outside and took one of the white shirt taxi to Morazan for $22, with no problem. Not sure about all of their crosschecks, but they put your name on a log before leaving the airport. Only drawback was i had to wait about five minutes with the driver while they bring the car around.

Weather was cloudy yesterday at midday, but started raining in the afternoon through the night. This morning was clear, but another light and steady rain now.

Good luck.

[Bunda Man]

Hi,

I just booked a room for five nights at the Sportsmen's Lodge beginning on Sept. 8 and checking out on the 13th. If anyone wants to hang out, let me know. It's only my second trip to CR, but been all over Asia. I can't recall if the SI has a pickup service from the airport or not and what it costs. Anyone know?

Thanks,

Red

Red, the SL stopped arranging for pick up at the airport for a while now. I was last there in April and as far as I know this had not changed. You can get market price and a safe ride by using the window which is to the left through the last set of doors before you exit to the street. Do not stop at the taxi windows along the way since you are likely to be ripped off. You may be quoted $25US, but should be able to get them down to $20. 00 easily. Pura vida. Bunda.

[EmilioTheGreat]

I be visit Costa Rica 7/14 for a week. I want to check out Pirate Bar. Is it worth it or stay at Del Ray better. Also I see on Pirate website that the prices include the room and the girl. How much do you tip. Iam new to the Costa rica experience.

I will be in Costa Rica on 7/16. Let me know if you want to hang out. Have you decided where you will be staying?

[Roy Mac]

Alistedmale, think it's ok to give you this info here! Know a lady dentist that trained and practiced in Florida but moved back home to San Jose to practice. Got 2 porcelain crowns for $150. 00 each March this year. PM me if you want contact info.

[Redfield10]

Hi,

I just booked a room for five nights at the Sportsmen's Lodge beginning on Sept. 8 and checking out on the 13th. If anyone wants to hang out, let me know. It's only my second trip to CR, but been all over Asia. I can't recall if the SI has a pickup service from the airport or not and what it costs. Anyone know?

Thanks,

Red

[Member #4203]

My fourth trip to SJ, looks like only a few things have changed. Love using ISG, I have mongered much of the world using only this website. Please keep it clean and useful, I have wasted alot of time reading these irrelevant posts and I'm sure those people know who they are.

Anyway, I will be there the 18th. 21st, just a little over a hour out of Miami.

I found a dentist wanted $350, offered cash and getting porcelain crowns for $300. Each! Savings pay for the trip!

I will be at the Sportsman if anyone cares to wing or have a drink.

Take Care All.

[Redfield10]

Howdy,

I just booked a flight on American Airlines for $486 from SFO to SJO through Dalls with a 1 hour 15 min. Layover on the way down and goes through Miami with a 3 hour 50 min layover on the way back. Not bad, I thought. I'd been watching for a few months and mostly the fares had been in the upper 600s.

So, anyone down there who wants to hang out during that time PM me and let's do it!

BTW, the CRT membership is a great deal and I'll be utilizing it again. I don't know what all the negative press is for regarding the card. It easily pays for itself in a few days or even in a day. Plus the CRT site is awesome for info and I met a lot of the brothers down there last time.

And paraphrasing with some liberties the words of Forrest Gump,"and that's about all I"m going to 'say" about that."

[Psychman]

I be visit Costa Rica 7/14 for a week. I want to check out Pirate Bar. Is it worth it or stay at Del Ray better. Also I see on Pirate website that the prices include the room and the girl. How much do you tip. Iam new to the Costa rica experience.

Do not only stay at the Del Rey. Try the Pirate, but also the Sportsman's for freelancers, Hotel Little Havana for a good MP, and try one or two of the mid level MPs off Paseo Colon. I don't knowhat they charge these days. But ONLY tip for out of the world service. I suggest, if you intent on tiping, telling the chica what your idea of killer servcie is, so she can work toward the tip. Mentioning the posiblity before hand provides insentive. Again, only tip if it is great.

[Z4man]

I be visit Costa Rica 7/14 for a week. I want to check out Pirate Bar. Is it worth it or stay at Del Ray better. Also I see on Pirate website that the prices include the room and the girl. How much do you tip. Iam new to the Costa rica experience.

[Psychman]

You know what CRT and this forum lack. Non gringo deals around the world.

Factually untrue. If you read the VIP reports, for example, there are dozens of reports of mongering venues and bars on Calle 6, along with many discussion of the food in Mercado Central and out of the way Sodas. Yes, most of the information is posted on the same places. Also, take a look at some of the trip reports on classes like Lima, for example. A few of us have posted a great deal of info about the Troc, which is about as ungringo as you get (I do think it has gone up to 10 bucks a session, however). Many rip reports from other countries tend to be very extensive when they are posted on CRT. But, you would have to pay to find out.

If you want to respond, stick the facts please and non- disrespectful critiques- I saw you already have a pretty extensive pissing context with someone on the Tijuana board-that type of acrimony is what often discourages the best posters.

[NastyBoy]

Hey all, I have to go back to San Jose for work in July, from the 21st through the 25th. I sent the Del Rey an email asking for the room prices for those dates. I was originally told that the rooms were $83. 00 a night for a standard room with a king or queen bed and window. This was their Green Season rate. When I sent them my credit card information and travel information they responded by telling me that they were having a special on the standard rooms for only $55. 00 a night during those dates. I called just to verify that it wasn't a joke but it was true. My room with a king / queen bed and window will be $55. 00 a night for the 4 nights I'll be there. Also, I booked a hotel transfer with Interbus and it was only $12. 50 each way. Never used them before but reviews seemed to be mostly good. Beats the $25. 00 the taxi's charge. I'll let you all know how they are when I get there.

Wielendank, vielendank.