San Jose General Reports

[Poker Man]

Thanks for the information. The presidente did not have a single room, let alone any suites we wanted. The Del Ray also didn't have many rooms (no suites), however due to the web cam access via the internet we can't tell our wives we're staying there. The SL did not have rooms and the AMON plaza is currently undergoing some trouble between the casino and hotel owners (ability to get good deals thru casino is on hold). Thus, we are left with the Holiday Inn, which I understand is nicely located although it has the $25 chica fee as does most other hotels. Was able to get 10 rooms there for $80 each, so not bad. And may get presidental suite for our HQ, but it is pricey. Obviously, we wanted better spot, but in talking to most of the hotels the nice rooms (especially suites) go 3-4 months in advance for the time we're going. Plus, we may end up closer to 12-15 rooms.

[Allover]

Your best bet is Amon Plaza. They almost always have rooms and they have a casino, tour desk, and a decent breakfast. Not up to Westin standards but definitely good. Be sure to use the link provided by Prolijo. Sportmen's and Presidente will have trouble providing as many rooms as you need.

If you walk outside the hoterl front door and look to your left and across the street, you may see a guy and a van. He speaks great English and can take you anywhere in the country--including fishing trips. I'll message you with with his name if I can find his card.

[R Brandon]

Pantera Rosa is just about directly across the street from the gas station. I have often walked up to the corner to catch an incoming taxi towards downtown on leaving many times.rbc100

[Prolijo]

it's to the left of the gas station...go no further

I seem to recall that it was actually a little bit beyond the gas station just PAST the little side street that leads to La Mansion, but the map at their website suggests otherwise, so you might be correct. Certainly I would agree that if it is a little further down the street it is not very far at all.

[Member #2964]

Pantara Rosa aka The Pink Panther. Directions and all info can be had here;
www.pantera-rosa.com. Everyone loves a picture and a map.

[Member #2666]

Its a little hard to describe but Pantera Rosa is at approximately Calle 9 and Avenida 16. Calle 9 is the street the HDR/BM is on so you head down that street crossing Avenida 2 (the main drag through town) and go approximately 6 blocks until you get to a fork in the road. That's why I'm not sure if its on Calle 9 exactly or not. But there will be a gas station at the fork and you stay on the main drag and go to the left. There will be a little side street part way down on the left (Avenida 16?), which BTW is the way you go to get to La Mansion MP. Anyway, Pantera Rosa will be a little bit past that also on your left. If you get to the park you've gone too far.

it's to the left of the gas station...go no further

[Prolijo]

Pokerman,
I don't know for certain and you should definitely check for yourself, but it wouldn't surprise me if you run into a little trouble trying to find 8-10 seperate rooms for a bunch of guys at the few more popular "girl-friendly" hotels that are close to the Gulch this close to your departure date.

Thunderpants is obviously one of the many diehard fans of the SL, and it IS indeed a fine place to go if you want to be in a hotel that caters to the mongering crowd. But I think he overstates some of its advantages. Just about any hotel you'd stay at (certainly those of the "Westin" class or better) would be more than happy to help you arrange your tours and transportation. The SL is also well located but it is more like 4 long diagonal blocks to the HDR/BM across parks and streets that you might not want to walk after dark and it more like 2-3 blocks to NF and 5 to ZB, still very close but not as close as TP made out. Finally, the SL is an exceedingly popular place and is often sold out, even at the tail end of the peak season when you'll be going, as the indoor sport of mongering is much more of a year-round event than traditional eco-touring.

Like I said, if you can get 8-10 of the newer rooms at the relatively small SL in May, go for it. However, I think if the Ramada is not up to your standards, then the you probably won't be satisfied with the older rooms at the SL either. If you can't get 8 of the better rooms there, you might consider putting some of your crew up just around the corner at the nearby Hotel Castillo, only about 1.5 blocks away. There are some other nice girl-friendly hotels in the same general neighborhood including the Casa Vino, Inca Real, Dunn Inn and the Clarion Amon Plaza. Since these places do not serve as exclusively a monger crowd you might have better luck finding vacancies especially at the Amon which has more rooms overall than the others and often has a lot of vacancies. In fact, I think they may be pretty hard up trying to fill the place and if you book through their casino you can get a substantial discount over their usual rates and also avoid any chica fees (http://www.casino-paradiso.com/acco.htm.

[ThunderPants]

I am planning a trip for about 8-10 guys (bachelor party) in May to stay in San Jose. I've been reading through the board and have been able to obtain some great information. I'm still not sure where we should stay. It seems like the Hotel Presidente is the best bet if you can appease the security guard to lax the rules. Can someone recommend whether this is the best place to stay? Definitely looking for something nicer rather than trying to save money (e.g., in the US, prefer the Westin over the Ramada Inn). Also need a girl friendly hotel.

We also want to go whitewater rafting one day, and hire a boat to go deep sea fishing another day. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Try Sportsmen lodge older rooms okay new rooms equal Westin staff can arrange rafting, deep sea fishing and there are reliable drivers with new vans to travel with 8 people, plus entertainment available on site or 3 block walk to Del 'Ray/Blue Marlin and the gulch 1 block on same street to New Fantasy 2 blocks on same street to Zona Blue.













del Ray

[Kid Brooklyn]

I have no clue what the "address" or cross-streets are for Pantera Rosa. I just take a taxi and I have never encountered a driver who didn't know where it is.

If you get a driver that says he doesn't know it, he probably does but wants to take you somewhere where he'll get a gringo commission.

Ask the cabbie before you get in and if he says he doesn't know --> NEXT!

[Poker Man]

I am planning a trip for about 8-10 guys (bachelor party) in May to stay in San Jose. I've been reading through the board and have been able to obtain some great information. I'm still not sure where we should stay. It seems like the Hotel Presidente is the best bet if you can appease the security guard to lax the rules. Can someone recommend whether this is the best place to stay? Definitely looking for something nicer rather than trying to save money (e.g., in the US, prefer the Westin over the Ramada Inn). Also need a girl friendly hotel.

We also want to go whitewater rafting one day, and hire a boat to go deep sea fishing another day. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

[Prolijo]

There are actually 2 Machu Pichu Restaurants and, surprisingly, there are also many taxistas who don't seem to know where even some of the most popular restaurants are located even though they're in the business of driving around many of the tourists (and locals) that go to them.

The taxista or tico landmark in that area that is most commonly used is the KFC on Paseo Colon. I've also had taxistas that don't even seem to understand KFC or kay efay say, so you might also need to call it Pollo de Kentucky (I swear it sometimes seems that you have to pass a dumbness test to become an SJ cabbie). This may not seem to make much sense either since there are scores of KFC's around town too, but this KFC is really a commonly referred to local landmark.

The complete directions are "cientos y cincuenta metros de norte del KFC (or Pollo de Kentucky) en Paseo Colon" or a block and a half north of the KFC (on the left). You might also need to look for a doorway with a security guy out front since the place doesn't have any sign and you could be staring right at it and not know it. I usually just get out when I see Colonel Sanders sitting on a bench and walk the rest of the way.

[Dodger Bulldog]

I've read a lot here about Oasis but (maybe I'm wrong) I can't find info how I can find this MP. Because I'll be in SJO within some weeks maybe somebody could help me?

Thanks!

Ask the taxista to take you to the Machu Pichu Restaurant. Oasis is across the street.

DB

[Erik2003]

I've read a lot here about Oasis but (maybe I'm wrong) I can't find info how I can find this MP. Because I'll be in SJO within some weeks maybe somebody could help me?

Thanks!

[Prolijo]

Can you post the address, directions or cross streets for the club that U recommend?

Its a little hard to describe but Pantera Rosa is at approximately Calle 9 and Avenida 16. Calle 9 is the street the HDR/BM is on so you head down that street crossing Avenida 2 (the main drag through town) and go approximately 6 blocks until you get to a fork in the road. That's why I'm not sure if its on Calle 9 exactly or not. But there will be a gas station at the fork and you stay on the main drag and go to the left. There will be a little side street part way down on the left (Avenida 16?), which BTW is the way you go to get to La Mansion MP. Anyway, Pantera Rosa will be a little bit past that also on your left. If you get to the park you've gone too far.

[ThunderPants]

Looking at 161 girls and saw this.....

$400(全套Combo)
$500(全套Combo+舒服保健)

What does it mean?

Thanks!!!

You're much better off just using the sex 141 site... there's an English version.

If you just hop on babelfish... this is what you get:

全套 = Complete set = Quan2 Tao4. Basically means "full service" if I translate the slang.

舒服保健 = Comfortable health care. I'm not familiar with this slang. But I guess that it's supposed to convey a sense of safety.