San Jose General Reports

[Bunda Man]

Another friend arrived today and he did just as you stated above and he got a flat rate of $25.

Funny thing is usually when I make a deal with one of the uniformed drivers standing around he would go to the window to check in anyway but I would still get the discounted flat rate fare, usually of $20. 00. CR is relatively speaking on the pricier side but there are still deals to be had if you take the time to visit the tico MPs, the sodas for meals, and if you really have time on your hands, the public bus from the airport to your hotel (I've never dared to do this one but my friends have and they ended up walking blocks to the Sportsmans with their luggage). Bunda.

[NastyBoy]

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?

Hey! Hey! Tomorrow's the big day! Party Hearty and don't forget to post your report.

[Sammon]

I just arrived at the Presidente. My friends arrived yesterday and told me the bad news after I checked in. Girls are not allowed at the Presidente! They stayed here last year and had no problems with girls. I guess they changed the rules.

I have had very good experiences staying at Presidente numerous times over the years. I remember when they had beds which move all over the floor during sex. They were not bolted down. Once they re-modelled everything went downhill for hobbyists. I do not know if they still have whirpool and sauna on top floor. Previously you need to reserve it for one hour, take a chica and enjoy.

They never bothered about girls coming in. Ofcourse if you want to bring more than one, bring one girl first wait for half hour and go and bring another girl. They would generally register all girls but they had no way of knowing when the first girl left.

Best thing is sitting at included breakfast at the restaurent and watching all the passersbye. Sometimes if I recognised a girl I had, all I had to do was nod her over. These are the girls who did not earn any money and will gladly stay with you for $30 sometimes a whole day.

[Nixonbd]

Another friend arrived today and he did just as you stated above and he got a flat rate of $25.

My last two experiences have found that the taxi's at the arrival exit are all metered and you pay the meter fare, non-negotiable. Coming back, you can negotiate any price with a local taxi. That said, in Panama, the trick is to exit the terminal, go up to where arriving passengers are being dropped off and negotiate a fare to go back to the city. Sometimes you can grab a taxi for half the normal fare (they have to go back to the city anyway, right?).

[The Watcher]

Sorry to hear about your experience. Things may have changed since April. I've never had a problem quickly finding a driver standing around in that area willing to take me for $20-25 flat. Returning home one of the drivers sitting outside the SL would always take me for the same price. Prices may be going up since April. I am going in Sept. and will post a report. Hopefully the debt ceiling issue gets worked out in time otherwise the Dollar's exchange rate is going to suffer. Bunda.

Another friend arrived today and he did just as you stated above and he got a flat rate of $25.

[Bunda Man]

I just arrived today and went to the window you suggested. I am staying at the Presidente and I was told that there was no flat rate and that the charge would be what was on the meter. He estimated that the charge would be between $25 and $28. The charge turned out to be $28.

Sorry to hear about your experience. Things may have changed since April. I've never had a problem quickly finding a driver standing around in that area willing to take me for $20-25 flat. Returning home one of the drivers sitting outside the SL would always take me for the same price. Prices may be going up since April. I am going in Sept. and will post a report. Hopefully the debt ceiling issue gets worked out in time otherwise the Dollar's exchange rate is going to suffer. Bunda.

[Nixonbd]

I just arrived at the Presidente. My friends arrived yesterday and told me the bad news after I checked in. Girls are not allowed at the Presidente! They stayed here last year and had no problems with girls. I guess they changed the rules.

That's been noted on here for some time, Watcher. At first it was whether they (working girls. Were dressed appropriately, then you "MAY" be able to get them in. However, that was not always the case, more of a crap shoot than anything else.

[ChiliMike]

Hey watcher,

A few points, for the taxi just walk out to the street and stand on the sidewalk and look. A driver will come upto you. Just say where you are going and tell them what you want to pay, I say sportmens for $20. The driver will cry but will take it. If he is cool (good driver not trying to kill us) I will give him $25. Works everytime to the point now I have guys come up to me and say ok. We go for $20

Not sure if you are a crt guy but you would of know that the pres is off the hotel list for our hobby. It started with the dress code. Then who they liked or didn't like and now to this. You need to get out of there asap. Same thing happen to me on my first trip 6 years ago staying across the street. They would let me bring in a girl but charge me $20 a shot. Day 1 my extra bill was more than my hotel. I checked out the next day.

[The Watcher]

I just arrived at the Presidente. My friends arrived yesterday and told me the bad news after I checked in. Girls are not allowed at the Presidente! They stayed here last year and had no problems with girls. I guess they changed the rules.

[The Watcher]

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.

I just arrived today and went to the window you suggested. I am staying at the Presidente and I was told that there was no flat rate and that the charge would be what was on the meter. He estimated that the charge would be between $25 and $28. The charge turned out to be $28.

[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.