San Jose General Reports

[Dima25]

Hey guys,

Where is the best place to exchange currency.

Also I heard the duty free shop at the airport upon arrival is good from liquor is that true?

[Stevewxly]

How do I get he bus from the airport? Where near Del Rey do I catch the bus back? If from the street, what sign on the bus do I look for? Thanks. Also, can I catch a bus from the airport to Jaco?

Fudds,

Bus questions -
If you want to take the bus from the airport to downtown San Jose - no problem.

It costs less than $ 1.00 - you need to leave the airport and walk down the hill to the street. You will see a bus stop there on the street - and every bus that stops there will be going to downtown San Jose.

The airport is at the end of the line for the bus - so the buses almost all simply go there - turn around - and then go back to town. The exception would be the bus that is going on to Alajuela, or going on to Jaco Beach.....but it is difficult to spot this bus or to try to get on it from the airport - in my experience.

When taking buses - look on the front to see where it goes - there will be names there where it stops - then also ask the driver - you can simply say,
" San Jose " and if the bus goes to downtown San Jose - he will say " Si " or " Yes." Then get on that bus.

When coming into San Jose....you will be on 2nd Ave. and will go by the Hospital Mexico ( a well know landmark)....keep going for about another 4-5 blocks....you will see on your left the National Theater....next to Papa John's Pizza and Burger King ( on your left) .....keep going another 3-4 blocks......not sure what the crossing street here is...but just get off the bus after you have gone about 3 blocks past the restaurants named above.

You will then be about 4-5 blocks due South of the Del Rey Hotel. Get off the bus and began walking North. Ask anyone for El Presidente Hotel....two blocks North of 2nd Ave.....once you get there walk North another 3 blocks to the Morazon Hotel - turn right - one more block to the Del Rey.

If you want to - you can take a taxi from almost anywhere you get off the bus on 2nd Ave to the Del Rey - and it should be about 700 colones - or about $ 1.50 US.

Bus From Airport To Jaco Beach -

You will be hard pressed to catch a bus for the airport from anywhere near the Del Rey Hotel. It's not the route...

You will need to go to the bus station that has the buses going to Alajuela,- which is a town about 15-20 miles from SJ on the Airport route. This bus station is located about 1 mile from the Del Rey Hotel - and will be on or very near 2nd Ave. - you may have to take a taxi there - cost you a couple of dollars.

Then you get on the Aul bus which goes to the airport...get off at airport and walk up the hill to the airport terminal.

Bus from San Jose Airport to Jaco - somewhat difficult if not fairly impossible - I have never attempted to do this....instead you will need to travel from the airport to downtown San Jose ( and by all means take the regular bus for this from the airport....and they will all be going downtown from the airport).

Then when you get into what you think is the center of town....and it would be a good idea to get off the bus near either of the two big hospitals in downtown.....that would be a good jumping off point for you - or if you ask someone on the bus - tell them you want to get off at the Parke Nicaragua on 2nd Ave......or tell the driver you want to get off there - he should tell when you have gotten there.....also if you can remember the Talamanca Hotel on 2nd Ave...that would be a good spot to get off your airport bus.

Then you will need to make your way from there (somewhere on 2nd Ave. to the Coca Cola Bus Station - which will be over about another 7-8 blocks. If you ask for directions - ask anyone on the street - simply say - " Donde es Coca Cola Bus Terminal - Where is the Coca Cola Bus Station - they will tell you what direction to walk and how far.....one block is una block-ee - rimes with Hockey. So if they point you in a direction and tell you Ocho blockee - then go that way for 8 blocks....then ask again. Donde es Coca Cola.....there is only one Coca Cola....and it's the bus station.

Has really nothing to do with Coca Cola - except that years ago there was supposed to be a Coca Cola bottling plant there - that burned down ....at least that is the story I've heard.

The bus going to Jaco Beach will leave perhaps about every couple of hours....probably about 4-5 buses a day going to Jaco .

Hope this answers your bus questions......

Steve

[Winterbrook]

here's a thing to remember. I foolishly didn't didn't agree the price from my hotel back to the airport. Assuming it would be roughly the same as the inward journey. On arrival, the driver. Having gone all round the houses on the most indirect route, demanded some exorbitant sum. I felt I could keep arguing as I know the correct price from my inward experience. He then refused to return my bag from the trunk. I got a policeman who wasn't in the least interested and I had to pay up.

Nevertheless. I had a reasonable time there with a couple of decent shags from Del ray and various strip clubs and newspaper ads. Am an old man now after a lifetime of travelling and shagging and searching for the perfect ten. Never found. And I have to swallow 100mg of viagra. Which works wonderfully, but the after effects put me out of business for at last a day afterwards with stomach upset. Muzziness and headache etc. The price of pleasure.

[Fuddzie]

When leaveing the HDR or NYB walk down 1st ave to the next corner; stand across from the dos gringos resturant and hale a taxi. Or try to hale one on the walk down the ave. The cost to the Sportsmans bar is 510 colon'e on the MARIA {meter}.

I always try to have the correct change; I give the driver 600. Ifs its late and their is a load with multible stops 1MIL.

600 will get you to relax, eros, idem, Hotel royle dutch, club moneco. Hope you are getting the point.

The bus to the airport is 475 colon's. Less then a buck. Its fast dependable and the express buses to the airport leave every 15 min's.

Allways ask for the Maria. ITS THE LAW.

If you are hiring a car and driver for day trips $8-$10 is about right. Example SJ to Jaco 5-6 RT hours same for Punturanous. {they are both about a 2 hour drive at best depending on trafic} The driver has to get home after he drops you off. So unless you are keeping the driver and car for a day trip to the beach with that special gal.

Stay safe and think twice about walking in certain areas alone after 9PM

Pura Vida

How do I get he bus from the airport? Where near Del Rey do I catch the bus back? If from the street, what sign on the bus do I look for? Thanks. Also, can I catch a bus from the airport to Jaco?

[CultureShock]

What is this area? I've come across it a couple times on google searches for things to do in SJ (I've been there about 10 times). It says somewhere over North of the Holiday Inn? What do they have there? More importantly, is it safe?

El pueblo is not as bad as it used to be.

In the 90s it was a set of upscale resturants and bars that opened in an open mall area with sovenir and cigar shops that operated in the day. The problem is that it got out of hand a few years ago because the nightlife grew quite a bit.

Most of the problems were cleaned up a few years ago when the landlord ditched the private securiuty company and hired his own guards. They do a pretty good search for weapons at the front entrance, San Francisco night club style with seperate lines for males and females.

It's a nice place to pickup latin women, but be careful the boys usually outnumber the girls. Just move fast, be polite, make alot of offers and always be closing. Get out early, and once on the outside avoid the parked taxis and hail one on the main street.

[Lowkey1]

I will be there next week. Thanks for the heads up!

I will be in San Jose from jan 20 to 26 if you care to meet up for a beer and explore. I come alone. Not sure which hotel I am going to stay at just yet. I like the idea of Del Ray or Sportsman. But I also am intrigued by the Amistad.

[Bunda Man]

What is this area? I've come across it a couple times on google searches for things to do in SJ (I've been there about 10 times). It says somewhere over North of the Holiday Inn? What do they have there? More importantly, is it safe?

This is an area with many bars and clubs frequented by younger ticos and ticas. Short cab ride from Sportsmans. Very few if any working girls here. If you go, go with a wingman or group of guys. Don't go alone. This place in not monger friendly and a gringo will most likely stick out in the crowd. Fighting, shootings, and stabbings are not uncommon.

[Member #2964]

Do you know Central Park between ave 2 and ave 4?

standing on the walking Ave 4 with your back to the park and ave 2 between calle 6 & 8 you will see a bank. go up the stairs entering the bank turn right after going through the metal detector. You will see a sign directing you to the correct line; don't take a number or a seat.

Bring your passport and american money $26.00 If you use colones you will be assesed the higher sell rate.

You can buy this any time after entering the country and keep it with your passport in the safe.

I like haveing it filled out before getting to the airport; Its one less line to wait in and the less thing to do before leaving.

I have a picture of the bank that I will post in the near furture.

[Nixonbd]

What is this area? I've come across it a couple times on google searches for things to do in SJ (I've been there about 10 times). It says somewhere over North of the Holiday Inn? What do they have there? More importantly, is it safe?

[Nixonbd]

I just want to correct some wrong information. The cost of the bus to the airport last Tuesday was 400 colones. the ride was 24 min,s.

I am glad I had bought my exit ticket before going out to the airport. After checking in for my flight I was directed to the longest security line I have ever experianced on any trip in the last 6 years.

Plan ahead, it took over an hour to go through security.

How do you arrange that, getting your ticket in advance? I know they used to have a exit tax stand just before you got in the immigration line, is that what you're talking about?

[Mangera]

I just want to correct some wrong information. The cost of the bus to the airport last Tuesday was 400 colones. the ride was 24 min,s.

I am glad I had bought my exit ticket before going out to the airport. After checking in for my flight I was directed to the longest security line I have ever experianced on any trip in the last 6 years.

Plan ahead, it took over an hour to go through security.

I will be there next week. Thanks for the heads up!

[CultureShock]

Back in 1999 there was an old converted mansion in San Jose turned into a fun palace. Place was called "The Green Door" and run by some gringos. Anyone know what became of this place? Had a few nice group hot tub adventures there.

The green door was a business in the era of "Tony Max". It was closed, and I think Tony got out of prision recently.

New fantasy is very much like the green door, and they have a steam room and chicas for under $40.

[Member #2964]

I just want to correct some wrong information. The cost of the bus to the airport last Tuesday was 400 colones. the ride was 24 min,s.

I am glad I had bought my exit ticket before going out to the airport. After checking in for my flight I was directed to the longest security line I have ever experianced on any trip in the last 6 years.

Plan ahead, it took over an hour to go through security.

[Pops1]

Member 2964 is exactly right in his advise. I will take it further. When you exit locations like the Del Rey or Sportsman's Lodge the first thing you hear is "Taxi Sir". At this point someone will direct you to a pirate taxi that will take you where you ask. They do not have meters and the usually charge a minimum of $4 2000 colones. Even liscened cabs get in on this action and pick up tourists and fail to run the meter. Cabs will try any scam they can to rip you off. Common is the reply, I don't have change, so it is best to have low denomination bills in colones at all times (1000 and 2000). Many cab drivers do not know the location of the Sportsman's Lodge. You may need to direct them. Their business card has a map on the back. The cab drivers get a commission for taking you to certain locations. The strip clubs, Tango India, Hollywood and Elite give them finders fees for gringos. Be careful going to these locations unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money. There are better clubs to frequent. Taxis receive a commission of 5000 colones to take you to New Fantasy, a massage parlor. I am not a great fan of mps. I prefer long sessions in the luxury of a delux room in the Sportsman's Lodge, L'Amistad, Hotel M, or Hotel Little Havana. MPs are good for a quick pop or to meet girls you may want to invite out later. New Fantasy does no favors for me. I bring more clients to them than any taxi and receive no commission. I bring them there because it provides the best value to my clients. There is a steam bath, dry sauna, secure clean rooms, very good lineup of beautiful young ladies. It is full service. You have to request a massage. The cost is $45 for Gringos $30 for locals. The owner is reputed not to like Gringos. The girls receive $15 for an hour session. Some provide extra services like BBBJ without extra charge others request additional money. There are numerous other mps in San Jose but this is a great service for the money.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Barron101]

back in 1999 there was an old converted mansion in san jose turned into a fun palace. place was called "the green door" and run by some gringos. anyone know what became of this place? had a few nice group hot tub adventures there.

closed a long time ago! i went there in or around 2004 and those green gates were closed and locked. i was there a couple of times and had some of the best times in cr ever! i heard that they were letting **** girls work there and they shut them down. it was just like having a brazil therma in san jose. i wish somebody would open something like it.