San Jose General Reports

[BounceWithMe]

I am traveling to San Jose on business. Given its a business trip, I will not be bringing girls back to my hotel my company is paying for. Does San Jose have short time hotels? Or can anyone recommend a good MP?

Thanks

[Margaya]

Thanks a lot everyone replied eegarding my query about Rainy Season. I hope to see some highlights.

Has anyone got any recommendations for day trip tours from SJ? I prefer the ones in good quality bus that can pick me up and drop off from my hotel.

If you used any recently please don't forget to mention destination, price and duration etc. Thanks again.

[The Dirty Pirate]

Rain season isn't much of an issue until September. November, it is rather mild until then. It doesn't rain on days very regularly right now.

[Nabru]

Also be careful with asking locals for directions. It seems they don't want to look like they don't know so they will just make up directions. I downloaded a free Costa Rica map to my Garmin GPS but it didn't have the ability to give turn by turn directions. Later I had a deal that the car rental included a GPS so I copied that file to my laptop and later transferred it to my personal GPS which works much better (however it will sometimes tell you to go the wrong way down a one-way street in San Jose).

My first trip to Arenal was during the dry season and I never once saw the top of the volcano as it was always covered in clouds. I went later in October (a very rainy month) and had excellent views. I prefer to rent a 4X4 during rainy season.

[Keg]

Just do not ask the Chica the directions. They know nothing.

True, LOL.

[Sammon]

Guys.

Those of you who are in SJ around this time, is it worthwhile to take any day trips to visit volcanoes and national parks etc around these days considering it rains almost every day?

Are these trips still worth spending $$ on or should I count myself sitting in a room without a window most of time if I take a trip in next 3/4 weeks?

Generally it rains off and on at rain forest area and volcano area. Sometimes it clears up quickly. Visiting Arenal it is better to stay there atleast one night. Nice diversion is the hot springs sulphur bath.

Sometimes it maybe raining at San Jose but no rain outside.

I rent a car and have travelled length and breadth of Costa Rica. Many a time with a Chica. Just do not ask the Chica the directions. They know nothing. Just do your homework and there are few signs only but if you stop local give you directions.

[Gplayer]

I agree there are several good day trips from San Jose. Volcano tours, sport fishing, zip lining or surfing or relaxing at the beach. Jaco and Playa Hermosa beaches are easy to reach from San Jose.

Also here's a couple of ways to save a little money especially from the ever present, always irritating gringo tax. You can book these tours through your hotel and it's easy curb to curb service but you will always pay more. Just like the taxis parked in front of most hotels always charge you more but you can walk 5 more feet to the street and catch the first passing taxi (they're everywhere) and you will save money because the hotel or taxi syndicate doesn't get a kickback from a passing taxi on the street. Just the same, there are many travel day tour agencies where you can get or negotiate a better deal, if you're so inclined.

If you're interested in the beach area that's easy to reach you can head to Jaco or much nicer beach a few more minutes south, Playa Hermosa. Of course you can use an expensive shuttle or you can check on the bus schedule and pay about 10x less. Last year a couple friends and I took the bus from San Jose to the Cartago area and it was not bad bus ride at all just make sure you catch the right bus as some are direct and some make many stops. Two years ago a friend and I decided to take a taxi from Barrio Amon in San Jose to Jaco and the first taxi we hailed asked for $100 (one way) and we said no way. 1 minute later we asked another taxi driver and he said $90. $100 and we said no. 2 minutes later we stopped a 3rd taxi and we offered $50 one way to Jaco and he accepted. When we arrived in Jaco we negotiated EVERYTHING: my friend rented a scooter and I went surfing, later we both went zip lining. When we were ready to head back to San Jose we walked up to a taxi and offered $50 and he agreed but then he says no $100 so we say no thanks. We then walk ten more feet to the next cab driver and offer him $50 and he agrees, but now the first guy is willing to take $50 again, LOL, sorry no deal. The second taxi guy was such a friendly & cool guy we gave him $65. Bottom line there are lots of day tours from San Jose and virtually everything in Costa Rica and every latin american country I've ever visited is negotiable. Even some of the hotels will give you a good discount if you pay cash upfront. Hope this helps, good luck.

Good question, theres's certainly day trip activities worth pursuing outside of San Jose. A few years ago I was down close to this timeframe, and the trips were good, despite some weather issues. You can sign up for tours in the lobby of the HDR, if the weather is so bad, they tell you it's cancelled, and you can get a refund. One day I signed up for a river rafting tour, the tour bus came by and picked us up and we made the drive to the launch point, but the rain had caused the water levels to rise too high for the safety risk, so they canceled and we all loaded back on the bus and headed back to the office of the tour company. We all got our payments refunded. I will say that I did tip the tour guides because they were informative and interesting during the ride, you weren't just sitting on your butt bored, the fact that they had our safety in mind rather than just profits at our expense was reassuring. Overall, I would say that it could be hit and miss based on the rain, but it is worth the signing up for tours.

Cheers,

Keg

[Keg]

Guys.

Those of you who are in SJ around this time, is it worthwhile to take any day trips to visit volcanoes and national parks etc around these days considering it rains almost every day?

Are these trips still worth spending $$ on or should I count myself sitting in a room without a window most of time if I take a trip in next 3/4 weeks?

Good question, theres's certainly day trip activities worth pursuing outside of San Jose. A few years ago I was down close to this timeframe, and the trips were good, despite some weather issues. You can sign up for tours in the lobby of the HDR, if the weather is so bad, they tell you it's cancelled, and you can get a refund. One day I signed up for a river rafting tour, the tour bus came by and picked us up and we made the drive to the launch point, but the rain had caused the water levels to rise too high for the safety risk, so they canceled and we all loaded back on the bus and headed back to the office of the tour company. We all got our payments refunded. I will say that I did tip the tour guides because they were informative and interesting during the ride, you weren't just sitting on your butt bored, the fact that they had our safety in mind rather than just profits at our expense was reassuring. Overall, I would say that it could be hit and miss based on the rain, but it is worth the signing up for tours.

Cheers,

Keg

[Qualude]

Guys.

Those of you who are in SJ around this time, is it worthwhile to take any day trips to visit volcanoes and national parks etc around these days considering it rains almost every day?

Are these trips still worth spending $$ on or should I count myself sitting in a room without a window most of time if I take a trip in next 3/4 weeks?

I have been going to CR for about 7 years. I have been to Tamarindo, Flamingo, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Arenal and a couple of other places. Obviously it is better to go to any of these places when it's not rainy season. All of these places are nice and offer beautiful views of Costa Rica's scenery. Just keep in mind that in all likelihood you will encounter rain from now until late November or early December. When I go I have always rented a car a went with a chica. I have never traveled on the bus or paid for a tour so I cannot comment on the cost.

As far as sitting in a hotel room without a window, I don't understand the comment. There are a number of venues to hang out in in San Jose. I rarely just sit in my hotel rooms and look at the walls. For more information on other venues just scroll thru this section and you will get the info you are seeking.

[BogieMaker]

Guys.

Those of you who are in SJ around this time, is it worthwhile to take any day trips to visit volcanoes and national parks etc around these days considering it rains almost every day?

Are these trips still worth spending $$ on or should I count myself sitting in a room without a window most of time if I take a trip in next 3/4 weeks?

I would also be interested to the answer to this question. I will be in SJ over labor day weekend and plan on a volcano tour.

[Margaya]

Guys.

Those of you who are in SJ around this time, is it worthwhile to take any day trips to visit volcanoes and national parks etc around these days considering it rains almost every day?

Are these trips still worth spending $$ on or should I count myself sitting in a room without a window most of time if I take a trip in next 3/4 weeks?

[Margaya]

Flacoduro1 and Zedman99.

Thanks for your replies. I will certainly stick to meter cabs.

[Zedman99]

Guys.

What percentage of women at DR have fake boobs? 50%

And is it safe to walk on ave 1 4/5 blocks away from DR during evening, before 9 PM?

Play it safe after 9pm Take a REAL cab not the crooks outside the DR-No meter don't get in.

Just had a Tico I know got held up at gunpoint on his way to work at Santo Tomas in Barrio Amon at 8:30pm. He's ok but beware.

[FlacoDuro1]

Guys.

What percentage of women at DR have fake boobs? 50%

And is it safe to walk on ave 1 4/5 blocks away from DR during evening, before 9 PM?

One of the things to remember is don't dress like a gringo, loud shirts, gold jewelry etc, I'm one of the white haired guys, I've walked back to the Sportsman from the Del Rey, Key Largo late at night 11pm, but I don't look like a target. Cops are every where in the Parque Morozan.

Don't get drunk, carry a copy of your passport and and a copy of the entry stamp page.

[Margaya]

I walk everywhere, every day for 3 years, nothing bad has happened yet. I would say as long as you're not a white haired old timer, no offense, that is perfectly safe. Don't make yourself a target and don't look lost are the only things I go by. Definitely less than 50% have fake boobs.

thanks a lot for the info.

Cheers