San Jose General Reports

[Mellowg]

You can also usually pay the exit tax directly at the upper range (gringos) or tourist specific hotels. Ask the front desk.

Enjoy

Mellow

The bank I buy my exit ticket at is Banco Credito / Bancredito

Ave 4 between calle 6 & 8. Central Park is in front of the bank.
This is no more the a 10 min walk (if that) from the el Ray.

Save money by using USD. you will pay more then $26.00 using Colone's

[Stevewxly]

Hate being a nitpick but just would like to correct the pronunciation here. Sorry. The correct spelling for block is bloque and should be pronounced block-eh, not the ee sound as in hockey!

Cheers!

Thanks for the correction on my limited Spanish pronunciation & spelling skills.

I am far from being fluent in Spanish - but I still think I got the message across.

Now a question for you Captain Bc - Approx. how far is it in bloques - from the Del Rey Hotel to the Royal Dutch Casino ( in San Jose), and what's the best way to get there - taxi, bus or by walking ?

[Mr Jetsetter]

Personally, I don't understand why everybody raves about CR. Really most of the chicas I see at HDR and Key Largo are overweight, old and or ugly. Yes there are diamonds in the rough but then there are diamonds everywhere else too. Then there is the insecurity around HDR and in the area. SL is nice but when I was there a few weeks back there were almost no girls or customers and the ones that were there just looked like they came out of HDR. In fact, I saw them there later in the evening. Same experience at Little Havana or the massage place across the street.

In conclusion my personal and limited experience of CR, where I have had about a dozen chicas, is that it is not as good as other mongering places in Latin America or Asia. Granted it is convenient and the flights from the US are cheap and you can find chicas easily, but that is about it.

But it is all personal preference, I was talking to a guy at SL who was telling me he thought the chicas there looked great, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. By the way, really liked hotel La Amistad (There were 5 Cialis and 3 Levitra samples in a drawer) and really disliked Lifestlyle superfine condoms which I bought in a pharmacy near the Balmoral, 2 out of 6 broke.

Just a couple of comments.

Trust me, "everybody" doesn't "rave" about Costa Rica -- you are a prime example, along with a bunch of others. Even fans like myself (I've been a dozen times or so) generally consider it a solid to good mongering option that can't begin to compare to such spots as Rio, Buenos Aires, Bangkok/Pattaya, etc. Like you said, it is an easy and convenient and relatively cheap destination. Having said that, many mongers like myself who travel to Costa Rica repeatedly manage over time to learn the lay of the land and to develop a network of lady friends. I have been lucky enough to meet and spend time with a handful of very classy and attractive ladies who would rank highly on most anybody's scale. My current favorita could pass for a fashion model. She is educated, owns her own car, does photography and web design for an advertising agency.

I'm sorry you found the Sportsmens Lodge to be so slow and uninspiring. Bad timing, I guess. I have generally had pretty good luck there, probably pulling a couple dozen or so ladies out of there over the last 4 years. You can show up at 5pm say, and things are pretty slow. A couple of beers later, the place is loaded with options. The same goes for the Del Rey & Key Largo. The talent pool can shrink or expand in a minute. Even in San Jose, a little persistence can really pay off.

IMO, Hotel Little Havana has really gone downhill. The management has done a very thorough job of sucking all of the fun out of the place. Unlike the old days, the hotties don't work there for very long. In this case, maybe I'm the victim of bad timing, but I have only sessioned there once in the last year or so, out of a dozen or so visits. I've had MUCH better luck at Bar Idem, even though it is somewhat overpriced.

Oh well, starting to ramble. Time for another glass of vino...

[Captain Bc]

one block is una block-ee. Rimes with Hockey.

Hate being a nitpick but just would like to correct the pronunciation here. Sorry. The correct spelling for block is bloque and should be pronounced block-eh, not the ee sound as in hockey!

Cheers!

[LatinaLover#1]

I think you can pay the tax at pretty much any national bank in Costa Rica. I always use the bank right accross the street from the Morazon, a 30 second walk from the Del Rey.

The bank I buy my exit ticket at is Banco Credito / Bancredito

Ave 4 between calle 6 & 8. Central Park is in front of the bank.

This is no more the a 10 min walk (if that) from the el Ray.

Save money by using USD. you will pay more then $26.00 using Colone's

[Nixonbd]

Personally, I don't understand why everybody raves about CR. Really most of the chicas I see at HDR and Key Largo are overweight, old and or ugly. Yes there are diamonds in the rough but then there are diamonds everywhere else too. Then there is the insecurity around HDR and in the area. SL is nice but when I was there a few weeks back there were almost no girls or customers and the ones that were there just looked like they came out of HDR. In fact, I saw them there later in the evening. Same experience at Little Havana or the massage place across the street.

In conclusion my personal and limited experience of CR, where I have had about a dozen chicas, is that it is not as good as other mongering places in Latin America or Asia. Granted it is convenient and the flights from the US are cheap and you can find chicas easily, but that is about it.

But it is all personal preference, I was talking to a guy at SL who was telling me he thought the chicas there looked great, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. By the way, really liked hotel La Amistad (There were 5 Cialis and 3 Levitra samples in a drawer) and really disliked Lifestlyle superfine condoms which I bought in a pharmacy near the Balmoral, 2 out of 6 broke.

One of the unique traits about the BM and KL, and to some extent the SL (I've presonally never been) is that you get a smorgassboard of girls in one locale. All sizes, shapes and textures. If you can't get laid there, you didn't bring enough money, lol. Last time I stayed at the DR, I only set foot outside the hotel to cross the street to KL and/or walk down the street to Chubbs sports bar. I didn't have to take a cab anywhere. When I first started going to CR about seven years ago, the majority of the girls were from CR. Now you have a wide variety of nationalities that bring their own personal traits from their respective countries. What's not to like about that? In addition, it used to be that during the day it was just dogs out before 5 pm. Now the daytime talent is actually pretty nice, if you're looking for an afternoon pop. I too have been to the Dominican Republic and Panama many times. There are no real places that operate under one roof with the talent that SJ had to offer. In addition, you pretty much have to take taxis to get to the hot spots in those countries. One of my friends swears by Panama, I say CR, hands down for my likes.

[Fuddzie]

Personally, I don't understand why everybody raves about CR. Really most of the chicas I see at HDR and Key Largo are overweight, old and or ugly. Yes there are diamonds in the rough but then there are diamonds everywhere else too..

I have a history of mondering in a few Mexican cities, both tourist traps and off the beaten trails. This past year, I made several trips to the Dom. Rep to sample the fruits. The Dom Rep and Mex and venue in San Jose are apples, oranges and pears. On many fronts. I feel much safer in in San Jose...Del Rey etc., the girls are cleaner and better educated and refined. As for looks...yes in the eye of the monger, however there is a larger pool of girls who fall into the same physical presentation than in Dom. Rep. or Mex. In closing,a monger shouldn't go to McDonalds expecting eggrolls and wonton.

[J Europe]

Personally, I don't understand why everybody raves about CR. Really most of the chicas I see at HDR and Key Largo are overweight, old and or ugly. Yes there are diamonds in the rough but then there are diamonds everywhere else too. Then there is the insecurity around HDR and in the area. SL is nice but when I was there a few weeks back there were almost no girls or customers and the ones that were there just looked like they came out of HDR. In fact, I saw them there later in the evening. Same experience at Little Havana or the massage place across the street.

In conclusion my personal and limited experience of CR, where I have had about a dozen chicas, is that it is not as good as other mongering places in Latin America or Asia. Granted it is convenient and the flights from the US are cheap and you can find chicas easily, but that is about it.

But it is all personal preference, I was talking to a guy at SL who was telling me he thought the chicas there looked great, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. By the way, really liked hotel La Amistad (There were 5 Cialis and 3 Levitra samples in a drawer) and really disliked Lifestlyle superfine condoms which I bought in a pharmacy near the Balmoral, 2 out of 6 broke.

While I do think you are spot on with your assessment of a large percent of chicas, we mongers can only blame ourselves for pretty much shagging anything that moves (in some cases).

In order to experience the true "essence" of San Jose you have going to have to get out of the "Gluth" or tourist zone and live a bit.

For you mongers that say "What about safety when you leave the zone? " What about robbery or murder or kidnapping?

I say relax. YOU are not that important.

[Mahal]

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.

If you pay the airport tax with a US credit card it is considered a cash withdrawal by your bank and you pay all kinds of fees, always pay cash.

[Mahal]

Personally, I don't understand why everybody raves about CR. Really most of the chicas I see at HDR and Key Largo are overweight, old and or ugly. Yes there are diamonds in the rough but then there are diamonds everywhere else too. Then there is the insecurity around HDR and in the area. SL is nice but when I was there a few weeks back there were almost no girls or customers and the ones that were there just looked like they came out of HDR. In fact, I saw them there later in the evening. Same experience at Little Havana or the massage place across the street.

In conclusion my personal and limited experience of CR, where I have had about a dozen chicas, is that it is not as good as other mongering places in Latin America or Asia. Granted it is convenient and the flights from the US are cheap and you can find chicas easily, but that is about it.

But it is all personal preference, I was talking to a guy at SL who was telling me he thought the chicas there looked great, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. By the way, really liked hotel La Amistad (There were 5 Cialis and 3 Levitra samples in a drawer) and really disliked Lifestlyle superfine condoms which I bought in a pharmacy near the Balmoral, 2 out of 6 broke.

[Member #2964]

The bank I buy my exit ticket at is Banco Credito / Bancredito

Ave 4 between calle 6 & 8. Central Park is in front of the bank.
This is no more the a 10 min walk (if that) from the el Ray.

Save money by using USD. you will pay more then $26.00 using Colone's

[Member #2964]

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?

When you reach the guys asking if you want a taxi as you exit; turn left and walk against the traffic; when you reach the main road turn right you can see the bus stop. and cross the street ; walk about 100 feet and you will see the benches in front of the airports parking garage that is the bus stop. There is a bus manager at this stop. Ask him or anyone waiting for a bus for the direct bus into SJ. I like the red R.A.S.C.A bus the best it is cleaner and faster. All the buses stop at this point to pick up or drop off.

Fuddzie, If you WALK down Central Ave going past the clock and Calle 4, 6,8,10 you make the last left before Paseo Colon, .; you can see it directly in front of you. you will be walking against the traffic as this is a one way street; The Bus station is in the middle of the block on the right. stay to your right and walk down past the soda till you see a sign that says DIRECT, the bus is red R.A.S.C.A is the name and you want the direct bus. This is the bus to Alajuala and its first stop will be the airport. Be alert as you near the airpot as the last driver I had a week ago called out to see if anyone was getting off at the airport. There is a porter to load your bags under the bus and when you get to the airport another bus stop tender to unload your bags. walk up the ramp to the departure area.

When leaving from the airport always ask for the R.A.S.C.A. DIRECT bus back to SJ. The bus will come down 2nd Ave and the station is across the Ave from Parke Nicaragua on 2nd Ave......Taxis are everywhere around the bus station and you should not pay more then 510 for the ride to the Ray; anyway less then a mil for the Ray or Sportsmans. depending on the time of day and traffic. Always make sure the Maria is on. and always make sure you get a taxi on 2nd AveIf you are staying at the Royle Dutch it is only a 4 block walk east, up 2nd Ave. Stay on the right hand side of the Ave.

Pura Vida

[Fuddzie]

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

Steve! Thanks again for the info. My Spanish is good so If I ask I should have any problems. Money ant time are the trade offs with the busses.

[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