Jaco / Jaco Beach

[You Can]

I guess everybody is entitled to his opinion, but you sound like a pretty negative person. What would you even post this for, who asked you? Did you think it was going to be 70 and breezy in Costa Rica? Go to Alaska, and as you put it bang some fuking eskimos.

The last time I was there I remeber sitting at the bus station in Jaco with a friend sweating my balls off and couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. Costa Rica sucks and haven't been back in 3 years! I was banging non pros too from escazu, alejuela, san jose, jaco. To name a few. The only reason I would return is to surf in Nosara. All else blows chunks.

[Stevewxly]

first, i want to thank you and sorry for the typos. i land in san jose' on a wednesday and will like to go to the beach on a friday afternoon then return from the beach back to san jose on monday morning and then leave on that wednesday.

thanks

rickydc,

here are some recommendations for you for your trip to cr:

jaco beach is the best place for action on the west coast-pacific side. there are several clubs in jaco. like the famous beatle bar, the monkey bar, etc. for action.

many of the gals who work the p4p scene in san jose will go to jaco to work for the weekend.

if you speak spanish. take the regular bus on friday morning from sj to jaco. keep your eyes peeled for p4p gals. and you can always tell them from the reg. tica's. chat them up and get yourself a date. for when you land in jaco.

another good trick. go to the colonial restaurant right in the center of jaco around 11:30-12:30 pm. lunch time. get a table right next to the sidewalk. outside patio. and you will see quite a few of the young p4p lovelies walking up and down the sidewalk. as they have nothing else to do in the early afternoon. make eye contact with one that peeks your interest. invite her for a drink. and go from there.

you can usually score some puss this way. and it should be cheaper for a nooner. than getting the same gal out of a club at night.

there are also several good hotels in jaco for you to stay in.

and i would recommend you check out the los four grandes hotel (chica friendly) with is on the premises of the beatle bar. just about 50 yards distant. nice big king sized rooms, with remote ac and tv, private bath, normally around $ 60-70. 00 a night. but the rainy season (now) should be able to get in for around $ 35. 00-40. 00.

there of course other hotels up and down the main drag. like main street. with similar type rates and such.

it is good to go to jaco for the weekend. as more folks will be there verses the week days. but any time is ok.

jaco beach is not great for swimming. they simply do not clean it up much or maintain it very well. for swimming. get transport. taxi, rent a motor scooter (for cheap) or whatever and go about 8-10 miles south of jaco (on the main highway) to a couple of the other small villages for swimming at the beach. there will be a few small bars right on the beach for a drink and snacks.

lots of good restaurants in jaco. all within walking distance.

transport from san jose.

regular bus. cheap. about $ 2-3. 00. takes about 3 hours. give or take. new highway. leave from the coca cola bus station in san jose. take a taxi. goes 3-4 times a day. keep your eye on your belongings. as they will steal you blind. if you don't watch your luggage.

other ways. a taxi will set your back about $ 80-100. 00 from sj to jaco. not recommended.

grey line. mini bus

(7-8 passengers) with ac. about $ 22-25. 00.

or interbus. same deal. and either will pick you up at your hotel and deliver you to your (choice) hotel in jaco. highly recommend this way.

you will need a prior reservation. but any hotel will make this reservation for you the previous day for free.

although i have taken the regular bus many, many times from sj to jaco and back without any problems. and again for cheap.

cheap hotel in san jose. nuevo johnson hotel. center of town. $ 10-12. 00 a night. private room with bath, double bed, color tv. fans. no air conditioning. chica friendly.

right next to the central market. marcado central. check it out. daytime only. lots of good small restaurants. called soda's to eat for cheap. and pretty good too.

upgrade hotels.

the hotel castillo, the sportsman's lodge, the la amastad hotel. you will need reservations at these hotels. all have websites.

all chica friendly, no extra fees to bring a gal for a session. and all within 8-10 blocks. walking or taxi from the center of action. the hotel del rey & blue marlin bar. and key largo night club. across the street.

ho's there will ask $ 100. 00 for an hour. you should be able to talk to the gals (with your spanish...and get some better bargains.....usually about $ 40-50.00 an hour.
and with the sagging economy everywhere...it is a buyers market now in cr.....so do not pay $ 100.00 to get laid there.
you can get it for $ 25. 00 and up in most of the massage parlors or little small bars around town. get a taxi and he will take you to lots of the mp's. or simply ask around in the del rey of other gringo. you will get some tips.

mp's - new fantasy, osasis, veronicas, bar idem, etc....ask around.....

there are several dating sites for escorts, and regular gals in cr. and i have tried but never had any success at all doing that. usually a waste of time and money.

good luck and have fun. steve

[RickyDC]

I could make some recommendations for you for areas to visit, hotel, girls, club, and such. Where do you want to go. To the beach or are you staying in San Jose. Maybe both. Give me an idea.

Steve

First, I want to thank you and sorry for the typos. I land in San Jose' on a Wednesday and will like to go to the beach on a Friday afternoon then return from the beach back to San Jose on Monday morning and then leave on that Wednesday.

Thanks

[Ticas And Chicas]

I could make some recommendations for you for areas to visit, hotel, girls, club, and such. Where do you want to go. To the beach or are you staying in San Jose. Maybe both. Give me an idea.

Steve

I too have traveled to Jaco, Cartago, Turrialba with a Tico buddy. Sure beats riding a bus. I am headed to CR next week and we plan on heading north for the first time toward Managua. Steve, please contact me via email. Not a member anymore to receive pm's. I really need some advice on Managua. I know your feelings on it, but want to check it out myself.

I was in CR 7 times last year. I am about to catch up with you Mr. Stevewxly. If you don't have my email, you can find it on my web site if you remember. Whos Your Coach.

[Stevewxly]

The last time I went to CR I was with my friend who is a Tico, I got to see a lot of CR that most people don't get a chance to see. Like all good wing-men he got married. So it look like its just me and the advice I can get here. I have a couple question. BTW I am not new to the traveling scene so I know the rules basic. But I have some questions:

1) the best beach to for ACTION and Swimming (west coast)

2) price for ACTION (don't want to drive up the prices for the next guy)

3) hotel to stay at the recommended beach

4) Best bar and club in local girl San Jose and and recommended beach (I speak Spanish with a PR accent)

5) if the is a Good dating website to meet a GF for me Trip (don't mind the GF experience)

6) and any thing else you want to share

I could make some recommendations for you for areas to visit, hotel, girls, club, and such. Where do you want to go. To the beach or are you staying in San Jose. Maybe both. Give me an idea.

Steve

[RickyDC]

The last time I went to CR I was with my friend who is a Tico, I got to see a lot of CR that most people don't get a chance to see. Like all good wing-men he got married. So it look like its just me and the advice I can get here. I have a couple question. BTW I am not new to the traveling scene so I know the rules basic. But I have some questions:

1) the best beach to for ACTION and Swimming (west coast)

2) price for ACTION (don't want to drive up the prices for the next guy)

3) hotel to stay at the recommended beach

4) Best bar and club in local girl San Jose and and recommended beach (I speak Spanish with a PR accent)

5) if the is a Good dating website to meet a GF for me Trip (don't mind the GF experience)

6) and any thing else you want to share

[Stevewxly]

The beaches just a few kilometers south of Jaco, e.g., Playa Hermosa, are quite nice, really. Having read about pollution counts and sewage runoff, I can't imagine ever swimming again in the immediate Jaco area!

I am in agreement with Mr Jetsetter about the beaches just South of Jaco. I have in the past rented a motor scooter for a few hours or the day and taken a day trip South of Jaco to a couple of the small towns with nicer beaches, and had a good beach experience there. For better swimming and all around better experience than trying to swim on Jaco Beach.

The town of Jaco still has a good vibe, but they really need to clean up the beach in Jaco. If the beach had some regular maintenance , I believe the whole town would prosper more. It's a shame that the "city fathers", & the mayor (if they actually have one) do not seem to be able to see this..........

Although the new building in Jaco the last 3-4 years has really taken off. But with the slower economy now, there are lots and lots of started ------ but still unfinished building projects in and near Jaco Beach.

Who knows if they will ever be finished.

[Mr Jetsetter]

The beaches just a few kilometers south of Jaco, e.g., Playa Hermosa, are quite nice, really. Having read about pollution counts and sewage runoff, I can't imagine ever swimming again in the immediate Jaco area!

[Redfield10]

Thanks for all the the helpful info.

Red,

I would plan my Jaco Beach trip for the weekend. Jaco is fairly quiet during the week but things get going better on the weekend. Which is to be expected at almost any beach location. Anywhere in the States or Cen. America.

Also I would try to spend at least two days and nights in Jaco to get a better feel for the place. The town is OK, the beach is nothing to write home about. Pretty views, but not as clean and well maintained as it should be. Not like we are used to when going to Daytona Beach or any of the Florida beaches.

On transport. There are several good ways to go from San Jose to Jaco and back. The regular bus leaves about 4-5 times daily from the Coca Cola terminal in SJ for Jaco. Takes about 3 hours. Give or take. New highway now. So it may be less. And costs only about $ 3. 00. The trip is OK, but watch your bags and possessions very closely. As the bus will have it's thieves just waiting to grab one of your bags or Ipod or whatever you are not watching.

When you arrive in Jaco. It is a 1/2 mile walk from the bus terminal. Straight down the main road. To the Beatle Bar / Los Four Grandes Hotel. Or you can grab a taxi for about $ 1. 50-2. 00 US.

Another way for transport is via small private air conditioned vans run by Grey Line and Interbus. The trip from SJ to Jaco or back will run you about $ 20. 00. But they will pick you up at your hotel (with a prior reservation) and drop you anywhere on the beach. At your hotel if you desire.

Taxi's will also take you. But that will set you back about $ 80-100. 00. One way. And I would not recommend it unless you had perhaps 2-3 others to share the fare.

The reg. Bus, vans, or taxi will make one short stop for refreshments and such. At one of the small soda type restaurants on the highway about midway between SJ and Jaco.

Have fun. Steve

[Stevewxly]

Thanks for the info, Steve. I have heard nothing but good things about the Dunn Inn so this is a little alarming.

Re: the Los 4 Grandes, that sounds like a good idea. Is it ok to wait until I'm there, say, on Feb. 11th and / or 2 to make the reservation since I can't find anywhere on a web site how do reserve, not can I find a contact number?

Also, since my first trip to CR is 7 days total, and I do want to spend probably at least 5 in San Jose at the Dunn Inn and participate in the "Gulch" activities. If I did go to Jaco, would you recommend one day (night) or two days (two nights)? Also, which night or nights would be best to stay in Jaco, in your opinion?

Thanks for any info. I'm a CR virgin. Much experience in Asia.

Red

Red,

I would plan my Jaco Beach trip for the weekend. Jaco is fairly quiet during the week but things get going better on the weekend. Which is to be expected at almost any beach location. Anywhere in the States or Cen. America.

Also I would try to spend at least two days and nights in Jaco to get a better feel for the place. The town is OK, the beach is nothing to write home about. Pretty views, but not as clean and well maintained as it should be. Not like we are used to when going to Daytona Beach or any of the Florida beaches.

On transport. There are several good ways to go from San Jose to Jaco and back. The regular bus leaves about 4-5 times daily from the Coca Cola terminal in SJ for Jaco. Takes about 3 hours. Give or take. New highway now. So it may be less. And costs only about $ 3. 00. The trip is OK, but watch your bags and possessions very closely. As the bus will have it's thieves just waiting to grab one of your bags or Ipod or whatever you are not watching.

When you arrive in Jaco - it is a 1/2 mile walk from the bus terminal - straight down the main road - to the Beatle Bar / Los Four Grandes Hotel...or you can grab a taxi for about $ 1.50-2.00 US.

Another way for transport is via small private air conditioned vans run by Grey Line and Interbus. The trip from SJ to Jaco or back will run you about $ 20. 00. But they will pick you up at your hotel (with a prior reservation) and drop you anywhere on the beach. At your hotel if you desire.

Taxi's will also take you. But that will set you back about $ 80-100. 00 - One way .......and I would not recommend it unless you had perhaps 2-3 others to share the fare.

The reg. bus, vans, or taxi will make one short stop for refreshments and such - at one of the small soda type restaurants on the highway about midway between SJ and Jaco

Have fun. Steve

[Redfield10]

Red,

I can help you with info on Hotel Los Four Grandes in Jaco, Beach.

It is right next to the Beatle Bar (and the other recent post says that the new greedy owner of the Beatle Bar is now charging guys 4 mil colones. About $ 8. 00 for a cover charge). As he says," screw that ". Just go down the road and go someplace else.

And the Los Four Grandes is about 50 yards from the Beatle Bar. It is a second floor only hotel, with retail shops on the bottom floor. It is up scale and usually runs about $ 75. 00 a night during the high season. But they seemingly do not have a great deal of business. So I have always gotten in for around $ 30-35. 00 a night.

Most all of the rooms are actually suites with a large master bedroom with a king bed and a great central air conditioning system with remote control, good large TV, decent bathroom. And then this room also has a small adjoining room with a double bed with a door on it. For privacy.

Two guys can easily share this large room and split the cost.

Or what I've done several times is find another fellow at the Beatle Bar or elsewhereand tell him I am at the Los 4 G. And tell him I will sublet the small room for him to take a girl up for a pop for like $ 10-to 15. 00. Which cuts down the price of my expense for the room.

I used to have a guy who hung out at the Beatle Bar. Who stayed at another hotel- down the beach somewhere. He like the convienence (sp) of taking a gal up to the Los 4 G. (my room). So he would buy my drinks for the whole night at the Beatle Bar.

I only drank Cokes. So he got off pretty cheap. But it worked out well for both of us.

I would give him my room key, and he would take a gal up to the room- do his work, then come back down to the bar. And by that time I was usually ready to go up for a pop with different gal.

If there is no one in the office of the Los 4 G. When you get there to check in. Then go into the small convience (sp) store at the bottom of the steps. The girls there most all work at the hotel, and they will set you up with a room for the night.

I recommend this hotel. . It is nice and clean, well located, well appointed, and fairly cheap if you can get the off season rate.

One other 'heads up'. I had a friend stay at the Dunn Inn last time there. He used the room safe to put his excess money and valuables in. Guess what. When he returned to his room later that night. The room safe had been cleaned out. It ruined his trip, as he lost around $ 700. 00 cash, his passport, etc.

So be very careful with doing that. After all the desk clerk has the keys to all the safes in all the rooms or the combination. If they are combo safes. And when you consider that those guys are making all of about $ 1. 00 an hour. It would be very tempting for them to clean out the room safes on a regular basis. Until they got caught!

Hope this helps you.

Steve

Oh, forgot to add. Several folks on the CRT site recommended Hotel 9. It's a cab ride away, but what do you know about this hotel?

Thanks, again!

[Redfield10]

Red,

I can help you with info on Hotel Los Four Grandes in Jaco, Beach.

It is right next to the Beatle Bar (and the other recent post says that the new greedy owner of the Beatle Bar is now charging guys 4 mil colones. About $ 8. 00 for a cover charge). As he says," screw that ". Just go down the road and go someplace else.

And the Los Four Grandes is about 50 yards from the Beatle Bar. It is a second floor only hotel, with retail shops on the bottom floor. It is up scale and usually runs about $ 75. 00 a night during the high season. But they seemingly do not have a great deal of business. So I have always gotten in for around $ 30-35. 00 a night.

Most all of the rooms are actually suites with a large master bedroom with a king bed and a great central air conditioning system with remote control, good large TV, decent bathroom. And then this room also has a small adjoining room with a double bed with a door on it. For privacy.

Two guys can easily share this large room and split the cost.

Or what I've done several times is find another fellow at the Beatle Bar or elsewhereand tell him I am at the Los 4 G. And tell him I will sublet the small room for him to take a girl up for a pop for like $ 10-to 15. 00. Which cuts down the price of my expense for the room.

I used to have a guy who hung out at the Beatle Bar. Who stayed at another hotel- down the beach somewhere. He like the convienence (sp) of taking a gal up to the Los 4 G. (my room). So he would buy my drinks for the whole night at the Beatle Bar.

I only drank Cokes. So he got off pretty cheap. But it worked out well for both of us.

I would give him my room key, and he would take a gal up to the room- do his work, then come back down to the bar. And by that time I was usually ready to go up for a pop with different gal.

If there is no one in the office of the Los 4 G. When you get there to check in. Then go into the small convience (sp) store at the bottom of the steps. The girls there most all work at the hotel, and they will set you up with a room for the night.

I recommend this hotel. . It is nice and clean, well located, well appointed, and fairly cheap if you can get the off season rate.

One other 'heads up'. I had a friend stay at the Dunn Inn last time there. He used the room safe to put his excess money and valuables in. Guess what. When he returned to his room later that night. The room safe had been cleaned out. It ruined his trip, as he lost around $ 700. 00 cash, his passport, etc.

So be very careful with doing that. After all the desk clerk has the keys to all the safes in all the rooms or the combination. If they are combo safes. And when you consider that those guys are making all of about $ 1. 00 an hour. It would be very tempting for them to clean out the room safes on a regular basis. Until they got caught!

Hope this helps you.

Steve

Thanks for the info, Steve. I have heard nothing but good things about the Dunn Inn so this is a little alarming.

Re: the Los 4 Grandes, that sounds like a good idea. Is it ok to wait until I'm there, say, on Feb. 11th and / or 2 to make the reservation since I can't find anywhere on a web site how do reserve, not can I find a contact number?

Also, since my first trip to CR is 7 days total, and I do want to spend probably at least 5 in San Jose at the Dunn Inn and participate in the "Gulch" activities. If I did go to Jaco, would you recommend one day (night) or two days (two nights)? Also, which night or nights would be best to stay in Jaco, in your opinion?

Thanks for any info. I'm a CR virgin. Much experience in Asia.

Red

[Dickhead]

I don't use hotel safes for this exact reason but a tip, if you're going to: After you set the combination, wipe off the key pad. #1 sometimes the scammer will put a bit of vaseline or whatever on the pad so as to see your fingerprints, and #2 if you yourself have oily skin it can have the same effect.

[BionicMan]

Red,

I can help you with info on Hotel Los Four Grandes in Jaco, Beach.

One other 'heads up'. I had a friend stay at the Dunn Inn last time there. He used the room safe to put his excess money and valuables in. Guess what. When he returned to his room later that night. The room safe had been cleaned out. It ruined his trip, as he lost around cash, his passport, etc.

So be very careful with doing that. After all the desk clerk has the keys to all the safes in all the rooms or the combination. If they are combo safes. And when you consider that those guys are making all of about an hour. It would be very tempting for them to clean out the room safes on a regular basis. Until they got caught!

Hope this helps you.

Steve

Did he report to police? And to hotel management?

They might be earning 0. 75€ an hour, but still it is a criminal act.

Police might suspect an hotel customer can play once (maybe to get insurance giving him some reimbursement) but it cannot happen 2. 3. Or more times with different guests.

[Stevewxly]

I will be staying at the Dunn Inn in San Jose for 7 days Feb. 9 until 16th, but am thinking about one night in Jaco at the Hotel Los 4 Grandes. However I cannot find a web site or email, etc. Can anyone help me with info? Also, I would be up for staying somewhere else there. Medium priced close to the action, etc. Well, reasonably close, etc.

Thanks,

Red

Red,

I can help you with info on Hotel Los Four Grandes in Jaco, Beach.

It is right next to the Beatle Bar (and the other recent post says that the new greedy owner of the Beatle Bar is now charging guys 4 mil colones. About $ 8. 00 for a cover charge). As he says," screw that ". Just go down the road and go someplace else.

And the Los Four Grandes is about 50 yards from the Beatle Bar. It is a second floor only hotel, with retail shops on the bottom floor. It is up scale and usually runs about $ 75. 00 a night during the high season. But they seemingly do not have a great deal of business. So I have always gotten in for around $ 30-35. 00 a night.

Most all of the rooms are actually suites with a large master bedroom with a king bed and a great central air conditioning system with remote control, good large TV, decent bathroom.....and then this room also has a small adjoining room with a double bed with a door on it - for privacy.

Two guys can easily share this large room and split the cost.
Or what I've done several times is find another fellow at the Beatle Bar or elsewhereand tell him I am at the Los 4 G. And tell him I will sublet the small room for him to take a girl up for a pop for like $ 10-to 15.00. Which cuts down the price of my expense for the room.

I used to have a guy who hung out at the Beatle Bar....... Who stayed at another hotel- down the beach somewhere. He like the convienence (sp) of taking a gal up to the Los 4 G. (my room). So he would buy my drinks for the whole night at the Beatle Bar.
I only drank Cokes. So he got off pretty cheap......But it worked out well for both of us.
I would give him my room key, and he would take a gal up to the room- do his work, then come back down to the bar....and by that time I was usually ready to go up for a pop with different gal.

If there is no one in the office of the Los 4 G. when you get there to check in. Then go into the small convience (sp) store at the bottom of the steps. The girls there most all work at the hotel, and they will set you up with a room for the night.

I recommend this hotel. .........It is nice and clean, well located, well appointed, and fairly cheap if you can get the off season rate.

One other 'heads up'...I had a friend stay at the Dunn Inn last time there.....he used the room safe to put his excess money and valuables in...guess what...when he returned to his room later that night...the room safe had been cleaned out. It ruined his trip, as he lost around $ 700.00 cash, his passport, etc.
So be very careful with doing that.....after all the desk clerk has the keys to all the safes in all the rooms or the combination ------ if they are combo safes........and when you consider that those guys are making all of about $ 1.00 an hour...it would be very tempting for them to clean out the room safes on a regular basis...until they got caught !!!!

Hope this helps you.
Steve