General Info

[Toadtamer2]

TACA is my favorite. They got the best food and the best looking stewardesses IMO.

[Redfield10]

Yes, I've RTFF, but stl want to ask advice on where to stay and go given:

1. I will be flying from SFO to Costa Rica for the first time. (experienced in many other Asian countries) for about 7-9 days in the late October/early Nov. Timeframe.

2. I'd like a mix of mongering and touristy things. Touristy by day. Girl at night.

3. Decent, mid priced hotel. Safe. Can travel some but if day trips will do the trick for a first timer, that's fine.

4. Should I just stauat the Del Rey or go somewhere cheaper and hit the DR at night?

5. Thanks for any big or small picture tips you can give.

I check for flights on trip advisor. www.Tripadvisor.com

The cheapest and most conveint flights from SFO are on Frontier airlines. Around $540. I have not flown on TACA but am tempted to try them.

The plus on TACA is that you get to San Jose in the early morning and the total flying time is about 8 hours with a stop in San Salvador. Returning is a little longer but you go through customs only when you get back to SFO.

The negatives are you get to SFO at midnight and the fare is around $620.

Continental used to have good flights through Houston but now they seem to have flights that all arrive in San Jose at night. Cost around $640 too.

I like to arrive in SJ in the day time with a return flight leaving around noon and getting to SFO by 10 pm at the latest so I can catch a BART ride home.

Best to get there in the day especially as a first timer.

[Soft Bob]

There are no direct flights from SFO to San Jose. Frontier Airlines has the best price at present.

TACA is the quickest and you do not have to go theough customs till you return to SFO. The drawback is you get back SFO at midnight.

I have not used this airline though.

Try to book a flight that gets you to San Jose in the day time especially on your first visit.

I liked Continental but they are now more expensive than both Frontier and TACA.

[Qncterra]

Redfield,
If TACA has a direct flight, it's probably a good bet. I haven't flown them in years, because I like the FF miles with AA. With timing I've gotten some good prices with AA out of Florida, and a handful of free trips, too.
It's probably just me, but it's never Del rey after my first trip some 12 years ago. I made it simple during that trip by staying there, but there are several options if you are going with a friend. Good luck.

[Soft Bob]

I check for flights on trip advisor. www.Tripadvisor.com

The cheapest and most conveint flights from SFO are on Frontier airlines. Around $540. I have not flown on TACA but am tempted to try them.

The plus on TACA is that you get to San Jose in the early morning and the total flying time is about 8 hours with a stop in San Salvador. Returning is a little longer but you go through customs only when you get back to SFO.

The negatives are you get to SFO at midnight and the fare is around $620.

Continental used to have good flights through Houston but now they seem to have flights that all arrive in San Jose at night. Cost around $640 too.

I like to arrive in SJ in the day time with a return flight leaving around noon and getting to SFO by 10 pm at the latest so I can catch a BART ride home.

Best to get there in the day especially as a first timer.

[Redfield10]

Hi,

I'm contemplating a "first time" trip to Costa Rica. Would probably use San Jose as a base. Want to both see women and also do tourist stuff. I'd probably spend about a week to 10 days.

Is TACA Air generally the best way to fly into Costa Rica from SFO? Thanks in advance. I did a search on mobissimo, expedia, etc. But figure some of you veterans know the bigger picture.

I also see the debates about where to stay. I'll save that for another thread and day. I guess it's "to Del Rey" or to "not Del Rey? ".

Thanks for any info.

[CultureShock]

I wonder what the locals thing of HD Youtube videos being made of the working girls coming and going from the Hotel Del rey and inside places like the Key Largo and some of the strip clubs.

http://www.**************.info/

This page is like a collection of these videos and they stole the CRT name.

Whats next?

[Mr Jetsetter]

i'm traveling to costa rica sometime this spring, probably may. plan to visit many of the pensions and will report my experiences.

i have two questions:

1. where is the best place to buy cuban cigars in san jose? i've heard there are lots of fake cubans. i'm guessing some of the folks in this forum are cigar lovers.

2. how do i make sure the girl of the proper age? i like younger girls, but absolutely, positively do not want to hook up with an **** girl. i've read that some of the pensions don't check the girl's age and the monger can get in big trouble. is there some sort of official picture id?

thanks in advance. i will repay with full reports and pictures.

yb

i'm no cigar expert, but, hey, why not check out the hotel little havana? they have a whole room full of cigars, and you might even enjoy some of their other "offerings!"

[Nick]

The Hotel Del Rey used to sell a Puros del Rey cigar. i believe it was called the El Duke. it was a smooth smoke.

[Nick]

I used to buy cigars at Cigars Shop,Diana's Inn,5th Street,3rd Ave.,it is at the corner of Parque Morazan. (506) 257-5021. it is a short distance from Key largo. Nick

[Stevewxly]

i'm traveling to costa rica sometime this spring, probably may. plan to visit many of the pensions and will report my experiences.

i have two questions:

1. where is the best place to buy cuban cigars in san jose? i've heard there are lots of fake cubans. i'm guessing some of the folks in this forum are cigar lovers.

2. how do i make sure the girl of the proper age? i like younger girls, but absolutely, positively do not want to hook up with an **** girl. i've read that some of the pensions don't check the girl's age and the monger can get in big trouble. is there some sort of official picture id?

thanks in advance. i will repay with full reports and pictures.

yb

most all the reported cuban cigars sold on the street by touts are counterfeit...well all of them...beware of that scam. the cigars look fairly good, the boxes look good...even the "official seals" on the boxes could pass...but those cigars are made locally and are bogus...not real cubans.

there is a good little cigar store that is about 1 block north from the el presidente hotel..half way between the pres. and the morazon hotel..same street. the have a good selection of genuine cuban cigars. plus they also have some very good cigars made in cr or other central american countries, which are almost as good as the cubans but less in price.

the cubans are high...but i guess you get what you pay for with that.

on the proper age for the girls...it is 18 years....you won't have to worry too much about that if you stick with the regular places like - hotel del rey, sportsmans lodge, or most of the larger massage parlors....as they all check the girls cedula (credentials) when she enters their establishment.

if you pickup a streetwalker - then that is where you would need to be concerned with getting an ****d girl or perhaps at any of the small bars where girls work out of - all over the city of san jose...be careful there.

regular working girls will have a cedula, and most of them would or could show it to you....many may not want to do that...as they want their privacy protected...but they have them.

non-pros or younger girls just starting out....may not yet have a cedula (hope i've spelled that correctly).

in general it is not a big problem in costa rica though.......

enjoy - steve

[Yardbird123]

i'm traveling to costa rica sometime this spring, probably may. plan to visit many of the pensions and will report my experiences.

i have two questions:

1. where is the best place to buy cuban cigars in san jose? i've heard there are lots of fake cubans. i'm guessing some of the folks in this forum are cigar lovers.

2. how do i make sure the girl of the proper age? i like younger girls, but absolutely, positively do not want to hook up with an **** girl. i've read that some of the pensions don't check the girl's age and the monger can get in big trouble. is there some sort of official picture id?

thanks in advance. i will repay with full reports and pictures.

yb

[Armorer]

It has been about 4 years since i was in CR. I see much has changed and stayed the same.
Was looking for a little info on 2 ladies .
1. Natasha, the former HDR bartender. heard she was let go. Any one with a little info could you drop me a line.
2. Valeria, Little thick blond ruski who would be around HDR, like Chiva's.
All the info i have for them is 4 years old. A little help brothers.
Thanks

[Stevewxly]

Stayed there last month. $60 nite including taxes. Very clean, great staff and 3 min walk from Del Rey.

Again.......for $ 60.00 a night range - I would opt for the Hotel Castillo ( $ 50.00 for CASH) or Sportsmans Lodge- starting at $ 60.00....both way better than the Morizon Hotel in my opinion. Or perhaps the Dunn Inn Hotel - around $ 40.00.

(( 7-8 months ago the special rate for cash at the Morizon Hotel was around $ 35.00 a night - but then they remodeled the casino, moved the restaurant up to the second floor, raised prices about double for the food in the restaurant and raised rates for the hotel about 40 %. The only good deal left at the Morizon is the Lunch Buffet special for about $ 3.00 - but it has probably gone up by now too. ))

Another hotel choice a little farther out would the Royal Dutch Hotel and Casino.
It is on 2nd Ave. around the Central Market - Marcado Central - about a $ 2.50 taxi ride from the Del Rey....or if walking - about 8-10 blocks.

Their regular rates are about $ 49.00 a night....but if you will get there in the afternoon or early evening and talk to one of the guys at the desk - they will give you a $ 40.00 a night special price for CASH.

If you talk to the young lady desk clerk - she will quote you a $ 50- 60.00 price range. She will not tell you about the special CASH price....like the guys will.

...........................

Has anyone stayed at the Morazon Hotel & Casio.

How are the rooms and the place in general is it clean?

[Fuddzie]

Has anyone stayed at the Morazon Hotel & Casio.

How are the rooms and the place in general is it clean?

Stayed there last month. $60 nite including taxes. Very clean, great staff and 3 min walk from Del Rey.