San Jose General Reports

[Toadtamer2]

You could try further south to Quepos or way north to Flamingo beach.

[Baqueta]

I might also add that I have smelled the weed being burned as much in Manuel Antonio as in Puerto Viejo.

[Baqueta]

I really like to go to Puerto Viejo on the Carribean side of Costa Rica in the middle of my trips.

Its about a 4 hour bus ride around $8. 00 from the terminal cariB.

There are not any places like the BB in Jaco. It is bring your own girl, unles you're a young stud with some game there are alot of Euro and American backpackers.

Hotels run the gamut from $7. 00/ night backpackers hotel (Rocking Js) to $200. Night eco hotels.

[Artisttyp]

So you aren't recommending Jaco. Ok. Here's where I'm still at a loss. How to go about spending three or four days during the middle part of my trip. How to get there, where to stay. And where to go.

I guess if a first timer asked me what do if they had 9 days to spend in Thailand I"d have some suggestions based on having been there quite a few times. And Steve gave some suggestions. But still not feeling like I have a good grasp on what I should do.

Just go, I guess. LOL.

It will be fairly easy to go to jaco or anyplace else from san jose. The pepsi cola bus terminal in downtown san jose has buses that go everywhere. For a more comfortable ride you can take a shuttle service offered through companies like greyhound. I'm sure you will see signs or an office around gringo gulch or just walking around.....your hotel concierge desk.

As far as lodging in jaco ...yes you just show up. The town is only a few blocks long. There are a few places that charge between $40/50. IMHO unless you are surfing it's worth 1 or 2 days tops. Every place I visited south of jaco was worth 1 or 2 days *tops IMHO. Unless of course you are on a nature mission or doing some kind of sports.

Read a guide book. It's all in there.

Steve gave you a good overview

[The Dirty Pirate]

So you aren't recommending Jaco

Haha, pretty much I do not recommend it. It's nicknamed "San Jose on the beach". For getting around, the bus is easy to go anywhere but if you have a bit of baggage I also do not recommend it. People get robbed of their things all the time when they use the under-the-bus compartments. Personally, I have never had an issue, but know some who have. That being said, if you need to bring a suitcase or two with, there are many bus shuttles (Interbus for example) where you can go nearly anywhere in the country for 30 - 40 one way in a van. If you do decide to bus there are basically two main terminals, the "Coca Cola station" and the "Parada de Caribe" I think most taxi's know it as. The second does all the runs to the Caribbean side. If you're looking to relax and take it easy, no chicas, Cahuita has a big national park and the Caribbean sea is nice and warm usually. If you'd like to go to the Pacific side, and don't wan't the city feel of Jaco I would recommend Playa Hermosa or anywhere on the Southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula (Montezuma, Mal Pais/Santa Teresa). Anywhere you go you'll be able to find tourist stuff.. Fishing, zip lines, ATV tours, snorkeling and more.

[Artisttyp]

I find Jaco to be dirty and full of crack heads. Not to say one can't have fun there but you can even go to neighboring Playa Hermosa and get away from a lot of the filth for a close beach run.

I was in jaco a few years ago staying at the best western of all places. They wanted to charge me $50 a guest. The friction between gringos and tourists in the town really turned me off.


Beatle Bar was cool for one or two nights but then it got old.

The best town I saw in that area was parque manuel antonio about 1 1/2 hrs south. I stopped at a few towns before that (quepos) but I was not impressed.

The country side and mountain ranges are beautiful but the only reason I am going back to CR is for san jose.

[Redfield10]

So you aren't recommending Jaco. Ok. Here's where I'm still at a loss. How to go about spending three or four days during the middle part of my trip. How to get there, where to stay. And where to go.

I guess if a first timer asked me what do if they had 9 days to spend in Thailand I"d have some suggestions based on having been there quite a few times. And Steve gave some suggestions. But still not feeling like I have a good grasp on what I should do.

Just go, I guess. LOL.

I find Jaco to be dirty and full of crack heads. Not to say one can't have fun there but you can even go to neighboring Playa Hermosa and get away from a lot of the filth for a close beach run.

[The Dirty Pirate]

I find Jaco to be dirty and full of crack heads. Not to say one can't have fun there but you can even go to neighboring Playa Hermosa and get away from a lot of the filth for a close beach run.

[Redfield10]

Thanks, Steve.

I won't be going until the end of Oct. /first part of Nov. I plan on staying for maybe 9-10 days. I appreciate the San Jose info. I think what I will tentativel (lots of time to learn more and change my mind, etc.) is to spend 2 or 3 days in San Jose (do a day trip or two around the city and close by). See the women at night, etc. And then figure out a nice beach place to go for the next 3-4 days and then spend the final 3 or so back in San Jose in case I haven't gotten my fill of women, etc.

Any input from the folks here regarding. Well, should I just go to Jaco for the three or four days in the middle of the tip and arrange this after I arrive or should I go to Jaco and then down to Quepos. Perhaps spending two days in each?

Again, I really appreciate the advice. I remember how much I benefitted from all the advice I received when I went to SE Asia the first time.

Red

I just had a PM from a first time visitor ( Redfield10) going to Costa Rica - he wanted some local info for his trip.

So I thought I would post it here for others ( Newbys) to read....maybe they will get some good pointers from it:

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

Glad to try to help you with info on CR. I have not ever met Bunda Man but have exchanged some correspondence with him over this forum.

Her goes---- For A First Timer in Costa Rica :


If I were you I would try to fly into San Jose and then would think you will want to check it out for 2-3 days then start making your side trips or day trips from SJ to other parts of the country.

I am not sure of your budget but here are my hotel recommendations for you....starting from the lowest price place and going up. You may want a budget- cheapo place for the money, or perhaps your pocketbook can stand more luxury & comfort for a higher price.

Cheap hotel - Nuevo Hotel Johnson...( 2nd Ave & 8th Street) downtown San Jose...in the heart of town.....$ 12.00 a night for a double bed room, color TV, private shower/bath, second floor - above the noise of traffic, elevator, Tico (is a local Costa Rican man...) owned and managed. Is about 10-12 blocks walk to what they call the Gulch.....close to the Hotel Del Rey area. $ About $ 2.00 by taxi to the Del Rey.

((( And you will probably find yourself going quite a bit to the Hotel Del Rey - it is ground zero for P4P gals in San Jose))))

Hotel Johnson is Chica friendly...meaning you can bring local gals back to your room-no problem. This is usually free but one of the night clerks will try to charge you $ 2-3.00 for this...pay it...and then see Johan during the day...he will probably tell the clerk that you should not be charged for this.

Manager is Johan, (Tico)and he speaks perfect Englisn- nice guy-only works days. Other clerks speak some English, Can Pay in local Colones or US dollars. This hotel is fairly clean, secure and safe for Gringos...but most of the guests will be locals (Tico's & Tica's) with a few foreign travelers.

They have a web site...but you will not need a reservation...lots of rooms - seldom fills up.

I stay here all the time and do so because I am sort of cheap and can't see spending a lot of money just to sleep and shower up.

There really aren't any medium priced hotels to my knowledge in San Jose (at least in the downtown area)

Next recommendation would be the Hotel Castillo. $ 45-50.00 a night....everything as above...but nicer digs and more comfortable. 6 blocks North from Del Rey...can walk during the daytime...taxi at night.
Web site- yes, reservations needed.

Sportsman's Lodge - 7-8 blocks from Hotel Del Rey ( 4 blocks from Hotel Castillo)....nice place with working gals on premises, nice bar, good food, rooms start at about $ 60.00 and up. Very comfortable and homey. Owner - manager - Bill - from the US...very friendly and a great host.
Web site - yes, reservations a must...usually filled up.

Hotel La Amastad- about 1 mile from Hotel Del Rey - HDR.......nice clean, up scale hotel, good bar, good restaurant - good food, about $ 50.00 and up for a room. One of my favorites.....Web site - yes, reservations - yes...can fill up quickly.

Hotel Del Rey - where you will be spending some of your time to look at and interact with all the girls. On a good night (weekend) there may be 25-30 gringos, or foreign guys around, and there will probably be upwards of 50-60 working girls there.

HDR has - Two bars, a casino, and rooms upstairs...starting at about $ 60- $ 70.00...plus they charge a $ 10.00 fee to bring a girl up to your room.....nice expensive restaurant - next door. also a night club ( Key Largo)on premises....usually has a local band for dancing.

I have never stayed at the HDR...'too rich for my blood'...but I have spent a lot of time there checking out the ladies.

The HDR ladies will ask you for $ 100.00 for a pop...but you can usually bargain them down to around $ 65-80.00....for a one hour session...either on premises ( if you are staying there in a room) , or take them to your other hotel via taxi.

Day trips....I have traveled extensively in Costa Rica...and seldom made 'day trips' from San Jose and then returned at night...when I did these trips I would go to the place and stay there for a few days.

Travel inside CR - I like to the regular buses because they are safe, cheap, and a good way to travel around CR.

There are also mini buses run by Grey Line and Interbus...more expensive...about $ 25-30.00 per trip depending upon where you are going.
But more comfy than the regular buses.......

Taxi's should be used for very local travel.....they are great if you are only going to go say less than 7-10 miles. Longer trips - take a bus.

Typical taxi ride....2-3 miles - $ 2 to 3.00: 6-7 miles - $ 4-5.00: taxi from airport to downtown...about 13-14 miles - about $ 20-23.00.

Bus from airport to downtown- about 60 cents.

Side trips -
Jaco Beach...about 2+ hours from San Jose via bus.
Jaco is a typical beach town...the beach vibe is pretty good, but the beach itself is sort of dirty and unkept. Several good P4P clubs in Jaco...main one is the Beatle Bar.

My favorite hotel here is the Los Four Grandes...big king sizes suites, for about $ 35.00 (low season---from May until Oct.)

Quepos - Manual Antonio - go thru Jaco via bus, then about another hour or a half.....perhaps about 125 miles from San Jose.
Nice small town on the Pacific Ocean known for it's good fishing. Some P4P opportunities in the local bars. Check out Whacky Wanda's Bar......

Best Western Hotel - perhaps the best in town....about $ 60.00 up....they do not encourage you to bring local girls back to the hotel. It can be done, but you have to sort of smuggle them in up the back stairs.

Nice inexpensive hotel - the Hotel Maliche....rooms from $ 20.00 and up...clean, with or without AC. Close in...right downtown in Quepos.

Manaul Antonio - small area with a National Park and perhaps the most pristine, most beautiful beach in all of Costa Rica. About 6-7 miles from Quepos.

I spent 30 days here in 2008 - housesitting a nice large home overlooking the Pacific. Had a good time, but the town is very small...not much more than a good sized village....it's a pretty place though. Quepos, CR is laid back and the living is s-l-o-w & easy there. If I were going to try to write a book, walk the beach, and to get away for awhile - this would probably be the place to go. Great place to do some fishing too.

Other places on the pacific side.....Golfito, is OK,

Dominical - nice beach, very small village, lots of young surfer dudes and young foreign girls go there.
I did not care for it...as I am too old for that scene.

Punteranas - Old banana plantation town...Northwest from San Jose. The town has seen better days since the banana business moved out and relocated somewhere else. There is a great big pier here and lots of the cruise ships stop here for the night on their way to and from ...going to Panama, South America and then back up to Mexico and San Diego.

Some P4P opportunities in a few of the local bars.

You can fish off the pier....if there are no ships tied up to it...otherwise if a ship ( cruise ship or perhaps a ship carrying bananas to the US) ----is in...no fishing.

East Coast of CR -
Limon, and old worn city...rather dirty, nothing much here of interest.

Puerto Viejo - Small village on the Atlantic Ocean.....lots of young foreign travelers...especially girls from Europe going thru here, and surfer dudes.
Some fairly nice small hotels, and good local restaurants, not my kind of place...the crowd is too young, and the streets at night are filled with the aroma of 'weed'....which must be everywhere here. Pretty beaches though, and the kind of place where I guy could 'go to get lost' for awhile.

I think I have covered some of the 'highlights" for a first time traveler to Costa Rica.

I recommend you make the trip and hope you enjoy yourself.

[Stevewxly]

I just had a PM from a first time visitor ( Redfield10) going to Costa Rica - he wanted some local info for his trip.

So I thought I would post it here for others ( Newbys) to read....maybe they will get some good pointers from it:

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

Glad to try to help you with info on CR. I have not ever met Bunda Man but have exchanged some correspondence with him over this forum.

Her goes---- For A First Timer in Costa Rica :


If I were you I would try to fly into San Jose and then would think you will want to check it out for 2-3 days then start making your side trips or day trips from SJ to other parts of the country.

I am not sure of your budget but here are my hotel recommendations for you....starting from the lowest price place and going up. You may want a budget- cheapo place for the money, or perhaps your pocketbook can stand more luxury & comfort for a higher price.

Cheap hotel - Nuevo Hotel Johnson...( 2nd Ave & 8th Street) downtown San Jose...in the heart of town.....$ 12.00 a night for a double bed room, color TV, private shower/bath, second floor - above the noise of traffic, elevator, Tico (is a local Costa Rican man...) owned and managed. Is about 10-12 blocks walk to what they call the Gulch.....close to the Hotel Del Rey area. $ About $ 2.00 by taxi to the Del Rey.

((( And you will probably find yourself going quite a bit to the Hotel Del Rey - it is ground zero for P4P gals in San Jose))))

Hotel Johnson is Chica friendly...meaning you can bring local gals back to your room-no problem. This is usually free but one of the night clerks will try to charge you $ 2-3.00 for this...pay it...and then see Johan during the day...he will probably tell the clerk that you should not be charged for this.

Manager is Johan, (Tico)and he speaks perfect Englisn- nice guy-only works days. Other clerks speak some English, Can Pay in local Colones or US dollars. This hotel is fairly clean, secure and safe for Gringos...but most of the guests will be locals (Tico's & Tica's) with a few foreign travelers.

They have a web site...but you will not need a reservation...lots of rooms - seldom fills up.

I stay here all the time and do so because I am sort of cheap and can't see spending a lot of money just to sleep and shower up.

There really aren't any medium priced hotels to my knowledge in San Jose (at least in the downtown area)

Next recommendation would be the Hotel Castillo. $ 45-50.00 a night....everything as above...but nicer digs and more comfortable. 6 blocks North from Del Rey...can walk during the daytime...taxi at night.
Web site- yes, reservations needed.

Sportsman's Lodge - 7-8 blocks from Hotel Del Rey ( 4 blocks from Hotel Castillo)....nice place with working gals on premises, nice bar, good food, rooms start at about $ 60.00 and up. Very comfortable and homey. Owner - manager - Bill - from the US...very friendly and a great host.
Web site - yes, reservations a must...usually filled up.

Hotel La Amastad- about 1 mile from Hotel Del Rey - HDR.......nice clean, up scale hotel, good bar, good restaurant - good food, about $ 50.00 and up for a room. One of my favorites.....Web site - yes, reservations - yes...can fill up quickly.

Hotel Del Rey - where you will be spending some of your time to look at and interact with all the girls. On a good night (weekend) there may be 25-30 gringos, or foreign guys around, and there will probably be upwards of 50-60 working girls there.

HDR has - Two bars, a casino, and rooms upstairs...starting at about $ 60- $ 70.00...plus they charge a $ 10.00 fee to bring a girl up to your room.....nice expensive restaurant - next door. also a night club ( Key Largo)on premises....usually has a local band for dancing.

I have never stayed at the HDR...'too rich for my blood'...but I have spent a lot of time there checking out the ladies.

The HDR ladies will ask you for $ 100.00 for a pop...but you can usually bargain them down to around $ 65-80.00....for a one hour session...either on premises ( if you are staying there in a room) , or take them to your other hotel via taxi.

Day trips....I have traveled extensively in Costa Rica...and seldom made 'day trips' from San Jose and then returned at night...when I did these trips I would go to the place and stay there for a few days.

Travel inside CR - I like to the regular buses because they are safe, cheap, and a good way to travel around CR.

There are also mini buses run by Grey Line and Interbus...more expensive...about $ 25-30.00 per trip depending upon where you are going.
But more comfy than the regular buses.......

Taxi's should be used for very local travel.....they are great if you are only going to go say less than 7-10 miles. Longer trips - take a bus.

Typical taxi ride....2-3 miles - $ 2 to 3.00: 6-7 miles - $ 4-5.00: taxi from airport to downtown...about 13-14 miles - about $ 20-23.00.

Bus from airport to downtown- about 60 cents.

Side trips -
Jaco Beach...about 2+ hours from San Jose via bus.
Jaco is a typical beach town...the beach vibe is pretty good, but the beach itself is sort of dirty and unkept. Several good P4P clubs in Jaco...main one is the Beatle Bar.

My favorite hotel here is the Los Four Grandes...big king sizes suites, for about $ 35.00 (low season---from May until Oct.)

Quepos - Manual Antonio - go thru Jaco via bus, then about another hour or a half.....perhaps about 125 miles from San Jose.
Nice small town on the Pacific Ocean known for it's good fishing. Some P4P opportunities in the local bars. Check out Whacky Wanda's Bar......

Best Western Hotel - perhaps the best in town....about $ 60.00 up....they do not encourage you to bring local girls back to the hotel. It can be done, but you have to sort of smuggle them in up the back stairs.

Nice inexpensive hotel - the Hotel Maliche....rooms from $ 20.00 and up...clean, with or without AC. Close in...right downtown in Quepos.

Manaul Antonio - small area with a National Park and perhaps the most pristine, most beautiful beach in all of Costa Rica. About 6-7 miles from Quepos.

I spent 30 days here in 2008 - housesitting a nice large home overlooking the Pacific. Had a good time, but the town is very small...not much more than a good sized village....it's a pretty place though. Quepos, CR is laid back and the living is s-l-o-w & easy there. If I were going to try to write a book, walk the beach, and to get away for awhile - this would probably be the place to go. Great place to do some fishing too.

Other places on the pacific side.....Golfito, is OK,

Dominical - nice beach, very small village, lots of young surfer dudes and young foreign girls go there.
I did not care for it...as I am too old for that scene.

Punteranas - Old banana plantation town...Northwest from San Jose. The town has seen better days since the banana business moved out and relocated somewhere else. There is a great big pier here and lots of the cruise ships stop here for the night on their way to and from ...going to Panama, South America and then back up to Mexico and San Diego.

Some P4P opportunities in a few of the local bars.

You can fish off the pier....if there are no ships tied up to it...otherwise if a ship ( cruise ship or perhaps a ship carrying bananas to the US) ----is in...no fishing.

East Coast of CR -
Limon, and old worn city...rather dirty, nothing much here of interest.

Puerto Viejo - Small village on the Atlantic Ocean.....lots of young foreign travelers...especially girls from Europe going thru here, and surfer dudes.
Some fairly nice small hotels, and good local restaurants, not my kind of place...the crowd is too young, and the streets at night are filled with the aroma of 'weed'....which must be everywhere here. Pretty beaches though, and the kind of place where I guy could 'go to get lost' for awhile.

I think I have covered some of the 'highlights" for a first time traveler to Costa Rica.

I recommend you make the trip and hope you enjoy yourself.

[Huevonn]

I will be staying in Alajuela area.

Any info on MPs here?

I sent Artysttyp a PM.

[Max Candy]

What are the top 3 places in San Jose for first time visit?

What are the rates?

Will be the Mar 22 for a week, LMK if you want a wing man.

maxC

PIX attached is me and my girls in prague

[Member #2964]

Hope this helps; Dir; 50 mtr South from Toyota, Paseo Colon, in front of Albergue San Gabriel, Edificio de dos plantas color papaya, SJ, CR
2258-7354, cell 8825-2107

[Yardbird123]

tried out a couple mps: masajes oasis, veronica massge terapeuta profesional, new fantasy, calle 6, hostel marruecos, idem, relax to name a few; the del ray, key largo, sportsman’s.

how was veronicas? i plan to make my first visit to cr in a few weeks and veronicas is on my list. i can't find any other posts about this place. any info would be appreciated.

thanks,

yb

[Playa Pavones]

Easter week in Costa Rica is typically very slow at Del Rey. If are planning on going to beach or volcano (or even renting a car), make sure you've got a reservation.