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I am new to this board and just wanted to introduce myself. I am going to be making my 15th trip to CR this monday (the 28th) for 8 days. Though this is probably a repeat for most folks, I would like to at least impart a little info I have gained in my travels.
Hotels - San Jose
Most of the time I have stayed at the Hotel Presidente and have been more than satisfied, especially since they completed the remodel and all the construction noise vanished. It sounds like they are going to start remodeling what they call the "East Wing" this April so they should have more availability in the future.
My last trip, this January, the Presidente was full so I spent 2 days at the Sportman's Lodge. To say I was impressed is a gross understatement. The hotel is an old remodeled mansion and is incredible. The entry courtyard is the perfect place to relax and watch you favorite sporting event. The room I had was immaculate (what they call a standard large) and the only drawback was that it was four steps from the bar (got a little noisy at night) and there wasn't a safe in the room (though they do have a safe to use at the front desk).
The food and the bar are great and some very cute chicas are starting to frequent the place.
The owner, Bill, is always checking to make sure things are right and the whole staff was very pleasant and attentive. This trip, I am spending my San Jose nights here.
I have also stayed at the Hotel Europa. This is a good hotel and usually has availability. Not quite up to par with the Presidente or the Sportsman's Lodge, it will definitely do if everything else is booked. It is one of the few hotels in Centro that has a pool but don't stay there for that reason as the pool and the pool area are pretty run-down.
A couple of years ago, I stayed at the Hotel La Gran Via. Pretty good location (though don't walk down to the Gulch at night), inexpensive and clean rooms and no fees.
I also spent two nights at the Best Western Downtown. Very nice hotel and swimming pool but the neighborhood is a war zone. Don't even think about wandering around there after dark.
Hotels - Jaco
The last two trips to Jaco I have stayed at the Hotel Mango Mar. This hotel is located right on the beach next to the hotel with the Casino (Cocal???). A nice view of the beach, a nice (but small) swimming pool and clean rooms with a kitchenette. Only drawbacks, no room safe (am I paranoid or what) and no real hot water (they have these electric heating gizmos on the shower heads that scare me to death). I had no problems bring back company at night but be warned that the security guard does not sign any one in so you are on your own if you get ripped off.
I have also stayed at the Hotel Poseidon. Nice rooms, American owned and very well run. They have one of the nicest bar / restaurants in Jaco and the food is first class. I don't know their policy on "company" as I didn't try.
Finally, on my first trip I stayed at the Best Western. Probably the nicest hotel in Jaco proper but is a definite family / couples experience. Outrageous fees for company and they make you feel pretty low when you try it.
Hotel - Quepos
When down in Quepos, I always stay at the Hotel Kamuk (Best Western). Great rooms, great staff, great pool. Also stumbling distance to all the downtown bars. Security checks in all guests and didn't hit me up for a fee.
Places to Go - San Jose
I'm not going to spend any time with the famous spots (BM, KL, ZB, NF, etc.). There is plenty of info here on those places. I always stop by the BM and KL but usually don't stay too long as I personally don't like the high pressure sales. ZB and NF can be great or can be quite mediocre. Just depends on who you select.
New York Bar - This is probably my favorite place to just hang out. The bartenders are cute and friendly, the crowd is more expat than tourist and the food is pretty good (the fish and chips is awesome). At 7 pm nightly they set up the bar with free drinks as they change shifts. Used to see a lot of lovelies stroll in all of the time many escaping the chaos at the BM. Miraculously, the prices also drop to between 40 and 60 when they walk through the swinging doors. Only drawback is that lately it seems that a lot of the Park Hotel girls have started hanging there and they like to apply the pressure and hustle for drinks and cigarettes.
Piano Bar - used to love that little place. It's a shame it closed.
Casablanca - went in, had a beer, wasn't impressed. Relatively expensive and the girls were all a bit on the chubby side.
Pantera Rosa - Went in there by accident and was very impressed. Pretty much a high-end Tico joint. Very cute girls and they are very friendly. Had an excellent GFE with a petite Columbiana in there. It was $100 for an hour and this is not too bad for an "onsite" at a strip club.
Molina Rojo - A lower-end Tico joint but can be quite fun. No GFEs here but if you can find a girl that excites you a half hour in the back room shouldn't exceed $40.
Club Monaco - A very low-end Tico joint. Walked in, handled the stares from the crowd, turned down sex from one of the ugliest and fattest woman I have ever seen applying the trade, chugged my beer and hit the road. I was scared to death even standing outside the club waiting for a taxi to come by.
Places to Go - Jaco
Hotel Poseidon - To have a pleasant drink or a good dinner, definitely stop by. The tuna steak is awesome. Well stocked bar with American liquor.
Tsunami Sushi - though the name may be a tad politically incorrect given recent events, this is by far the best raw fish I have ever eaten. Stick with the suhi and sashima that is made from the local catches (usually tuna or dorado). They usually have an all you can eat deal for just over twenty bucks.
For chasing women, go to these bars (in the following order)
Beatle Bar - This is an open air venue that is pretty much a regular bar with decent food. Excellent juke box and plenty of TVs to watch sporting events. At around 9 or 9:30 the chicas roll in. In about an hour they will have positioned themselves on both sides of the bar and it becomes about the closest thing to the BM as you can find outside of San Jose. The girls are somewhat aggressive and most are looking for 100 but can be talked down if the guy to girl ratio is in your favor. Things start to clear out around mid-night.
Nacho Daddy's - This is a new disco that doesn't really start to draw a crowd until around mid-night. Here you are going to find the Beatle Bar girls that either didn't hook up or are going for rounds two or three and also some locals. Whereas in the Beatle Bar you are only competing with other gringos with dollars for the girl's attention, here the young Ticos are out and trolling. The music is load and the place is definitely for a younger (20 something) crowd but you can hook up here.
Disco Central - This is the old disco. Crowd here is hit or miss since Nacho Daddys opened up. Be careful if you've had one or two too many drinks. There are a couple of TVs that hang out in there. Sober they are obvious, drunk, who knows. Late at night (2 am or so) you will definitely find available women though the quality might not be the greatest. Also beware that this seems to be the center for the drug traffic in town.
Pancho Villas - If all else fails, from 2 until sunup, you can pop into Pancho Villas, a Mexican restaurant that becomes a disco late at night. Here you will find the hard-core drunks, recently off work strippers and other girls still looking to make a buck or two before tomorrow. Do NOT go to the strip club upstairs. I went in there once and you could tell it was a scam operation as they didn't want to take cash for a drink and insisted that I open a tab. The other strip joint on the edge of town (Hollywood??) has a similar rep.
Quepos - Things to do
Gran Escape - if you get a craving for gringo food (at gringo prices) this is the place to go. Great menu and arguably the best hamburger I have had anywhere in Costa Rica (though that in itself isn't a huge recommendation). The same owner also has an adjacent Italian and a Japanese restaurant. Both are quite good.
The Beach - Just outside the Manuel Antonio Park there is a restaurant / bar called Mar y Sambra (I think). On Friday and Saturday nights this is supposedly the place all the young folks go to party in the early evening. As I am usually in Quepos mid-week, I have never been to the fiesta.
Itzamana - A strip joint just outside of Centro. It's walkable but take a cab, it's cheap. Typical strip joint atmosphere. Pretty girls, expensive drinks (for the girls). They do have nice rooms onsite that for $125 you can have an hour with the lady of your choice.
Laylas - Another strip joint farther out of town. Haven't been there and have heard mixed reports but all agree it's pretty expensive.
Mar y Blues - Right across the street from the Hotel Kamuk, this is a small, open air bar. This is the bar where you will go to find whatever vice you are in to. All of the locals seem to stop in here at least once a night.
Wacky Wandas (or Bar Central) - right next to MAr y Blues, this small bar is the only air conditioned bar I have found in Quepos. If you need a cold beer and need to escape the heat, pop on in. The girls will do the same thing but don't seem to hang here like they do at Mar y Blues.
Sargento Garcias - Just down the street from above this bar probably gets the most tourists. If you are young and good looking and want to hook up with a gringa, this is the place. If you are a bit older like me, the local girls also stroll through here.
Isis Disco - Just over the bridge into town (quite walkable) this used to be the place to go after mid night to hook up. The last couple of times I've been down there, it seems like the locals have kind of taken the place over (good for them) and it definitely has a dating / family type atmosphere. You can still find that working girl of your dreams, just be careful you aren't flirting with some young Tico's novia.
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