www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have done some research here and it all sounds great. I am planning my first trip to CR with one of my friends. We will both be newbies but can't wait to go. Our plans are to fly into SJO then go to Jaco for 4 days, then end our trip with 4 days in San Jose. Our hotel in Jaco is the Copa and we are staying at the Del Rey in San Jose. My question is this. Many of you have a wealth of experience, things you have learned along the way both good and bad. If you can plan the perfect trip, what would it be and where would you go based on our plans and your experience? It would be awesome to follow an experts advice on the perfect trip. Lets hear what you got.

My "perfect trip" is staying in the gulch in San Jose the entire time, but that's just me..........YMMV.

Zebra

Don't make plans, go with the flow. Get the maps and hit the MPs and strip clubs. In CR anything can happen and usually does. Personally I'd plan much less time in Jaco (maybe 2 days) and more in SJO but you guys may love it there. -(Jaco)

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Living well is the best revenge
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Spend enough time in SJ to get your feet wet. Meet nice ticas and then take them to Arenal or some nice place other than Jaco. Then return to SJ for your last night or two. Jaco is hot and offers nothing compared to the rest of the country.

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There are many flavors of ice cream you can enjoy, and when in Costa Rica there are soooo many wonderful flavors you can taste.. To start the morning after breakfast can mean a trip to Zona Blue just to get your blood moving....

Then after a nice lunch and drinks, possibly a nice part timer from the Del Rey would be in order... Then after gathering your senses and since you are no longer horny, but still on the prowl, see if you missed anyone at the Del Rey or casually stroll the Key Largo for a later night snack/snatch...
This would be an awesome day to remember...

Hey Dustinled..I know you are new to this but let me tell you..If you spend MORE than 2 days in Jaco You will probably want to commit suicide..Believe me its NOT that great..Spend Your first time in SJ..Learn the areas..bars..Clubs..And Anything else that you find interesting..
I have been a Newbie ..Many years ago..and Believe me Once you hit the Delrey..Its VERY hard to leave..Other than on short sorties to NF or ZB or Idems..Etc..And I know Alot of guys on this board love to recommend other hotels..I have been coming to CR for over 15 years now and I always Stay at the Del Rey..At least for your first time its the BELLY OF THE FREAKIN BEAST!!!..stay..enjoy..immerse yourself!..then make your second trip .(AND BELIEVE ME THER WILL BE A SECOND TIME..THIRD TIME>>ETC!!) a time to explore other areas.Just My opinion..But Believe me Ive hosted plenty of Newbie Friends..And Even When We made plans to leave the DR..I have had to force them At Gun point nearly to leave the hotel For a Fishing trip or whatever..ITS ADDICTIVE>>Just My Thoughts as a long time CR monger

I agree. Jaco sucks, it's way overpriced (hotels, girls, food) and it's hotter than hell!!!!

I would recommend spending 3 days in SJ, then go away to Jaco for 2 days, then come back and spend 3 more days in SJ. This will give you a chance to recoop a little while in Jaco.

However, there's a good chance that you may enjoy SJ so much in your first 3 days that you may never get to Jaco. I'm not kidding.

Since this is your first trip then just do San Jose. Jaco is just some beach but nowhere near the Caribbean or Hawaii. The allure of CR is ticas and thats your first priority. If you want beaches go to Hawaii. I have been to Costa Rica 20 times and never left the Del Rey.

Jaco is a very small town and you might get bored. Book a fishing trip, take a horse ride up to the bluff overlooking Jaco, dont forget your camera. Have a realtor show you around los suenos marriot resort.Manuel Antonia national park is a short ride away. Be at the Beetle Bar by 8 and be patient as the chicas start cruising in. I think a few days in Jaco is a nice way to warm up for San Jose and the del rey.

And....dont whack it for a week before you go so you will have some reserve. Drink plenty of water while your there and take a multi-vitamin.

Dustin,
My dos colones...... Read the above. IMHO, this is the best advice.

But something that you did not mention, is WHEN you are going to CR. This makes a difference. If you're going in the very near future, it's still "high" season, and it's probably better to have prior hotel reservations. But if you're going in May or later, then I'd recommend that you just go with the flow. At that point, you'll be in the "green" season, and occupancy rates at many hotels plummet, and it's much easier to find vacancies without reservations.

Regardless of when you're going, I would still advise you NOT to make too many plans ahead of time, because surer than sh*t, they'll all go out the window as soon as you touch down in SJO.

One other thing. You might consider joining CRT as a VIP. There are so many sponsors that offer discounts (in SJO and Jaco), that it'll pay for itself (and then some) on your 1st trip.

Keep reading, and arm yourself with information. Have a great trip, and be safe. Looking forward to your trip report upon your return.

Mucho Gusto

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

It's always tough to make specific recommendations with something like this, because everyone is different of course and wants to get different things out of a trip. But since you asked...

First of all, if you really like the beach in general, I wouldn't let the other posters scare you off of Jaco too much. I've always had a great time there, and the weather is likely to be nice (though of course hot) this time of year. The Copa is a great place to stay, and you might find some daytime action in the pool there as we did on my first trip. Also, try and get out and do a canopy tour while you're there - everyone has to try this at least once. And there's plenty of nighttime hot spots to keep you busy with all kinds of PFP options.

Next, as noted in previous posts, don't overplan too much. Ruffnutz and I used to email back and forth before a trip setting up itineraries for each day, and sure enough, once we got there most of it went out the window. But definitely don't get stuck hanging out in the Del Rey the whole time - get out a bit and try out some of the other venues - MPs during the day (Zona Blue, New Fantasy, Paseo Colon places), and strip clubs (Pantera Rosa, Kamur, D'Pelufos) or Bar Idem at night.

Finally, one thing that has really kicked the last few trips up a notch for me has been connecting on a bit deeper level with a few of the girls. This requires a little more effort (busting your ass learning Spanish with Pimsleur helps a lot) but pays dividends as far as providing a more well-rounded experience. I've had just as much fun hanging out with the girls and hitting regular dance clubs and bars, etc., as anything else I've done down there.

One caveat (a tough one for most newbies to absorb) - DON'T fall in love with a PFP girl, and don't entertain the notion of her falling in love with you. At base, it IS all just a fantasy, so enjoy Fantasyland and make sure you don't mistake it with reality.

Pura vida,
GR

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I agree with everyone above about Jaco, after a couple of days, no more than three, you will get bored. Spend extra time in San Jose, take a couple of day trips, such as the 4-in-1 tour offered by many, GreyLine tours comes to mind. A canopy tour would also be nice for your first trip. At least you will see some more of the country, which is very nice.
ShyOne

The Del Rey is nice to pick up the girls, but I definately would not want to stay there. There is definately a sketchy quality to the area and there many panhandlers who hang out there and bug you. I stayed at the holiday in which is a few blocks away but it feels more normal like an american hotel. They do charge a tica fee which kind of sucked but it was well worth it for the feeling normalcy the hotel provided. Also I was there in Jaco for one night and wanted to get the hell out of there. It is also sketchy with people asking you for drugs every five minutes. Go to Jaco maybe for a few days hit beatle bar then head to manual antonio.