www.CostaRicaTicas.com

If this post belongs on the hotel forum, I regret that, but I'm posting it here because it seems that this forum gets more attention. Perhaps I am mistaken, but making reservations for cocal in Jaco seems to be unnecessarily complicated. I tried making reservations on the website, but it only allowed me to make reservations for vista del mar, which has the lowest price of $350 a night!

So, I emailed them and explained the situation. They sent me an attachment to fill out which I cannot open. So, I guess I have no other options. Anyone have any suggestions? I find it amazing that I can't book on their website. Again, if I'm mistaken, I would love to be corrected. Thank you!

You are correct. The Cocal website has a link to "Reservations" but it leads only to Vista Mar.

I have a pdf copy of their blank reservation form which I print, fill out, scan, then email when I make reservations. Seems way over complicated. You can call them. I have had more success with their direct CR number 011 506 2643 1201 than calling their toll free US number.

I have received the reservation form in pdf format from them. If they sent in some other format ask them to resend as a pdf. Good Luck - they are the most difficult hotel to make a reservation at that I have dealt with.

PM me I can send you the pdf

If you don't have access to a scanner, you can also just take a picture of the filled out form after youve printed it and just send it as an attachment in the reply email. This has worked for me all 3 times I've stayed there.

Exactly! I booked another hotel because Cocal 'appeared' booked and led me directly to Vista Mar where there was only one $475/night condo available. After reading your post, I called and sure enough, they have plenty of rooms available in early January. So I went through the old school reservation form process and booked my rooms. How lame--they probably miss out on many reservations because of this but maybe its on purpose to weed out families. Regardless, I got my room and I'm happy.

I booked an Ocean Front room. Hope it's decent! Everything that doesn't look run down is non-girl friendly and $300+/night and farther away from the action.

The ocean front rooms at the Cocal are my favorite. Far enough away from the bar to have some peace and quiet and something better to look at than the parking lot.

If you ever have problems getting a reservation at the Cocal, try the Mango Mar next door. About half the price. The rooms are not as nice as the Cocal but are OK. Price includes breakfast. Right on the beach and has a small pool with loungers.

I stayed there once and called the local 506 number for reservations. The hotel is reasonably nice but the Vista mar condos are much nicer if you have 3 people to split the bill. The amount of chicas available is the reason to stay here. It reminds me of Hotel Del Rey back in 2001-2005. Don't hesitate to send a chica back if you don't like her attitude once you get her in the room. The hotel is not nearly as well run as the SL but the amount of chicas available is crazy.