Important questions prior to 1st trip to SJO

MikeInSeattle · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:08 am **Posts:** 1

Thanks to everyone for the very valuable information provided on this board. Just became a VIP member and looking forward to answering your questions once I get back. I was wondering if someone can answer the following questions?

1. Does the bank/currency exchange booth at the departures level of the airport take traveller's checks? If they do, is the exchange rate the same?

2. Is there vegetarian dining options around SJO? Is there an Indian restaurant near the gulch or around SJO?

3. How long prior to departure should we be at SJO airport, for a flight to Panama?

4. What is the approximate walking time between the Sportsman Lodge and Hotel Del Ray?

5. While taking a taxi at night is recommended even for smaller distances, is it safe to walk around the gulch in the daytime?

6. Which alcohol is the best to buy for in room parties? Vodka? Whiskey? How much is a bottle of Vodka at the duty free stores upon arrival?

7. Is there in-room safes at Sportsman Lodge or are the safes located at the lobby level?

8. Is the casino area at the Del Ray seperate from the blue marlin bar, or are they intermingled? If you are playing at a table, can you get a good view of the chicas walking around? Does playing at tables at HDR make you a easy mark? Are drinks free while you are playing at the tables?

9. Can a non-resident open a USD account at a Costa Rica bank without too much hassle?

10. Are prepaid phones/sims available right now (Sept/09)?

Tague21 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:36 pm

MikeInSeattle wrote:

Thanks to everyone for the very valuable information provided on this board. Just became a VIP member and looking forward to answering your questions once I get back. I was wondering if someone can answer the following questions?

4. What is the approximate walking time between the Sportsman Lodge and Hotel Del Ray? (10 - 15 minutes)

5. While taking a taxi at night is recommended even for smaller distances, is it safe to walk around the gulch in the daytime?
I walked everyone during the day. Night time, just take a taxi even for distances greater than 1 block.

6. Which alcohol is the best to buy for in room parties? Vodka? Whiskey? Vodka for the chics. Grey Goose is $30 for 1000mL bottle at SJO airport duty free shop.

Orange · **Joined:** Sun Mar 27, 2005 10:20 pm **Posts:** 12644

Quote:

6. Which alcohol is the best to buy for in room parties? Vodka? Whiskey? How much is a bottle of Vodka at the duty free stores upon arrival? Chicas all like Bailey's. It's about $18 at Duty-Free.

7. Is there in-room safes at Sportsman Lodge or are the safes located at the lobby level? There is a digital safe in every room.

8. Is the casino area at the Del Ray seperate from the blue marlin bar, or are they intermingled? If you are playing at a table, can you get a good view of the chicas walking around? Does playing at tables at HDR make you a easy mark? Are drinks free while you are playing at the tables? Casino is right next to one part of the bar. You can see who's at the bar. Playing won't make you an easy mark, but you may have chicas approach you. I think they still give free drinks to players, but I may be wrong, I know they do in the poker room.

10. Are prepaid phones/sims available right now (Sept/09)? Not sure at this moment as a few people have reported that they recently ended the pilot prepaid program. Has anybody tried getting one at the airport recently (within the past 2 weeks)?

Nhhank · **Joined:** Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:32 pm **Posts:** 3399

#3
Do not shave time at the Airport ( unless you want to miss your flight

)
There is a pratice that you may not board your plane unless you have checked in 1 hour before departure and the lines can be long at times
2 hour rule will work
Traffic at times is heavy on the road to the airport
The front desk people or the hotel taxi will know that info just ask

Pacifica55 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:44 pm

MikeInSeattle wrote:

Thanks to everyone for the very valuable information provided on this board. Just became a VIP member and looking forward to answering your questions once I get back. I was wondering if someone can answer the following questions?

1. Does the bank/currency exchange booth at the departures level of the airport take traveller's checks? If they do, is the exchange rate the same?
No idea. Traveler's checks are just about obsolete.

2. Is there vegetarian dining options around SJO? Is there an Indian restaurant near the gulch or around SJO?
Yes, there are several veggie restaurants in SJO and I am sure Indian as well.

3. How long prior to departure should we be at SJO airport, for a flight to Panama?
Two hours. You will not be allowed to board if you are not checked in at least an hour before scheduled departure time, no exceptions for long lines.

4. What is the approximate walking time between the Sportsman Lodge and Hotel Del Ray?
Five minutes, solo, sober. Two minutes while being chased by a savage trannie!

5. While taking a taxi at night is recommended even for smaller distances, is it safe to walk around the gulch in the daytime?
That depends on you. Some people shouldn't be let off the stoop without a keeper and some folks would do fine in downtown Tehran. Be aware and don't make yourself a target. Generally, yes, walking is reasonably safe during the day for most people.

6. Which alcohol is the best to buy for in room parties? Vodka? Whiskey? How much is a bottle of Vodka at the duty free stores upon arrival?
Baileys, Jagermeister or Tequila. I don't make mixed drinks because I end up throwing them out after she leaves. Shots we do now, not throw away later.

7. Is there in-room safes at Sportsman Lodge or are the safes located at the lobby level? Safe in every room.

8. Is the casino area at the Del Ray seperate from the blue marlin bar, or are they intermingled? If you are playing at a table, can you get a good view of the chicas walking around? Does playing at tables at HDR make you a easy mark? Are drinks free while you are playing at the tables?
I'm not a gambler but the view from the tables is good and the girls won't bother you while you play the bogus games. So, yes, gambling at the HDR does make you an easy mark, but not for the girls.

9. Can a non-resident open a USD account at a Costa Rica bank without too much hassle? No.

10. Are prepaid phones/sims available right now (Sept/09)?
I don't know about pre-paids but rentals are available.

TheMadGerman · **Joined:** Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:28 pm **Posts:** 705

MikeInSeattle wrote:

2. Is there vegetarian dining options around SJO? Is there an Indian restaurant near the gulch or around SJO?

I am not sure about the gulch, but in Escazu there is an Indian restaurant called Taj Mahal, it's located just soutwest of the MultiPlaza shopping center. Price for a taxi should be about $10 max (probably about 5-6,000c

There is also a vegetarian chinese place in Escazu near the Shell station on the main drag.

You should be able to find vegetarian dishes at many of the restaurants (short of KFC and McDonalds, etc..). So long as you don't mind that they may fry the food in the same oil as some animal may have been in.

www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Important questions prior to 1st trip to SJO

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