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Hi i heading to CR in November for about 2 weeks. I am getting some dental work done and also looking for some fun. Do you think that getting a hotel room is the best idea for 2 weeks or maybe an apartment in downtown SJO?
I am looking at staying at the Hotel Dunn. Also i am a first timer on this type of trip and will be travelling solo.

thanks for the help

At least for the first few days you will find a lot of help by staying at the Dunn Inn. Talk to Boyd the manager after you get there and then decide if you want to go to an apt.
If you stay at the Dunn Inn for two weeks you should become a VIP CRT member for $39 to get a discounted room rate at the Dunn Inn. You could also get a discount from certain dentists.
Check all the discounts you get by being a member. You cannot lose if you are there for 2 weeks.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

thanks for the info. I already signed up for the membership and it is being mailed to me. I just wanted to know if an apt would be better as far as cost is concerned but i would want to have something that is close in the area of all the action and the dental clinic.
what would you suggest?

Most of the apts, that I have seen, are not directly in the gulch. Hotel Castillo does have weekly rates. The Dunn Inn is like a family so you wouldn't go wrong there. Since it is your first time there, a hotel in the beginning might be best then look for a weekly place for the second week. Sudamer Apts are south of the gulch. It's about $200 for the week. Shawn4delrey on the board here does rent an apt too. You may want to PM him.

Dean

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my first wingman sent me this, how true

" most of the girls down here, lie as a self defense mechanism and to not have to face the truth, thinking most men couldn't accept them knowing the whole truth. Simpler, they may just want men to think they are as perfect as they want to appear to them, trying to hide what they consider to be the ugly truth about themselves. And I may be reading more into it than is there, but I do believe they consider the basis of the lies to be justified."

Seems to me as Dean says an apt could run you $200 a week or more and may not include any cleaning services or food. Also may not be as conviently situated. The Castillo has a weekly rate and even Dunn Inn has a special of stay 4 nights and get the fifth night free. The rooms at Dunn Inn are $50 per day so for $200 you get 5 days. This includes the free continental breakfast and free maid service and a safe in your room and good security compared to an apt where as a newbie you could be ripped off by a girl you bring over.
You may land up being penny wise and pound foolish. In a few days afer you arrive you will know what you want and can get good info. on apts near the gulch/dentist.
Also from the airport a taxi should not cost you more than $25. Dunn Inn can send you a driver to pick you up for that price.
CR is not dangerous but you need to be very careful not to be cheated the first few days till you learn the ropes. Hope you plan to arrive during the day if not definitely arrange a Hotel car to pick you up.
This all may seem silly if you are a seasoned traveller but if not be aware that the first couple of days are crucial to having a great trip or a sad experience of being robbed or worse.
Hope this helps.
Regards.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

thanks for all the advise. i think that i will go with the hotel Dunn.
Once again guys thanks for the help.
On another note when getting the girls do yo pay in US currency or CR currency. I saw some prices such as $100, $80, etc is that US dollars. What is the best way of handling this? Should I exchange enough money for the whole trip on should i exchange on a daily basis?

For the girls in the gulch and the MPs you can use Dollars. Change money only for use at the local places where they give you a poor exchange rate. Do not bother to change money at the airport. Dunn Inn will give a good rate when you get there. You can pay the taxi in Dollars too. Bring plenty of $1 and $5 and $10 so you can pay exact amounts. Taxis and girls do not like to make change or do not give you correct change.
Remember there is a $26 exit tax when you leave the country.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

As you're a full-fledged Brother now, may I ask which dentist you are using? If it's Esthetic Dental and the work is done on your arrival day--free transpo from the airport to the Clinic and afterwards, to your hotel/apartment; otherwise roundtrip from your temporary abode plus of course, a discount. Call them and ask to speak to Jeff Wilson--he's the driver/contact person.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I usually use $ for indy's and colones at MP's, taxis and within the city. Guaranteed, they either do not understand the conversion well or they understand it perfect and will see if you do. You can exchange $ when you arrive at the airport. DO NOT DO IT DOWNSTAIRS, where you get your bags. Exit the airport, cross the street and go upstairs (departures). When you walk inside, go right all the way to the end. There will be the bank and you can also get your exit tax ($26 or $27, forgot if it went up $1).

Dean

_________________
my first wingman sent me this, how true

" most of the girls down here, lie as a self defense mechanism and to not have to face the truth, thinking most men couldn't accept them knowing the whole truth. Simpler, they may just want men to think they are as perfect as they want to appear to them, trying to hide what they consider to be the ugly truth about themselves. And I may be reading more into it than is there, but I do believe they consider the basis of the lies to be justified."

the dental clinic that i am going to is New Smile dental clinic. Are you familiar with them? I just found them online so i decided to go with them since i did not do much searching.
I will keep that in mind for exchanging money.
What are the major difference besides price with the MP and indy's? Any pros and cons

Wow, this can get many responses.

MP's are cheaper and more of a point and shoot mentality. I look at them as more of a quickie. There are some cuties but sometimes you need to search a few of them to find someone of your liking. The rooms are not really that great but adequate, IMHO.

Indy's there tends to be more of an interaction. It's not like you are wooing a princess, but many guys like it. I do. You get to search SL, HDR, KL and find someone to you liking. The girls typically dress nicer which has its arousal points. One con, you are now in the world of negotiation and always open to a potential scam (service related).


I enjoy both. And, if you get a bad BJ from an indy, head over to a MP the next day and get a good one. Relax typically has a good line up of BJ aficionados.

Dean

_________________
my first wingman sent me this, how true

" most of the girls down here, lie as a self defense mechanism and to not have to face the truth, thinking most men couldn't accept them knowing the whole truth. Simpler, they may just want men to think they are as perfect as they want to appear to them, trying to hide what they consider to be the ugly truth about themselves. And I may be reading more into it than is there, but I do believe they consider the basis of the lies to be justified."

You will actually pay a little more than $200 at the Dunn Inn. The 5 for 4 deal is based on paying rack rate for the 4 days.
You can get transportation from the airport for $9.50 by prepaying at http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr. I have used them for all my trips and haven't had a problem. They use vans and I have been the only passenger each time.
Boyd (Bktuna) at the Dunn Inn can give you lots of tips once you arrive.
Check out www.smile90210costarica.com for your dental needs. That's Esthetic Dental Center that Jazzbo mentioned above. Just send them an email from their web site and Mike will answer your questions. If you're having any serious dental work done, you will be ahead of the game with Esthetic.

about $40

Seriously, read this, it should answer a lot of your questions: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16357

Is that bank open around the clock?

It closes at either 9 or 10pm.