5. Interbus transfer or Ticabus from Santamaria to San Jose, flight arrives at 09:35 am

If you are not in a rush to get to your hotel, take the "Directo" Ticabus ($1) . It will take you to Tuasa terminal from there it's a 15 minute walk to the gulch or a $3 cab ride.

That is a viable option for someone who has some knowledge and experience in Costa Rica. Not something I would recommend to a guy making his first trip.

Did it on my first trip...to and from the airport. I don't speak a word of spanish but I absorbed a lot of info, from this board, before I made my first trip.

Glad it worked for you but I still do not think it is a particularly good idea for a first timer.

You are correct, it's not for everyone. It's an option for someone who wants to experience a bit of SJ, orientation of the city and save a few dollar.

cheers,
Attila

This site has been extremely useful and extermely entertaing the short time that I have been on it.

I will be going to Costa Rica on May 18-25 and I was wondering if anyone can advise of the 3-4 best venues for each of the topics listed below.

I really appreciate all of your input and willingness to support a fellow hobbyist.

1. Massage Parlors

There are so many of them that it is hard to determine which ones are truly top notch

In my opinion the top notch ones are the clean ones with decent rooms and doable chicas. I would say HLH is tops; New Fantasy is good if you can accept the gringo pricing. Relax and 360 are great deals with some very doable chicas. Lately the quality of the MP chicas has been very good. It appears many have gone the MP route since business at the Rey has been slow

2. Strip Clubs

From what I have read, Le Grillon and Pantera Rosa are the ones that are recommended

I don't really hit the strip clubs because I like to search for independents at night. I would give Le Grillon a shot though as I have heard good reports too.

3. I am intersted in doing a day excursion to do an ATV ride in the mountains

Any advice on travel agencies that I should look into when I get down there that are reasonably priced

Define reasonable priced? It is going to cost you a good bit to get to where you are going to ride the ATVs. I would suggest making an overnight trip to an area where you could do multiple tourist things and maybe even see a chica. I would suggest getting in touch with Steve at Puravidatranport. He can suggest a place and take you there.

4. Restaurants in San Jose or should I stick to some specific sodas?

Don't eat. The food in Costa Rica sucks. LOL I would suggest Soda Peru and try out some of the sodas. But seriously, the food really sucks in Costa Rica so don't expect much.

5. Interbus transfer or Ticabus from Santamaria to San Jose, flight arrives at 09:35 am

Neither. You just dropped many hundreds of dollars on a plane ticket and your considering public transportation to save maybe 15 bucks? If your that hard up for cash you should probably not be on vacation.



Thank you all very much for your input and if anyone is there during my stay would love to get together and buy you a beer!

I honestly think even if your a seasoned traveler you should arrange private transport to and from the airport. Especially from the airport when you have a pocket full of chica money and don't want to have your fun money (and in some cases room money because they give discounts for paying in cash) taken from you because you actions and/or attire scream "mark", especially on a first trip where your direction and on the ground knowledge is minimal or non existant.

I could be wrong and partially paranoid but until I get my cash and valuables locked up I would by especially wary. Setting up private transport especially with a person you get to know ahead of time, give you much more feeling of comfort. At least that is my two cents.

Ricin