www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm considering making my maiden voyage to CR and need some input... so I can get to CR and do some input of my own! Plane tickets are too expensive from where I live in BFE but I can get a great deal leaving from New Orleans... not too bad a drive from here, 2 hours. Savings on airfare pays for the hotel!!!

The problem is the plane arrives between midnight and 1 am. Other than paying for the additional night at my preferred hotel and checking in a 2-3 am, can anybody help me figure out the best way to pass the time, where to relax (I'll have carry-on luggage with me.) 10-12 hours until check-in time.

Has anybody flown in on such a schedule and how did you deal with time issue? Other than that, I assume there would be no problem checking in in the wee hours of the morning???

My departure would also be at about the same time but I'm sure I could check out of the hotel and maybe visit an MP or pull something and take her to a place with a shower to kill time before departure.

Thought, folks? Perhaps I'm simply crazy to travel this on my virgin trip?

I'm also wondering how well the airport and transportation function at those hours but I think traffic might be better.

EmGee

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Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees...
Anybody got a chainsaw?

Some thoughts / ideas.

1. Call / email the hotel you are staying at and tell them the situation. Maybe they will do an "early-as-hell" check in. All they can say is "no".

2. Go to your hotel on arrival and drop your bags (most / all will hold them behind the desk). Go to the HDR (Blue Marlin Bar), find a chica and take her to either the Hotel Morazan, the Hotel Paradise, the Hotel Officina or the Motel Ruta 32 for 3 hours (by that time it will be breakfast time and maybe you can check in). The Morazan rents short time rooms for 3 hours (IIRC) and the other three are short time hotels.

One member had a similar situation and checked into the Hotel Paradise (across from the HDR) and slept.

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Any opinion or observation in the post above is purely presented for entertainment purposes and does not promote "sexual tourism" or "human trafficking". The laws of Costa Rica apply to all activities in Costa Rica. No warranty is expressed or implied. Void where prohibited by law. Your experience, observations or perspective may be different.

In exile in pu*sy prison

I don't know if this will work, but try to ask the hotel if you offer to pay for 1 extra night, that you can check in early on your arrival day (2am) and leave late on your departure day (10pm) giving you about a half-day on each side.

More data please...

What airport exactly is the too expensive one?

How many nights are you planning to stay?

Your preferred hotel is?

How would you rate your spanish speaking skills?

Is danger something you find a little exciting, or do you check under the bed before you turn out the light?

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I think I know where you are going with this... but sending a fresh newbie to a flee bag motel to save a few bucks would not be wise in my opinion. Besides, he would need a few of the 3 hour blocks, so in the end he would not save much, and would be exposed to the colorful sights and sounds of CR.

OP,
If saving an extra 1 or 2 night's fare will make or break the trip, it's probably best to stay home and save some money so that it won't be a big deal. CR is by no means cheap.

Or stay at the Hotel Little Havana. It's like $50/night. There's a CRT VIP discount which makes it $45, I think. And the rooms are better than most of the hotels in the gulch.

I was actually thinking Morazon but, as usual, your advice is very sound.

Some of those other details would matter. But we probably are safe in making some assumptions typical of a 1st timer.

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Yes, I know a guy who did that.

viewtopic.php?t=48493

I did it for the adventure versus the $70+ I saved by adding a night to my regular hotel. No intention of repeating. I can say I did it, box checked.

I stand by Morazon as a good option. Or just pay up and get that extra night at your preferred hotel. To Orange's point, if you are sweating the overhead cost you might be better off saving up a bit more.

And 1st time I go anywhere I don't feel foolish paying up a little (I said a little) for the sake of keeping it simple and getting off to a good start.

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This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No tourist or travel promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided compensation (monetary or otherwise) for this potentially entertaining contribution.

Wow... MM3, Orange AND Hotdogg... CRT royalty! Thanks for the replies, gents!



I can afford to pay for the extra nights if necessary, just wondered if there were other options... which seems to be "yes, but maybe not recommended."

That having been said, I did notice the difference for a daytime arrival is only about $80 and I'd rather get there at noon instead of 1 am on Thursday. Then I could hopefully meet a compadre or two at the SL and get a few pointers. Hotel for Thurs thru Mon... ride off into the sunrise.

Thanks again for the input... when we meet I got the beers, fellas!

EmGee

_________________
Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees...
Anybody got a chainsaw?

If you are looking for info sharing, try the bar at La Amistad. The SL is a great bar, but the vibe is different.

_________________
Any opinion or observation in the post above is purely presented for entertainment purposes and does not promote "sexual tourism" or "human trafficking". The laws of Costa Rica apply to all activities in Costa Rica. No warranty is expressed or implied. Void where prohibited by law. Your experience, observations or perspective may be different.

In exile in pu*sy prison

Just get an extra night at SL and be done with it. Maybe a cheaper one for that 1st night they will gladly hold your bags if there's a change over window.

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Now THAT is the real dilemma. You need that 1 night of lodging no matter, so that cost is a wash. The plus $80 helps ensure you get there day of as planned. Although it means you are on the ground earlier spending, and that is not necessarily bad... let's just call it another $150. So for $230 you are there, settled, and have an extra boom boom in.

Take that earlier flight bro. You are on a short trip and if something goes sour on that late one you are going to be hating the world. Spend the $80 and get that extra night at SL. Done!

I'm no shaolin martial artist, so first trip I very much prefer to get there before sundown. If we ever cross paths buy me 2 drinks and I'll tell you about my first arrival in Bogota.

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I take those late night flights more often than not and had a similar dilemma a few weeks ago. Was staying Friday-Monday and the Friday flight got in around 1:30 am Saturday morning. I use a spreadsheet to crunch the numbers during my planning phase.

Castillio has a 35% discount now and a free ride to the airport for stays of 3 nights and a queen room would be $196 with tax. First night at Paradise ($20) and two at Castillio would run $153, but no free ride. For the $43 difference I chose the Castillio for all 3 nights figuring the cab ride could run $30-50 depending on the traffic backup at the bridge. You can leave your bags at the hotel on the last day and run around to the MP'S until its time to head to the airport.

LA will have the same free ride but not the 35% discount. SL may have a good discount now but I think its requires a 4 night stay. Being it is your first trip you should probably go straight to CAS, LA, or SL and settle in. Maybe take a late night ride to HDR.