www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Perhaps a bit early but I'll be making my first trip to CR on September 7th-12th and will be staying at the SL. 

I'm flying in on the 7th... I'm arriving around 2PM and if anyone wants to share a ride from the airport that works for me as well.

Since I'll be "rolling solo" I'm certainly down with hooking up for drinks or whatever.

I really appreciate all the information this site has provided and the overall friendliness and responsiveness of some of the posters. You guys rock! 

So now... Countdown and it seems like its going to be an eternity until its time to leave.

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First trip September 7th - 12th

If I had any advice it would be , make that first trip longer. My first trip I booked five days and i was kicking myself in the butt on the flight home.
My next trip is in august ( trip 13....) I now book for 10 to14 days each trip.
Above all use common sense and treat the locals with respect. Hope you have as much fun as I always do.(be safe)

welcome to the club. have fun. ride all the rides. stay out of trouble and enjoy your first trip. I stayed at SL on my virgin trip, had a blast and met a lot of people and made lots of friends (I always go solo, including that first trip). You'll remember this first trip the rest of your life. Bill and his staff are good people and will take care of you.

recommend becoming a CRT VIP member, the 10% off on everything (drinks, room, food) at SL will pay for the card and then some on the first trip alone. Believe the room discount for members is 20% during sept still. card gets discounts at tons other places also.

read everything you can from the newbie section. Also when you become a vip member you get access to the photo gallery and can print off the 8x11 map of the gulch which has everything marked as to its location. Very valuable to have.

Also get the lifetime for $99. I got the $39 one year and kicked myself in the ass after the fact for not getting the lifetime first.

P.S. start planning for the second trip now...trust me, you'll want to ga again!

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

Thanks... Already got my VIP card in the mail and I'm totally stoked about the adventure. I'm staying in one of the modern wing rooms and will be receiving the 20% off... Which more than pays for the VIP membership. You certainly can't beat that!

I really wish I could get away for longer than 5 days but sadly it's hard enough to get that much time off of work. I guess I'll just have to start planning trip 2 for sometime in the not too distant future.

Since I'll be in town for 5 days... Guess I'll just have to try to maximize my time the best I can. At the same time, I'm going to attempt the "take it as it comes" and have more of a relaxed kind of experience. I mean it should feel like a vacation as well right?

For those of you who stay/have stayed at the SL... Do you pay as you go for food and beverages or do you run a tab and pay at the conclusion of your trip? I've found a few conflicting pieces of information regarding tabs in CR but nothing really a specific to SL. It honestly seems like running a tab is a heck of a lot easier for using the VIP card... am I off base on this?

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First trip September 7th - 12th

I've done both (tab and paygo) just make sure you show them the card/remind them everytime you order whether you tab or paygo. They are serving lots of people and sometimes forget you are getting the CRT VIP discount.

Never had a problem with running a tab, just tell them up front that only you can put stuff on the tab. Never had extra charges put on a tab though I have heard of it happening (don't think it was on purpose, think it was an accident, us gringos all looking alike and what not, LOL!) personnelly it has never happened to me.

If you are in the modern wing, ask now if you can get "Amante" which is large and secluded or "El Rey" which has a private covered patio. IMO these are two of the better modern wing rooms. Just call or e-mail and ask if they are available and ask to reserve them.

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

Thanks for the reply... Much appreciated.

So I guess it'll be easier to just go with the "tab" route while at the SL.

I'm actually staying in the "Del Mar" room which was one of two rooms available in the modern wing during the time of my stay. Both rooms you mentioned sound great but I guess it is what it is at this point and perhaps on my second adventure I can give one of those a try.

Any idea as to what the room I'm staying in is like?

Thanks!

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First trip September 7th - 12th

As I remember I believe it is nice but kinda close to the bar area (not so close that you hear any noise) has a huge shower room for you and three chicas easy. If you make any friends staying there (trust me you will) just ask to see what their rooms look like. You'll see who is staying there (you'll notice the familiar faces) just intro your self and say hi...everyone is friendly...have fun!

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

Mickey Drum,

This will be my 2nd on Jul 11 to 17th. staying at SL. Stayed last year it was great. I was in total culture stock
If you stay at SL they will pick you up. Taxi is 25.00 If you get Cr tica card you will get 20% off.
Been thur HDR it was ok at 2pm. Will go back later at nite. More girls then you can think of.
If you walk around downtown, There is No street signs. You have use building to get around.
Traffic is crazy. Sept is rainly season so bring a rain coat &/or umbrella. Speaking some spanish will be helpiful.

If you want mor info. Please email me.

Sgt56

i will be down in sept and haven't booked yet. i might try to be there early in the month just to see that look. take it as it comes is a great approach and you couldn't have picked a better place than SL to land.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Well a big shower certainly sounds like a plus... and glad it's close but not too much bar noise close. Since I only had a few options available... I'm sure it will be totally fine.

An umbrella and/or raincoat is a good tip for sure. I know it's the rainy season, so hopefully it isn't non-stop rainy season. I also wasn't aware of being able to get transport via SL, which is something I will totally look into. I was also considering using the Interbus service.

Take it as it comes is certainly the right approach for me... I'm sure that will end up working out just fine.

Thanks again everyone! Hopefully I can run into a few of your gentlemen.

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First trip September 7th - 12th