www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Wow I was able to pull off one more trip to Costa Rica this season despite some strong resistance on the home front. Of course resistance to my will is futile especially when I have both heads working in concert ha ha. Coming down with two buddies some is a seasoned vet the other is has two trips under his belt and is improving our #1 goal keep him away from the Jager and he'll be ok. Likes to drink way too much for me, I like to drink and all but I'm always in control and due to a sour stomach/reflux I can't pour down a half litter a night like college.

Anyone in the Northeast if you travel down alot get the Chase United Miles card, I did last year and I'm very happy 155,000 miles in bank, going down for "free" vs almost $800 in cash fares.

My Spanish is getting better and better each trip, far from fluent but I am starting to think more in Spanish and I've had dreams where I am fluent and the results are amazing. I've given it alot of lip service and spent money and time with Rosetta Stone and others but I think I'll just enroll in a local course. You have to be around people speaking Spanish all the time to become good maybe a weekly class would be good.

Anyho, I'm excited it gives me renewed vigor and purpose when I book a hard date. Been hitting the gym more, hit the tanning place yesterday, passed on buying ice cream, I'll drop an easy ten pounds before wheels up, get a haircut and be off.

The little annoying things are not so annoying when you know you'll be laying some conduit shortly!!!!

Questions:

1) Where to stay in San Jose, I've stayed at the Sleep Inn several times, but the Chica fee I hear is up to $35 and that silly, lots of great deals from the sponsors maybe I should try SL ? Del Rey is too old and smells like cheap cigs

suggestions ???

We get in at Noon the day of arrival, since hotel will likely not check us in that early what MP would you recommend for a stress / unwind from the flight type deal?

SL, LA and HLH all have great specials going on now. My favorite place to stay is HLH for many reasons......it's not perfect, but no place is. For my money, HLH has the best balance.

Wherever you stay, if you need a short-term room until you can check-in, HLH is also the best. Clean rooms, fresh sheets, good showers IN the room, and there should be a good selection of talent in the early afternoon. Several of SJ's all-stars work regularly at HLH.

Rac thanks HLH is on the agenda but I'm sure we want to stay there or not. We get in early, I want to do some shopping, perhaps hit HLH, then check in power nap etc

Was thinking of splitting a suite somewhere like SL or where ever is good and chica friendly. I saw a thread that showed some nice suites at SL ? maybe it was

If you look into SL, be sure to stay away from the Courtyard rooms. They face and open into the bar area. It will be noisy in those rooms from 6am 'till 12 midnight. Other rooms at SL are very nice at various prices. The desk is very helpful, but be specific about discussing the Courtyard rooms.

LA has nice rooms, too. Some small--some grande. Some guys complain about the early morning train whistle at LA, other guys never hear it.

Both SL and LA have VERY GOOD specials going on now.

If you decide on HLH, they have various specials, too. One HLH special is a FREE girl with every day's room rent.......a FREE 1/2 hour with the smaller rooms, a FREE full hour with the larger rooms.

All of the hotels will talk to you on the phone if you call. That may be a more sure bet for reservations than waiting for Email, but be sure to get an email confirmation of your verbal reservation and bring it with you. Sometimes verbal reservations get "lost."

HLH has some pretty fancy 2 bedroom suites for you to consider. Ask about the amenities for those.