www.CostaRicaTicas.com

We stayed at the Tangeri a few months ago and had a great experience. We had no issue with the deposit as we knew we were not going to bail on the trip. The staff there was very accomodating even to the point of storing all our luggage (8 people) after checkout so we could spend a few more hours in the pool sipping pina's before heading back to SJO. As mentioned in other posts there were no issues regarding the tica fees either.

I went to Jaco for two nights on my recent visit and had decided ahead of time to do it on a budget. Here is a summary.

I took the public bus from San Jose. I think it was like $2.25. They are very large, new, comfortable Mercedes Benz busses. The only drawback to us spoiled gringos is no AC but it really wasn't bad at all, especially with the bus moving. One hint I read on here previously but failed to head was to buy your ticket a day ahead of time to be sure of your schedule. I was at Coca Cola terminal by 2:00 pm Sunday afternoon but the 3:00 bus was sold out so I had to wait until 4:00 to leave. The schedule says 2 1/2 hours but it took 3.

I stayed at Clarita's, a small motel type place on the northern edge of town. $50 for a basic room right on the beach, with AC, small refrigerator and smaller TV. Simple platform style bed. No hot tub, no Jacuzzi, no free breakfast, no free massage, though I did get a massage and more from a pleasant Tica who was working the beach in front of the motel. $50 for her too for a nice mid-afternoon delight. Who says there's no daytime action in Jaco? Anyway, back to Clarita's. Since it's a motel type place obviously there are no Chica fees. But you don't have the security of the girl checking her stuff as she comes to your room either, so it's a buyer beware situation. The restaurant was basic but nice, staffed by several cute little things. The Seared Tuna was really good, the Mahi Mahi not quite up to that level. But the beer was cold and there's a large screen TV and several smaller ones to watch whatever sporting events are going on at the time. It's not the Copa, nor is it the Tangeri nor even Best Western. And it's a little far down a dark street to walk comfortably. Nevertheless, I did walk in to the BB both nights, and opted for a cab ride back to my room afterwards.

The bus ride back to SJ was uneventful, but the bus was quite crowded. The ticket counter is in the small shopping center behind the Pizza Hut, same side of the street as the BB, but a bit further north. The bus leaves from there as well, and makes a couple other stops before leaving town. I took the 11:00 bus, which arrived in center city SJ at 2:45 pm.

All in all it was interesting, especially for my first trip to Jaco. I would do it again. I would even do that girl from the beach again, if I could only remember her name ...

There is a little hotel in Jaco called the Blue Palms. Some friends stayed there and it was $35 per night for the two of them. I think it is less than $30 for one. It has AC, cable TV, and is clean. It is a ways from the Beatle Bar, but that really shouldn't be a consideration in Jaco. Nothing is really that far and taxis are 500-700 colones for anywhere in town. Don't know their chica policy but would imagine that it wouldn't be a problem to get the girls in. As for places that don't check the girls, take her id yourself and give it back when you are finished. I'm not in Jaco now so I don't have contact info. Couldn't see them having a website, but I'll get a phone number when I get back.