www.CostaRicaTicas.com

A couple years ago, i encountered a number of postings on the WSG about the Hotel Gran Via. All the posts stated the same general thing: The Gran Via is one of the best places near the Gulch to encounter semi-pros, non-pros and the like.

The articles said that since the Gran Via offers discounted "residential rates" for stays of a week or longer, local girls believe it to be a great place to meet gringos who are considering a permanent move to C.R. or who are seeking a wife.

One post even suggested that since the ladies are seeking a LTR that often the first session or two were heavily discounted, even free, if the girl thought that there was a future with the gringo.

The little bar/restaurant on the third floor was also touted as a great place to find daytime and early evening, semi-pro action.

I have read everything on this forum about Hotel Gran Via, and I've learned much, but this particular "legend" has never been discussed. Thanks in advance to anyone who has recently stayed at the Gran Via or who otherwise has solid knowledge. Frankly, the stories seem almost too good to be true, but it is after all, Paradise.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

I stayed at the La Gran Via many many times before moving to San Jose full time about a year and a half ago.

I still know many gringos who stay there when in Costa Rica. I had the pleasure of being an amigo of one of the all time legendary mongers in San Jose, The Irish Drifter, who stayed there on visits to San Jose after he moved back to the states.

I have never heard or known the place to be a gathering spot for non pro Ticas looking for a LTR with a gringo. That is not to say it has not happened it just has not happen to anyone I have spoken to.

The restaurant on the 3rd floor, when I stayed there, did attract a good lunch time crowd of locals and could conceivable been a good spot to start a conversation with a Tica. Never knew the place to attract anyone other than hotel guests at early evening.

As far as "residential" discounts never used that term but you can get a very good rate if staying for over one week. The longest I stayed was 3 weeks but met people who lived there for months at a time.

Perhaps others here have a different perspective on the "legend".

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

My observations of the Gran Via and a couple other Ticotels down from there like Plaza Hotel is that they cater to an older gringo retired crowd. Many single "elderly" gringos tend to stay there longer term and on monthly rates. It's alot cheaper than the gulch hotels while still getting fresh sheets each day.

One elderly friend of mine at 74 has been staying at the Plaza Hotel on Paseo Colon the past month...as he has many years in a row. He spends time in his own routine, many times including breakfast on the terrace at the Hotel Costa Rica, and playing colone slot machines at various places like the Royal Dutch and Fiesta Casinos. He actually has a Tica wife back in the states, but still comes down every year by himself for a while.

He has told me a few stories about how many nice regular Tica ladies he meets in that neighborhood. They chat and he buys them little flowers and inexpensive toys for their babys. In return, they are always trying to go to his room with him and turn his generosity into a regular relationship. So, the dance goes on between even elderly gringos and needy single Tica mothers who are looking for shelter...and maybe a lifelong pension. I cant blame the guys for this...nor can I blame the Ticas. It's the dance of life and survival...

I was in SJ for the first time in March. I reserved a room at Gran Via, being intrigued by the "legend". I was there from Saturday 5PM until Sunday noon. (Checked out early because I wasn't given a key for the safe.) I looked for chicas in and around the hotel and saw absolutely nothing. In the park near the hotel, I did meet one gringo living in CR who said that he had picked up girls in the area. Perhaps I was just there on the wrong days.