www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Yep, Anje from Karahe confirms construction but says they don't start until 7am. WTF? Kind of shitty if they don't tell people in advance and/or discount the rooms. I would have checked out of there pronto. She says they are supposed to finish end of Feb. And so that means when in CR reality? By the way, it's on the market for $15 million. http://www.century21cr.com/properties/v ... .php?id=42 No comment. But click on the "gallery" link for good phot's of the place and the beach in front.

Nix Karahe for now, at least ocean side rooms, but I am sure that kind of noise travels across the road to the older rooms. That is unless you're an early bird riser and 7am construction noise doesn't matter to you. It's a nice place, great location, one of the few right on the beach that I'd recommend, nice pool, nice outdoor bar/restaurant. Oceanside rooms are too small.

If being on the beach is what you want in ManAntonio, then Hotel Verde Mar, bigger rooms, basic, not fancy, but with kitchens, wireless, nice pool, nice people, Canadian owned, sometimes there, sometimes not, H is very ill back home. Ramon is the GM, the best. No problem bringing a chica back from Quepos, just don't say anything and they won't.

PS: Verde Mar built a new small place immediately next door, maybe 8-10 rooms? The plan was for a restaraunt and halfway thru construction that didn't work out for whatever reason and so they made rooms. Not recommended. No kitchens, very,very small rooms, loud hallways. Pass on those and stay at the main bldg.

I was there the January 12-15th and she might be correct that the construction does not start till 7 am, but they start moving shit around or are doing weight lifting at 6 am and dropping the weights on the floor. Even on Sunday they started at 6 am. I am very tolerant but that was not cool and while the place was not busy there were a few others that were pissed about the noise and asked to be moved. Oh by the way do not feed the iguanas at the restraunt, they love the fruit but the staff gets a little pissed. I pretty much told them you wake me up early, I feed the iguana's...... fair trade I thought. I did like the access to the beach but apparently you do not go for moonlight strolls on the beach as the local thugs hang out in the tree line and will beat your ass to a pulp and take your money. I do not know that for a fact but that is what my CR girlfriend told me.

There is not way they will be done in February. I would say maybe April if lucky.

Will I stay there again yes.

Yep, that was really shitty and you see they still don't care because Anje emailed me and said that at the end of Feb construction will be finished.

Yep, I do not think any of the beaches in CR after dark are a good idea.

Manuel Antonio has had a few bad after dark beach incidents that were reported in the press so there were probably more.

One sex crime of two gringas maybe 5 years ago stands out--they got on the plane the next day and said forget prosecuting; another was a murder of a South American chica tourist maybe 3.5 years ago. I think they figured out who the sex criminals were but they obviously got a pass. I think the murder remains unsolved.

Maybe less risk now since Mar y Sambra, maybe 6-7 football fields S of Karahe, a very popular landmark beach restaurante/bar got half way torn down by the municipilidad of Aguirre for maritime zone infringement about that time. Never really re-opened after that. They drew a bad crowd at night especially week-ends when they'd have a band.

Still, I wouldn't walk it. Crack has been in Quepos big time and I regret to say the police there are especially indifferent--to locals or tourists. I could tell you a few 1st hand stories but you get the point--they will walk the other way.

Remember, this is the municipilidad where the mayor got arrested last year for the und***ge sex abuse and video stuff, still in court, and many of the locals say the police knew. Using city vehicles with other city employees to get these girls from outlying areas. The municipality of Aguirre covers a huge area, way, way past Quepos/MA in all three directions, out into the little poverty stricken pueblos you'll never hear about.

The other side of Pura Vida land.

i generally don't look to take long walks at night on a beach unless i feel really safe. but i did notice last year that the area at the end of the road has gotten seedier. lots of crack head type low lifes chilling out across the street from the restaurants. not too worried about them but it was not the way i remembered it being.
the taxis there are a holes for the most part. will charge you 3m colones to drive you from the end of the road to karahe. so i usually walked but that road is not well lit and cars come around those turns pretty fast.
great info on the karahe construction. that would piss me off.
have stayed at villa prats as well. and i agree it is a very nice option. good people. they do not have in ground pool or beach front however. it is maybe an eight minute walk to the beach.

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

I had my Tica novia with me and other than a few nasty looks from the restraunt help when feeding the iguanas I liked the place. The food at the hotel was good but only ate breakfast there and lunch after we checked out. We took taxis most of the time and I think the highest I paid was 4.5k going to Quepos at night in the rain from Costa Verde. Most of the time we were charged 3.5k and I gave them 4k. When we went to the Cantina and Costa Verde it was 1.5k each way but I hate coins so I would give them 2k. Never had a problem getting a taxi waiting on the side of the road, I did call the front desk once for a taxi and they were on it and called the room when it got there. Had it not been for the construction I would have really enjoyed it.

don't get me wrong i love MA and have gone for years. but it has changed. with a girl you like it is perfect. just at night it warrants caution. didn't really used to be like that ime. but its still a great beach and there are some awesome little restaurants especially hidden on the dirt "horseshoe" road. mostly hotels but some great finds including a sushi bar.

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

You got it, it's changed at the MA end of the road at night and they're scammers, of course, like any other crack head from there to NY.
Like "can I watch your car", or mooching, or otherwise being a nuisance. One guy came and sat at our table and said "hey you remember me" and before he could get the rest of his bullshit out, I pulled out the stun gun (which are legal there and legal to bring in your checked-in bags if--not NY,eg, they are legal in the state where your airport is, or Sid from One Lucky Dogg Transport sells [or did] sell them there--see classified on the board) and my Tica pulled out her gas. He left.

Sad to have to be carrying and to be on guard in such a cool place, but necessary due to no brain/no care police who should be shooing these crack heads from one of their most popular tourist areas.

Same thing in Quepos by the seawall road kitty corner from the Best Western and in that immediate area at night. Just like Gringo crack heads, they're sleeping most of the day. But, that's the other very popular tourist spot where they congregate.

So, if you go to the BW casino, or across the street to look for some p4p at Pescadora or Wacky Wanda's after dark until closing time, you are in their sites and they play the same games they do in Manuel Antonio as mentioned above, so be careful. Avoid that corner--the police do. Park east of the BW, or if cabbing it, the cab stand is also east of there, block and a half.

Yep, Ronnie's Place restaraunt on the dirt road is really, really something. A bumpy ride, tipico comida, nothing fancy, and not enclosed so it can be hot, but incredible ocean and mountain vistas in all directions from the highest mountain point in Quepos/MA. Aamong the best scenes in CR, intoxicating, or maybe I feel that way because often me and her can sit there and drink all day.

Ilv4play, I'll be there next week and I usually stop by Karahe's beach restaurant 2x times a day as I walk the playa--my favorite thing to do--to grab a beer. I'll be sure to feed the iguanas in your honor, and there are some big frigging iguanas hanging around as you saw.

sounds like we like the place for the same reasons. it is a shame there is no police presence. the only security i think i have seen around there are the security guards at the hotels. and those guys are rarely around unless you have your girl naked in the pool.
it was pretty clear to me that at this point the inmates are running the asylum.

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

Yes sir, Quepos/MA hooked me the first time I was there, but unfortunately for me, it was the last beach town I visited 15 years ago when I was looking for my favorite beach. About 2 years dicking around. First, I started on the Atlantic, two trips, not for me, both with a chica I met. Oh, the pain. Then to most of the beach towns in northern Guanacaste, 4 or 5 trips, including Flamingo, Coco, Conchal, Tamarindo in no certain order and others I can't remember now, all with a chica--oh, the pain although some not so bad; then next trip Samara and Nosara; then next trip Tambor and Montezuma/Cabo Blanco area one trip each con chicas, same; Punta Leona's Sugar Beach resort one trip, good chica; next time skipped Jaco with luck--wasn't the playground then it is today and I'd heard the beach was shit. Anyway went dicking around Playa Bandera and the rest of the Esterillos near Parrita with a newbie chica, horrible; then for some reason next trip skipped Quepos and went further south to Dominical, pot head chica; then further south to Marino Ballena National Park beach area one trip, chica had family near by so it was a mixed bag; realized next stop south was Drake Bay and too remote and hard to get to (shit roads then--now smooth sailing) but still not going to be realistic ever. So next trip I back tracked north intending on staying at Playa Matapalo (the one by Quepos, there's 2 Matapalo's). Stayed for only one day--incredible, magnificent, wild, great beach but like 3 really shit hotels on a 15-20 mile stretch, so I boogied north over to Quepos/MA north 25 minutes away and haven't been to another beach town since, although I used to go back to Matapalo for 1000% solitude more then occasionally.

Matapalo is the wildest, longest, most desolate beach I've ever been to and that includes the aforementioned protected Marino Ballena National Park beach, which was as long or longer, and desolate, but not the rip roaring wild surf and something else I can't put in words that adds to its bravo.

If you go to Quepos and have a car, go for a couple hours. A little tricky to find the exit off of Rt 34, very small sign, but you'll find it and then you'll figure out how to get to the shore a few miles away. You can park safely under the palms at the beach, or there is one 'hotel' toward the north of where you'll first see the shore. Give the owner a buck and park in his lot.

Unforgettable beach, head south by foot and you won't see any sign of humanity after a short distance. You could walk a whole day and a whole day back if you want and see no signs of human doings other then maybe a few cows grazing in the growth under the palms, so bring refreshments.

Anyway, I got addicted to MA, and Quepos, which is surprising because Quepos by itself/alone without MA is nothing to write home about, but something about it grabs me as much as MA. In fact, I spend an equal amount of time in each. AND THERE IS A HOSPITAL THERE! Young guys don't think about that. Only two on the pacific, Quepos and Liberia, the rest of the places hopefully they can get you to the local clinic in time and stabilize you for the long bambulance ride to either. I don't like those odds.

I met my local at the bank with her mom, got lucky with my shitty spanish, been friends ever since. No clue what happens where she lives 15 klicks east when I'm not there, don't really care. When I'm there, I'm the man, when admittedly I am Santa Claus for her and the family. Tipico absentee gringo-tica relationship I think. Fine, fine girl and a stunner with some english and a joyous personality. Works for me.

Quepos/MA: Unfortunately, the crack thing the last 3-4 years is draining alot of pleasure and inserting necessary paranoia, including for the Quepoians which includes the municipality of Aguirre which goes for miles and miles in three directions, Quepos being the business base, bus station/banks/hospital/bill pay/half ass normalcy. They are of course very poor people with very limited opportunities, the best for most is a shit hotel or related job, or in the nearby palm nut harvesting biz, or shit pay laborer or fishing boat (pleasure or commercial) job, so they are ripe for the crack attack.

Amazed more of the local chicas haven't crossed the line, but 95% of the p4p there girls are from elsewhere. A bunch of side playing semi's but takes time and local contacts. It's a bedroom community even with the outlying little pueblos and they love spreading the word that Juanita is now a puta. If gossip were an Olympic sport, Quepos would win a gold. Tough for a gringo to hook up with a local, word spreads like wildfire. Puta, puta, puta, man how they love that word.

Next trip I think I will spend a week in MA because I like to explore eat good food, and love to just hang at a good restaurant/bar in the evenings, dance some salsa and watch my novia enjoy the time we share together. Being out of the gulch with a chica you really find out where their head is. I did notice some crack heads in Quepos at night but they for the most part are on the outskirts. We did do some walking in the evenings in Quepos but only where there was already plenty of people and my girl gives my hand a squeeze if she sees something that bothers her so I can take notice. I am putting Ronnies place on the to do list next trip. I think I will rent a car as well so I do not have to rely on the taxis.

Yep, a car is really cool for Quepos/MA because as you know it is really spread out and you can go pronto. It'll pay for itself in a week, especially if you use it to get to-from SJ. To me a no brainer.

Alot of restaurants to choose from as you saw. In MA, Restaurante Lobster is very good, alot of the staffers from nearby hotels w/out restaurants order take outs from there. I don't know if you saw that little place right on the beach maybe 5 football fields to the south of Karahe, Cafe Baru. Been there for 50 years, run by the two sons now, Memo and Manuel. Great spot for a beer, outdoor seating on concrete stools and tables, shade from the palms, good food, 8am to 8pm. I wasted many a day hanging around there, perfect for chilling the day away, take a walk or a dip, come back, have another beer, lounge chair/umbrella/small locker rentals too. In the other direction from Karahe (N) on the beach, maybe 7 football fields, I don't know if you noticed the little bar/restaurant at Hotel Arboleda. Another place to take a walk on the beach to and get a beer or a bite and some shade.

A bunch up and down the road to Quepos, mostly hooked up with hotels, as you saw. The higher priced the hotel the higher priced the menu. The outdoor open flamed bar b-q at Costa Verde is neat. Ronny's Place, of course as mentioned, but during daylight.

The gringo favorites downtown Quepos are Gran Escape, owned by a Canadian, Marsha, seafood, a little pricey but not that bad, and classy. The fishing captains and crowd hang around the bar after the catch. The restaurant on the upper floor of Best Western Hotel is good, really nice vista, classy too. Dos Locos on the corner by the bus station is another gringo owned popular place, great for people watching too. Live music a few times a week.

My two favorites Tico places in Quepos are Restaurante Junior, directly across from the bus station, next to Monge appliance store. Maybe 5 tables. Great, I mean fantastic, sea-food soup, a meal in itself, but he cooks it from scratch so stop by, order, and tell him you'll be back in 25 minutes. Opened for bk also.

And my favorite soda is two blocks down toward the ocean from Pali (main supermarket), same side of the street right next to a little grocery. Always busy, tipico menu, bar stools at a counter only, $5 and you'll be full, bk, lunch, or dinner.

Great tips. I love food so I always try to find the off the beaten path locals places and have definitely found some gems wherever I go. I am friends with Marsha at Gran Escape and always stop in to see her and drop off some fish that I catch up in Alaska and bring down with me every trip. That place with the seafood soup is incredible, I found that last trip to Quepos and did not have a chance to hit it this trip, as I only had 3 days there. In my 4 prior trips to Quepos I never ventured out of the main area because we were fishing during the day and tired at night. I cannot believe that I never made it to Manuel Antonio before but now that I know I will probably go there every trip. This last trip was nice not having to do anything but hang with the novia, she is very low maintenance and just wanted to walk on the beach and catch rays at the pool. 10 years ago I would have gone stir crazy doing that, I guess being older and wiser is not a bad thing.

sounds like we should all rent a car and pack up the bkitches

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

Works for me, I am not sure when my next trip is but somewhere in the April-June range is when it will be.