www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Plus you'll get to use your new CRT discount at the places I mentioned.

I remember that place where you are reserved after a few of the later posts zeroed it in for me. It's a thin walled, dumpy, cramped place where who knows who (or what) you are going to be neighboring with, a half assed hotel? , and forget the lobby remodel on the website or chica fees. That hole would let anyone in. $50 a night? Holy crap $50? plus tax?

You now just appreciated why you just joined CRT--a new guy avoided a bad hotel stay
+ $$. If that's your budget, got to the Morazon, same price, alot more convenient, same general quality, save yourself a 6 block walk and probably at least be with a bunch of other gringos.

Paid for your CRT VIP this year with only a few posts.

If you have not done so, I urge you to read Bro Orange's magnificent Thread for newbies. If you have read it, read it again. It can save you big grief in CR: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16357
Also another hotel to consider is the Hotel Vesuvio (anybody got an impression to share about this place? It never gets talked about). Only a few blocks from the Sportsmans Lodge (serious mongering trip or not, this is Our Crowd Central and no better place to recruit a wingman or 2), it's a budget choice: http://hotelvesuvio.com/
and was The Hemingway mentioned? http://hemingwayinn.com/
For lunch, consider the Soda Peru (Search it on this site) and for an early PM libation, check out the nicely funky Harry's Bar Poas--liable to meet anybody there (Tico bizmen, backpackers from the big place down the street, adventurers freshly back). I pretty much guarantee none of your bud's have a "Bar Poas" T-shirt, and you can actually talk about this place to civilian friends and Gringas w/o blushing or tap-dancing:
http://barpoas.com/

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Truly a thank you for the advice, and the welcome.

I'm unfortunately locked into this place for the two nights and will let you know but as you point out I'm not hopeful for a monger friendly environment but I'll just play elsewhere those days.
I'm then heading out for work in Puerto Viejo but will try one of the recommended spots when I get back into SJ.
Again, truly appreciate the help and glad to be a member here.

Yawp, another hotel to consider is the Castillo. It's a little old, but a very friendly staff, and close to everything.

Be very careful down that way, been a lot of bad things happening lately... I'd suggest a way to lock your motel door from the inside, pay attention to your surroundings and never let your guard down.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Hi team,
Maragato I would propose as a reasonably priced idea close to the fun but not trying to be chica friendly.
I see some guys don't play where they stay so this might be an option.
Whatever they were with previous owners (sounds like not good at all) my room is clean, wifi is good and I have a balcony over looking Avenida Central (in all its glory)
The price works, the room is clean and spacious. Its young American couples here tonight. The young guy at the desk was startled by my "guests" question and first said "yes no problem" then I think realized the implications and asked if he could tell me tomorrow. He didn't know how to respond.
I'll keep you posted but felt an obligation to report back.
BTW Thanks for the heads up on PV but I'm going to PV de Sarapiqui not de Talamanca. Pretty quiet town there (Sarapiqui). You can get into trouble and there's two relatively large (# of chicas) rural pensions but I never got the sense it was dangerous.

Thanks - seriously - about posting back - many - especially new guys, who have one question about their first or second trip, never do - its a peeve of many. See my comments above in red

And again, welcome to CRT

Those of us who called it a poor choice were correct - some things, you just "know"

I wasn't hip to the difference between the 2 PVs so you triggered my look: http://www.govisitcostarica.com/region/city.asp?cID=150
The thing about this Site is that most of us most of the time are descriptive, not prescriptive (" Here's something to try OR here's an expected outcome if you do try" NOT "Do this OR don't do that".). The Maragato hasn't been mentioned before so the heads-up was welcome. If any of us need a "civilian" hotel for ourselves or for others, this looks to be a reasonable budget alternative. Relevant or not, immediately useful or not, info exists for its own sake. Thanks.
All this is strictly my opinion and no smack at anyone else.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Be careful at the bus station. They both will only say Puerto Viejo on their header.

Follow up: Just as a try I brought chicas back to the hotel (two at once) and there was no fee and the guy at the desk was totally calm about it. He checked their IDs and was very polite.
Again, I have no idea if this is a policy or if it was just his call. With the place being under new management I think that I may have just benefited from them not yet deciding what they want to do.
Anyway, another data point.
--Also thanks for the heads up on the bus. The lady selling me my ticket was surprised and triple checked that I meant Sarapiqui and not Talamaca!

good info re: the Hotel--was it quiet? How much per night? Remodeled rooms?

Glad you caught the right bus. The ticket agent was "profiling" you!

El Maragato is a great choice close to all the action. Much nicer and cheaper than the dump Morazon.

My friend is going to stay there this week. He has stayed there before. The rooms are nice and have a mini fridge. Breakfast is included. They take the girls id and there is no charge. He always gets a room on the top floor with a balcony facing av central.

Since he has stayed there a lot his rate is $42 a night plus tax. Got to be one of the best deals downtown.

What is there not to like.

I'm trying to picture just where the Maragato is located. Is it near the Apple store (which is near the rear of the Gran Hotel Costa Rica)?

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)