www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Ok, got an up coming trip and while searching tico times, am costa and such I stumbled across a few deals.
Thinking of renting a little two bedroom in a couple of weeks for $250 for the week. Furnished, all nessecities..yada yada.. Its on Av. 7 and C. 5 behind holiday inn (so it looks on the map and what I am told.) How safe is the area? I have stayed in don carlos, amon plaza, hotel castillio, SL so I am familiar with the area. I worry about the Trannis!! Had problem in the park last trip. (I walk through so my fault). Safe to wait and grab a cab out front? or to walk to the nearest corner to get one? Find a good one to call? I dont speak enough spanish to give directions. Especially drunk. I could draw a small map or have directions written on a card. Its either this or Hotle Castillo. They had the room I needed the whole week at the time I am coming down. Could be good practice for the up coming language school stay but its in San Pedro. Could be fun and more economical but could be a bad idea. Suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance!

Alot of tranvesties at night, and quite a large group of Dominicana's patrol the area at night time.

Depending how far behind Holiday Inn it is, I would say fine during the day, and definitly a "high alert" at night.

I did walk around that area one night with a tico buddy of mine, and ended up getting chased by some mad pack of he/she's. Other then that no trouble.

It is stated as corner of A. 7 and C. 5 I have walked the area day and up to 8-9pm. hell, I have walked back from the DR at 4 am. Not smart(!) as I take cabs now. Im fairly stout at 5'11 210 and its all above the waist. But, when a street person has nothing to lose and a blade or gun, that doesnt matter. 2 bucks is a good score when they dont even have that! I am yet to find out if there is security around (very doubtful) but I am checking. Castillo is nice and safe, stayed there before. The only place that had a room for 7 straight nights. +/- $50-75. Oddly, the non workers I hang out with don't go into hotels. Thats my squeeze!? Would be cool to have a pad and party down in. 1 plus, if I am not mistaken, its on the same physical block as ZB! Anyone else with info let me know. TYIA!

BTW....... Is a lock blade, mace/pepper spray legal to carry in CR? Just in general. And what is the penalty for using one in self defence. Think they would hit a US citizen hard.... If they can be totted...where can you get one there?

Pepper spray, yes. Blade, probably not. That being said, if you go to the police station on Av. 1 at c. 4 (I think),there's a little gun shop next door where you can buy mace, pepper spray, switchblades, machetes and collapsing police batons (ASP).

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

I like the area you're talking about.
Yes, you can be mugged. But you can also be mugged in front of the New York Bar.
I think if you want to experience renting an apartment, the area mentioned is as good as any for being close to the BM, ZB, NF and SL.

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(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

I find the area fine.You can always walk a block to go around Morozon Park at night if you want to avoid it. I have done that when I stay at Vista Linda apartments because the bus stop is near there.I would be curious at to datails and contact info on the apartments.Thanks rbc100

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Just my opinion but I think the area is totally not safe at night.

Remember, one member got robbed at gunpoint at the bus stop near Linda Vista apartments. Standing outside to hail a taxi is risky in itself, I believe.

I would bite the bullet and stay at the Hotel of the King.

Its not more dangerous then walking to Castillo or SL at night.

IMHO San Jose isnt much of a threat day or night. Sure crime happens, and us gringo's seem to be the victum of most, but how many cities back home are safe at night? Would you walk around New York at night with all your jewelry on and a nice wad of cash hanging out? What about Chicago, Baltimore, LA?

Those places are ALOT crazier at nigth then anything you will see in San Jose.


On a side note, does San Jose have any known organized gangs? I always wondered if they had much, or any MS-13 activity there

The area you are referring to is dangerous at night. If you stay there take a taxi at night.

The apt you mentioned seems expensive , it would have to be very nice for that price.

Alot of guys(wise ones) take a taxi from the del rey to the presidente late at night. So that should tell you alot about the area.

No matter what some of the 2 trip instant experts say San Jose central is very dangerous at night no matter how big and tough you think you are.

Don't arm yourself, use caution and take a taxi.

DTA,

Xman is absolutely correct.

First of all the apartment is quite expensive. A decent one-bedroom with spacious sitting area, full kitchen, maid service, phone, microwave can be had at the Sudamer for approx. $200.00, and laundry service can be provided for a few dollars more.

Any apartment in San Jose near the Gulch will be in a "bad" area. As nice as Barrios Amon and Escalante are, I would still not feel comfortable walking alone at night, and while blind I do stand nearly six feet and weigh 230 pounds, grew up in a large city with high crime and have lived in numerous places which might charitably be called ghettos. Places so bad the rats and roaches were looking for nicer accomodations.

You might also want to look at the Rincon de San Jose, and at the new Villa Lakshmi in San Pedro. Also, Dongordo had an apartment last September that he seemd very pleased with, very close to Zona Blue; you might want to PM him for info.

Remember that the Tico Times is published for gringos, and prices in their classifieds are probably higher than normal market. If you have enough Spanish, try the classifieds in La Nacion instead; you may be pleasantly surprised. Last year, I found a "gringo-ized" house between the Gulch and San Pedro: fireplace, spa, three bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, full kitchen, secure parking, wireless Internet, phone, daily maid service and weekly gardener for $650.00/month, so search carefully before committing to the apartment you found in the Tico Times.

Just my two trips' worth.

Expertly,
El Ciego

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

As someone who is well trained in taking care of himself, and is a muscular 215 pounds, and who has lived in three of the largest six american cities, and has traveled in Latin America for 20 years, and certainly does walk around at night with amigos in San Jose, your post is irresponsible JMAC. But, I understand, I did goofy, dangerous things when I was in my twenties as well; we tend to feel invincible. The places I used to go in Guatemala City, for many years, were just insane..Do what you like, just be clear about the facts, and be careful not to express opinions that can be harmful to newbies...

For the record, most of San Jose IS dangerous at night, and the difference bewteen San Jose and North American Cities is that criminals will target gringos, whom they know have some degree of money (at least). I love San Jose; it really is my kind of city; but do not underestiimate its dangers.

There have been many muggies of CRT members and other mongers...Take a cab at night if you are alone; and if with freinds walking around, be very careful....

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

Psychman said:

I think I am in love...

RHM

I think I am in love...

RHM[/quote


A brokeback mountain moment? Just providing context; we all should take the dangerous of our hobby seriously...

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

Well, its a good thing the internet cant tell you all of those things or someone might have thought I made it up! Who would have thought 3 simple words under google would have brought all of that info right to my fingertips?

Im pretty sure my facts are correct. People make it sound like your going to get shot walking around San Jose, and heaven forbid if you walk one block from the DR to the Presidente.

I refuse to blow things out of perspective and make it sound like some gang banging thug city.

CRIME HAPPENS EVERYWHERES, why would you think the capital city of some latin american country is exempt? The people who browse this site arent total morons, clearly they know some precautions have to be taken, but you dont have to tell them to take a taxi everywhere at night.

Since Ive walked from Panter Rosa, back to my hotel, I guess I should be awared the medal of honor, for my daredevil contributions to the gringo forces.

Id appreciate it if you dropped the whole age remarks in every other post you make. Its totally irrelevant to anything on here. I wasnt the one carrying 500$ cash, or a gold necklace when they were robbed.