www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Boys, I am finally seriously considering taking a trip to CR.

My buddy Koppite (from Canada) has been trying to convince me to check it out for the longest time.... so i am trying to plan a 4 day trip there while I am done my meetings in Houston. I am looking for suggestions on travel and accomodations.

I will be in houston until Sept 25 (need to be there on the 24th so i can watch a football game) then I would likely fly off on Monday the 25th to San Jose, then fly back on Friday the 29th or Saturday the 30th.

I was on expedia, and they have a travel package flying up the monday and coming back Friday, staying at the Gran Hotel Costa Rica (3star), the total cost including flights is about $800, which seems reasonable.

for those who travel there regularly (i would depart from houston) does this sound reasonable? I can likely fly for about $650 to SJ (via continental, i think us airways was more expensive) but then i still have to arrange accomodations, etc. I guess I would still want to do the touristy things (rain forests, volcanos, etc) while i'm up there, but then partake in the 'other' entertainment as well.

If you had any suggestions or comments, please let me know, that would be greatly appreciated!

I would forget the Gran.... it is NOT chica friendly unless you want to spend your entire time at Zona Blue etc. I would check with the Sportsman Lodge, the Presidente, or even the Del Rey. You can go Continental Airlines for $636 round trip out if IAH in Houston. I found that fare on Orbitz for the 25-29. I would suggest the Del Rey for a first timer. Even though I didn't stay there my first trip out of 7 it is a good place for a newbie. I stayed at the Hotel Castillo on my last week lonng trip 4 days ago. I will stay there again. It was 34 bucks a night for 7 nights with the CRT discount.

Read the board. Use the search function.

Berk.......

Gspot wrote:



Do not walk away from that package...run away as fast as you can

The Gran Hotel Costa Rica is chica intolerant. They will not allow you to have a female guest in your room. Get your airfare from a search engine such as Expedia . Due a search for hotels, narrow your choices, and then post again asking for opinions on your choices. Guys will be glad to help you out and Koppite is a veteran of the CR scene and can give you good advice also.

Good Luck

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Pura Vida
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Alex Levine

I agree with the rest of the posts, I think the Gran is one of the oldest and least chica friendly hotels around. i would book directly with either the Sportman. Presidente or one of the other decent chica friendly hotels.

I fly out of IAH all the time. If you want to do the touristy stuff, by all means do so, but if you are down for mongering stay at one of the monger hotels and have a kitten or two. PM me if you want more detailed info.