www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Fellow Mongers,

Do you think it's ok to bring a laptop to the Castillo? I will be staying in the standard rooms so I wanted to get your advice.

Thanks,

Pedro

OK in what respect?

Berk.....

To leave in the hotel room so that I can give fellow mongers updates during my "down" time.

Oh yea, I may also do "some" work. lol

There is a computer with internet access in the lobby just as you go up the stairs. Rarely do I have to wait for someone to get off so I can use it. That aside, I would have no reservations about bringing a laptop into the Castillo. I would LOCK IT UP in your luggage when not in use or in your room. The Castillo is a safe place overall, but never give anyone an opportunity to lift something like a laptop. Anything can happen anywhere in CR I don't care what hotel you happen to be in.

Berk......

I have to go along with Berk, I take my laptop to the castillo, the safe is not big enough for it, so it goes into the locked bag most every time, I have left it out with no problem a few times, the staff at the Castillo is very good, they have even rushed down with an item I forgot on checking out.

I am writing this post from the Castillo computer. Yes, the Castillo does have wireless internet, and I would not be concerned about leaving your laptop in the room. As others have said......tuck it away in your luggage. I can forsee no problem.

Zebra

Here is a tip--

Sign up for American Express Baggage lost protection. Get the upgraded version for $9.99 per trip. Buy you ticket with your Amx card and you items are covered up to $2000, even in your hotel room, taxi cab or checked baggage.


Also buy a cable lock for your laptop and lock it to a large price of furnitture. I leave mine out the whole trip. Keep the temptation at bay!

_________________
GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

Castillo is my favorite hotel in SJ and completely safe in my view and the staff is marvelous. But, as a standard matter of risk reduction, I never take my laptop to Central or South America. Hotel high speed and multiple internet cafes make it totally unnecessary.

_________________
Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

Fellas,

Thanks for the response. I figure I will just use the hotels computer as I just became via this site that they have computers available.

Thanks again and I will be sure to post a recap of my newbie adventure (July 12-17th).

I took my laptop to CR during my last trip. First, I went to Staples and purchased a cable lock for the laptop. I locked the laptop to something sturdy when outside my rented house.

Thats your best choice, the computer in the Castillo is never overly busy, and why take a chance as slight as it might be. The Castillo staff is second to none in SJO, enjoy your trip looking forword to your report.

I take my laptop to the Castillo and never have a problem. Surf the net from my room or the back bar. There is power at the back bar that you can plug into.

You do not have to worry about the staff , they are very honest. You only have to worry about the Chica's that you bring to your room if you fall asleep.

I leave mine out in the open and close the drapes when I leave the room.

I got frustrated when walking downstairs to use the lobby computer and someone was on it. In fact I did not have a laptop before I started going there. It was my buy incentive. If you leave it behind at home you'll be sorry if you surf the web in your down time like I do.

Also I take a small thin cutting board (the small plastic ones work fine) to set the laptop on so the system can breath while sitting on the bed and a full size mouse and mouse pad.

When the few american channels on TV have nothing I want to watch it is a life saver.

I’ve taken my laptop to the Castillo. I would leave it on the desk and never a problem. The staff there seems very good. There is always a chance of something happening anywhere no matter what you do. I keep the drapes shut and don’t advertise it to anyone passing by. A cable lock is a very good idea though.

Used my laptop there many times. Wireless signal strength can vary but overall good connections - just lock it up in your bag when you leave the room.