www.CostaRicaTicas.com

First I would like to say you have a great site. It is full of quality information and I learned alot.

My buddy and I decided to make a trip to CR. We have been doing the typical onlince research for accomodations, things to do and so on.

This is my both of our first time in CR.

I really want to do some fishing for billfish. I want to do a jungle zip line, beach days, gamble and of course do some quality Ticas!

I realized that SJ seems to be the place to be, but there is no beach nearby. So I looked into Jaco. It seems they have charters for fishing there as well as a beach.

My buddy found a 2 bedroom condo in Jaco for $99 a night. it appears to be a very nice place. with a pool, a/c security and 1 block from the beach.
My question is, can I bring a nice Tica back here? Or will security give me a hard time? Is a condo the way to go in Jaco? We plan on spending about 3-4 nights here. Get the fishing done, beach days, maybe some other tours. But I still want to be able to bring Ticas home at night.
I was planning on flying in to SJ and taking a taxi/shuttle staright to Jaco. Is that the best way? Or is it too far? Other options? If a taxi/shuttle is the best way, what should approx costs be?

after Jaco we planned on heading back to SJ. What would be the best way back?
I am trying to book two rooms at Morazon, but they do not answer my emails requests. I will try calling later this week. Also, is it safe to submit your CC info over the reservation request online? It does not appear to be a secure site. I was planning on paying for everything in cash, I assume that should not be a problem.

The flight is very inexpensive right now. The round trip was 329 from Newark, NJ.

Thanks for all the help.

Hey Sporthobbyist

I spent several days in Jaco at the Club del Sol, also about a block from the beach. The price was a little higher at $125 per nite. The place pretty new and beautiful. Absolutely no problem with bringing ticas back to the apartment. Also they feature secure parking.
I hope this helps.

Baddog

Since we don't know which of the 264,498 condos in Jaco you're talking about there's no way to inform you about their guest policies. It's best to contact the condo rental agent directly and ask, so there will be no surprises. Remember that CRT V.I.P.'s get discounts at a couple Jaco hotels, also some deals on ATV tours, sport fishing etc. Read the list of V.I.P. discount sponsors (Morazan is not one of them) and see if the V.I.P. membership would benefit you and your traveling buddy.

I would be cautious sending C.C. information over a non-secure site, Costa Rica or anywhere. It's not the country, it's the Internet. If a C.C. is required to hold your reservation, fax it if the hotel doesn't use SSL encryption.

Cash is king, no problem. Just be sure to lock up your cash in the hotel room safe and only carry as much as you'll need for each outing. Also, keep your original passport secure and carry a photocopy of the data page and most recent entry stamp. Your passport should be held in your hotel safe but be available should the police want to examine the original. This means bringing your passport with you to Jaco.

ATMs are plentiful, and very few problems have been reported.

Welcome to CRT, Sporthobbyist. Hope you have the time of your life!

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

El Ciego Wrote:



This is generally true, but do not wait until you absolutely need cash. Two different members could not get funds out of the ATM's in July. One called their bank, and the bank had no record of an attempt to withdraw. It was obviously a local problem. The next day, all was wonderful and the money flowed again.

If you know that you are running short, and will probably need cash before you leave country, IMHO do not wait until you absolutely need it. Even the ATM's run on Tico time sometimes.

_________________
It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

I have no problem cashing more money then I need. I do that every year in Thailand. Because i know I will be back. From what I have read on here, CR sounds like a place that I will be back to on a yearly basis as well. Especially since the plane is a third of the cost of thailand and about a 1/4 of the flight time.

I will make sure I cash plenty on the first day there. Where would the best rate be for a large exchange?

As far as the Jaco condo, it is listed here:

http://costarica.en.craigslist.org/vac/767357379.html

OK, here is a YMMV question. What is the going rate for a Tica for overnight? I would love to have them in the day as well, but this is my first time and I have to do the typical vacation type activities in the day. So I figured at night I can gamble, drink and pick up Ticas. I read that a $10(USD) tip is fine. But how about total cost? I also read about cab fare. How much should that be?

What is the deal with dress codes? I read that you should be in jeans or pants???? It is hot and when it is hot, i wear shorts. I am not trying to hide the fact I am a tourist. I am sure they will know anyways. I was told the same thing in Rio and when i went to clubs I wore long pants, but the nights were alot cooler then the days. In Thailand, i wear shorts 100% of the time. It is hot in the day and just as hot at night.
How does the weather get in SJ at night?? I will be there the last days of august to the first week of sept.

I appreciate all the help. I am sure I will have alot more to add to this forum when I get back. But for now, I will have to be the annoying newbie asking questions. please bear with me.

If you cash a lot of dollars into colones, please exercise prudence. Don't flash the cash, take a taxi back to your hotel/room safe.

Best places in order of exchange rates/convenience:

Banks: Best exchange, "banker's hours."

Casinos: Second - best exchange rate, 24 hour access? Well, access when the casino is open.

Worst:

* Money exchange right in the baggage/customs area. If you need cash going into town, cross the street to the arrivals area and use the exchange kiosk (actually a mini-branch of a bank).

NEVER trust street money changers. Mighty fine counterfeit comes north from Colombia on a fairly routine basis.

**

You should still contact the condo mgmt. to determine guest policy. Condos should be reasonable about it...but you oughta ask.

***

Dresscode? Not at the beach! Shorts, sandals, polo/golf/tee shirts. No worries.

Lots of guys prefer jeans or long pants while in the capital. Most ticos do not wear shorts in town...and those who do are inevitably teenagers or younger.

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