www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Two of my buddies and I are headed down to CR in October. We came across a pretty good deal for a 3 bedroom condo for $450/week.
Are condos recommended or is it best to stick with hotels? Please share a condo experience if you've had one.

Wish me and my budz luck...we are CR first timers.

Condos can be nice, but many chicas do not want to go to a condo if it is too far from the gulch. Many are also nervous about condos from a personal security standpoint. Lastly, if your friends are loud party types you might not endear your selves to the other residents. You may well get 'stinkeye' from the building's residents when you being chicas back to the condo.

How close is the condo to the gulch? Is the condo management cool with what you plan to do there? You need to do a little more research.

Have a good trip though.

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

I agree 100%.

Not all, but many won't want to go due to distance or security. Of course, extra money is a great motivator. But do you want a chica to be uncomfortable or do you want her relaxed and not worried about what can happen to her.

If it's a money issue, there are hotels at all price levels, you don't have to stay at a $125/nt place.

My friends and I decided to rent a condo in Jaco as opposed to a hotel. Much nicer place for the $$ and in the middle of town.

Anyone have experiences - good or bad - with this option in Jaco?

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"Pura Vida"

I have heard of a lot of breakins in condos in Jaco. Do they have a safe? If so, lock up your valuables.

In san Jose get a hotel room with a safe and use it There's a good chance that your "condo" will be broken into and your passport and cash will be taken by a tico.

Jaco is like sub prime material in an otherwise great little country.

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

Have you considered the in between option of an aparthotel? There are many in the SJ area and offer a kitchen and some room not that far out. Do some research on the site to find options.

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Moral indignation is in most cases 2% moral, 48% indignation and 50% envy.

VITTORIO DE SICA

From what I'm getting here, condos are apparently a great thing from a GRINGO point-of-view: what the Brothers are expressing is the situation from a CHICA POV. Plus that added security thing cuts both ways--checking their cedulas at the front desk protects both parties, knocking out the "apparently" factor. This protection isn't available at an anonymous condo. There are some real freaks out there and the Chicas know it.

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"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

Thank you all for your suggestions and insight. After careful consideration, my friend and I have decided to stay at La Amistad instead. We'll be there from Oct 23 to Oct 26. BTW, how's the weather there during that time?

"BTW, how's the weather there during that time?"

CR beautiful. Still wet season. Gonna get some rain but so what proly stuffin muffin inside most the time anways and most days do see some sun. Think Florida in the summertime.

Orange and El Viejo make some good points, listen to these guys.
And remember you may be disappointed with your accommodations one you arrive with no back up plan, that happened to me first time I tried the condo route.
Considering it is your first trip I would hotel it, lots of support and advice
there, then do your homework for trip #2, take a few hours if you can spare and check out what is for rent in SJO.
I go for 4 or 5 weeks now so I do get an apartment or whatever, yes the girls can have issues with that but I have never had any real troubles .

Fiedler