www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hi all,

I know there's been a lot of posts about both hotels, but I'm looking for the very latest info so I can compare....

I'm an experienced guy in SE Asia, but am planning my first trip to SJose around Feb. 9-16th or 17th. I see a fare on Frontier that's in the mid 500's that looks good..bad thing is a 4 hour layover in Denver on the way back (I'm from San Francisco area) but TICA's flight doesn't arrive back at SFO until after 11 making it a rush job to catch BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) which is what I'd like to do rather than shell out taxi money to the East Bay. Any opinions on how do to the flight thing? Too early to book now? Will fares go up? Anything wrong with Frontier, etc.??

In looking at the site, it appears both Dunn Inn and Castillo have a lot going for them. I'm trying to solicit some opinions on which might suit me better.

Let me say when I travel, I like to do the tourist stuff, too..and I'm not a hard core monger type, but do like to see about a girl a day, I guess..so I do partake, for sure.. ; I also like to hang out with the guys I meet...hit the bars with them, or whatever..so if you will be around during that time hit me up!! I'll buy the first drink...

I'm looking for a hotel and here's what I like...

1. Decent hotel. I'm looking for value for the money...nothing super fancy, but something that's comfortable. I don't like staying where I'm not comfortable..I like it quiet...I do have wax earplugs that occasionally I have to wear, but I certainly want quiet with only occasonal disturbances. 55-60 is what it looks like both Dunn and Castillo and priced...and that sounds ok....opinions?

2. Good location..I think both of these are close to the Del Rey, Sportsman's etc..is there one that is in a better location for the ladies or just in general considering the whole picture for the 6 or 7 days?

3. Good staff...such as helpful in area such as tours, getting taxis and drivers, and giving directions..and who knows..maybe even good places for girls other than the obvious in the area..

4. Nice bar and/or restaurant on site..it'd be nice to hang with other guys and have a beer and go cruisng together and maybe the bar is a good place for this or even for finding girls who hang out there? Is there one hotel that is better than the other?

I think maybe there's construction going on in one? Is that true?

If there are an other factors I should be considering, I'd be delighted if you'd fill me in....and hope to meet some of you while I'm there so shoot me a PM if you are going to be around..

I'm sure I'll be posting with other questions, too..so thanks in advance for your answers and opinions!

RED

Both hotels are about equal in the categories you mentioned...except Item 4. The Dunn Inn is presently superior onsite and when the new venue adjacent opens, FAR superior. That said, Hotel La Amistad is a short stroll away with excellent food and nice bar, and Cafe Mundo and SL not much farther from the Castillo. Based on your wants, it's pretty much a coin-flip. And if one hotel doesn't suit, the hotelier will advise on the others--it's a close, tight-knit community and nobody wants a "trapped" unhappy customer. Worth your while to ask for a short tour at all the hotels just so you'll know what's what on future visits.
BTW, the SL and the Dunn Inn Happy Hours are the best places/times to catch up with other CRT Brothers and others--SL with working girls, DI without but live music usually.

_________________
"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

Thanks so much, Jazz. That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Maybe we will meet up some day!

Outstanding response, Srilm. I appreciate it.

I agree with most of what's been said. I'm a frequent flyer at Hotel Castillo and an unabashed fan; however, when I return to SJ, I would like to give Dunn Inn a try. Based upon the favorable reports since the big makeover, I believe the Dunn Inn may be another option for me.

With regard to your lodging selection, this is my take:

1. Hotel Castillo is a decent hotel that is nothing fancy, yet tranquil and comfortable. If I had to describe the hotel, I would say it matched my pre-conceived notions of a Costa Rican hotel prior to my first trip. Each room in the old villa has TV, phone and bano... the rooms in the new annex include these amenities plus AC and kitchenette. I have heard complaints from other guests about "moving beds" and "traveling room noise"... but these issues have never really bothered me. BTW, the hotel offers exceptional discounts for long-term stays and cash payments.

2. Hotel Castillo has a 5-minute advantage when walking to mongering venues like SL, KL & HDR. Castillo is about a 5 minute walk to SL and 10 minutes to HDR/KL. A portion of the stroll from Dunn Inn to these venues is "uphill." Both hotels are located in a "relatively safe" stately, old neighborhood called Barrio Amon. However, always remain alert... expecially during the night... when walking through this neighborhood. A corps of transvestites congregate around Parque Morazan and throughout the barrio when it gets dark. Needless, to say, a taxi is recommended after sundown. Avenida 9, which runs in front of Hotel Castillo is a busy street... while Avenida 11 (in front of Dunn Inn) does not have nearly as much traffic.

3. Darren, Marta and the rest of the staff are superb. I have known them for over 4 years, and as cliche as it sounds... they have always treated me "like family." Marta is an English-speaking tourism professional and is more than happy to fix you up with tours, drivers, rental cars and remote hotel accommodations. Admittedly, I'm not familiar with the staff at Dunn Inn, but I think it's a safe bet that with Boyd at the helm of customer service... you can expect a top-notch operation.

4. Hotel Castillo does not have a bar and restaurant, per se, but is immediately adjacent to one. It's so "adjacent" that the gardens, dining area and outside bar are shared facilities. I always enjoy the morning breakfasts in the gardens with other Castillo guests as well as tipping a few with them at the outside bar later in the day. Unlike Dunn Inn, SL or even La Amistad, Castillo is not in the thick of CRT social activity (which is not necessarily a bad thing.) This hotel seems to attract the more low-key monger who prefers to stay below the radar. From what I've read, Dunn Inn is evolving into another CRT mainstay of sorts... and with the grand opening of the casino around the corner, I'm sure it will be buzzing with activity. Both hotels are definitely chica friendly, but not certain what the latest policies are for soliciting business at the bar.

As someone else mentioned, Hotel La Amistad is another place of accommodation worth a look. The hotel caters to both mongering and mainstream tourists and is conveniently located near SL.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

You guys are a wealth of info. Thanks again. I guess I'll quite posting my thanks for awhile, but to anyone who posts thanks a lot. I really do appreciate your work!! If any of you need info about BKK, Pattaya, Bali, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Macau....perhaps I can help in a general or specific way.

Cheers! Hope to meet some of you during my stay in Feb.!! Keep in touch.

You have got the best information possible on the Hotels.

Regarding flights out of SFO as you said Frontier returns at nearly midnight to SFO and a taxi or even airport shuttles to the east bay can cost over $80 ( two great sessions at Relax ).

I have always flown on Continental with a stopover in Huston. The fare seems to vary between $640 and $520. The last time I went in July 2010 I paid $540. The total time including the stopover is about 10 -12 hours. They have a flight around midnight from SFO and you get to SJO by noon. The return flight leaves around noon from SJO and you get to SFO around 9 P.M.so you can take BART to the east bay.

You need to be aware that on the return flight you go through customs and immigration at Huston and then get on your flight to SFO. You have only 2 hours in Huston and the departure terminal is pretty far away. Immigration can take forever sometimes. It is easier if you do not have checked baggage.

The Continental policy is that they have to put you in a hotel if you miss you connection on an international flight (hope that is still true !). Happened to me once but I asked them to put me on any flight going to Oakland or San Jose so I got back to Oakland.

So going is smooth sailing but returning is a bit nerve racking but by then you have had such a good time that it is no big deal,

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

Hi Softbob...

Actually, I referred to the TICA flight getting back to SFO at 11:00 pm. The Frontier flight is fine. I didn't see a Continental flight. I did see US Air, I think, but seems the wait times were pretty long.

Thanks for your reply!!

Red

You seem a good candidate because of your tight schedule for the CBP's Global Entry Program. Gets you through Customs RIGHT NOW. Here's a fuller report (start with Brother Srilm's Post--he's the resident Air Trans. maven):
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34645&hilit=global

_________________
"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

Redfield,
I agree with the other posters above. I will add another point. The Dunn Inn will be the happening spot in the next several months. They are building a fabulous and beautiful casino onto the hotel, which should open this month. The objective of the casino is to attract gamblers and working girls. You should be able to walk downstairs from your room, down a hallway to the casino.

If you want to be a little bit away from the action (but still within a short walk), La Amistad is a really comfortable little boutique hotel that is inexpensive

Redfield10, I hate to tell you this but today on Expedia, Trip Advisor and Continental websites the fare from SFO to SJO in Feb. 2011 is $603 on Frontier air and $608 on Continantal.
I was lucky to get a fare of $540 in July this year but have paid $620 to 640 on earlier trips.

JazzboCR the global entry programme would be fine if I made 2 or 3 International trips a year. Not worth paying $100 for one trip a year.

I have only carry on luggage on my trip back from CR and so far have been lucky enough to make the connection except once.

Good advice Srilm. Thanks

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

Well Isra...

I hate to tell YOU this, but 5 minutes ago I booked a Frontier flight from SFO to San Jose on Feb 8 to Feb 16 for $544.45 which includes two checked bags, a one hour and fifty minute layover in Denver on the way down (red eye from Denver) and a four hour layover in Denver on the way back to SFO, but a reasonable 6:00 arrival time in SFO... ...change fee of $100 if needed...

( Im saying this in a light-hearted spirit... I REALLY do appreciate you taking the time to help!!)

Now I need to book the Dunn, Castillo, or La Armistad.

I may be booking this flight too early , but Im a " bird in the hand" type of guy!!

Again, thanks for everyone's help!! You guys are great!!

My opinion is that you have gotten some great intell
Dunn verses Castillo is personal preference thing IMO
What has been forgoten if you join CRT you will save enough to cover that expense and then some
For example The Dunn Inn has an $11 guest fee, that is waved for CRT members

Great!!!

Looks like a win win ... No matter which of these hotels. ( including La Armistad) I use... I'll make the reservation soon and let you guys know!!

THX!!

As I understand it, the CBP Global Entry program has a $100 entry/application fee but if you are accepted, it's good for 5 years. Cost per year = $20. The CBP Website is a bit confusing on this.

_________________
"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