www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I just returned from a week in San José…what a great trip! During my week long adventure, I stayed at The Freebird.

This trip was a last minute decision and all the places where I’ve stayed in the past were sold out. So, I read through the forum and found the Freebird. Luckily, they had availability, so I reserved a room. As it all turned out, I gotta say, the Freebird was an absolute gem of a find.

In researching the Freebird, I liked that it was listed among the recommended hotels and it was chica friendly. Also, it offered a CRT-VIP discount. The location was great - right in the heart of the action - just three blocks from Hotel Del Rey.

I did have a few concerns before booking my stay. First, it didn’t have A/C, but after some additional research, I learned that the elevation San José is 3,700 feet. Because of this high elevation, the average daytime temperature is cool - ranging from 70 to 80°F and it can actually get a little chilly at night. That said, A/C was no longer an issue and even still every room came equipped with a ceiling fan. My second concern was that the regular (non-suite) rooms had shared bathrooms. This too was a non-issue. There were two large, modern, and very clean bathrooms available. Plenty of hot water and I never had to wait in line. I actually liked that after a session, my chicas could shower in one, while I showered in the other.

I also liked that the Freebird was safe and well secured. No unauthorized person could reasonably break-in and all chicas brought in by a guest, had to be let out by the guest - this way no chica could sneak out with your stuff while you were sleeping or distracted. Also, since the guests are in full control of letting chicas in and out through the security doors, there was no embarrassing check-in process every time you had a session.

It was great that the rooms were very modern and had satellite TV (with English stations), refrigerator, clock radio, and a safe. Local calls were free from the room phone. I also liked that there was high-speed wireless Internet access and next time, I won’t even bother bringing my laptop because there is a computer with Internet access that guests can use free of charge in the common area. The common area also has a coffee maker and microwave oven. Also, calls to the US/Canada could be made free of charge from the phone in the common area. Lastly, if you want to go home with clean clothes, there is a coin-operated washer and dryer.

The owner of the Freebird is truly a gentleman and well accomplished monger. The first thing he did was give me: a copy of my passport/entry stamp, keys and security codes for the building, and his 24/7 mobile phone number. He then proceeded to give me an update on the monger landscape and even took me on a walking tour of the bars, massage parlors, hotels, and casinos throughout the Greater-Gulch Area. It was an excellent refresher course and I learned more from talking with him that week than I had in all my past trips combined.

The only negative that I can think of was that some of the taxi drivers didn’t know where the Freebird was located. That problem is easily solved by telling the driver to bring you to the flower shop at the intersection of 2nd Avenue & 11th Street -- Vaya a la floristería en la intersección de avenida segunda y calle undécimo. It is literally ten steps away from the flower shop.

The Freebird clearly exceeded my expectations and I am already planning my next stay. Their website is http://thefreebirdcr.com

-VegasVic

Duplicate post.

_________________
Blue Devil

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

I've heard nothing but good things about Freebird from guys who have stayed there. I never had the pleasure, but the only reason I would hesitate is its location. Even with the proximity of the MPs and two fine restaurants, that part of the city doesn't do much for me. Freebird needed a cheerleader just like its competitors...and now it has one. Thanks, for the review.

_________________
Blue Devil

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

agree with everything posted......Dennis (owner) is a great fan of our fav. sport and will share many stories and what and where you should go or do !!! I stayed a week in the suite and my wing had the connecting suite, we had a great time and felt were we staying in an apartment vs a hotel.....

I also like the Freebird ,nice new rooms but for me it`s the location I like best. The price is another good thing I like about the Freebird.

I stayed at the Freebird last year as well, love the suites they have..Dennis is a great owner..he has tremendous amount of info for newbies as well as veterans.

VegasVic,
I took a tour of the Freebird on one of my trips and I lliked it too. I have thought about staying there. One of the nagging questions in my mind is the trip to the Del Rey at night. Do you take a taxi or not? Its very close to the Del Rey and during the day I have no problem walking anywhere around there. At night, I am not sure. How did it work out for you?

It's the easiest hotel in San Jose besides Hotel Asia to get a taxi to the Del Rey 24 hours a day. You just open the gate , wait 18 seconds and one dollar later you are walking up the steps into the Blue Marlin.

You can walk during the day or evening if you want but I'm not afraid to donate a dollar to a taxi.

_________________
* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

And from the Del Rey to the hotel with a girl, IMNSHO, you should never be walking the streets with a girl in hooker clothing. That is bad taste in the USA and in Costa Rica.

From the Del Rey to the Freebird, you exit the Del Rey Deli Bar exit (facing Key Largo) stop a moving taxi, not a hotel taxi, tell him to go straight to the bottom of the hill. At the bottom of that hill is the main 5 lane, one way, avenue . Turn left. As he takes that left, tell him to let you out on the right at the Florist . You are 5 steps from the front door to the Freebird.

_________________
* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Right. A cheap taxi is the way to go. I just feel stupid paying for something that close.

Late one night I walked in the direction of Freebird going past the Colonial. There was a group of four street guys checking me out and I felt like they might try to take me down. I made U turn. I am not usually a nervous Nellie, I just don't want to invite a problem.

At night, if alone or with a chica, I take a taxi. For the $2, it's worth it. I see no sense in being hassled or even slightly annoyed by beggars when I'm trying to have a good time. And frankly, I'm lazy. I figure I'll save my energy for the chicas . In the daytime or if I am with a few guys (and have some odd desire to stretch my legs), I have no problem walking. I just try to stay on 11th Street, as that street is pretty safe or at least safer in my opinion for a walking route to the Del Ray.

Remember, you're on vacation trying to have fun, so don't open yourself up unnecessarily to potential danger, no matter the level of risk. Live it up, $2 is insignificant petty cash.