www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I visited Puntarenas for 2 days last week and stayed at Michael's a new VIP sponsor. Let me preface this little review by saying that I agree with most who say that Puntarenas is an economically depressed area which does not or is unable to clean its beaches well and has little of the natural beauty that dominates so much of the rest of Costa Rica and that this is simply one man's opinion. I Loved This Town! The residents were as nice as I have encountered anywhere. At night I felt absolutely safe mainly I think just because of the local scene that I witnessed and was part of. On every street I was impressed by the K*ds and what I mean is that the norm was that older teenagers were interacting with younger K*ds on the basketball courts, skateboarding and playing ball on the beach. Familys were everywhere interacting and going about their daily routines. I enjoyed the street food especially a chichurron and salad wrapped in a leaf which is called a bigurron. The beach was pretty dirty the first day but had been cleaned pretty well the next. In all the place to me anyway was just a great place to chill and take in the local flavor for a couple days. Michael's is a nice well maintained little hotel with 8 really nice rooms directly across the street from the beach. Michael the owner is on hand and is exceptionally hospitable and customer service oriented. There is a nice pool clean and comfortable and gated parking. I know Puntarenas isn't for everyone or most for that matter but for me after 9 trips to CR, this town made me feel that I was experiencing the true Costa Rica without any hidden agendas for the first time. Just my humble opinion but I really loved this place.

thanks for the report. i was also checking that place out since they started advertising here and thinking about giving it a try. were you there alone or did you take someone if you don't mind my asking?
i kind of figured the hotel owner would be ok with us. and out of curiosity what made you feel the most like it was the real costa rica?

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

I did take a girl with me that I have known for about a year and a half and yeah the guy is fine with that. As for your other question as to why I felt like it was the real Costa Rica it's really just the way the folks interacted-honest- while it was evident that everyone seemed to be scraping by the best they could they did not seem to have any kind of exploit the gringo attitude. Example the woman selling the bigarrons on the street was polite enough but not overly so. In the shops again never a hard sell just simple courtesy and matter of factness. There was what seemed to me a sense of community there that was welcoming to anyone whether they were locals or not - like you are here today and part of our community because you are in Puntarenas just like everyone else. Neither better or worse. One thing that struck me was when I asked someone who's friend had sold pizza and pasta how the food is, he said " I don't eat that type of food but I hear from the K*ds at the school that they like it alot." That type of honesty seemed to be more important in this community that trying to make a buck for themselves or their friends.

Any P4P action near the hotel?

There are quite a few dance clubs a few blocks to the east so I would guess yes with a little game but I did not actually check it out.

If it is in the same beach area I'm thinking, one of those little hotels had a Greek restaurant I went to a few times. I have enjoyed drinking in little hole in the wall bars around there in the past. If you ever get a chance to go in February, I think, they have a really kicking carnival type party for a week or so.

I live 20 mins away from Puntarenas and often go over and stay at Michaels. Any of the rooms near the pool is best, they have a 2 bdrm apt upstairs for a few guys who travel together, and no shortage of P4P downtown at the few workin Tico bars. Rates usually $10 for 30 mins at the bar, $15US if u take her back, and pay $5US house fee plus taxi. Town has been having a real downturn, a few nice bars closed over past year, but nice boulevard across from MSH great place to meet visiting girls and hook up. Few decent open air bars and restaurants on boulevard that don't close until 4.

I just checked their website and it appears they don't have any suites with two rooms. I was hoping they would, it appears to be wonderful.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

By the way, it is "Chicharron" and "Vigoron".

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Been to Costa Rica more times than most! Been there, done that 100fold!

A bit of history. Before the modern port at Caldera, and going way back in the day. Puntarenas was the "monger" port town for sailors and Ticos alike. A lot of old stories and jokes in CR start, "there was this "Pu..." in Puntarenas" I thought you might find this amusing.

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Been to Costa Rica more times than most! Been there, done that 100fold!

def sounds worth checking out. how does travel time work out of san jose?

_________________
im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

As to the 2 bdrm suite/room, Michael calls it "the apartment" and it offers 2 separate beds with a door, and a good view of the pool action as well as the beach/boulevard