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I'm coming down in a few weeks and wanted to spend some time at the beach but I'm not sure how much fun it would be for a solo traveler. I'm staying the first two nights at HLH then planned on going somewhere for the weekend then back to HLH. Any recommendations at either beach?

M.A. world class beach with some action downtown in Quepos, (5 km); PV, nice beaches, doubt if there's much action other than luck, haven't been there in a long time though.

No p4p action in Puerto Viejo... and marginal activity in Quepos (Manuel Antonio). If your only reason for going to CR is to find p4p, stick to the San Jose gulch.

So maybe a day trip some where would be a better idea. I want to see something outside of the city while I am there.

Bring a jar of sand and spread in on the floor of your room at HLH. If you haven't yet been to the HLH, you may cancel any plans for the beach after the first day there. (Oh, and if you do that, be sure and tip the maid.)

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Yes, there are a number of worthwhile daytrips. All the hotels I stay at in the gulch have "travel offices"... brochures and someone on staff who will arrange tours for you. I don't know if "Little Havana" offers these type of services, though.

Having done my first trip as a fishing in Quepos and tourist in SJ this past Christmas, I can tell you that its all in what you're looking for. Same country, two different destinations and experiences.

First SJ: I met up with a super wingman at Armistad who went out of his way to show me (a CR virgin)the ropes (walking tour, safety brief, tips to chica-proof the room, negotiation strategies, discounts, etc). Even the little things like paying the departure tax at the hotel, cab fares, and where the closest pharmacy is really meant a lot. There are sites/tourist areas but let's face it, if you are a member of this group the focus is not on the history of coffee plantations in CR. Unbelieveable how cool everyone I met treated me and helped in SJ. CRT VIP is a great deal and membership seems almost like a fraternity.

Quepos/Manuel Antonio: Its a beach and preserve. Yes it's nice. If you want to read a book, catch some fish, see some monkeys - go there.

If you are young (40) and under and are somewhat hip spend a few nights in PV the place is crawling with single female tourists from Europe and NA and has a good nightlife seen where the party moves to different locations on different nights. Some really nice swimming beaches and snorkel spots. The gulch scene will still be there when you get back. And who knows you may get some action from a blonde haired Austrian girl named Heidi.

If you go to PV/MA/QU solo, there's a very good chance you won't be getting laid.

Go to HLH for a couple of days, see if you connect with any of the girls and see if they are off when you are planning to go, and bring them along. Girls love the beach. You'd have to negotiate a rate with the girls themselves. I'd start the negotiations at $100/day plus all meals, drinks, expenses, etc. The other option is to find a girl at SL or DR. But make sure you "test drive" the girl in a session beforehand or you may find out she has no skills and then you're stuck.

Hi,

When I was in San Jose for my first trip this past Christmas, I did a day trip to Manuel Antonio--I found a couple of other guys to split the cost of the day trip. LA found a driver that charged a total of $220--it was about 6 1/2 hours round trip and we were at the beach for about 5 hours. The driver was awesome and patient and was willing to work with our schedule.

When we first arrived we had some lunch and treated the driver as well. The driver took a nap in the car while we hung at the beach--

We left at about 8am and were back by about 7pm.

I will be back 3/16 for 10 days for my 2nd trip and plan to do a couple more day trips--if anyone is interested let me know.

USA41

If you are anything like me, you won't want to leave HLH once you get there.
CH

A good day trip out of San Jose, is to Cartago-Irazu. or Cartago-Orosi Valley around Lake Cachi a lunch at one of the trout farms.

If you're only or primary interest is to get laid the just stay in San Jose or go to Jaco like 95% of the other mongers that come to CR. If you want to go beyond getting laid then the Puerto Viejo area is a great option if you have the time (Playa Cocles...Punta Uva...Cahuita..etc). I never spend less than a week in CR and I have on several occasion spent the 1st few days in San Jose (getting laid...) then I'll drive down to Puerto Viejo area for 3 or 4 days and then come back to San Jose to "get laid" before leaving. The Quepos/Manuel Antonio option is also a good choice. Not sure how much time in total you'll be in CR but if less than a week you're better off staying in San Jose and going on one of those day trip tours which any of the hotels can help with.