www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Sportsmens Lodge
As far as I am concerned this is by far the best venue for mongers in Costa Rica. If your trip is to experience mongering in comfort and hospitality at a fair and reasonable price then the Sportsmens Lodge is for you. Spanish is not a necessity and is only an advantage. While that can be true among most venues in Costa Rica it is extremely true here. The owner Bill is by far the best owner/operator currently in San Jose for the Western Mongerer. I do not say this because I have met him, or because I like him and the way he conducts himself and his business. All of which are true but, I say this because it is the way he listens and responds to his customer. He has made CRT his source of business and does not forget where his income is derived. This is evidenced publically by his obvious participation into the world of the CRT. Any obscure post which references his business in most ways are typically addressed at the proper point in time. He is one of us. That is the difference. The Sportsmen is an all inclusive venue with food service from an roadhouse style menu, basic selection of free lancers ranging in quality and service, and higher end accommodations available. The Sportsmens Lodge as a clubhouse feel in which the bartenders are as friedly as any sports bar and they also have a happy hour in which a lot of fellow CRT alumni who actually live in the country attend. I always spend my drink money primarly with the Sportsmens because I know I get what I give.

Hotel Del Rey
Hard Core mongering at its finest. The Del Rey does not offer the personal touch but is the only venue to offer access 24 hours for mongers in the gulch. A weekend at the Del Rey will turn the most naive nubie into a world class monger. It is argumentatively and in my opinion the number one single mongering venue in all the Americas. I have always said that a split stay between the Sportsmens Lodge and the Hotel Del Rey is the best combination for a first visit to the gulch. Both are unique experiences. Staying at the hotel Del Rey offers very good restaurant choices from diner specialties to finer dining as well. In addition the Hotel Del Rey has late night options which go on past the closing time of the Sportsmens Lodge (12:00am). It's night club venu which is the Key Largo also offers a wide selection of entertainment and freelancers as well. Finally, for those who enjoy games of chance the Hotel Del Rey also offers a casino which does host private poker games as well. The Hotel Del Rey has every vice known to seperate a man from his money so bring lots of it.

Hotel Little Havana
This is a hotel which I have stayed at a lot in recent months. The venue here is called a "Massage Parlour". However, the business design is central to room rentals. The room layouts are designed with the monger in mind. This by and large is a basic hotel located comfortably from both the Hotel Del Rey and the Sportsmens lodge. While the majority of the girls are not in the same league physically as there higher end counterparts in the Hotel Del Rey or the Sportsmens Lodge they are performace for value. If you are a frequent flyer to San Jose you might want to give the Hotel Little Havana a second look. A little research on the CRT site will yield exactly what you can expect from each provider. Further, as a guest of the hotel you can have a session for $35.00. On average that is 2 sessions for the cost of one at the other two previously mentioned venues. There menu is limited and does not have a lot of healthy alternatives however, if you want a hearty man's meal with your beer during happy hour then this is the place. As for their happy hour it occurs twice a day in which you get a 2 for 1 special on most drinks and beers. At this time you will have the opportunity to meet many likeminded folks. To rent out rooms they also offer a early bird special which a session for a non guest is $40.00 instead of $50.00. However, the Leggs and eggs special may be the best especially for a guest in which you breakfast is free if you session before 11:00am. This is a perfect hotel for the mongerer on a budget.

The Hotel Amistad
By far my favorite hotel. Although admittly I have not stayed here in the past year. Girls are not permitted to solicit work in this hotel. It is not a mongering venue. It does cater to the monger eaually as it does the eco-tourist and there is no guest fee. I started to stay here because it became increasingly difficult to get a good room at the Sportsmens Lodge without a great deal of planning ahead. The owner Matt is engaging and entertaining and serves to be an excellent host. The rooms are basic to middle but most importantly are clean and comfortable. The prices are comparable to all other venues but does include breakfast. The location is roughly 100 meters/yards from the Hotel Little Havana. It does host a higher end dining experiece and bar as well. This venue is for the experienced mongerer who also may enjoy a side trip or two with a favorita while in town. Or would like to enjoy some time away from the "action" while on vacation. It changes the venue into what you make of it. If you want to monger you are at most $2.00 by taxi away from the Hotel Del Rey and a 2 minute walk from the SL.

These are just some of the places I have stayed over the last few years with several visits each year. There are two things I have learned about Costa Rica. First, is do not make any plans. Things will just work themselves out as they should. Second is that no two trips are the same, not even between two people on the same trip. Therefore, there are many things which will compete to create your opinions of venues, people, and places. Everything in San Jose deserves at least on second chance with the exception of a provider.

Now, I am interested in other opinions of venues in the gulch including those which critique or do not correspond with my own experiences.

_________________
--==xpatriot==--

Xpat-
Didn't you mean 100 yards from Sportsmen's Lodge? Hotel Amistad is located on the corner of Avenida 15 and Calle 11.

_________________
When I was born, I was given a choice - a big pecker or a good memory.... I don't remember what I chose.

Yes, I did. Thanks for the correction Krico

_________________
--==xpatriot==--

Good post - but 'cmon - the rooms were last decorated when LBJ was President What is your basis of comparison - the Maricopa County Jail - Folsom? Attica? They are decent size, but just OK would be my opinion - and at $55/night vs the previous price, an OK deal.

You hit on so many really key points with one post (I mean any one of us with a little experience could write a long post on so many of the things you mentioned) - with the exception of room descriptions - stick to controling planes, b/c you are no decorator your post was really excellent

Or if you stuck your finger in your eye, I guess

(While everyone should do the place once - but not on their first trip - I just don't like the place on so many levels - and yes, I have stayed there - once )