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Hi fellow travelers! Just joined the VIP deal with this site, many thanks for all the contributors on here. There is a TON of great information. First of all, quick background: Late 30's, decently attractive, financially secure, has been in the game for some time but never been to CR. In addition to the ladies, I'm looking for a little R&R during the day, maybe a bit of sightseeing, and a little beach time would be nice. I'll be in CR starting Memorial day weekend for 10 days and was thinking I would split half my trip in San Jose and the other half in Jaco. I'm looking for opinions on what hotels you guys would choose and why. Also, would it be okay to just show up in San Jose without any hotel reservations, plop down my CRT card for a discount and not expect to have any problems finding a room in low season? That is not something I'm used to and obviously I don't want to show up to an exotic unknown country and be SOL without a hotel room. I'm guessing from what I've seen reservations are needed in Jaco in high or low season to be safe, particularly at Cocal. So...I'm thinking I may do a few different hotels in SJ to get the feel for them. Maybe a night in HDR at least for the experience. Then a night or two at SL, as well as Zona II. I've also looked at Mona Lisa and Dunn and they seem to be good options as well. Jaco, it seems Cocal is the place to be although their poor reservation system seems to be a turn off. I'm also considering a couple nights at Copa as it seems like a unique fun experience just to see what it's about. If those two aren't available it seems that Poseidon is a good option as well.

Obviously anywhere there are positives and negatives to any of the places. I'm just looking for opinions on what you guys would do if you were in a similar situation as I am? Plus, as we all know, things can change as time progresses so recent experiences within the last year would be very helpful I think. Would you pick your one favorite place and roll with it, or would you sample around? Would you just stay in SJ your first trip, or do Jaco too? Also, since I'll be there at the end of May, if any of you will be there around that time I'd love to buy you a beer (or two) Thanks to any and all that took the time to read and respond!!

If you are going to be in San Jose over Labor Day weekend, you must make your reservations now if you want a room at any of the popular VIP monger-friendly hotels. Gulch hotels fill up rapidly during party holidays for gringos (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween and Superbowl weekend.) The upside of going to CR on Memorial Day, you'll be in the company of plenty of mongering vets who will share intel with you. The downside, the traditional gulch venues may be a "sausage fest" which can effect chica pricing and attitudes. Hotel reservations may be hard to come by as well. I think it is a good idea to split your time between the San Jose gulch and Jaco. You will get a perspective of both destinations, and be able to better plan your next trip. When I stayed in the gulch, I normally liked to "park" myself in one hotel and relax. However, I've tried most gulch hotels until I found a place that became my "home away from home" (Hotel Castillo). Due to on-going construction and remodeling, Hotel Castillo may not be open in time for Labor Day. I would also recommend Hotel Amistad and Sportsmens Lodge as excellent CRT VIP options.

Me and a couple of friends will be there in 06-04 first timers also. I personally being new in CR I would bet and feel more comfortable with a guide. The is OLD that is american and can accommodate all your worries. I would look him up. Worth it in my opinion. And he has already contacted me on our trip. With advice and prices. We will also split the trip half in Jaco and half in SJ. have fun and don't forget to give us a full report.


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Without a doubt, Cocal is THE place in Jaco since it has great rooms and the best selection of girls in Costa Rica. In San Jose, Sportsmen's Lodge or Amistad for normal hotels and Zona2 if you want a suite plus the convenience of on-site girls.

As for needing a guide, if it is your first trip, that can be an advantage. I do that, charging $200 a day all in meaning that covers all transport, all my meals/food/hotel and allows you to go anywhere you want whenever you want as I will be close by 24 hours a day. Been here 8 years and pretty up on most everything outside fishing...and have a guy for that. Most important thing to look for in a guide is do they speak Spanish...if they don't they won't be much use. I personally speak almost fluent Spanish since I go days on end without speaking English in my everyday life. A guide who speaks Spanish can be a great help especially with the girls.

If you just want a guide for San Jose and mongering, EsposoDeBarbie here on CRT does a great job. Pops and BB57 have also been known to help out like that and any of those three would be less expensive as they all live in the San Jose area and don't have to drive an hour to get there. All three speak great Spanish as well. Downside is I don't think any of them do tours outside the San Jose area so no Poas or Irazu volcanoes or Orosi Valley.

San Jose is fine for mongering but if you want to do more stuff during the day, I'd spend more time in Jaco where there is a LOT more cool stuff to do like fishing, ATVs. zip lines, Manuel Antonio National Park, white water rafting and a lot more.

If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to let me know!

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Quick reply from ground zero at Cocal. The selection of girls here is mind boggling. Holy shit man. There are lots of places to stay and just walk to Cocal. This place day and night is fun. We did a 3 hour ATV tour for $80pp and it was WELL worth it.

A buddy pulled a uber fit shorty last night and while he paid a premium she stayed until sun up and he reports a fantastic multi hour session.

The poker tournament is about to start but the guys will help you.

You have at least two solid resources for transport and arrangements. We used Sid with One Lucky Dogg. Puda Vita Transport is also active here and I am told is solid.

Book soon. You can always adjust things, and do not be shy to ask for a deal.

Enjoy!

Nice TxMike!! Keep us updated on Cocal. Called them today and they gave me a room for May26 through 31 with a confirmation number. Supposedly are going to email that confirmation to me tomorrow, but I'm guessing I'll need to f/u with them. I definitely need some beach time along with the honeys, I live no where near water so gotta get a fix of some sand and ocean in Jaco. Please give more updates!

So, I arrive around noon on Saturday 5/23 and will stay 3 days in SJ before going to Jaco. My dilemma is whether or not I should take the plunge and do HDR my first couple days. Seems like a lot of the vets are not fond of staying there. Another option, I looked at, is the Sleep Inn next door. I know the chica fee is more expensive but their rooms are about $80/night with free shuttle from airport/breakfast and seems a little more "upscale" in rooms. I'm seeing wildly varying prices for rooms at HDR. Some people saying $50/night, others saying as much as $170/night. The HDR website doesn't list any prices. Priceline.com is quoting 120/night! So what gives, why is it suddenly so pricey? I've checked other non holiday rates for HDR and still comes up as 120/night. If that is the case then staying at Sleep Inn seems to be the better choice. Higher tica fees but cheaper nightly rates and a better hotel experience (I think). Even though Sleep Inn is supposedly chica friendly hotel, I don't want to stay in a place where I'm getting the evil eye from other people staying their or the staff if I'm bringing a girl back. So even if it's a cheaper and better hotel, I may not want to stay there if it does not have an atmosphere friendly or at least tolerant of mongers. Anyone have experience with Sleep Inn? My other thought is staying in Zona 2 instead for a few days when I first get there and cab it to HDR or wherever. I'm assuming most anyone that stays there heads out to other locales after 9 pm since I see that the bar closes so early? I leave for Jaco on May 26 and get back to SJ on 31 and then leave to the US on June 2. So...probably stay in SL or Zona 2 to finish out my SJ experience on my last couple vacation days (assuming hadn't already stayed in Zona 2 before departing for Jaco) Anyway, just going back and forth on these 3 options and I think 2 out of the 3 is reasonable. Question is do I even waste my time with HDR or Sleep Inn, especially if those HDR room prices are correct?

Thanks PuraVida for the info! I will check out your website too. I'd definitely like to do some non-mongering stuff, just not sure yet what.

Dat198...Looks like I'll just miss you guys! I'll try to give a full report asap. Thanks for your tip as well!

Thanks Bluedevil for the information as well, I plan on having everything finalized this week. At least (I think) cocal is secured. Thanks to any and all for info

You will love the beach in Jaco...it's one of the best in Costa Rica Actually, the beach in Jaco is terrible. If you want nice beaches, take a ride about 45 minutes south to Manuel Antonio, just past Quepos. Great beaches there!

The Sleep Inn isn't chica/monger friendly. They will tolerate it, but frown on it.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Do yourself a big favor on your first visit...stay at HDR. Contact the hotel directly via email or telephone and make your reservations through their reservations office (do not go through third parties like Expedia or others, it will cost you much more). The Sleep Inn is an OK hotel but it will charge you $25 each time you take a Chica to your room...
The HDR rooms should be going for between $65 to $85 a night, taxes included, if you book directly with them. The rooms are adequate and clean, plus by staying there you don't have to mess with cab rides, assuming you'll be pulling most of your chicas from there.
Zona 2 is a cool afternoon hangout with nice chicas, but it is closed at night...you'll have to go to HDR or Sportsman Lodge if you want to stay in the neighborhood.
Cocal is a definite must experience...your plan there sounds great, best to stay right there!

Good luck and enjoy!

They do not want your business. Stay away from non-chica-friendly hotels.

How important is room comfort to you? Does the bed matter for sleeping? Do you want couches, and nice bathroom amenities? Will you ever be in your room (ie. spend time there)?

Honestly, just pick a place for your first time, and be sure to take a moment to see the others for your next.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Thanks fellas for all the feedback. HDR it will be my first 3 days for Memorial Weekend! Will give them a call tomorrow. Requested a booking online for SL for my return from Jaco for two nights on 5/31 and 6/1. I definitely don't want to go to Sleep Inn if I'm not wanted. Bashful, you make an excellent point and I totally agree. It's like those people staying in Vegas in a $500/suite each night when they're out drinking, gambling, and chasing babes all night and spend 4 hours in their room?. A lot of good that suite does for ya! 10 years ago I would have slept on a floor, but I do need a little more pampering as I get older. However, it sounds like HDR is totally reasonable and adequate for my needs. I don't need a Hilton and the Morazon sounds to bottom, so HDR will fit perfect. Being in the heart of the action and the convenience will be great. Plus, I kind of like the uniqueness of the place from my research. How many places can you stay at like this in the US? NONE of course. So there is some charm to that for sure. I'll definitely check out Zona 2 for a bit while I'm there, I hear they have a cool cigar room there? I'm overdue for a nice stogie.

As for Jaco, believe me if it has a beach, water, sand, it's HUGE upgrade from what I'm used to. A crappy beach is an upgrade for me lol However, I think I'll definitely take a couple excursions during the day to check out various places in the area. I've heard great things about Manuel Antonio too, that may definitely be on the menu. As expected, no confirmation email as promised with Cocal today although I have a confirmation number given verbally over the phone for my days. Would feel more comfortable with that email confirmation, so will have to call them tomorrow.

BTW, I somehow secured a roundtrip out of Vegas for $510 bucks on united connecting in Houston. That seems INSANE cheap for a decent airline. So if any of you cats are around Texas you may want to hit up United Airlines site for deals. Or any city that connects in Houston I guess.

So, in summary, arrive around noon on 5/23, will spend the memorial weekend there, leave for Jaco on 5/26 and stay at Cocal until Sunday 5/31. Head over to SL for 2 nights, head home on 6/2 in the afternoon.

Thanks again guys for your input, I think this is a decent mix of things on my first trip, and your advice has helped me make an informed decision. If anybody is around those dates, will definitely buy you a brewski and trade some war stories. Cheers!

As a first time person to SJ, I would recommend the SL or Amistad. They are not as fast moving as HDR. Although Amistad does not have the girls on-site, it is walking distance from the SL and Zona 2. Plus, Amistad has a great feel to it. I took a wingman this past weekend and he says it has a fraternity house type of environment. He stayed at HDR his last trip, but insists he will be staying at Amistad in the future. Also, you can always run into guys with a lot of knowledge both there and SL that are willing to share their wisdom. The selection at SL and Zona 2 was quite good this past 5 days.

Don, check your PMs.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Thanks for the update Hbosbru...May consider Amistad on a future trip for sure. Will definitely check it out. So I got a reservation confirmation number to Cocal, they were supposed to email me the information as well, but nothing. Called again today and they were able to look me up by the reservation number I gave them so I'm in their system. The guy on the phone made it sound like some other department in the hotel is supposed to send out these confirmation emails. He said he would tell them to send one out today, still nothing. Anyway, I would like to have the email confirmation just in case, but it does appear I'm in their system. Anyone have any experience with this? Should I just keep harassing them until I get an email confirmation at some point? Weird. On the other side it seems like HDR and SL have been very quick to respond to emails with confirmations and prices etc. And, yes, HDR's rates are WAY lower than 3rd party sites like priceline. Interesting. Anyway, anyone have input on Cocal?

I have always made my reservation @ Cocal via email. It has worked very well. They require you send them a credit card form (provided as email attachment) signed in order to confirm your reservation. Said form can be faxed back or scanned and emailed back. Once you have your reservation number, you are all set.

Sounds like you are ready to have the Cocal experience my friend. Enjoy!

Yayyyyy. this is good news indeed!