www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Last week, I took advantage of the free parking available to guests staying at SL and Amistad. The parking lot is located next door to the left (east) of Amistad. It's a pretty big lot, has about 40 spaces. The gate opens/closes by remote control, the desk person at Amistad will walk outside and open it for you. I heard that the hotels only have 2 spaces reserved, so request a spot as soon as you can. I stayed for 4 nights and always parked in the same reserved spot.

It saved me about $100 in parking fees. In the past, I paid 8k ($14.50) for the 12-hour overnight at the public parking lot between SL and Amistad. An during the day, it is 900¢ ($1.60) per hour at that public lot when I'm at the hotel or 1,000¢ to park on the street outside the hotel, paying the guy with the orange vest.

It's a nice perk for those that have a rental car.


Btw- In case anybody is interested in car rental info. I rented from Ace for $2.57/day through Expedia. Rainy season rates. But the mandatory liability insurance (SLI) is $22/day plus daily plate/environmental/bullshit fees, and 13% airport tax. Many credit cards cover Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), so I declined it. For 4 days, my total was $119 all-in, so $30/day for a Terios Bego (small SUV). I went to Manual Antonio and back and did trips to Heredia, Aserri, Escazu, and a decent amount in the city. Gas for the 4 days cost 27k colones ($48).

Driving back from Manuel Antonio at 1:30am in pitch black night with a steady rain on one lane two-way "highways" was no very fun. I had no choice since I had to be at the aiport at 10am, but had to get my stuff from my hotel in SJ and return the rental. Arrived at SL at 4am. Packed, 2 hours of sleep, and dragged ass to the airport. Didn't need a pill to sleep on that flight.

Consider yourself lucky you did not have fog to go with it. I prefer to drive late at night as the lighter traffic is so much better, but holy hell you do need to be careful when the weather is crappy.

I know. I drove through fog once about 5 years ago on highway 27 coming back from the beach to SJ at night. My asshole was clenched so tight, I could have made a diamond. The only other time I was that scared was the first time I flew a plane into IMC conditions (a cloud). Total whiteout, can't see shit more than 3 feet ahead of you. And having semis passing me at high speeds while I'm driving 15 km/h with my hazards on.

I am in no way an expert on the geography of San Jose, but I think the parking lot is west of Amistad.

Obviously, I'm no expert either. Yes, it is west.