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PostPosted: Sat Oct 24, 2020 6:47 pm 
CR Virgin - Newbie!

Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2020 2:25 pm
Posts: 5
Taking my first trip to CR first week of December. Going to Jaco and staying at the Cocal. I was happy to see a post that indicates that although not up to its usual pace it seems that a good time is still ready to be had there. I have looked over the forum so as not to ask questions that have already been asked and answered but I have a few and perhaps some of thew more experienced CR travelers can help out-

1-where is the best place to exchange currency, I usually exchange a few hundred dollars in NYC before I leave so I don't have to bother upon arrival, but if the SJ airport has great rates I can take the time before heading to Jaco - do locals preferred to be paid in US dollars or colons?

2- taxi to hotel from airport - should I prearrange or are there taxis at the airport, meters or fixed prices? I am landing around 8:30PM. What should I expect to pay SJ to Jaco?

3-seems most of the encounters and prices quoted with the ticas are are for short time- are they usually out the door after you pop or is it multiple pops within a given time frame.

4-In some places when mongering, its customary to pay first but in other countries I pay at the end to ensure good service and avoid the up sell. Whats the norm in CR?

5- Any SCUBA recommendations-sites or operators, I am an experienced diver and would like to go on a couple of dives.

I would appreciate any advise, I am a very experienced traveler and looking to make the most of my first CR vacation.

Thank you


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 24, 2020 8:02 pm 
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larrylarry wrote:
Taking my first trip to CR first week of December. Going to Jaco and staying at the Cocal. I was happy to see a post that indicates that although not up to its usual pace it seems that a good time is still ready to be had there. I have looked over the forum so as not to ask questions that have already been asked and answered but I have a few and perhaps some of thew more experienced CR travelers can help out-

1-where is the best place to exchange currency, I usually exchange a few hundred dollars in NYC before I leave so I don't have to bother upon arrival, but if the SJ airport has great rates I can take the time before heading to Jaco - do locals preferred to be paid in US dollars or colons?

2- taxi to hotel from airport - should I prearrange or are there taxis at the airport, meters or fixed prices? I am landing around 8:30PM. What should I expect to pay SJ to Jaco?

3-seems most of the encounters and prices quoted with the ticas are are for short time- are they usually out the door after you pop or is it multiple pops within a given time frame.

4-In some places when mongering, its customary to pay first but in other countries I pay at the end to ensure good service and avoid the up sell. Whats the norm in CR?

5- Any SCUBA recommendations-sites or operators, I am an experienced diver and would like to go on a couple of dives.

I would appreciate any advise, I am a very experienced traveler and looking to make the most of my first CR vacation.

Thank you


1 - I have found that withdrawing colons directly from ATMs is my cheapest option for exchange. But that's partly because I'm Canadian and there are no cheaper options that I have found.

2. Others will have better suggestions. But you may want to book before you arrive for service to Jaco. There are various options, many which will be cheaper than taxi. But if you are splitting the cost with anyone else taxi still may be a great option.

3, 4. Generally don't pay ahead of time. But negotiate what you want ahead of time, including how many shots, and in general the time you expect, and of course the cost. Unless otherwise negotiated and specified it will be out the door after the pop.

5. Others may know, I don't


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 24, 2020 8:39 pm 
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Increasingly local girls will prefer dollars to colones.

If you want to convert some pocket money to colones without using an ATM you can do this at your hotel. You can also convert dollars a bank rates at Walmart or Mas-x-Menos (More for Less) stores. They have kiosks called "Money Center". Lines can be long around the 1st of the month as this is where many pay their bills. You will need your passport to exchange money. You also pick up cheap room drinks, snacks, condoms, lube, etc.

There is a Mas-x-Menos in Jaco. (It is pronounced Mas-por-Menos.)

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PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 1:25 pm 
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Do not bother to buy colones before you arrive. Dollars are widely accepted and generally preferred. Bring cash in various denominations - $20, $10, $5 and plenty of $1 for tips. It is good to exchange maybe $100 in colones at your hotel.
A taxi to Jaco costs about $100. In the arrivals lobby after baggage claims and customs before you walk out of the terminal is an official airport taxi booth. They will get you a taxi and you can pay with your credit card or dollars. It is best to use them rather than going out of the terminal at night and as a newbie. Be safe rather than trying to save a few bucks.
The girls will accept dollars but make sure you ask how much for what ever you want up front be very clear. Always pay after.
I do not know any scuba place but you should have no trouble finding a place in Jaco. Many tour operators there.

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PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 2:28 pm 
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One point to add, if you do bring cash make sure the larger bills are pristine (not marked or torn). Stores and banks are sometimes very strict about this.

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PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 3:27 pm 
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Check Facebook for shuttles. I have seen $39.95 from airport to Jaco. If I see the link I’ll post it here.

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PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 4:49 pm 
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Location: South Florida
There is a money exchange place just after you clear customs, don't use it, they are a rip off. Best bet is to use an ATM instead.


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PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:45 pm 
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I always use the Scotiabank ATM by baggage claim and always pay in colones, with zero problems from any chicas (none ever bring up USD).
On the ground there by the SL, when I get more colones, the INS atm to the right always pays out with no issues as well as another Scotiabank atm in that indoor mini mall a few blocks from the Rey

Firm believer that you save about 15% when paying in Colones to the chicas, even with the bank fees.

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PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 11:04 pm 
CR Virgin - Newbie!

Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:37 pm
Posts: 7
The ATM in the casino at the Cocal gives you the option of having your withdrawal in USD or Colones. Whenever you pay for stuff in the stores or cabs with dollars you get your change in colones so you end up accumulating them.
As far as transportation I usually set it up online before I go and the guy is waiting for me with my name on a sign right outside the arrivals hall. Feel free to pm me if you need the transportation info and enjoy yourself my man


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PostPosted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:02 am 
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5 - SCUBA There are some scuba diving operations in the Jaco area, but it is not a major attraction, or maybe even a minor one. Underwater is dominated by volcanic formations, not coral reefs. Lots of strong currents and surges with less than excellent visibility.

Check the PADI site https://travel.padi.com/d/herradura/ Herradura is only a few minutes from Jaco and where the Marina is located. Any diving or fishing expedition will leave from there.

The best diving in CR is far south on Osa peninsula and offshore islands. But it is very remote and you will not find any opportunities to mix diving and searching for chicas.

CR does have one of the world renowned dive sites on Cocos Island, famous for huge schools of hammerhead sharks. But it is more than 300 miles offshore, unreachable by day trip and requires a live aboard boat.


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PostPosted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 5:30 pm 
CR Virgin - Newbie!

Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2020 2:25 pm
Posts: 5
Wow thanks for all the replies!!

Really looking forward to checking out CR and this forum has been very helpful - hopefully I can avoid a few rookie mistakes. I will post my experiences and provide some updates when I get back to pay it forward.

Cheers All


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PostPosted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 6:44 am 
Ticas ask me for advice!
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A couple things about Cocal. They do give a 10% CRT discount on rooms. A few days would make up the cost. They won’t give it in advance, but show your card at registration and they will knock 10% off. Rooms only, not bar and restaurant.

Do not run a tab at the bar or charge to your room. Mysterious extra charges have been known to appear. Pay for each drink as it is delivered. That is good advice for any bar in CR. Except SL where you can trust that the tab is correct.


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 4:53 pm 
Not a Newbie I just don't post much!

Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:49 pm
Posts: 58
Lots of good advice and probably a lot of the same answers, but:

1 - never had an issue using dollars, definitely not like someplace like Thailand where everything is done in home country currency. Do know an accurate exchange rate and ensure the rate is correct when paying in dollars. Some places may round or give you a bad rate, however some places put it on the bill. Definitely can use a credit card for most things and let your credit card company do the exchanging, always had good luck with that.

2 - Cocal has a van you can line up ahead of time that you can get for $80-100 if you want to play it safe. You walk out and they’ve got a sign with your name and free Wi-Fi in the van. I’ve used Uber a few times and saved some money, but not sure now with covid. Yes - SJO to Cocal in an Uber! I think it was around $60.

3 - most are one pop and gone, but you can negotiate anything you want. Two pops, overnight, etc. We typically have a condo and our best times are when we pull chicks together and go up and have drinks and jam some music. At some point we go our separate ways and do the deed.

4 - definitely don’t pay in advance for a freelancer in CR or anyplace for that matter. I have in a rare occasion placed the money on the dresser or someplace like that, but paying ahead is a big no no.

5 - not sure about scuba diving, but if you are into fishing at all it a top 5 place in the world for deep sea fishing. Marlin, sailfish, tuna, and mahi are plentiful. We fish normally twice and being tuna/mahi back to the restaurant at the Cocal and they prepare it for us nightly for very reasonable prices.

I’ll add be mindful when you have someone in your room and lock up your valuables. When I get back to the room with a chick the first thing I do is put wallet, etc in the safe.

If you have other questions fire away!


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:36 am 
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Important to puta proof your room. I remember there was some dummy here who had $800.00 stolen from him.

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 10, 2020 12:48 pm 
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The "new" Cocal bar area is in the restaurant side, which has been expanded. Masks are required..The outdoor pool / Tiki bar is closed,and the casino

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