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 Post subject: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 4:00 pm 
CR Virgin - Newbie!
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is there an atm at the hotel? if not where is the closest one?

does the sportmen exchange money for colonies / vice versa? anyone know if they do what they charge?

i know in costa rica tipping is not common but being that this is an American bar/ hotel is tipping encouraged?

is there a way to find alcohol prices ? i looked online but couldn't find it just something about happy hour?

im trying to budget in alcohol intake, does anyone have a rough idea of their costs?

is their food menu normally on point? or are they having supply issues like in the states? is the food good?

being that they also serve food, do they frown if you are staying there and get food delivered? just so i can try other food in san jose ie uber eats obviously not while im at the bar but delivered to the room?

are the tours actually through a sportsmen employee or is it a 3rd company?

im sorry to ask so many questions this is literally the first time i have left the united states and i am just trying to cover all my bases.

lastly in reserving a room an advance if you go through directly through them instead of expedia.. anyone know if the website is secure? anyone have any issues?

Thank you in advance


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 5:24 pm 
Just Learning The Gulch!
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I haven't stayed there, but I have stopped in several times. They do exchange money and I don't remember a fee. I do usually tip there. Sorry I can't be more help with the other questions.


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 6:45 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Otherside wrote:
is there an atm at the hotel? if not where is the closest one?

No ATM onsite. Closest is out in front of the INS building, about a 5 minute walk.

does the sportmen exchange money for colonies / vice versa? anyone know if they do what they charge?

They exchange smaller amounts of money both ways. I never was charged a fee but the exchange rate isn't the greatest. The Colonial Casino used to have the best rates outside of the banks. Banks usually have long lines.

i know in costa rica tipping is not common but being that this is an American bar/ hotel is tipping encouraged?

Tipping is encouraged at all of the gringo venues in the area. Not required.

is there a way to find alcohol prices ? i looked online but couldn't find it just something about happy hour?

Drink prices aren't too bad though I don't know anywhere they are published. The SL Happy hour is pretty good but only a couple of hours long. If I remember correctly a domestic beer was only 1000 colones and certain drinks like a rum and coke were 1500.

im trying to budget in alcohol intake, does anyone have a rough idea of their costs?

A domestic beer is going to run between 1200 and 2200 colones depending on the venue. Local spirits around 1500 to 2000 colones. Some bars like the Taormina make you also buy a bottle of your mixer. Imported spirits are higher. If you drink spirits and want to save a few $$, the Sportsmens will sell you a bottle that you can consume in the bar. You cannot drink duty free in the bar but you can drink it in your room.

is their food menu normally on point? or are they having supply issues like in the states? is the food good?

I was there a couple of months ago and there were not any shortages. Food is pretty good but a bit pricey.

being that they also serve food, do they frown if you are staying there and get food delivered? just so i can try other food in san jose ie uber eats obviously not while im at the bar but delivered to the room?

No problem with outside food.

are the tours actually through a sportsmen employee or is it a 3rd company?

Third party.

im sorry to ask so many questions this is literally the first time i have left the united states and i am just trying to cover all my bases.

lastly in reserving a room an advance if you go through directly through them instead of expedia.. anyone know if the website is secure? anyone have any issues?

I've used their website many times to book the room and never had any security problems. If you book through a 3rd party you are not eligible for the 10% CRT VIP discount at the SL. You can also pick your own room if you book directly. If you book thru a 3rd party you are probably going to get the leftovers and room choice is important at the SL. Read the room descriptions carefully on the website and I would avoid the courtyard rooms as they are right next to the bar.

Thank you in advance


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 6:56 pm 
CR Virgin - Newbie!
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Thank you so much!!!!


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 10:05 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Otherside wrote:
Thank you so much!!!!


There is a 10% tip/service charge included on your check. That is compulsory in Costa Rica. But in Sportsmens most gringos add to that.


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 11:15 am 
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Is the bar cash only or can you pay with a credit/ debit card?
Excited about this going in 5 weeks :) thanks for your help everyone


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 11:30 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Otherside wrote:
Is the bar cash only or can you pay with a credit/ debit card?
Excited about this going in 5 weeks :) thanks for your help everyone


Credit card for sure. I don't use my debit card for purchases, I only use it to withdraw cash at the ATMs.

PS Where I am from all of out credit cards have chip/PIN and tap options. I do find it a bit confusing that sometimes they use the tap and sometimes I have to enter my PIN (at SL) Not sure about why, but never had a problem with it. At home I only use tap for everything basically, and waiters or clerks never take your card away and use tap, and they will do that in CR and that makes me a bit uncomfortable. Maybe just a training issue or because tap is new for them, not really sure. Since Covid at home I have never handed my credit card to anyone, they always bring the machine to the table or I go to the cashier, but they don't do that consistently in CR. My concern is not catching anything, it is someone in the back tapping my card on some purchase or other when the card is out of my hand.


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:16 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Otherside wrote:
Is the bar cash only or can you pay with a credit/ debit card?
Excited about this going in 5 weeks :) thanks for your help everyone


If I am staying there I just verify the bill, sign it and have them charge it to my room. Pay for everything when I check out.

I seldom carry my credit cards when I go out drinking. Just enough cash to cover what I plan on drinking and a few drinks for any women I might want to chat with. That way if my wallet happens to go missing, all I am out is a laminated copy of my passport and a few dollars.

And anywhere except the Sportsmens, the Castillo or in a restaurant where I am ordering food, I always pay after each drink to eliminate the possibility of "extra" drinks showing up on my tab. The Del Rey used to be notorious for inflated bar tabs but now they collect after each round ordered. I don't know if this was because of the bad rep they had or they were getting too many walk-outs. Regardless, I like the policy.

Other folks on this forum have reported about inflated bar tabs in the Taormina. Never happened to me but I don't run a tab.


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 5:46 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
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HD
If you are staying there now are you running into many of the Venezuela ladies at the sportsman's TEO. Del Rey? If so are
They easy to communicate with? Some of their pictures look very good on the Wilas.com.
Thanks
Wing Nut


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 8:27 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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I won't be in San Jose until the 27th. In the past I have seen very few Venezuelan ladies in the Sportsmens. They probably aren't in country long enough to get the "membership" needed to work the Sportsmens. And if they are working online, odds are they aren't also freelancing in the bars.

I have been tempted by Wilas. I like their site better than skokka. A lot of them list prices and better describe their services. What has held me back are rhe reports of the fake profiles, extortion attempts and heavy photoshop use.


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 5:47 pm 
CR Virgin - Newbie!
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Hi, I had a few more questions before I head out there next week and was hoping you could help.
1. Does this hotel take a security deposit? if so how much?

2. When do they take the payments out for the hotel bill? The reason I am asking the 2nd question is I want to see if ill still be in the USA in case I get a fraud alert so it would be easier to let the bank know it is a legit charge.

3. Does the hotel have the capability to call the USA if I do have to call my bank since evidently my phone won't be working

Thank you so much for everyones help in planning this trip


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 6:00 pm 
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Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2023 5:58 pm
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Sportsman had never charge me security deposit. If you have iPhone put on airplane mode turn on the Wi-Fi calling.it will work like normal phone as long as you have Wi-Fi with no long-distance charge or oversea charge must be in airplane mode. And called the bank let them know you’re going to Costa Rica.


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Tue Feb 07, 2023 6:17 pm 
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thank you good sir


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:06 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:34 pm
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Location: From behind pulling her hair
Otherside wrote:
3. Does the hotel have the capability to call the USA if I do have to call my bank since evidently my phone won't be working


If you have viber on your phone you can add money for whats called Viber Out. It alllows you to call non Viber numbers providing you have wifi access. I put 10.00 on my phone about 7 years ago and still have over 5.00 left. I probably have put over 100 minutes on my phone using Viber Out in that amount of time. I have called 800 numbers for my bank and credit cards as well as airlines and other usa businessses. I have used the feature in the DR and Mexico as well so it works all over.


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 Post subject: Re: Sportsmen questions
PostPosted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 3:40 am 
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온라인 게임을 찾으려고 하시나요? 또는 모바일 장치에서 하는 게임? 플레이를 추천합니다 ******** 필리핀에서 가장 인기있는 게임 중 하나이고 전략을 배우고 많은 상을 받을 수 있기 때문입니다.


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