www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I just got back from Jaco and stayed at the Paradise Hotel. As the Admin has asked me to post a brief review, here it goes. No problem with the CRT discount - got the room for $45 + Tax on Sunday and Monday night. Sunday, Jaco was totally booked, whereas it was much less crowded on Monday.

The location is perfect for mongering, across the street and perhaps 60-70 meters south of the Beatle Bar, directly across the street from the Monkey Bar. The beach is around a 300 meter walk down a dirt road. It's a dump of a beach, and not one I would spend much time at (Playa Hermosa about 7 KM further south, and Playa Herradurra about 7 KM to the north are vastly superior). Nonetheless, Jaco Beach is mobbed with surfers and spring break gringos, as well as local tica talent.

As for the Paradise Hotel, the rooms are small and basic and the bathrooms are small but functional. But they have good working AC that keeps the room temperature very comfortable. The bed (a twin-size bed) was reasonably comfortable. No in room safes, but the bed has some cubby drawers that a chica might not think to search for your valuables while you sleep, particularly if the rest of your bags are left out. The hotel pool is decent ffor a small place, and welcome in the Jaco heat and humidity.

They charge a $10 fee for visiting chicas, but this is waived for CRT members. The night clerk might not remember, so don't pay it, but tell them that Richard the owner/manager said this is the case, and if he makes an issue, tell him to make a note on your bill, but don't pay it there. Richard himself, and his 2 daughters who work the desk most of the time know about the policy, and they are also quite helpful making arrangements such as bus transportation to San Jose, rent-a-car, or restaurant recommendations.

Overall, it won't make anyone forget the Ritz Carlton, but it was pleasant enough at $45 a night that I'd stay there again if I was back in Jaco. But don't expect a luxury place, more like a Super-8 or similar that makes a convenient and cost-effective place to hit the Beatle Bar when the need arises.

I also stayed here for 2 nights the past week. I was with a friend I dubbed him "Super Riccardo" after this trip hehe.

The room was in a great location and all of the staff here was great and very helpful. We had a room with 2 separate double beds, 2 TV's and 2 AC'S for 60 dollars a night. The rooms were seperated by a door that you could shut for privacy. My friend and I loved staying here it is in the center of all of the action. The hotel seemed very secure to me even without a safe. The ac's worked great. This place worked great for us. I just wish they had better pillows even though we didnt sleep much when we were there.

There is local Tico bar right around the corner from the beatle bar on the road to copacabana that had killer food for 1000 colones you got fish, red beans and rice,tuna macaroni salad, plantains, a few tortillia chips and a salad of finely shredded cabbage with tomatoes green pepers and onions. This little bar also had 473mil imperials for 500 colones.

Big Bambu Pizza upstairs is also a good place to eat 2 pieces of very good pizza and a coke 900 colones.

Of course we splurged every night at Caleche's Wishbone with clachee's Poky witch is a whole pile of raw yellow fin tuna with avacado,spinach,scallions,seasame seeds in a big bowl of sticky white rice with a spicy soy wassabi sauce for 4000 colones.

Jaco Rocks for Women and you can party till the sun comes up any night of the week.

I cant wait to come back.

Surfdog

Thanks for the reviews Guys... Richard the owner and I have been corresponding and I'm happy that although it is not the Ritz, everyone seems happy with this little place in a great location.

Guess at 45Plus tax in Jaco accross from the BB is a good deal!

_________________
Thank you for supporting CRT!

can somebody please post a contact email or website? other 3rd party websites are charging $118 per night.

much appreciated.

-O

thanks for the PM Admin 1...

quick question... I found their website and it says there is a safety deposit box in every room. Is that so? The reviewers mentioned there was no safe. Maybe it's a recent addition.

thanks fellas...