www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hi guys,

Click this link for photos of the Rincon de San Jose's apartment. $42.50 + tax per night single; $52.50 + tax per night double:

http://photobucket.com/albums/y224/JELB ... Apartment/?

Pros:

1) Chica friendly - the apartment NOT the hotel itself. Don't take the chica to reception first but instead directly to your bed. Heheh. Reception doesn't need to see her cedula(sp?) because, well, it's YOUR apartment. And yes, they knew what I was up to. I'll check that it's still OK with them each time I rent.

2) Cheap! Considering all you get.

3) A little more than a five minute stroll to the gulch and two from Sportsmens. Note that walking directly to the gulch from the apartment skirts around transvestite central. I didn't risk it at night though.

4) Friendly English speaking staff - at least at Reception. I tipped the maid 1K (and a pack of Excel Gum) every few days to be well supplied with towels.

5) Shower water pressure to take your skin off - and a drain to keep up with the flow. Both rarities - in my experience. Oh and plenty of HOT water.

6) Pretty quiet during the night as it's off the main roads.

7) Secure. Use the double locking action of each door and no one's getting in without making a hell of a racket.

Ate) Crossflow ventilation!

9) They've lay out a decent FREE breakfast with Orange Juice, Coffee, two or three types of cereal, bread and a toaster, scrambled eggs, various fresh fruit (bananas, pineapple, watermelon, melon)...

Only thing about the breakfast is it's held in their dining area. It's a nice, quiet setting but they wouldn't want you bringing a chica in there with you. Remember the hotel itself is offlimits to chicas. It's a family place. As I only had one TLN this wasn't a problem.

10) It's just plain NICE!

Cons:

Ummm... Ummm... Ummm... I'll get back to you...

Here's their website:

http://www.hotelrincondesanjose.com/english.htm

Now read on for an explanation of some of the pics...

Pics 1, 2, and 3 were taken standing across the street from the apartment looking West, Northwest, and North. The gulch is a five minute walk Southwest. Hotel reception is North up the hill around the corner to the left. Notice the front door of the apartment has a metal gate type door. Lock it when you're in and leave the inner wood door open for extra ventilation. Note that during the day now and then some vendor might stop and yell inside hoping for a sale. If you're going to be, uh, busy better just close both doors. Also note that to lock (and therefore unlock) the doors keys are needed. (Duh!) Meaning even to lock them while inside. So... if you've chica(s) staying the night and don't quite trust them just hide the keys. Then the only way out is a big leap from an upper window.

Pics 5, 6, and 7 show the Living Room. Note the puny TV. It didn't bother me as I didn't need it. Ummm. Cable is supplied but wasn't working when I stayed there. I didn't ask to have it fixed either. Also note the phone... there's another upstairs. Local calls $0.20/minute so use a calling card. For Reception dial 132. Remember that. It's not on the phone!

Pic 8 shows an empty fridge. Funny thing is it stayed empty! It's self defrosting but not self filling. Hmmmpf!

Pic 14 shows your Monger Office space; 15 the view from it.

Pics 16, 17, and 18 show the bedroom. That bedframe is cast iron. It's not moving anywhere - even in an earthquake! Note the overhead fan. If you're from a northern climate, like me, and not used to these things DON'T pull T-Shirts on/off whilst standing under it. Ouch!

Pic 19 shows the night table and some of the tools-of-the-trade. Note the clock for clock watchers. Ain't I thoughtful?

Pic 20 shows the mood station. Some guys buy a cheap CD boom box and leave it behind. I pack along AA powered AMPLIFIED speakers and my CD player (with FM Tuner). I don't bother with no Magic CD. Tune to 89.1 or ask the chica what station she likes.

Pic 21 shows a nice chica hiding place - for when your other chica(s) show up unexpectedly. (Ruffnutz take note!) Take the blankets out first.

Pic 24 shows why AC really isn't needed... CROSS FLOW VENTILATION! In May there was always a breeze in the afternoon. I imagine it's the same story through the summer.

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Chica Chaser

CC,
Now that is the way all reviews should be. Prices, chica-friendliness, pros and cons, helpful tips, even a couple of dozen phtotos. I'll have to add this place to my map just so I can use the pic and link it to this review. Only problem is that I think its just off the edge of GR's graphic. I believe this place is the former Edelwiess and is directly across the street from the Cafe Mundo that most of us know and love (should've used that for directions. Fortunately my map will cover that area, if I ever get back to working on it.

Prolijo,

Thanks. I hope a lot find it helpful. That apartment really is a great deal. I'm already booked for late October early November. Made the reservation BEFORE posting this review.

You are correct in that it's directly across from Cafe Mundo - and down the hill from a hospital. I mention that because, during the day and early evening, lots of taxis go buy Reception so it's easy getting a cab there too. Another Pro for the list.

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Chica Chaser

Guys,

I've edited the review to mention the free breakfast. Section 9) of the Pros list.

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Chica Chaser