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Hey all, going down to SJO on thursday trying to firm up a room, the Delrey is not sure that they have a room for me, the prez has a couple and the Sportsman Lodge has some. This is my second time going down there and I'm pretty new. Im flying solo for a day until Friday , so I weas wondering how safe is it wlak back and forth by uyourself from the prez to the BM? Also is it worth stay ing at the SL for the first night and stay out of the gultch by myself, my thoughts that I can take a cab into the gultch to throw the dice and do whatever.

ANyways any thoughts woudl be appreciated, my friends are flying in on Friday, so I need to find a room near the DR, becasue their staying their.

Also I was thinking about going to ZOnea Blue , whats the deal, its a massage and full service, for what price and do you have to ask and etc .. Again sorry about all the questions, just trying explore teh SJO, and not just be held up at the delrey.

Thanks

I have always stayed at the Pres. It is perfectly safe to walk to/from DR at any time of day. Just keep your wits about you and ignore the beggars. I would hope you are not walking back from the DR to Pres alone too often or you wont be having a very good time.
SL is also an excellent choice and cabs are cheap.
ZB is indeed a FS MP but I suggest you join VIP right away to take advantage of all the discounts you will enjoy. CRT discouint at Pres will pay for Membership in 4 night.I believe reg rate at ZB is 20000col/hr and VIP rate is 18000 col/hr.

avoid a taxi at rush hour from the BM to the SL. stay and have drink & wait until the traffic clears.

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Eu gosto de brasileiras...

It is a three minute walk to the DelRey/Blue Marlin from Presidente. Even at night, the walk is relatively safe if you remain cautious.

The Sportsmens Lodge is located a little less than a half mile to the Northeast of the Gulch (in Barrio Otoyo, a very nice neighborhood). During the day, the casual 10 minute stroll through the parks to the Gulch is very safe. At night, the parks are frequented by unsavory characters, so I normally take a cab (about 3-400 C).

The Hotel Presidente is very nice and convenient to the action, but I prefer the SL because of its charm and top-shelf personal service. I recommend you do what I did...try both and you can decide for yourself.

Blue Devil

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

So many of us going to CR, has anyone ever been mugged?

Is mugging all that is going to happen or do they kill you? Any reports of muggings by of us, by any Americans?

When I went to Mexico, I heard about guys posing as the police would search Americans saying they were looking for drugs (they would do this after Americans would get out of a taxi at the border, headed back home). Sometimes, one of the muggers would have a uniform on and probably was the police, but he was out to rob instead of enforce the laws. They usually look in the wallet for money, take it and send the guy or guys on their way. Any report of this in CR? Any reports of anything like it - Americans being shaken down?

I read a lot of posts as if CR is a really dangerous place for us Americans, however I've read a few posts about people walking around so I wonder where all the fear comes from.

Sure it is better to walk with others, but how dangerous is walking alone during the day? Even I don't want to walk at night, however I thought the walk from the prez to the BM was about as safe as any could be at any time because there are lots of people around most of the time.

I can understand the concerns of anyone who is worried about personal safety while traveling. Let me try to answer a couple questions, and make an observation. Or two.

Most crime Americans encounter while in Costa Rica seems to be of the pickpocket/purse snatch variety. However, muggings are becoming more and more a problem; one of CRT's most veteran members, Don Gordo was robbed at gunpoint one early Sunday evening. Do they kill you? Not if you give up your cash quickly and without a fuss.

One disturbing method of mugging that seems to be increasing in popularity is a two-man move, where one mugger puts the victim in a severe choke-hold while a second goes through the victim's pockets.

While having people around would seem to improve your chances of not getting robbed, this is sadly not the case. As is the case in most big cities, the folks in San Jose just don't want to get involved.

Obviously, certain areas and situations are more dangerous than others. Walking through any of the city parks after dark alone is plain stupid. Wearing flashy jewelry or flashing a bankroll is stupid. Being drunk in public and traveling alone is stupid. Paying more attention to the sights and failing to notice the guy creeping up on you is stupid.

All that being said, San Jose is as safe as most large U.S. cities. This has been covered before, but here's a short list of precautions which can help keep you safer while in Costa Rica:

1. Stay relatively sober. You're less likely to be victimized if you have your wits about you.

2. Travel with a wing-man or two.

3. Never carry your original passport with you; it is now legal in Costa Rica to carry a color photocopy of the passport's identity page and most recent entry stamp, in lieu of carrying the original.

4. Leave your valuable jewelry at home (outside Costa Rica). Buy and wear a cheap watch.

5. Leave any cash, credit cards and ATM cards in your hotel room strongbox or the hotel safe. Carry only the cash you need.

6. Use only licensed taxis. Look for the yellow triangle stickers on the driver's and front passenger doors. Take cabs everywhere after dark; don't risk walking around, particularly if you're alone after dark.

7. Use a map before going to C.R. to sort of know your way around. You'll be a less-likely target if you appear to know where you're going.

8. Never change money or attempt to buy illegal drugs on the street. The illegal drugs prohibition is obvious; the money-changers often pass counterfeit bills, so avoid them. Most guys here agree that picking up streetwalkers is a bad idea as well.

9. Speak as much Spanish as you can, and be polite. If you act the part of an asshole gringo, none of the locals will give a damn if you do get robbed/attacked.

10. Do not carry weapons. Aside from the possible legal problems, most people who carry weapons are not skilled enough to use them, and a weapon in the hands of a novice can quickly be turned against him.

I'm sure others will be able to add to or to correct this list. I will say this: As a blind person, I felt relatively safe in San Jose compared to Chicago or New Orleans. I think you're more likely to get hurt tripping over bad sidewalk or stepping into a pothole than you are of being mugged. Just be careful, and have fun!

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.