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What's up, Gringos,

I have done tons of reading on this whole website, the time is coming closer (Memorial Day Weekend) and I'm getting hyper! Me and large group of friends (10-12 guys - all young and ready to party it up for a bachelor party) are having trouble deciding on which beach to go to. We are going to spend first two days in San Jose (a Wed & Thurs) and then plan on leaving Friday to either Tamarindo or Puerto Viejo. We have kind of put Jaco to the decide because our main goal in choosing beach is not the action available. I mean, half of of our group is down with it, and half is not, but all of us are looking for buck wild, spring break type, non-stop place to party, but which also has relaxation. San Jose is basically our main ground for tica talent. So far from what I've read from the posts, both Tamarindo and PV are excellent beaches. One of the things I like about PV is the laid-back culture, beautiful trees that smoke in the air (several of us can't wait for those trees), and from I've read, there are lots of young tourists from around the world that are into partying. Tamarindo, i hear is also a great party spot, in terms of bars, clubs, etc...so i guess my question is - well, i really don't have one, i just need help deciding on one of the beaches because we will only be able go for a few days. Well here are some basic questions that I hope people that have been there, done that, can answer for me...

WHICH IS CHEAPER OR EASIER TO GET TO?

WHICH HAS BETTER NIGHTLIFE?

WHICH IS BETTER WEATHER AROUND MEMORIAL DAY TIME?

WHICH HAS HOTTER GIRLS (NON-PRO OR PRO) ?

WHICH HAS BETTER ACCESS TO COOL DAY TIME ACTIVITIES (LIKE WATER SPORTS, ZIP LINING)?

WHICH HAS BETTER HOTELS?

Alright, I think that's all the questions for now. I appreciate any valuable input. Thanks and look forward to hearing your answers.

Devantay

I know this because I was looking at the transportation options to PV recently.

I think PV is a little closer, distance-wise, but Tamarindo is easier to get to.

To Tamarindo: you can take a direct flight, either Sansa or Nature Air. The plane only seats 12, so book as early as possible. You can always take a couple different flights if you can't all fit on one. An hour flight. $82 each way on Sansa, you can it for $44-88on Nature air.

You should be able to hire a van/taxi to Tamarindo for about $200 each way (less than $20 each), that's what I paid last year. You can probably do better if you shop around a little. Interbus is not a good option for a large group, makes more sense to just hire a van. It takes 5 hours to get there. Can take a lot longer with traffic.

To PV: there are no direct flights. On Sansa, there is a flight to Limon with a connecting bus to PV, all for one price. On Nature, there is a flight to Limon, then you have to find your own way to PV.

The buses take 4-5 hours.

The natural beauty of Puerto Viejo is excessive compared to Tamarindo. Tamarindo has become Disneyland for Spring Breakers and is really not that beautiful anymore (like it was 15-20 years ago)...

With that said, Tamarindo is a more PRACTICAL place to visit. But if you rent a car you can make it to both places at right about the same amount of time. In Puerto Viejo the vibe is incredible, good reggae music and food, lots of fun and breathtaking beaches... Caribbean vs. Pacific, people have discussed this all their lives in Central America.

I'd vote for PV for the above mentioned reasons, but in either case, it would seem that bringing your own chica would be imperative...and that can present another set of problems all together

You're in luck, I went to PV last year and had a crappy time and went to Tamarindo and had an excellent time.

PV seems to attract the stoner set and I am long past being down with that, so points off for that.

Tamarindo has better hotels as they have one 4-5 star Diaria and a few 3 star or better.

I never had a bad meal in Tamarindo or PV, but Tamarindo had more European class resturants than PV.

They both have surfing, but Tamarindo's beaches are better, a lot better.
Tamarindo and its close neighbor had good scuba diving, could never go out in PV as heavy rains caused a huge outflow from the rivers and hence very little visibility. I am not sure that same problem would exist of Tam or Flamingo as you go further out.

Working girl Poosy?, ran across a couple of working girls in Tamarindo and in a bar across from the Diaria, a sports bar no less, there were about 8 to 10 one night, but it seemed to be a seller's market. I saw one possible hooker or possibly a bag lady in PV.

Regular girl poosy, saw a bunch of gringa hippy chicks in PV who sure weren't interested in me. In Tam, there were a lot of surfer girls, about 25 years younger than me, so I guess I give the slight edge to Tam as they didn't make it obvious they weren't interested in me.

Tam seems to have gotten the commercial itch and is interested in attracting the family, and sports type whereas PV seems hell bent on the tree hugger set. I find the former less annopying than the latter.

If you drive, I think PV may be closer, but the road was real bad last year. If you fly, it doesn't matter as both are 40 minutes or so away.

My vote would be for Tamarindo.

I have never been to Tamarindo, so I really can't comment too much on this destination. I do know that it is a long drive from SJ...maybe 6 - 7 hours. Flying there is probably your best bet. Interbus is cheaper (about $39 one-way), but it is still a long drive.

Puerto Viejo is one of my favorite hang-outs. I have made five trips there ranging from an overnighter to a week. PV is about a 4 1/2 - 5 hour ride from San Jose. Public busses make several runs a day as well as Interbus ($29 one-way). I usually rent a car from Thrifty's San Jose office (at Avenida 13 & Calle 15 near Hotel Amon Plaza). The car will run you about $40 per day. If you choose not to take a car, you can rent a motor scooter for about $15 a day to get around in PV. As someone may have already mentioned, there are daily flights to Limon from San Jose. I believe a shuttle for transfer to PV is available at the airport for $10 US. PV is about 70 km away.

WHICH IS CHEAPER OR EASIER TO GET TO?
See above

WHICH HAS BETTER NIGHTLIFE?
PV has a number of open air bars and discos (Bar Maritza, Stanfords, Johnny's Place and Sunset Bar). Bar Martiza usually has a live band most nights. Johnny's place is a disco with chairs and tables set out on the beach with a blazing bonfire at night. There are a number of unattached young gringas and Euro-Girls who like to frequent the bars. Unfortunately, there is no P4P to speak of. (I lucked out once with a lonely nica...but I usually bring my own chica.) If you stay out of the main tourist joints, you will find very reasonably-priced drinks and food.

WHICH IS BETTER WEATHER AROUND MEMORIAL DAY TIME?
I was there Memorial Day Weekend 2005...and the weather was fine. The weather is usually very hot and humid (especially at mid-day.) Always be prepared for a sudden thunderstorm.

WHICH HAS HOTTER GIRLS (NON-PRO OR PRO) ?
See comments under NIGHTLIFE.

WHICH HAS BETTER ACCESS TO COOL DAY TIME ACTIVITIES (LIKE WATER SPORTS, ZIP LINING)?

There are beautiful beaches along the 14 km for PV to Playa Manzanillo. Surfers from all over the world flock there to ride the waves that break along the ever-present reefs. Many of the people there are of Jamaican descent and speak English. (The young Caribe girls are very fetching, too!) 24' panga boats are available for fishing (mostly tarpon) at $100 - $200 per day. (You can check with "Willy" of "Willy's Expeditions" at the end of Playa Manzanillo to get a boat.) At the end of Manzanilla is the start of the Manzanilla - Gandoca National Preserve. Hiking tours and boat tours through this beautiful, undisturbed part of nature may be arranged in PV with "Tino & Jupi's Tours" or "Willy" in Manzanillo. About 15 km away from PV is Bribri, the gateway to the Kekoldi reservation. Tours and hikes can be arranged through "Tino & Jupi's." "Troko-weed" and other stimulants are very easily obtained in PV. If you feel like something different, you can make the ride to Sixaola, and cross a rickety old bridge across the Sixaola River into Guabito, Panama. (Not much there...some cheap bars...and a few large stores with very cheap goods ranging from jewelry and clothes to gas ovens and barbecues.)

WHICH HAS BETTER HOTELS?

The hotels in PV are rustic...and most without AC. Prices will range from $20 - $45 per night. I usually stay at Hotel Kaya's Place which sets on Playa Negra right before you reach the bridge entering PV. (I believe Kaya's Place still offers a CRT discount.) Small cabins with kitchens are also available for $35 - $60 per night. For more detailed information, you can check out: http://www.puertoviejo.net .

Wherever you decide to go...have fun!

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Blue Devil

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

Given the stated goal of finding a "spring-break non-stop place to party" I'm going to go against the grain here and tell you to go with Jaco anyways. I've been to PV and Tamarindo also, and first be warned that it's not a trivial thing to get to either, though you could opt for air travel to Tamarindo at a higher cost. But driving in either case is a long, bumpy ride.

I appreciate the Caribe very much for it's natural beauty, but would only go there again primarily for relaxation and sightseeing, and make sure I brought a girl with me. I would not return to Tamarindo under any circumstances. The "stoner-surfer" vibe didn't appeal to me at all, and I wasn't thrilled with the clubs either. In neither place is there going to be readily available action.

Much prefer the nightlife and the vibe in Jaco, despite all the recent reports of increasing drugs, crime, bad elements, etc. The beach isn't nearly as bad as most say it is, and there is readily available quality PFP for those of your group who want to partake. The others can still have a lot of fun partying at the various clubs along the strip. Also, it's far easier, quicker and cheaper to get to from San Jose.

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

I like both beaches. However, three weeks ago Guanacaste was very dry, windy and dusty. During the dry season, I'd opt for the lush Caribean side.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

For what you are looking for, Tamarindo is a better choice. I love PV, but it is not suited for what you are describing. It is just not a "buck wild" kind of a place.

IF I WERE YOU, I WOULD SUGGEST MORE TIME IN SAN JOSE and if you want to hit the beach, go to Jaco. You guys could spend the entire time in the Del Rey and never want to leave the place. For first timers, it will absolutely blow you away, nothing you read can prepare you for it. Jaco is only 2 hours away and it is easy to get there via private drivers. True Jaco is not quite as nice as Tamarindo, but the logistics of Jaco/San Jose vs Tamarido/Sam Jose for 10 guys is just not worth the extra time and trouble.

The talent is Jaco is much better than Tamarindo. You can more easily import talent to Jaco from San Jose than into Tamarindo. All in all you will have a lot more options if you choose Jaco over Tamarindo.

However, to answer your questions:

WHICH IS CHEAPER OR EASIER TO GET TO?
Tamarindo

WHICH HAS BETTER NIGHTLIFE?
For a bachelor party: Tamarindo

WHICH IS BETTER WEATHER AROUND MEMORIAL DAY TIME?
Much more rain in PV. Warm rain. Tamarido can be dusty. Tamarido is my choice

WHICH HAS HOTTER GIRLS (NON-PRO OR PRO) ?
Tamarido is a party town,

WHICH HAS BETTER ACCESS TO COOL DAY TIME ACTIVITIES (LIKE WATER SPORTS, ZIP LINING)?
Tamarido has more tourism infrustructre. PV is more of an explore on your own experience. PV is amazing, however many more tour options in Tamarindo.

WHICH HAS BETTER HOTELS?
Depends on your tastes. Tamarido is in high growth mode, things are newer and more modern in general. PV is one of the more undeveloped areas of the country.