www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Prolijo, I would have top rate rooms at Linda Vista well above Nuevo Johnson outher than suicide shower and a bit lower than Doral. Last time I was there taxi fare was running about 1100 col. and understand there has been anouther increase so 1300 is a guess. Only time I took taxi was back most nights as I do stay out late.

Izif, I would rate the rooms nice but basic and clean with twice weeky maid service. Apartments have full kitchen bedroom and bathroom and in room safes unusual for apartments. Only drawback is suicide shower whcih is a minor inconvience. Riding the local buses is a very interesting cultural exerince for me.rbc100

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RBC,
When I stayed at the Linda Vista it was about 2 years ago and the cab fare from the HDR/BM was definitely less than 600c. Could the rate you paid have been from someplace a little further away like Kamur, D'Pelufo's etc.? I won't even suggest that the cabbie was taking you for a ride (as some cabbies are wont to do) since I know you're too smart for that. In any event, $2 for a cab ride once a night is still not going to break the bank. The rest of the time I'm definitely with you and itzif, I love taking local buses and mixing with regular ticos and for 25 cents they're a huge bargain. I also enjoyed getting a little exercise and taking the time to walk to the "Gulch" along the tracks that cross the real gulch north of town.

I will have to respectfully disagree with your assessment of the relative quality of the rooms at NJ and LV, though admittedly I never actually slept at NJ. But even if that weren't the case YMMV necessarily applies. BTW, when I stayed at LV it was in the left front corner room on the second floor and, while I did look at one of the only other rooms that was available when I was there, was not overly impressed. IT could be some of the other rooms that I didn't see were much nicer.

Aside from the issue of the suicide shower, my main complaint was that most of my apartment was the kitchen area. Sure, the total apartment area was larger than the room at the NJ but the bedroom by itself was much smaller. If one is looking for a place with a kitchen, as izifaddag seems to be, then maybe LV is the better way to go, since the NJ simply doesn't have that. What I have found is that for a one week visit most people aren't going to stock up on all the basic staples one needs to fix basic meals, bottles of cooking oil, dishwashing detergent, seasonings etc. or else will have to toss leftover items out at the end of his stay. Its usually much simpler for such a short visit just to eat out when breakfasts can be had for under $2 and even filling dinners can be had for under $5.

Finally on the issue of noise, even with earplugs my guess would be that the LV apartments have most other options beat hands down, it is removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown. The other thing I liked about LV, which might surprise some people, is the Calle Blanco neighborhood. Okay, it has its issues of crime after dark and is not as "highbrow" as Amon. But what parts of the city don't have crime. Calle Blanco is a REAL tico neighborhood. Not a "gringo ghetto" where mostly tourists stay (and get robbed) nor a transient area like the Mercado/Coca Cola area with its diesel fume spewing buses, cheap flophouses and, after dark, shuttered shops.

After seeing this about LV:



I'm much more tempted. I love the location of the Castillo and staff is wonderful, but I would like more of a kitchen for a longer stay. For a month I'm OK, but longer term I would like to be able to do more serious cooking. I stash an electric frypan and have the microwave, but a real cooktop/oven and bigger fridge would be desired for a 2-3 month stay. That isn't an option now, but I could eventually become a snowbird.

Seems that the link here for the VL is now defunct. Also what do you guys mean by suicide shower? One of those 'calidor' insanities?

Izi,

The "suicide shower" has an electric water heater in the showerhead.....heated by 220 volts of electricity. The water is flash-heated as it passes through the heating device, which is about twice the size of a hockey puck. If this isn't scary enough......you often see them in Costa Rica with the electrical wiring connections wrapped in black electrical tape. I had never seen one before coming to Costa Rica. It does seem like a good idea to create hot water in a shower, where for some reason or other, it wouldn't be possible any other way. I have never heard of anyone being killed in one of these "suicide showers," but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

Zebra

Yep! That is exactly what a calidor shower is. I fixed one for the family I stayed wth in Guatemala.
220v while standing in water soaking wet!
NICE!!
Suicide indeed. I did get shocked off the one in Guatemala.

To add a bump to the scary factor...electrical outlets and systems are very rarely grounded in CR. Inadvertently touching any part of the suicide shower while the water is running is almost going to guarantee a shock

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Alex Levine

Ther name alone is a turn off. After you spend a night there do you new a new johnson (nuevo johnson)?

Has anyone had experience with the Sudamer or Aptarments Aranjuez?

You aren't kidding and this should be talked about in the newbie section, even stickied. I'm surprised hotels don't warn gringos. I remember taking a shower and reaching up to hang my shave kit from it while taking a shower.



It literally burned and peeled the skin off the tip of my finger.