www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello all,

I've been reading the forum for the past several days and wanted to throw a few questions out there with hopes of some advice. I'll be staying in Peninsula Papagayo in late January for free thanks to my company but wanted to go down early by myself for a few days as I have to be on my best behavior around my co-workers.

San Jose seems to be the mecca for "fun" but i prefer being on the water. Is Jaco the 2nd choice for nightlife and girls for a few nights on my own (I'm a single white guy in my mid-30's who doesn't have to work that hard to hook up)? It looks like the Copa is the place to stay or maybe the Posiedon Hotel. Thankfully, I don't need to watch my pennies but am not interested in spending $500/night either. In Jaco, from my research on the forum, everyting is pretty much on one main drag so I probably don't need suggestions on bars/restaurants but I am always happy with advice.

On the 2nd part of my trip, it looks like Tamarindo is the closest town for nightlife. Is this correct?

Lastly, could any of you recommend the best, safest and easiest mode of transportation from SJ to Jaco and from Jaco to Papagayo (I am not renting a car;like drinking too much!!!)? Is there a car service or taxi's for a decent price? The bus doesn't seem like something i would want.

Thanks alot in advance. Any tips, recommendation will be greatly appreciated. I will absolutely post a report upon my return.

You are going to love Papagayo. It is really awesome. The golf course is amazing, and it is one of the finest Spa resorts in the world. There is nothing else in Costa Rica like it. It is a true world class resort.

After Papagayo, I think Tamarindo will be a disappointment. Others will disagree, but I think it is a mess. Too much construction, it is in an ugly duckling phase as far as I am concerned. Playa Flamingo is much nicer and Mucho Gusto can help you with that if that is what you are going to do.

If you want to party, consider Montezuma. Much more like the Real Costa Rica. Much smaller in scale. Lots of young people. Lots of parting going on.

Jaco beach leaves a lot to be desired, plus it is hot and muggy. If you want to get into the monger action, I think you are better off in San Jose. Jaco is sort of a train wreck as well. The other thing to consider is that the climate in the central Valley is just about perfect.

For travel, fly. Four Season can transfer you to the airport, or better yet your corporate group has probably made those arrangements for you. Talk to them about flying you into Liberia and out of San Jose for your departure. If you go to Jaco or San Jose, you are not going to want to go back to Liberia. You can use either Sansa or Nature Air.

For transfer from San Jose to Jaco, Interbus is a good choice or you can hire a private driver for around $100 or less. Private driver is nice for sight seeing. Interbus is point A to point B.

I hope that helps.

Drivers I highly recommend....Myself and several wingmen have used all of the below for short trips around the city and outlying area for dental appts. and for longer trips to Jaco, Quepos and other locations. All have large comfortable vans. All are extremely reliable, honest, english speaking and very knowledgable of the country.


Juan Carlos 358-3194
Jose Rodriguez 894-9920 (Pac 55 mentioned above)
Gustavo 870-1990

There are others mentioned in the thread below, but there are some I have never used and some others I was taught if you have nothing nice to say..

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8340

If you would any other personal recommendations, feel free to PM me.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. I am now thinking of just flying in and out of Liberia and staying in Tamarindo or Playa Flamingo. I'm a little nervous about the "hit or miss" P4P activities in these towns (as many posts suggest) but getting from Jaco to Papagayo seems like a buzzkill.

Has anyone been to Tamarindo lately? Is the town still one big construction site? I can overlook that as long as the nightlife is solid and the pro's and non-pro's are around.

Mucho Gusto; care to chime in? I hear you are the man in these parts.

Thanks again!!

NJcads,
Send me a PM with your itinerary. I'll point you in the right direction!
Also, you might want to consider a VIP membership. It's not much ($39) but it does help to support the board.

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

That would be a drive, not a fly.

One thing to consider, the beach a Papagayo far surpasses the beaches in Tamarindo, and even Playa Flamingo. You are going to get one of the best beach experiences in the country where you are going already. Just about everything else is going to be a huge step down.

Something to consider, you might want to think about doing something different. There are so many options. Arenal is probably one of the premier adventure activity destinations in the world.



I was there about 3 months ago. I work in tourism, live in CR, I know the area. It is a mess. There is a live party scene, especially during season.

There is some pro action, but limited and hit and miss as far as quality. Same is true of Playa Flamingo, though I think it might be a bit better in PF.

For pro action, the #1 option is San Jose BY FAR, #2 Jaco. The rest is what I would describe as "bar fly" action.

I hope this helps.

MG, I'll PM you in a few.

Kc, thanks for the advice again. Since I'll be on the beach in Papayago for a week with co-workers, I am most interested in nightlife and chicas. I guess my biggest decision is stay relatively close to Papayago and take my chances or deal with flying in/out of different airports anf trekking down/back to Jaco. If PF or Tam are going to be pretty good for P4P (and I understand not even close to SJ), I'm leaning toward Tam/PF. Thoughts?

Anyone with the REAL word on Clarita's hotel/motel in Jaco?

I went to Jaco once but it was with a gal that had her own car and I dont recall where we stayed but it was a nice place with a couple pools and decent restraunt. Quiet; next to a lagoon. We walked to Beatle bar so it must have been fairly close.

This trip is more likely land at airport, grab INTERBUS for $20 to Jaco, checkin for a few quiet days laying on the beach, simple food and drink at the bar (with the area ex-pats Im told), run down to Beatle or Monkey bar for companionship in the eves, checkout..go home.

Thoughts? Guidance? Help? Reviews? Donations??

Thx.

Thanks to all who helped me with my questions. One last one, do any of you know for sure which hotels in Tamarindo are chica friendly? I was looking into the Best Western but I've read alot of bad reviews. I don't need 5 star but want to make sure I can bring girls back. thanks!

J.arizona
My guess is that you stayed at the Tangeri...multiple pools, restaurant, walking distance to BB....ok to check into with chica, no longer short term chica friendly

Yea. I think I will give this Clarita's a try this time. $60 bucks (includes the 16% tax) for a ocean side room, place is supposed to be right on the beach. A/C. Has a bar/restraunt that with beers for less than 2 bucks, something like $1.55.
At the end of the road but a dollar will get you to Beatle Bar.
May stay in San Jose first night and then run out there for a week.

Anyone stayed there before?

Hey JA,

I haven't stayed at Clarita's, but I did go to the bar a couple of times during my last trip in October. Yes, it's right on the beach on the north end of town. I really like the bar, pretty good sized and open to the sea breezes. I suppose my only negative would be that it's a little bit of a hoof to get to the BB and the center of town. Seemed like there were plenty of cabs out front though.

Keroseneflat

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Sunset House: Cayman Islands Resort

Thanks much Kero!

Dont mind cabs at all....looking for a decent place to stay.

Claritas might be a little noisy from the construction behind it...but, that is the problem with just about every place in Jaco now