www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I just personally don't want the aggrevation of driving in CR. Once you get a local pirate and befriend him, the price is less than renting when considering fuel cost. My guy takes me to Jaco for $50 and waits for me. I give him a few colones for food and drink but nothing exhorbitant. Make friends with the taxi collectivos. Get to know them and you can get almost anywhere for next to nothing.

dapanz1

how are the rooms at claritas, most specifically size and comfort ?

reason sb obvious ?

I know this is not for everyone but the Tico bus from the Coca Cola station is about $8 round trip. You won't get there much quicker in a $200 van. In spite of what others might say: I had a comfortable ride and the buses leave every hour from Coca Cola. Best to reserve a seat the day before. Be sure to take a taxi there, it's not the best neighborhood. You need to be wary of pickpockets in the station. But that seems to be an issue everywhere in San Jose. It's also a nice and cheap way to see the mountains.

_________________
"Guess what?! I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"
Christopher Walken

4x4 rents the Terios for $35 a day all in...

I can't tell you how much I'd RATHER be in my own car than in a bus or in a van...

Hey Dapanz1,

$50 to Jaco sounds very good. Can you post or PM his contact number? Thanks.

Just spent 12 days at Clarita's and it was great.
room is $80 a nite, clean, hot water, cold air, ref,safe, and clean.
rooms have 1 full and 1 half beds, great food, cold cheap beer, and on the beach.tica friendly w/ no charge.
take a taxi anywhere for $1.50 to 2.00, trans 80 bucks from airport to hotel for 2 people.
Trans-----
adrian@adrianincostarica.com

double post

My buddies and I stayed there our first night - They had a funky three bedroom villa that sounded better on paper than in reality. Still, plenty close to the action and nice folks running it. Kinda rough.

Our last night we stayed at Cocal. Much nicer and much more enjoyable. We got three rooms poolside and still close to the action. Highly recommended.

Next trip I'll try Claritas. Probably not as nice as Cocal, but is sounds pretty chill.

BTW, rent a SUV and bring your GPS. We did and had no problems getting around. Love Jaco!

Lots of good info on Jaco in previous posts. I have been there several times and have traveled by bus, shuttle, and car. My favorite way to get there is on Greyline http://www.graylinecostarica.com/grayli ... stbus.html for $27 per person. They have comfortable minivans and convenient pickup points in San Jose. Did the car rental once but picked it up outside of SJ and it was part of a vacation package. Driving in SJ is not a good idea. Public bus is cheap but not worth the hassle in my opinion.

Can't help much on hotels. Once I stayed at the Best Western which was very nice but definitely not Tica friendly (obvious sign at the reception desk). The other time I stayed at a funky place near the beach that wasn't Tica friendly either - can't remember the name. On the plus side - when I was in Jaco last there was a reasonable short time hotel next the to Beatle Bar which is probably still going strong.

Watch out for the girls working the streets in Jaco - they will steal anything thats not attached and often work in pairs. One girls provides the distraction while the other liberates whatever she can. It can be interesting if you go prepared and leave everything of value in the hotel.

Jaco is a nice break from the congestion in SJ. Happy Trails.

hotel cocal, on the beach, clean rooms, really good food, nice pool and outside bar and small casino

Don't drive in CR. Too many risks. Get a driver, and enjoy the ride. If Gustavo is busy, call Steve Corrales, cell phone 011-506-8898-9669. He grew up in that States, speaks English, and is very dependable.