www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Ok so I have my trip coming up. I leave Fri Jan 8 and come back Jan 16. However, I have a dilemma that I need some help with.

Currently I have my trip booked as such:

First three nights at SL
Then five nights at the Los Suenos Marriott.

Now I'm sure by now everyone on here is WTF are you doing staying at that Marriott. Well the whole idea of a trip to Costa Rica started before I even knew about these activities down there. I met a guy on a project who sold me on going to vacation in Costa Rica. I was sold and decided it was a great opportunity to get away and burn some of the ridiculous amount of Marriott points I have built up (I stay in hotels every week and have a ton of points.)

While researching Costa Rica I found out that it was quite the destination for mongering. While not something I've really ever done before it did intrigue me. I was supposed to go with a couple of buddies down to CR but they backed out because they are a bunch of bums and frankly I need more friends in my income bracket. So I'm taking this trip completely solo and it is my first solo vacation ever.

Anyway, now I am afraid that I am going to be bored out of my mind while at the Marriott and not know what to do with myself. But again I'm also not sure if I'm even going to like the mongering aspect so I don't want to make it a whole trip and I don't want to cancel it competely because it blows my cover (people will be expecting photos and what not I am sure).

Anyway, if someone has stayed at the Los Suenos (I know this is probably the totally wrong board for this) and has any ideas around activities or anything (not just mongering lol) I would greatly appreciate it. Also maybe suggestions for hotels I could book up last minute in SJO should I decide to extend my vacation there instead. Or maybe some options for things to do in Jaco. I've read about it but don't really know how I'd work it out staying at the Marriott. I'm pretty sure that place is NOT chica friendly.

Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated as I am actually stressing out a little bit about what to do but am also totally excited about this trip.

Many times the SL will have last minute cancellations. While you are there get on the waiting list..


Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

It's definitely not chica friendly and on weekends the place will sell out with ticos taking their family away for a few days, I stayed there for a couple days back during the miserable days (I was married) and the hotel is absolutely beautiful and IIRC the food was excellent. I'd rent a car if I was you and drive to Jaco if you want p4p

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many sheep, limited crow.....

Can you rent a car down there? I'm not sure I'm comfortable driving myself from SJO all the way down there. What is the p4p situation in Jaco?

Top Shelf it you haven't signed up for the CRT membership you should to get full access to all the info on CRT.

Do a search on Jaco. There's lots of info on P4P available.

JACO is about an 4000K cab ride south of Los Suenos. Less than 10min ride

Daytime activities in Los Suenos area:

1) World class billfishing. Yes it's expensive but worth it IMO. I shared boats with others that i've met right there at the dock in the morning.
Costa rica dreams or Maverick Yachts the top two charter outfits.

2) There are several Canopy/zipline Tours located close by.

3) ATV tours.

4) Nice Golf course there at Los Suenos

5) Surfing (jaco)

6) Casinos

The Mariott is very strict on bringing girls in.

Beatle Bar is the epicenter of night time P4P in Jaco. I would cab it over and back. Renting a car is not worth the hassle and worry.

Some Beatle Bar girls will take you back to their apartments or cabinas in Jaco. Don't tell them your staying at Los Suenos though. Just tell them your at the Best Western in Jaco and they don't allow chicas. If you mention that you stay at Los Suenos you will be considered "Muy Rico" Very Rich.

$100 is the normal asking price at BB. You can and should negotiate a lower rate, and or more time. $50-$80 seems to be what they will come down to.

Don't drink and drive if you rent a car.
The cops frequently have checkpoints.

You will have fun!

Pura Vida

You can rent a car in Jaco and explore the beach areas south of Jaco as in Manuel Antonio ect. There is only one highway on the coast so no problems as far as directions.

TopShelf:

My suggestion would be get a reservation at one of the other hotels in the area of Sportsmen's Lodge. Once you see what's available in San Jose your desire to leave will diminished considerably. Look at the list of CRT sponsors and choose a hotel. If they are a CRT sponsor they will be friendly to the activities you will be participating in.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

I stayed at the Marriott los suenos last year in the summer. Although the resort was very tropical and laid back with a small casino. it was no surprise it was filled w/ couples and families.

I did venture out to a sports bar within the Los Suenos marina quite a few times which was pretty nice before heading over to Jaco.

Although I drove to Los Suenos from SJO, I didn't dare take my chances getting a DUI in CR-the marriott hads a car service (more expensive than a taxi) which can drop you off in Jaco - return trip was 1/3 the price.

I am heading to Jaco in January and opted for a 2br condo in Jaco this time around...

Hope this helps...

Cbrock007

Los Suenos is nice. If you have $ then you have to go fishing. Go to the desk and ask if you can join a trip. There are always last second people that back out and you can join their trip. The reason you do that is for price. The group is upset that they have to cover a friend that backs out and you don't wanna pay for a solo trip fishing. You meet new people and everyone is paying less. Great time for all. Some of the best fishing in the world.

At night, in Jaco, take a taxi to Claritas on the beach. Watch the sunset, eat the food, and drink with the ladies. These are NOT workin girls but very friendly and fun. They are fun to do shots with. Perfect night so far!!!

Around 10pm or the close of Claritas, go to Beetle Bar. Do you know Spanish??? If so, yer good, you'll figure stuff out. If not, no worries, look up some threads on Spanish on this sight. Negotiate with these women but DON'T take any of their first offers. Some of the prettiest women in CR but because of rich old gringos that go fishing, the women really jack up the price.

Los Suenos is not chica friendly. You'll have to go to an hourly hotel. You actually might be able to get a hotel in Jaco for $30 a night that might be worth getting if you plan to go crazy. If you would like daytime action, you have to set it up at night and get them to meet you out. Some people say differently, but there really is no day action in Jaco.

Its too late for you to change, but I would rather do Los Suenos first and SJO after. When you go to the SL you're gonna wanna stay. When you go to the SL then Los Suenos, you're gonna want one more night at the SL. Do some reasearch on hotels, plenty of research.

Jaco is great, SJO is better for havin fun with women. But when it comes to ladies and using both cities, you're Forrest Humping it...It's like a box of chocolates, ya never know what you're gonna get.

Do the ATV tours, the zip lines, the volacano and all that other stuff. Fishing is unbelievable. The Iguana golf is good, slightly over priced, but should do it if you like golf. Personally, I wouldn't bring a woman during the activities, but plenty of posts about this.

One of the regulars gave me the best advice about my first real trip to CR. Keep it loose. Never set your plans in stone. Do what feels good.

Enjoy!!!

BB

Get a case of beer and go on the Croc tour is really pretty cool. You will see lots of wildlife on that river. Where else can you take beer on a croc tour lol.

I usally go to the beach first then spend last couple nights in San Jose so I'm closer to the airport.
If you go fishing you are supposed to bring a few changes of clothes so you can pose with different fish and say you were fishing all week.

Pura Vida

Excellent Surfdog!!! I thought I was one of the only ones that knew about the multiple outfits on a fishing trip...

BB