www.CostaRicaTicas.com

just wondering if anyone has any hotel recommendations for good decent places that are close but non-gulch?

In reviewing all the stuff on here (and it is a great wealth of info!), just not sure staying right in gulch (why is it called that anyway??) is right for me...places like Dunn, Amistad, sound a little too wild & crazy (i.e. noisy) and the area a bit much

So certainly want to see the area when I am there--but maybe not stay right in the area...(ya I know I'm a wimp)

Like to keep it maybe under a $100...what about a place like Barcelo San Jose Palacio??

Also interested in the whole no-chica thing? Just how do places enforce this? Never had a problem with either pickups or ******* doing incalls in my time before---just be bold (or use a side door) but sounds like they are tough down there in the CR...

(please excuse the double post--realized it should be in this section...)

Since you posted it twice, I'll reply twice.

There's a reason why those places aren't talked about much here, and it's because they're for the eco-tourist crowd, not mongers. Lots of American-based chains and boutique places. Most, don't allow chica "guests", and yes, they do enforce it. A very few might allows chicas but charge a high fee for them, like the Holiday Inn Aurola, which has a $75 fee, i.e. they don't want you there.

The "gulch" is short for Gringo Gulch, and is where the American monger crowd hangs out; it covers the area from the Del Rey to the Sportsmen's Lodge (with an extension south to the Freebird, Bar Idem and Relax). If you want to play with chicas, it's where you want to be, no need to stay or go anywhere else.

About a hundred years ago , I stayed in lots of non-monger hotels in SJ, even the Palacio and I seem to recall staying in the Marriott in Escazu, and the Coribici, but I am not sure if any of them are under 100 smackers. We used to get a special deal at the Irazu, but they were ify when it came to getting girls in there with you. I think of those that I mentioned, the Marriott is the nicest, as I recall the Palacio being plainly furnished, but again, that was at least 10 years ago.

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

Try the Hotel M, they have a $99 special.

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

If I have to, I usually stay at the Crowne Plaza, about 145.00 including tax, not chica friendly, but has a casino, I don't see how they would know with many of the locals going to the casino. Buffett breakfast included, free internet. About 2k colones ,taxi,to downtown, Mas y Menos across the street, easy walking distance to FastFood. Also has a heated pool, great gym.
Not my first selection, Amistad is, follow by S.L., stay many times over the years at the Presz. until they got ??? what ever the political correct adjective is for being Jerks.
Best deal I found is to book directly with the Crowne.
Flaco

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Never paying cein

I might recommend Hotel Santo Tomas. It is behind the Holiday Inn and about a block west. It is a smaller, recently renovated hotel. They didn't use to allow girls, however I spend time at the Bar Poas across the steet and have noticed in the past few weeks that there are guys escorting girls to and from cabs. They masy be flexible in the off-season. During low season, I negotiated a $30 small room and generally rooms run around $40-70. You will be away from the gulch yet close enough for a 500c taxi ride. There website is: http://www.hotelsantotomas.com/

You may want to find out if they allow girls and the cost.