www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Times are tough, money is tight. Job is not secure. Not uncommon these days, as we all know.

I have air-miles to get me to SJO and I want to get myself down there for some fun, if possible.

Checklist ...
1) I know I can cut out gambling to cut down on expenses (unfortunately I lose more often than win).

2) I know I can hit-up MP's for some affordable action.

3) I know I can hit-up sodas for good, cheap food.

4) I know I can forgo the zip-line, ATV stuff.

But what about accommodation? ... What are suggestions for somewhat decent & cheap accommodation in the gulch?

I know somebody posted a while back about their budgeted vacation, but cannot find the thread.

Any advice, or if you know of the aforementioned thread, would be most helpful.

Thanks brothers.

In solidarity,
Miles

Good way a lot of guys have saved money is the Nuevo Johnson. $15 a night (not sure about guest fee if any) Not a great neighborhood, be smart and take taxis everywhere at night and you will be fine. http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... d%3Divnsfd

If you can go up to $35 a night (cash) another option is Hotel Castillo ask for Darren.. http://www.hotelcastillo.biz/

Hotel Nuevo Johnson has been recommended in pas threads. While not in the gulch it is close enough to be a short walk and is conveniently located to many downtown places like the mercado central. I seem to remember a rate of $15.00 per night being mentioned. You might try a search using the term Nuevo Johnson Hotel. Good luck.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Hey Miles,
I feel your pain, I did my trip with some uncertainty about my job... so far everything holding together

The Freebird has rooms for $34 with CRT discount, They're clean and comfotable

They have cable TV, Refridge, Microwave, free local and international phone calls, computer in the common area, Wi Fi and a coin operated washer/dryer

They're 1 1/2 blocks from Relax and Eros and 3 blocks from HDR/KL, most taxi fares were 560

I stocked my room from Mas X Menos with beer, water, snacks and a few microwavable meals for about $26.00
I ate out 3 times in 5 days and did fine

I brought enough money but treated the budgeting as just another part of the adventure!!

Plus its easier to say NO to cein when you just stuffed your face with $1.50 woth of microwavable pizza bites from Mas X Menos

Pura Vida

You can do San Jose on the cheap. Some of my best memories are when I was poor and would make do with friends.

And in San Jose , big money does not guarantee the best sex anyway.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Try calling Dennis at the Freebird

At some point someone should due a thread on whether the price of a hotel like the NJ is worth it given the lack of other things such as security, location etc. as I think that a place like the Castillo, DI or Freebird is worth double the proce if you don't have to risk life and limb every time you stay there.

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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

[/quote]

At some point someone should due a thread on whether the price of a hotel like the NJ is worth it given the lack of other things such as security, location etc. as I think that a place like the Castillo, DI or Freebird is worth double the proce if you don't have to risk life and limb every time you stay there. [/quote]

The Nuevo Johnson is secure and I don't feel like I am risking life and limb by staying there.
I walk to DR as late as 11pm and cab it back.
Mercado Central is real life CR and I wouldn't change a thing.......
And I will walk from the President to the DR at midnight........
Life is a adventure.....unless you are scared of adventure..............

There have been a number of posts by guys who have stayed at the Nuevo Johnson and as I remember, and no I am not going to go back and due a search, most say the place is clean and secure and a great value. The location is no more or less dangerous then most of avenida central and as always it is wise to take a cab after dark anywhere in downtown.

I am curious as to your experience in staying in that area that would lead you to post such a comment about the HJ.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Skip DR and head to Calle 6. Pretty good security too...saw about 15 cops with three guys against the wall in front of two of those MPs yesterday.

_________________
The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

You guys have definitely give me some food for thought. Thank you. Good to know it is possible.

I think I'd prefer a hotel over a hostel. I also saw the board sponsor Hotel Tiquicia starting at $25 ... anyone have experience there? $10 more than Nuevo Johnson but in the Gulch.

Check out the Castillo. Its an older converted mansion with a great out door bar and a cool vibe. Its only blocks away from New Fantasy, HLH and Sportmens. Last summer the green season rate was only $32 dollars per night for me

We had a really good post a couple of years back on the topic of saving money. I cannot seem to find it.

1) Buy lots of fruit at the market for snacks and at least one meal. Bring instant oatmeal with you for breakfast (healthy too!).

2) Yes, call 6, and get numbers of chicas willing to do TLNs. You can probably have for far less than half.

3) Buy all alcohol at duty free. Carry a flask with you to different venues you go. Get a class from bartenders and pour your own shot in the bathroom (I do this becuase I like high end hooch you are not going to get in SJ, but it works for saving money as well).

4) Take the Interbus from the airport.

5) Castillo has good rates for the week if you are staying that long.

6) Make a list of free activities you want to do/see and actaully DO them. Engaging in some inexpensive non-mongering activites saves money and makes you feel less like a slime (i.e. a museam or two, mercado central, take a bus to one of the towns in the valley and walk around, i.e. Alejuela, Herredia, Cartago).

7) Have some activity you want to accomplish in some of your down areas (reading a book, writing letters to friends you have not had contact with in some time, ect).

Pack carefully and wisely. Really take whatever you will need so you don't buy things.

9) Ask yourself if you can do without X and still have just as good at time.

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

I know how to do San Jose on the cheap quite well. Following are some siggestions.

1.Take Alejuela express bus to town and back for about 400 col. each way. Stops at bus stop front of airport and takes about 25 min. Be sure to ask driver in the is headed to San Jose

2. Nuevo Johnson is about 2 blocks from where bus stops in town and is 7000 col per night. Place is quite secure and has quite a few gringo customers now days. It is basic but has private bath and hot water. Even has internet access now.

3.You have Calle 6 for really cheap MPs and lots of outher places still around 10000 to 1200 col and under for HH massage. Most of same places around 15000 to 18000 col per hr.

4. Eat at local sodas and Mercado Central.

5. Several good local night time places for fun including VIPs ,Arcadas, Maragritas which has made a big comeback and Molino Rojo late night. Also a couple on Mp's on Callle 4 stay open til midnight now. Prices range 10000 to 15000 col per HH in these places.

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In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff