www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hi, complete n00b here, been reading the forums some and there's plenty of good info around...thanks to those who've taken the trouble to share info and tell their stories, both good and bad.

I'm contemplating a trip to CR in late January, to celebrate my birthday. (Not a milestone bday or anything, just feel like doing something nice for myself.) Is that a good time to go? I'm thinking it should be well past hurricane season, and it'd be a nice time to escape the dreary New England winter for somewhere warm and sunny and (sub-?)tropical. But I don't want to go at a time when the weather sucks, or when the place is dead, or, by contrast, when there's some kind of festival going on, or it's high tourist season, and all the local hotels, especially the chica-friendly ones like the HDR and SL, are going to be all booked up. Only thing I can think of on the calendar would be Mardi Gras, but that's in mid to late February in 2012 and that's well after I plan to travel. A bit of preliminary internet research suggests that it's the dry season, so there should be little rainfall, and that temperatures are going to be somewhere around 65-80°F.

How far in advance should I book a room at a chica-friendly place? Searching in the "Hotels" forum on "reservations january" doesn't get me a whole lot of info. Some people say they've just gotten rooms for cash by walking in. However, internet searches elsewhere suggest that January is part of the busy season and I'd be well-advised to make reservations far in advance. (Like, *now*--in August.)

Also, since CR is a well-known mongering destination...what do you tell people who ask nosy questions about your trip? You know, people you don't want to be outright rude to by telling them some variant on "NOYFB". Coworkers and such. I'm interested to hear your ideas. When I went to Amsterdam I told them all about the museums I went to, and the canal boat tour I went on, and the architecture, ad nauseam... all of which was true and served to defuse any potential inappropriate questions about mongering. So yeah, please to be sharing your ideas for snarky, witty, yet polite, comebacks for such individuals. Thanks.

These rooms are usually for just one night.

Tomorrow, I'd call the Sportsman's Lodge and reserve a room .

_________________
* 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.

*nod* I need to arrange for vacation from work first, but I'll arrange a hotel at the earliest opportunity. Thanks.

Edit: Also, why the SL over some of the other hotels in the Gulch? (Presidente, HLH, HDR, etc.) Just your personal preference? I realize everyone has different things they value when they stay somewhere and YMMV, etc.

OK, let me try and answer all the questions in one shot. Some may argue, in fact it has been the debate of many posts, that the SL is the all around best hotel, not just due to the quality of the rooms, which range from fair to excellent, but the bar/restaurant, the happy hours, the ambiance, the CRT discount etc. Others come close, but the SL is pretty much the focal point for a lot of guys who travel to SJ for P4P.

Forget the Presidente, they no long allow "joiners".

As far as a cover story, how deep do you want to go? As a fellow former New Englander, I can commiserate based on your statement regarding nosy fellow cubites; First, a rant: Phuck those nosy asshats, they don't have a life, so they need to mind other peoples business for them. However, my rant aside, if you need to provide a cover story, keep it simply and somewhat mysterious; "I am going to visit the rainforests", "I am going surfing, snorkeling, wind surfing, scuba diving", whatever. Take a one day tour of the Volcan Irazu and the cloud forest if you need to provide pictures. There are plenty of one day trips that will allow you to both enjoy yourself and provide your cover.

_________________
“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

The high tourist season runs about Nov-Mar. But I wouldn't worry too much because 99% of those tourists are going directly from the airport to one of the overpriced resorts on the coasts and won't be going to any of chica-friendly hotels you are interested in.

One note, the SL books up way in advance. If you are interested in staying there (great place to stay, especially for newbies, lots of like-minded guys around to give you pointers and some good chicas on-premises), call or email them as soon as possible. Try to get a new wing or Mansion wing room. They are nicer than the old section.

http://www.sportsmenscr.com/

You should read this newbie guide: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16357

Enjoy.

The SL books up months in advance because it is the SL and there is no place else remotely like it. All your friends are there, you just need to join them. Book a Mansion or Modern Wing room as soon as possible (or risk a Courtyard room or none at all).

Trust, brother, you want to land at SL for your first trip. Once you have one under your belt you can "branch out".

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

I'd agree with the previous statements. I'd recommend to anyone "new" to the SJ scene to make their first stay at the SL. Once you're in town, you should walk around to the other hotels and check them all out as well. The ease of finding both chicas and potential mentors makes the SL the ideal first choice.

As far as cover stories go, a day trip or two is a great idea as you can grab a few pictures of the beach/rainforest/volcano etc. You could hit the museums up as well in SJ, or I've heard the zoo makes for some decent photos if you are creative with your shots.

My last trip, I hit the beach (Jaco) for two nights and grabbed some pictures of the sand and surf. Then I complained to everyone when I got home that I canceled my rainforest and volcano tours due to bad weather. Gives me a couple reasons to go back as well.

Absolutely the first thing to do is join here as a paid member. I am not being hectoring nor a cheer-leader--it truly is in your best interest. The discounts at the SL or any other of our fine Sponsors more than make up the nominal expense.
Yes, I'd agree that the SL is the first place to try but failing that, try (in order) the Hotel Little Havana (HLH) or the Castillo (thin walls in this one though). The Hotel La Amistad is another fine choice and only about 2 blocks from the SL. If you want a more B&B-ish type experience, try the Hotel Tiquicia or the Freebird. Or troll through our list of Sponsors: viewforum.php?f=17

For daytrips, here's one of a bunch of Threads on this: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=36768&p=414417&hilit=daytrips#p414417
A profound source of info is Brother Prolijo--use the 2nd line of the "Search" function to find Prolijo then scroll til you find something you need.
The best source of current info, rumors and sometimes rants is that great American invention, the Happy Hour. Both the SL and the HLH are outstanding but do try Harry's Bar Poas--some interesting flotsam and jetsam flow through there (yes, I'm being a bit unkind).

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Being from New England myself, I can say any day in Costa Rica, beats a winter day at home... by a mile, even if it is rainy in Costa Rica


Cover story... keep it simple... read up CR flora and faunna

Aslo study catch and release of the pink snapper

OK, VIP membership here paid for ...will talk to my manager about taking a week off in January around my birthday. And will make a reservation at the SL.

How about airfare? Spirit Air has $450-ish around my projected travel dates; next cheapest is any of the major US carriers (DL/US/CO) at $555-ish. Doesn't strike me as a particularly good deal. From what I've read about Spirit you can tack another $50 on to the advertised fare for various fees, too, including a "carry-on bag fee"--WTF? Also Spirit's flights from BOS are all two-stops, with stops in Myrtle Beach SC and Fort Lauderdale. One routing even has me staying overnight in FLL on the way back home. Ugh. Routings on DL/US/CO are all one-stop.

I'm thinking of waiting for a sale in terms of the airfare.



I love lots of things about living in New England but I wish they could ditch the uptight Puritan attitudes about sexuality, and their propensity for minding other peoples' business.

What my fellow cube-dwellers are going to end up guessing about my escapades will probably be far more lurid than reality. I just hope none of them come to me in a year, talking about taking a snorkeling vacation or something, and asking me for travel tips and wondering what hotel I stayed at. Could result in some embarrassment.

I do plan to do some things other than mongering...perhaps a day trip to the beach or two, and there are museums around, so I should end up with some good stories and pictures and so forth.

Fortunately my SO is not someone I have to lie to regarding my mongering activities...hell, she *encourages* them. I am a very lucky man.

Thanks for all the advice and tips, everybody.

_________________
"Buy the ticket, take the ride." --Hunter S. Thompson

Don't be so paranoid just tell them you're going deep sea fishing, to spanish school, the rain forest, surfing, a beach resort, the volcanos, etc... Or do like some of us and tell them you're going to Florida to visit boring relatives and in-laws you hate.

You don't have to tell them where you are going. Maybe you had a family emergency that is none of their biz. Don't stress...have fun.
CH

You have received lots of good info; I'll give you some about Spirit later on, but wanted to address some of the things you brought up in your 2nd paragraph -

First, don't worry about hurricanes; CR can get rain from tropical systems, but in San Jose and the Pacific side, they will not take a direct hit - and their Carribean coast is normally too far south to be impacted - especially during the Nov - April dry season (which the Costa Ricans call "Summer" even though they are well above the equator, and the seasons are not reversed (but what do you want from a place where they don't use street addresses )

The time period you are contemplating normally offers the best weather of the year. Also - I have 15 years of travel there, and well over 30 trips, and don't recall anything about Carnival at all - New Orleans its not - but stay away from Easter - few days before and after as alchol is banned Holy Thursday and Good Friday; also many leave San Jose - Its not an ideal time to go.

I'll 2nd the advice regarding Sportsmans and Hotel Little Havana; also will recommend you contact http://www.popsguideservice.com and have him give you a tour - at the hotels metioned you will get lots of info from other like minded folks.

Now to Spirit.......

I've flown Spirit many times but would not fly them if I had to change planes ( I live in S. FL and they fly direct non stop from FLL to SJO) - period - also, you are correct regarding the fees, which Spirit has made a career out of charging - when you add all these up, the price difference is often small vs other carriers - From New England, If posssible, I'd look at Jetblue, which for some odd reason flys only out of Orlando (vs other places in S. FL) to SJO, or American. You might even want to wait until 5 or 6 weeks before your trip to book airfare vs today - maybe......

Finally - and please take this in the spirit its being written - I get you choose your handle likely because you are not a very experienced traveler - but I would never label myself as an "idiot" (or let anyone else for that matter) - you asked some good, valid questions.

Welcome to CRT .

PS If anyone asks, just say you are going to CR - no "expanation" is necessary, as its your time, money and choice. (Also FWIW - sex tourism - so called - is a fraction of why the vast majority travel there - at least that what they say!!! ).

Eco-Tourism
1)Fishing
2)Zip-Lines/Canopy Tour
3)Canyoning/Repelling
4)White water Rafting
5)Kayaking with Crocs
6)Scuba with Sharks
7)Gyrocopter ride over active Volcanoes

Need more?

Just tell them to mind their own business. Or, if you're not up for that, tell them you went fishing. And then, go Phucking fishing... you'll love it. A day outside the gulch is always good. You will come back with a tan, pics and a degree of credibility in your voice. Keep life simple... don't be a VI your whole life.