www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I know there is a mixture of opinions on the Copa, but 10 of us just spent 2 nights there last Thursday & Friday. I like that it's a bit out of the way but only 2 blocks from the Beatle Bar, although those 2 blocks down that dark road may seem a bit imposing when you have an assful of booze in your system. We had 5 suites and 5 including me had regular rooms. None of the 5 guys with suites could use their safes while we were there as they were told the Manager (Leo, I assume) had to unlock them or something. He was never there. I found out later back at the Presidente from another CRT member that Leo had a heart attack but was doing well. So, no safes. Our 1st night there w/ a "tln" in my Room 18, the guy in 17 had the tv blasting all night and around 2:00 am, we heard a loud scream and the guy yelling at someone loud enough to wake the dead. Then I see people running by my window (thru those sheer red drapes). Then around 3:00 am, I here a loud crash and I open my door and see the guy in 17 (a Latino) picking up a chair and clothes that he or someone had just thrown out of his room. At breakfast, one of my guys in the next room found broken glass outside his room and noticed one of his window panes was broken. Night 2, one of our guys in a suite woke suddenly to loud pounding on his door. He stumbles to the door, asks who it is and hears some guy mumbling. So, he says wait a minute, throws on some clothes and opens the door. Nobody there, but he sees a couple sitting outside on the hallway over by my 2nd floor regular room. They say it was a white surfer looking dude. Bottomline: They need better security at night and better locks on the doors.

Before we checkout Sat. morning to head back to SJ and the Presidente, I have a quick conversation with the owner, who is in from Canada. Maybe because Leo is laid-up. I ask (maybe I shouldn't have) about chica fees and says he is familiar with CRT but they charge everyone a fee. No exceptions. So, I check out first while most of the other 9 guys are eating or sleeping. I had one registered guest fee for $20 and they missed the other 2 because the place looked unstaffed when I brought the other 2 in, including on in the afternoon (which I might post in trip reports). I don't show my CRT card to the gal when I checked out since I just got the bad news from the actual owner. Then, one of our guys walks over to a few of us a bit later and says, "well that CRT card just paid for itself". Of course, I say what do ya' mean. He showed the card up front and he received a 10% discount on his room (which I wasn't aware of) and the gal waived his 3 chica fees (he saved $60 on those). So, I go back w/ my tail between my legs and she can't undo my charges. Bottomline: Show the card first. The staff recognizes the CRT card. One of our guys also had to pay the night clerk (when he was actually there) the $20 fee in cash. Guess where that went?

On a positive note, the owner told me he plans on building an "adults only" area beyond the far corner of the pool near the small shed (near where they dump trash). It will include a large 8-10 person hot tub/jacuzzi.

We found the Copa clean and in a great location. Maybe the security problems were due to Leo's absence. I would like safes in the regular rooms also and real locks. But, it was clean and the breakfast was good. Will I go back? Maybe, maybe not. I'll read other posts as we did in the past and maybe try another place. Wile Coyote

Wile Coyote

i would not want to walk down that road and all from beatle bar at night
either...just seems like it is back and fourth and about the chica fees
i would just go with tangeri and paradise both great hotels and not even have to worry...walk back to tangeri with a chica is alot better than that gravel road to copa in my opinion

Well, after the intial post in this thread, I am darn glad I stayed at the Paradise Hotel in Jaco. Rate was $45 with the CRT discount, and they waive the $10 chica fee for CRT members, So I ended up saving $40 on my stay due to the CRT VIP card. The rooms are small, but sufficient for what you want them for. And Richard the owner, as well as his daughters who man the front desk go out of their way to be helpful.

Does anyone have any experience with the Hotel Roblemar in Jaco? Certainly one can't beat the location, but I was wondering how the rooms are and what is the visiting chica policy?

Here's my two cents on the Copa - stayed there last November towards the end of low season. I really liked the location, the rooms (I stayed in one of the regular rooms), and the overall ambience of the hotel. No problem whatsoever getting chica fees waived when checking out, though it probably helped that Leo was there at the time.

I walked between the hotel and the Beatle Bar nearly every time, and had no problem with chicas in tow. We also enjoyed some really fun action with two hot ticas working the pool one morning.

However, Jaco being the surfing mecca that it is, it does tend to attract a younger, rowdier, and heavy drinking surfer crowd, though at least none of them were violent while I was there. But I would definitely stay at the Copa again, as long as low season rates apply.

D1:
Thanks for giving us some feedback on the Paradise Hotel, as you probably are the 1st to stay there... Any other info would be appreciated... AC quality etc.
THANKS!

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Thank you for supporting CRT!

I stay at the Copa 90% of the time when I go to Jaco. Yes, the owner is out of it when it comes to the CRT waiving chica fees and if Leo doesnt stay healthy or leaves for some reason, that end of it may change. But, the road is very safe...I have walked it all hours without incident...and never heard of any incidents there. The food and pool are nice and the walkout to the beach is rare in Jaco.

I will say that I just got back from Puntarenas for the holiday weekend down here...and that may become my primary getaway beach destination. No "surfer dudes", lots of chicas, no Delrey girls getting "cien", and cheaper everything (rooms, food, drink). I will post a report sometime the next couple days along with wingman Twarag.

Admin. 1: I noticed your response was Post #1040. That just reminded me, I need to get my taxes done soon! Wile Coyote

Tman,

Did you stay at the Fiesta in Puntarenas? I stayed there on a non-monger trip (damn) and we left on day 3. The service was that bad.

Also, didn't care for the "black sand" beach. very dirty.

Please point me to a better place in punta...

Been to Samara in Feb. Beach is great. Clean but, very laid back. Little in the way of action. 1 strip bar.

cheers,

HL

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Don't tell my Mom I'm a Pilot. She thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Brothel.

You'll find a lot more action in Puntarenas. We stayed at the Hotel Alamar, towards the end of the point on the main beach road...still an easy walk to the beach bars and casino. Nice pool...and while it's a family place, girls were allowed in after hours with a small tip for the security guy. The maids even started "hot sheeting" our beds and leaving 4 nice towels the 2nd day. I guess our reputation got around . Will post a full report soon.

Maybe see you there next time?