www.CostaRicaTicas.com

What can anyone tell me about Cristinas in San Jose?

http://www.hotelapartmentcostarica.com/location.html

Not one that has caught my attention in these forums but it certainly has me ready to book from my private research. Crazy good price for a swanky two bedroom suite and I have an email from them that their guest policy is "No guest charge but please keep it discreet."

Thanks again to all you vets for your insight.

I have no personal knowledge of the property, but can tell you that you are a cab ride away (not super close) to the Gringo Gulch - it might not be that big a deal to you; other guys like the fact that a lot of what they are seeking is in walking distance - you could get resistance in bringing guests back, b/c they are unlikey to know the place and their mindset (such as it is ) is going to say its too far - plus you lose some negociating power.

All that said, the property looked nice, and the rates seemed fair - since its never posted about, and they are not a sponsor, I doubt many others will be able to give you direct insight vs comments about the location - stay there if you wish, realizing there is some geographic undesirability.

(I tell new guys all the time that there is a reason certain properties are posted about and certain properties are sponsors )

Thank you for making a comment about the location! I am obviously new so I don't understand the subtle nuances but everything I have read says "Take a cab even if you are going a block away." To me that translates to "Everything is a cab ride away." Perhaps I have misread the advice, but does walking distance mean anything at all if I have to hail a cab to go a block?

If I were staying at SL and went to the HDR for an evening wouldnt I hail a cab? Please help me understand how that influences negotiation power. I certainly feel confident walking from one block to the next but even this "Newbie Section" says not to be cheap and pay two dollars for cab. I don't appreciate being called weak OR cheap but I have listened to the advice on this forum while making arrangements.

From personal experience (outside of CR) the only difference between a 5 minute cab ride and a 10 minute cab ride is whether or not she will fall asleep.

Who called you that - certainly not me - and the point is your health is worth more than cab fare - I don't care how strong someone is, little effect on a gun, knife, or multi attackers.

That said,I think you are taking things a tad literal - cabs make sense, but its not so bad that you cannot walk at night - I have done the Sportsmans to HDR many times, although at night its probably better to take a cab.

The point about the cab ride is - to use the above example, its 3 - 5 min's HDR to Sportsmans - real short and the girls all know the place - much longer to the property you posted about and they don't know it nor you -

You need to contact Pops at Popsguideservice.com and have him give you a tour - its cheap and well worth it. You will learn stuff it takes many guys years to learn - if he is unavailable, PM Bilko - offers the same service.

You also might want to rethink the choice of lodging and stay someplace more centrally located - I recommend the Sportsmans or Hotel Little Havana - lots of info. The reason most hotels are never posted about or discussed is they are either geographically undesirable or have restrictive or expensive guest policies.

PS No matter how much reading you do, its never enough - you will know a lot more after a few days in CR, especially if you the tour so don't sweat it.

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When I was born, I was given a choice - a big pecker or a good memory.... I don't remember what I chose.

Walking to the DR at night shouldn't be a problem. Probably will want to take a taxi back. Everything will be easier here than it sounds like sometimes. I'm a big believer in keeping it simple. Whether you stay there or not, hang out at the SL. I have been surprised by the talent level. Always some cuties there even in slow times.

This place looks sweet, I might try it on my next trip. I have stayed a Hotel M and never had any problem getting chicas to go there. Most chicas if they have a comfort level with you enjoy going somewhere nice and different. I don't know what is around this area to walk to, nothing worse to me than having to take a cab everywhere you go.

I believe I am the one that has posted on a couple of occasions about the cautions and challenges of not cabbing it late night. I have used the words/phrases such as not being "macho" or a "cheapskate" when it comes to the choice of cabbing it late night. It is definitely not a personal attack on anyone as it is obviously your choice on whether to increase the likelihood of drama or not or to walk late night with your head on a swivel. Nobody here wishes anyone ill will or is attacking them personally, but it is a little irresponsible to mention to "Newbies" that San Jose and all its babes is a pure Paradise without also mentioning that there are or can be dangers if your complacent....and the message is late night ... don't sweat the small stuff pay the $2

I mean really ... whats the better conversation to have with yourself ...

Hmmm ... was it worth it? I got robbed and/or beaten and if I had only taken the cab for $2 ... My body wouldn't hurt, I would still have my money and/or jewelry and I wouldn't have ruined my vacation.

or

Damn, I'm here in my hotel safe and sound and "probably" nothing would have happened to me if I walked ... I'm out $2

If anyone is so teflon that impending danger doesn't matter then a post in this regard is certainly not for them. The heads up or advice (or opinion) given to specifically those new to San Jose and Gringo Gulch is that there are dangers out there specifically walking late at night. I do know of people who were held up at knife point walking from the Del Rey to The Presidente which is 2 or 2 1/2 blocks in distance door to door (if they even got that far) ... I do know the stories of people who have been accosted in Morazon Park which is ummmmm anywhere from accross the street from and Key Largo and 1 block from the Del Rey. Would I tell someone to take a cab from the DR to the Morazon ... ummmm... NO, but I do know going past that point the percentages of foul play at night increase drastically.

My point is and Scuba1 underscored it is that ...There are people who adhere to this type of heads up and those who don't ... and those who don't say that they never had a problem ... good for them ... this isn't about being a sissy or a nervous Nelly ... it's about common sense as anyone is susceptible to crime regardless of how big, fast, smart they are. Have I walked the streets after night fall, absolutely when there is quite a bit of foot traffic and before the transvetites come out LOL. But at a point, it becomes late enough where it just doesn't make good sense.

To those who don't know the ins and outs and the whens and when nots ... it makes good sense not to be macho or just to pay the $2 to go from DR to Amistad or DR to HLH or DR to Sportsmens when it is 12, 1 or 2 in the morning and in most cases earlier then that. It's very easy to be drunk and full of excitement and become complacent and in most of the stories told ... weapons are involved and in some multiple conspirators so why take the chance if you really don't have to. And the point is ... You really don't have to take that chance ... I'd rather be in a cab worrying about who I am going to do next then worrying about if someone is coming out from an alley or behind a tree or car with bad intentions

The area where they are located is upscale. Former President Aries lives just a few blocks away.

Lots of restaurants in the area with all prices ranges. BK, Mickey D's and Subway for quick food, Rostipollos, Princessa Marina, Fabrica for mid range and El Chicotte and Flor de Loto if you want to splurge. Suites have kitchenette so if you want to make coffee in the morning or have some juice and beer available there is a Mas x Menos close by.

Taxi should be around 2500 colones to the gulch. Only problem you might run into is if there is a soccer match at the stadium traffic will be a nightmare.

Should have no problem with chicas willing to come back with you. Only thing is they will want cab fare back which is no biggie.

Taking everything into consideration I would stay there if you have had a few trips to San Jose under your belt. If this is the first time I would stay at the HLH, SL, La Amistad, etc. Lots of vets to help you out if you stay in one of those places.

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

This Cristina place appears to be farther from the usual hunting grounds than Hotel M is. M is 1100-1400 colones from SL depending on time of day. Cristina's appears to be in Sabana Norte, which is a very nice area. Although not that much farther as the crow flies, it can be quite the haul depending on time of day and traffic conditions.

mh

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mh

Good info/posts MH and ID

While it looks like a good place, I echo ID's comment that it might not be the best place to say for your first trip - far better options mentioned in this thread. Until you get a better "lay of the land [pun intended] " you are far better off to stay closer to the action and at places you will meet and talk with other like minded folks. Call me a cynic but I really doubt you are going to meet many other hobbists' at Christiana's - business folks; family's, echo tourists, sure

(Also - FWIW - I'm not 100% comfortable with what the OP was told as to their guest policy)

I toured this place about 4 years ago. A very nice pool, the manager said I could bring back "guests" I believe about $75night at the time .The room I looked at had a small kitchen and small bedroom. The taxi ride was about 5000 colones. It is quite aways from the gulch and during high traffic hours probably 15 minutes from HDR.

The only ways it can be 5000 colones from Sabana Norte to the gulch are:

1. Traffic was horrendous.

2. Taxista went the most round about way possible.

3. He had a meter with a "gringo" switch.

I live in Sabana Oeste which is further west & south by about 2 kilometers and the fare from the gulch is normally 3500 and the taxi rates are considerably higher now then they were 4 years ago when you got charged 5 mil.

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

Isn't there a fairly easy bus to access from that area to the gulch ID? I don't know that area very well but think there is one.