www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Any one care to comment on the Apartments Sudamer or have an opinion about them? Are they decent and reasonably close to the Del Rey? Thanks!

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Steven,

The Sudamer is located 7 blocks straight south of the W. side of the Presidente, about 9 blocks total from the del Rey. The apartments are located very close to the newly-opened Gatitas massage parlor, and literally around the corner from Pantera Rosa nightclub.

Good: Management/ownership. Sr. Carlos Eduardo is a very good guy who will do everything possible to make your stay more comfortable, although he certainly wouldn't help you find chicas or anything illegal. He tolerates prostitution but isn't a huge fan.

Emilio the maintenance guy is extremely helpful.

The apartment I stayed in was very spacious.

WIFI the last time I checked.

Little grocery store on the E. side of the same block.

Easy to hop a bus or get a taxi.


Bad: Neighborhood sucks at night, much noise, and the occasional scream or gunshot.

The apartments are what I would call "indifferently clean." You really need to prompt (and tip) the maid to get any deep cleaning done...and at least the apartment I stayed in seriously needed cleaning.

Mattress wasn't very good.


I like apartment living, as you have more freedom, however this freedom comes with a price. You need to be careful with your company, as there will not be a security guard or desk clerk to check sedulas.

I felt quite secure there, despite the iffy neighborhood.

For information about the Sudamer, contact Sr. Eduardo at:

carlosedmena@yahoo.com

Hope this helps.

Paul

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Thanks Paul! That's really helpful.

You think it more cost effective than the Hotel Castillo??

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

I think it's almost a wash, particularly if you get the cheapest room at the Castillo and pay cash.

Advantages of staying at the Castillo:

* Restaurant/bar on premises

* Close to Sportsmen's Lodge

* Staff is reported to be excellent

Of course, as the Sudamer is an "apartment" there is no 16.5% hotel tax...

Personally, I won't stay at the Sudamer again, simply because it's just a hair too far from the del Rey, ZB and the rest of the Gulch. However, I never say "never," Carlos is a great guy and the apartments are quite comfortable and at a fair, albeit not *cheap* price.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

I stayed there last may, you are right on the money with everything you stated, Carlos was great, the place was clean, but the neighborhhod at night sucked, it was also hard as hell to get a chica to come back there with you

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regards, Jason aka "bjcrazyz"

I was in CR for 15 days in November. Stayed of course at Sudamer. Very convenient. Was an easy walk to anywhere. If you are going to be there for 7 days or more, I highly recommend it. I really liked having the fully equipped kitchen. Had no problem getting anybody to go back there. I took a total of 15 ladies back to the apartment at various times, never a problem. Cooked dinner for two of them, which got me a great tln.I walked from the apartments to Del Rey and back at all hours of the day and night never a problem. I would take all the "bad area" stuff with a grain of salt. Nowhere in Costa Rica is there an area as bad as downtown Las Vegas or anyplace in NYC. Some folks are just scared of thier shadow.

All in all, would highly recommend it. You get a telephone as well, handy for calling ticas over. And the lady comes around to do your laundry each day.A great deal overall.

Im planning to go there in May or june. Does anyone has something new to say about this place ?

Does anyone have a similar accommodation to recomand - for a month or more? - cheaper than an hotel (I plan to stay mini one month in CR)

tx.

J.

I've been visiting CR for over 12 years...and have made over 75 visits. I stayed at the Sudemer in February for 11 days....now the good, bad and ugly;

1) Do not take a room that faces the street...the buses and trucks will literally "stun" you out of the bed
2) The are around the Sudamer is dangerous at night. I read someone posted earlier "scared of own shadow" that's BS. I would never walk to the Del Rey or anywhere else after 8:30 or 9 at night. The taxi drivers always waited until I unlocked the double lock gate before leaving. Once inside the SD I felt very safe.
3) The apartments need refurbishing. The stove in the kitchen would shock me if I touched it while cooking...ouch..
4) No problem getting Chicas to go there with me. Never had one say no...but I will admit I usually took Chicas I know.
5) Price is good...
6) Staff is nice...I always tipped the cleaning lady when I asked for something and she took very good care of me...but I had to ask for clean linen, etc.
7) For extended trips I would stay there...again...shorter trips SL or other gulch hotel is better option

A couple additions to Rascal's comments above:

I have been traveling to C.R. since 2004 and have nearly 200 days in-country total. I have bunked at the Sudamer on two different occasions. Both times I was in the apartment directly diagonal from the main door in the southeast corner of the main building. My observations echo Rascal's regarding the condition of furnishing and appliances...not great. Also, the cleaning lady (judging from the smell) adds insecticide to her mop water. Make of that what you will.

The neighborhood is not safe by U.S. mid-sized city standards, but if you're at all street-smart and cautious, you'll have no problems. In fact, the Sudamer is a 3 minute walk from Pantera Rosa, a Paly store and a very friendly little neighborhood tico bar. Of course, I speak Spanish so I might have fewer problems than someone who doesn't speak the local language, but overall I felt pretty safe there. It is after all only a few blocks directly south of the Presidente. Oh, and my doorbell didn't work right the last time I stayed there, which required me to wait for taxis, pizza, chicas etc. at the front gate, but no big deal. Carlos is a great guy who, while he *really* dislikes prostitution in principle seems to have no problems with us mongers.

One final thing: A number of gringo expats are there on long-term rentals and have lived in the building for years. Most of these guys live on the second floor, leaving the ground-floor units for shorter-term rentals. At least that's the impression I got the last time I stayed there.

Other options for rentals of a month or longer can be found in La Nacion (if you read Spanish) and online. You can also find some rentals in English-language papers like the Tico Times and A.M. Costa Rica, although these will list at a higher price than those you'll find in the Spanish-language papers.

Finally, remember that many C.R. rentals do not even appear in classified ads. A fellow musician and good friend of mine lives in San Jose 6 months out of the year; he found his apartment just by walking around and spotting a "for rent" sign in a window ("apartmento para aquilar" or "apartamento a rentar").

Good luck. Let us all know what you find!

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

finaly got the apartment in front of street (as expected) ..... but i dont care (noisy in day time)..... got TV cable (the previous onwner of the room got it installed) + free internet (enought to play online) + only 18 usd / days (550 US a month) + no bills (lectricity - water and whatsoever) .... just arrived... let u know if finaly its a bad experience... better than an hotel for me coz got a room, a kitchen, bathroom + lounge + cleaning room AND PRIVACY + security - 50/60 m2).

standard is from middle to low (pintura no good, furnitures can be better etc).

Got the key of main door so I can bring who I want in there.... no fees and Carlos doesn't care (BTW its not his business right).

Went around the neighborhood and it looks safe.... dont know by night but its CR.... 1 km to DR / 10 min by foot (if u dont get lost).

It IS NOT a neighborhood you want to be walking around at night.

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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

aa

I'm a big time Sudamer vet. Stayed there for 6 weeks one time and always return when I visit, even for shorter stays. Carlos and Emilio are both great guys and will do anything to help you out. Case in point, one time my safe malfunctioned, and they offered to float me some cash until they could call the guy to come fix it.
The neighborhood is so-so. Have seen street walkers on the corners and their pimps a few feet away. But if you have any street awareness you'll be fine.
My biggest complaint were the mattresses. Thats the one upgrade that's needed. Seems like mine has had years of mongers pounding away on it and was on its last leg years ago.
But overall a great value, close to the action. Grocery store around the corner is good, and right next door I get breakfast every morning at the little red/white stand at the corner. Overall would recommend.