www.CostaRicaTicas.com

About 2 months ago I E-mailed the Cadillac Rock for a reservation for next month. (Dec.) It took over 2 weeks and I was ready to try somewhere else when I got their reply. It makes me worry about the place. But it was highly recommended to me so that's where I intend to stay. If something goes wrong I am sure I can get a room in Jaco although it might be more expensive.

clarita's works ~ i have stayed there several times & prefer the 2nd floor rooms facing the ocean ~ these have a/c & run $65 per night during season i think ~ they have a small pool & are chika friendly ~ dining off site is easier on the wallet than indulging at their bar on standard american fare ~ i also have stayed at & can recommend the blue palms on pops ave ~ corporate cash rate is $45 i think ~ they have a small pool also that gets morning sun ~ 'bout 10 - 15 minute walk from cocal ~ coming from jersey it is easy to see that jaco is just a shore town with probably one of the worst beaches in costa rica ~ but you don't go to jaco for the beach.... i very much liked a local seafood place named irazu ~ moderately priced with plenty of local clientele ~ did well fishing on a panga out of herradura ~ see you there?

Clarita's is # 13 on the TripAdvisor list MH linked; Blue Palm is #31.
I've stayed at and enjoyed Clarita's--if you enjoy a certain funky charm, it's the place. It seems they are everything-friendly (got a thing for monos , do you? Come on down.)

_________________
"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

Ouch, thats pretty bad. Well its been 3 weeks for me and yet no reply.

I keep hearing good things about Claritas, but I still rather not drive, but it seems like I might have to do so.

Am at Clarita's right now. It is exactly what i expected - basic, clean rooms at a beach bar. Nice staff. Met owner and he seemed cool. Have mostly eaten elsewhere but what I had here was surprisingly good. Only disappointment - was hoping for a little more daytime action at the bar, but it is still off season

Awesome, I am deciding between claritas and blue palm now. but keep reading that the Blue palm is a really bad neighborhood. Anybody have input? Thanks

the neighborhood at blue palms is no problem ~ they are in the misdt of building multi million condo next door to it with most of the heavy construction done at this point from what i understand ~ there is a soda & a liquor store close by & just a few minutes walk from downtown ~ limbo appears as a tough neighborhood but you can walk through day or night w/no problems ~ just like the rest of jaco or anywhere else ~ if you are falling down drunk, everywhere is dangerous

Ah ok, Blue Palm seems to be more of my budget! Since I rather have more $$ for fun, rather than sleeping Thank you.

anyone in jaco mid january ~ no matter where they stay should make their way to the jungle jam music festival at doce lunas hotel ~ a grateful dead type gathering for nights & days of music & fun ~ i'll be there ~ jaco like other costa rican beach towns rotate which bars are busy on which nights ~ different places have their allotted night because of music or theme but you always have the monkey & then jaco taco for the late night crowd ~ see you there?

Fascinated was I about this. It's not a bunch of no-name, less-talent poseurs--it's for real:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases ... 66771.html << even the bottom-of-the-bill's cook righteously.
And the hotel: http://www.docelunas.com/

_________________
"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

Hotel Mango Mar its on the beach right next door to cocal breakfast inc and a guitar shaped pool. Chica freindly but try to be discreet lots of tico families on Sat & Sun. You can grab chicas at gate for 1/2 price & walk over to your room.
They have a website

...And here it is:
http://www.hotelmangomar.com/

_________________
"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

Awesome I will email them right now!!

I stayed at Mango Mar about 3 years ago.
You get what you pay for.
They had a Chica fee at the time.
The Female Canadian manager explained it was to discourage customers from having guests and problems that inevitably arise.

She and their typical eldery Canadian retiree couples that stay there for extended stays frown upon Chicas being brought on property. The eldery folks staying there were early risers and not partying late at all.

The comments and looks in the morning from other guests were sometimes comical. Apparently your neighbors at the mango mar can hear everything that goes on in your room.

She even went as far as asking us to move to the Cocal. We would of gladly changed hotels; but the Cocal was fully booked, as it was high season. We told the manager we would try and keep a Low profile and be discrete as possible. She actually waived all but one of the Chica fees upon checkout because we were very discrete.

I would only stay at the Mango Mar if there were no other rooms available elsewhere.

1) Chica fees maybe
2) Beds sucked
3) problems with the safe! The safe battery died and we couldn't open it. We had to wait till morning. Both my wingman and myself couldn't access our cash. Caused lots of Drama!
4) Suicide shower head.
5) old style jalousie windows that were broken and let mosquitoes in. Mainly in the bathroom.

You get what you pay for sometimes.

Got to take a look at several rooms at Cancions del Mar today and they are very nice! The remodel did a world of good. Only 15 rooms and all are suites and definitely not under $100 a night but there is no chica fee either. The one-bedroom suite my buddy took was priced at $125 a night plus 13% tax and the guy that showed it to us said that was a special rate for this week only. Had a very nice balcony overlooking the beach, separate bedroom and living room and the standard amenities you'd expect. The two bedroom suite had two separate bedrooms with individual bathrooms, a large living area and a huge balcony overlooking the beach. It was priced at $190 a night plus tax.

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