www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Did PVT say anything about STRANGE men
I see something about "best buddies" and "cool guys you want to hang with."
I see nothing about "strange."
Misinterpretations make credibility go downhill fast.

it's all good but if you meet some cool guys you want to hang with and they are staying elsewhere, no way to have a room party.

One of the reasons a lot of vets won't stay there is their rules about who can go to your room. At SL, you and your six best buddies can hang out in the room talking/drinking/smoking and it is all good. However, at DR, the only people going up to your room is anyone you pay the fee to allow upstairs. If you have friends staying there as well, it's all good but if you meet some cool guys you want to hang with and they are staying elsewhere, no way to have a room party. And trust, room parties (particularly at SL) are the BEST!!!

I agree 100% that 'to each his own' should be the motto and there is no right or wrong answer, just varying opinions. I was speaking to the 'vets' who many times plan trips to be here together or just know a lot of folks.

HDR is a good option and perfect for the solo monger who wants nothing more than 'female company'.

SL is more for the social monger who likes hanging out with buddies at the bar or in the room.

Amistad is a good mix as you can have room parties or you can go solo the entire time without having to meet anyone if that is your choice.

DonJuan, you are certainly doing it the right way.

I just heard a story from a friend in San Jose about a guy who did no research and came down without even a hotel reservation. He did not even know about the girls!! His cab driver told him about the Del Rey so he got dropped off there with his luggage. Later that night he was ready to check in to a hotel, but rather than get a room at the Del Rey, he decided to walk across Morazon Park to the Holiday Inn dragging his luggage. He only made it part way until six guys accosted him with a razor and took everything, including his eyeglasses, money, passport, clothes, etc....all gone. Darwin's Law in action.

For me the nice thing about staying at the Sportsmens Lodge is that everything you might need or want is there or close by and many of the taxi drivers who hang around out front are honorable guys who speak some english. The gringos hanging out at the bar will most always help you if you ask. Many will take you under their wing and show you the town. The security guards vet the chicas and if you ever have any trouble in your room with a chica, all you need do is pick up the phone and the problem is addressed.

One of the reasons a lot of vets won't stay there is their rules about who can go to your room. At SL, you and your six best buddies can hang out in the room talking/drinking/smoking and it is all good. However, at DR, the only people going up to your room is anyone you pay the fee to allow upstairs.

The walk between HDR and Aurola Holiday Inn is 3 blocks through parque Morazan. Usually well patrolled by local police.

There is a heavy cop presence up til around 10 or 11, and then as the parque empties out of local K*ds and lovebirds, the cops vanish and it is just another empty parque begging for a good mugging scene.

I learned my lesson long ago, and stay out of the parques at night. I will walk the periphery of some, but will not enter, no matter how open it appears. But then, I'm a chicken-shit at heart, so ...