www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have my first trip coming up in a few weeks. SE Asia has been my destination of choice for some time, but this year I’ve decided it’s too damn far - so CR it is. Some great info on here about SJ and Jaco. I have a car for 2 weeks, so my question is: what other towns can I have some “fun” in.

Grim Rica


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Welcome to the forum.

If you are a frequent visitor to SE Asia, especially Pattaya, you are going to find Costa Rica enjoyable but much more "tame". Definitely not as many venues. I do love coming to CR. It's a beautiful country with great people. And I can get there in less than eight hours whereas it is at least 24 hours for me door-to-door to SE Asia.

I have been coming to Costa Rica since 1999 and have been to most every area except for the southwest Pacific coast (Golfito area). The Northwest Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Flamingo, Coco, Tamarindo) and Caribbean beaches (Puerto Viejo area) are incredible and well worth the visit as well as many interior locations like the Monteverde Cloud forest and the Arenal / La Fortuna (volcano) areas. A favorite of mine is white water rafting during the green / rainy season. Lots of great rivers.

That said, the only real areas with much adult entertainment are San Jose and Jaco. The opportunity for fun can be found in most other towns but it is much more difficult to locate. A lot of guys that venture outside of SJ or Jaco take a woman with them.

Jaco itself is really limited to the Cocal Hotel and casino until about 1 am and then various nightclubs after that. I'm really not a huge fan of Jaco as it is very limited and very hot and humid but it does have more sunshine than San Jose and the hotels have pools. There is a beach but it is probably the worst beach in the country. Jaco is much more expensive than San Jose for lodging, food and entertainment, but the food is much better overall. If you go visit Tsunami Sushi. Pretty expensive but the seafood is fresh off the boat.

San Jose has many places to visit. Massage Parlors / Pensiones in the daytime, bars and nightclubs (strip joints) in the evening. Read the Bar section of the forum for details. Many people say the scene in SJ is dying but I have never gone out and not found company to my liking.

As far as a rental car, I would personally ditch it. In downtown San Jose you really don't need it as the city would be pretty much impossible for a newbie to navigate, the traffic sucks and the there is nowhere to park except for paylots. Taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap for short trips and Uber is active and very inexpensive for the longer hauls. The roads outside of San Jose, except for a few expressways are pretty terrible.

In Jaco you really don't need a car as everything is pretty much on the main drag running along the shore. Also, you really don't want to be caught drunk driving. The penalties are harsh and the justice system is pretty draconian.

I have heard that many of the rental care companies will try to scam you into paying for pre-existing vehicle damage. If you do rent, be sure you are adequately covered with a Collision damage waiver or you credit card covers it.

Travel between cities can be accomplished relatively cheaply. Public buses are very cheap but not real comfortable. Determining the right route will take some study / research. Shared vans like interbus aren't too expensive. They usually provide door-to-door service. If there is more than one of you traveling then a private van or taxi might be appropriate. There are a couple of transport companies that advertise on this forum. Finally, you can look at the regional airlines (Sansa and Nature Air). You can sometimes find great deals on flights within Costa Rica. What would be a four hour drive turns into a 30 minute flight.

If you do insist on staying with a rental car, consider staying at the Sportsmens or the Amistad. I believe they have free parking available.

Enjoy your trip.

Grimrica,
You will enjoy Costa Rica and it's splendid scenery. the Volcano is very cool to go to but bring company. the beaches in Guanacaste are 2nd to none. I really enjoy the Northern beaches like Flaming, Playa Grande, Brazilito [Las Conchas]&Tamarindo!! You will need a car to see these beaches and the Volcano. If you are staying in San Jose, you won't need the car as the traffic and parking are crazy. You will enjoy yourself in San Jose as there are many choices as listed above. Have a great trip and let us know about your adventures.
Pura Vida
Propman48

Thanks for the detailed replies. First 3 nights are in SJ. Costa Rica Marriott night 1 and SL night 2 and 3. I pick up the car the day I leave SJ. I have booked rafting and plan to head to the pacific side via volcano and go from top to bottom.


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You are going to really enjoy yourself. I have gone from Liberia and Arenal Volcano and then headed south for 2 weeks staying at a different beach every other night all the way to Dominical and then back over the mountain to San Jose. It was great trip and every beach is beautiful. I didn't make reservations I just stayed wherever I found a good place and a good deal. I was paying anywhere from $50 to $100 depending on location and I used a recent tour book of beaches to locate some of my rooms.
I took sand to the beach and took my girlfriend from the states with me, but now that we have broke up I would enjoy doing it again with a warm Tica by my side!!!
Propman48

Just a word of caution. When you are planning your driving segments, allow plenty of time. It might say it is only 100 miles or so from point A to B but it might take 3 or more hours as the roads can be challenging and even minor accidents on the roads can cause long delays. It's also rainy season so flooding is a possibility.

I'm sure you'll have a great time.

When diving pay attention to when you come to bridges. A lot of them are 1 lane and 1 direction is considered right of way, the other direction will have a sign that says CEDA shortly before the bridge or it might be just painted on the road. If that is sign is the direction you are heading you have to yield to the oncoming cars. Traffic can get ridiculous so like the other person posted give yourself plenty of time. I like to drive at night but you need to watch out for wildlife on the roads at night moreso that during the day. Also people drive like shit, they will do 30 mph until you get to a 2 lane passing section then they speed up to 90 until one lane again. Nobody seems to know how to merge correctly either so drive defensively and agressively or you waste a lot of time behind idiots that are afraid to enter traffic.

By all means hit Baldi hot springs and get a day pass, you can spend the whole day there but for me 5 hours and I'm gassed, the hot water takes it out of you. Have beer and food in your car and park across the street from the entrance . You can rent a locker inside to put your clothes, wallet, car keys, etc, in for 6.00. The towel deposit is 10.00, but you get that back when you leave. You can swap out towels as often as you wish. They do have some good resturants there but they are a little pricey. There is a place just up the road from Baldi where you can park on the side of the road and walk down to the creek with hot water but you need to be careful about getting robbed. For me the water slides and the cleanliness of Baldi was well worth the money plus the K*ds had a blast. Also in that area is Cavernas de Venados which are the only caves in Costa Rica that are open to the public with a guide. For 25.00 a person it was well worth it and everyone had a blast. Rainy season is the best time to go as it gets quite hot in there during the dry season. Once over to the coast check out Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo and head south to Samara, about 3.5 hours from Tamarindo. Lots of little towns along the coast to stop at and spend the night. Lots of Cabinas and places to stay without reservations as well but your accomdations will be hit and miss on level of quality. Ask to look before paying for a room for the night. If you have a Tica with you, let her get the room to avoid the gringo tax.