Hello- as part of my upcoming trip- i'm spending two nights in monteverde the plan the first day- leaving SJ at 8 a.m. and doing Sky Trek and possibly a night tour at st elena- the second day in Monteverde. I'm still debating between hotels: Hotel Belmar, Trap Family Lodge, Monteverde Lodge. Any preferences- i know trapp is closer to monteverde- we usually like to be able to walk around town...

Also- I'm flying into SJO arriving at 9 p.m. the night before heading out to Monteverde- i would like to go somewhere for dinner in san jose- any suggestions and somewhere to stay downtown? Thanks.

Do you want to be in San Jose in particular? The airport is actually west of town several miles in the city of Alajuela. If you'd like to avoid the city, I'd suggest staying nearer the airport at Hotel Villa Bonita (owners a very nice young Tico couple Humberto and Carmen)--good breakfast included, 5 minute from the airport. You'll easily be on your way the next morning. They would be happy to help you order food (pizza, for example) to the hotel that night.

OR, about 15 minutes from the airport, also in Alajuela, Las Orquideas Inn. Also a very good breakfast and a fun bar, the Marilyn Monroe. Not sure how late they serve. It has been debated on this board recently. Someone suggested asking ahead to prepare you something earlier in the evening so it would be available to you when you arrive. I'm sure they would.

Not sure about getting food this time of night anywhere else. By the time you get out of the airport, it will be very late.

What are your plans for transportation?

You could stay in San Jose also, but then you have to drive that distance into town, through town (crazy traffic) and backtracking the next morning when you head west again toward Monteverde. By the time you get to San Jose and checked in, it will be 11:00. Again, I don't know that restaurants will be open that late. Hotels to consider in town or Grano de Oro and Hotel Don Carlos. There is a place called El Pueblo on the north side of town that is sort of a mall of restaurants, bars, and discos combined with artisan shops, etc. Some of those restaurants could still be open. The bars/discos serve bocas (snacks).

Not sure that I've been of any help, but I wish you luck and happy travels!

By the way, Humberto at Hotel Villa Bonita knows Monteverde well and could advise you about the hotels.

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or www.hotelvillabonita.com

We stayed at the Trapp Family Lodge in Monteverde. The staff was very good, breakfast delicious, rooms quite spacious, we certainly enjoyed our stay. Our only complaint was that it is so far from town. The drive on that bumpy road, although a very short distance, was a pain, back and forth and back and forth.

It's the only night we were going to be in San Jose- so i thought maybe we could walk around- see San Jose a little- get something to eat- first flavor of costa rica. We are from NYC- and i guess used to things being open late . Is there usually traffic later at night? I guess it's not worth going into san jose if it's going to be more of a hassle.

We are going to take a shuttle or private van the next morning to Monteverde- trying to find the best rate- do you get better rates once you are there? I'm just nervous about not booking in advance since we want to leave that morning.

I have read that trapp family lodge is further out- any thoughts between Hotel Belmar and Monteverde Lodge?

We are moving on to arenal- already booked arenal observatory lodge one night and tabacon the other.

For manuel antonio- debating between makanda and si como no- prices are so expensive and the standard rooms are never available- only deluxe for an additional $70 or $80 a night! Anyone know any discount sites that have discounted rates?

julie, I really wouldn't advise walking around San Jose at night. It's a different city after dark. Prostitution is legal, and we have seen cross dressers (or whatever they are called) hanging around on the streets even in some of the better areas of town. It simply isn't as safe at night. No city is, you know that, but San Jose less so.

We always do our walking in the daytime and take taxis at night. It definitely would not be safe to explore. Costa Rica is a very safe country (compared to many), but it still is a third world country with a poor police presence. Crime is on the rise, particularly among tourists (there are more tourists there now than ever before, so the rise is predictable). In the past, the crimes on the streets of San Jose have been more the pickpocket and purse snatching variety, but violent crime is becoming more and more common. Many of the Costa Rican folks blame it on illegals from Nicaragua and that is somewhat true, but still, please reconsider.

If you stay overnight there, you can take a taxi to El Pueblo or to a restaurant or club. There is a club called Club Leon, I think--sort of an upscale deal--you might enjoy an evening there. Humberto from Hotel Villa Bonita is in an excellent band and frequently they play there.

Have fun, but do be safe!

Wow- thanks for the advice- i didn't realize san jose was like that. My husband and i had just planned to grab dinner- not really hit a bar anyway. I think we'll take your advice and stay outside the city so we can head out early the next day. You may have saved us from big problems- thanks!