Christa 1-
Started a new thread - I am very interested in San Carlos for Christmas - since you live there now - do you have a recommendation for a hotel/condo - would like a place where I could prepare a few meals with ocean views-
not interested in fancy high end - rather have a quaint more local type feel

I looked at the website - it looks like just what I am looking for to escape Christmas in Oregon

Excellent! We get a lot of people down from Oregon -- and Washington, BC, etc etc.

I haven't stayed in any of the hotels, but hopefully I can give you some direction.

I've visited people staying at Dorado Condos. They're right on the water -- rocky, not sand beach, so great for snorkeling. There's a pool with lounge chairs and a patio with BBQ for guest use (vendors come by selling shrimp and fish perfect for the BBQ). The condos have kitchens and living rooms. Run by a nice family. Near several good restaurants and the marina. A bit of walk or short drive to sand beaches.

Pilar and Bahia Delfin Condos are beside each other on a really long soft-sand beach. They are near an estuary that is great for walking around and kayaking in. There are kayak rentals on the beach. The dolphins hang out here. There is one restaurant, pool and tennis court. It's about a 5-10 minute drive to town. If you won't have a car it may feel too secluded. You can contact Vonda at http://seaofcortezrentals.com/ for condo rentals here.

Fiesta is on the other end of that really long soft-sand beach -- at the beginning of town. It has a pool and a great restaurant -- best margaritas. Go to the restaurant, even if you don't stay there. The dolphins frequently swim by. I've never seen the rooms but have talked to people who were happy with their stay.

Best Western is well situated and has a nice pool. Otherwise, I don't know much about it.

Los Jitos and Creston are inexpensive and popular with the nationals -- and often quite crowded. Creston has a pool. Both are short walks to different beaches.

For higher-end (in case you change your mind), Playa Blanca and Posada are both really nice and in great locations.

Depending on how long you're coming for, you might want to rent a house. That's what I did my first time here. I went through Roberto at Seaside Reservations, and I'd recommend using them. You can email Roberto at [email protected].

You can get links to these places and more from www.whatsupsancarlos.com

Feel free to ask any follow-up questions. Hope this helps,
Christa

Thanks for your suggestions - it sounds great and I had never heard of it before

I might vote for the place with the great margaritas

Is San Carlos a pretty safe place in your opinion ?

Very safe. In San Carlos there's no neighborhood that you should avoid. Day or night you're safe to explore all that there is to see and do.

I wrote a longer response to that issue that was published in Mexico Living and at http://www.whatsupsancarlos.com/mexico-is-safe/ after the testimonials.