Steve

Hey all, <BR><BR>I'm new to forum info postings so please excuse any lack of grace and/or grammar here. I'll be going to Quepos, CR in two weeks, April 4-9th, for a wedding. The 160$ a night fees at Si Como No scared me a bit from the financial side. All I need is a comfortable bed, a warm shower, and a hotel staff that is friendly and willing to put up with a green-go who's abilities in Spanish will be limited to some key phrases on the back of his hand. I read a note here about a place called Hotel Villa Nina in Quepos. It sounded perfect (at 25$ a night, to boot). Anything like that or similar? Also... even though I may sound cheap on sleeping accomodation side, from all the sights to see, I am tempted to rent a car for my time there. Do you'all have any advice/stories on the San Jose to Quepos run... and the surrounding areas, from law enforcement... to parking.... to road surface points of view.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance to one and all that respond!!!!<BR><BR>Steve from the wonderful Northeast Coast...of Cleveland, OH<BR><BR>ps. Please copy me at ssorger@mindspring .com as well.

mark

Most places are small and quaint, on the mountainside overlooking the town and water. I advise you to go sportfishing for a day while in Quepos. Also, eat at the Great Escape...American woman owns it. Good food and chatter.

Robbie Felix

Villa Nina is certainly not 25 dollars a night anymore. I read that,too, and the info was way out of date. My guess is that it is at least 60-70 dollars per night now. Beautiful view there, but sadly, the place is right on the main road from town to the beach so there may be a noise factor.<BR>If you are looking for a 25 dollar hotel you wll be able to find one, Flor Blanca, for example is around that price or less. But the 25 dollar hotels do not generally have websites and promotional stuff. <BR>Here are some other suggestions:<BR>www.karahe.com<BR>www.hotel-california.com <BR>www.villasmymosa.com<BR>www.monoazul.com<BR>ww w.lacolina.com<BR>They vary in price range but you can start there. They are all places with amenities and all that but much more reasonably priced than Si Come No.'<BR>My place is Hotel California, but am not recomending it above anything else, simply put n on the list. It , too , is above the 25 dollar price range you have in mind.<BR>As far as traffic, if people are flashing their lights at you it means to slow down as there is a traffc cop ahead of you. Also, paying a traffic ticket is VERY easy here, don't pay a bribe. If you do get pulled over just tell him to give you the ticket as they are so easy to pay, just any bank and pay at the window, no court, no nothing.<BR>The drive is nice from San Jose to here, but best done in the day time the first time as it s a difficult one to do at night for the first time.<BR>Best wishes,<BR>Robbie

Steve

Thanks for the leads on sleeping accomadations and the driving tips, Robbie. I actually liked that camping area that La Colina Hotel runs.... but not for this trip..... I'm not sure if I want to travel down a 30K gravel road after the wedding reception. I will try to explore them all. Last question for you if you get this note... if I don't decide on a hotel/villa now, would there be any problem with just walking up and registering on my arrival date at the hotel of my liking (will there be a room) if I don't decide on one now? Thanks in advance. Steve

sandy

Steve, you must be thinking of a different La Colina. I stayed at this hotel last February. Trust me, it is right on the main road. The same people I think own a hotel in Monteverde--maybe you're thinking of that? We loved LaColina. We stayed in one of the cheapest rooms (about $50). It was a little shabby, but we didn't care. Everything was clean and the pool was awesome (with a real swim-up bar and a veiw of the ocean).

Steve

Sorry for the brevity of my note Sandy. Rob of Hotel California sent a note on places to stay around Quepos. The La Colina web site had two La Colinas lodging sites.... a bed and breakfast/hotel place near Quepos... and a backwoods low end hotel, bunk bed, tent camping area down a 30K gravel road after you get to Quepos. Thanks for the info on the pool bar. By the way, would playing Bocce Ball on the beaches around Quepos be appropriate? I'm thinking of bringing my set with me.

Robbie Felix

As far as traveling in April without reservations it probably will not be a problem at all. wouldn't worry toomuch and would just go and get a room when I get there , or in my case, here. The only time of the year when reservations are mandatory are right now, Semana Santa and the week between Christmas and New Years, the rest of the time one can normally find a room with little difficulty.<BR>Best wishes!<BR>Robbie