May

Also if anyone knows of the best options for cellular communication down there as well. It would be much appreciated.

I used lucky dogg. Was very happy with them

So whats the plan here? everyone just going to meet up for drinks and mongering? share a condo? I'm in either way.

Another couple of quick questions for anyone out there. Do you have to convert all your U.S. cash into local currency? Or is local currency just for dining and going out. Do the ticas prefer it one way or the other? Thanks again for the assistance.

USD is fine. Most places will give you CR change back. Rate is roughly 500:1. It was 529 when I was there. But 500 males for easy math. Double whatever number is on the CR note and that's USD value. Example 10,000 is marked 10mil. Double the 10= 20USD

USD works fine but a lot of places will screw you on the exchange. I always convert to colones

I just got back from 4 nights in Jaco at Cocal and 3 nights in San Jose at the Sportsmen. I went with Don at One Lucky Dog and he made all the room reservations and carted my ass around. He is the way to go!! It helps to have an insider make the arrangements for you.

I dont think OLD is as good as it use to be.

1. The new guy does not know what his website is offering. I asked about a trip out of San Jose. He told me the trip was intended to leave out of Jaco. I told him that is not what the website says. A couple of times he tried to pair me up with some golfing tour or something that was not what I asked about. I understand that I was a lone traveler and that if there were not other doing what I wanted to do it probably would not happen, but don't try to send me off on something I did not want.

2. I had an airport transfer set up thru them. I was met by a guy that barely spoke english. He told me he had to call the driver. I told him I needed to go to departures to exchange money. He told me that was not necessary, that the Hotels give the same exchange rate. I told him they did not and told him to tell the driver to meet me at departures. I got 530 in departures, Sportsman offers 510, not the same by far.

3. I make my change and head out. The same guy then calls the driver. It take about 10 minutes until the van arrives. The driver who is not Don (but is suppose to be his number 1 man) is on the phone. No offer of drink, no hello, no nothing. He gets off the phone and it seems like we are going to talk, his phone rings again and he tells me to hold on. He is on the phone for 2/3 of the trip to San Jose.

4. We were suppose to do a little refresher course of the important parts of San Jose. The driver says to me, "are you the one that wanted to do something in San Jose?" At this point I just want to get away from this guy. I tell him I did but not anymore. We get to the Sportsman Don told me the airport transfer was 35, with the tour it would be 42. No tour so I payed 35. The driver seemed confused. It appears that the rates differ. Of course I have made other contact now where I get the services OLD offered for less and it appears, for me at least, more reliable.

I miss Sid.

I am not saying OLD is bad, I am just telling you what my experience is with the NEW OLD and why I will not use them again.

I have been an OLD supporter on this site and on CRT, and while it pains me to say it I agree with most of what you said. When I went last Spring it was still Sid and I had no complaints, fantastic service, and a beers in the cooler for the ride into town. And Sid was very interesting and entertaining to converse with.

I used OLD again in the Fall with Don at the helm. All my dealings with him personally were fine, exactly what I expected. When I arrived the driver was there and ready (not Don, though). I told him I needed to head up to departures for cash exchange and departure tax. He rolled his eyes and gave an equivalent response to "whatever". I wanted to leave my bag with him while I ran upstairs but I didn't even understand his response when I asked so I took it with me. Afterwards jumped in the vehicle, was never offered a drink of any kind and as you said he was on the phone the entire ride in.

My ride back to the airport was much better, Don himself provided transport, arrived early and was a cool guy and I enjoyed swapping CR stories with him. So in summary I am not saying I will not use or recommend OLD's services again, but I am at least willing to sample the competition which I would not have considered prior to my Fall trip.

Thanks again IXinerVI and everyone else for the advice. My friend and I have already booked our hotels already unfortunately. I wonder if OLD would just do transportation for us though...

My buddy and I intend to do a bit of sight seeing during the day since it is a bit slower than the evenings, so I at least would love to meet up and share a few drinks with all the great guys that contribute here. The odds of us meeting stateside is pretty slim. The first round is on me. PM me when when and where you guys intend to show up. We are staying @ Morgan's Cove since it is both close to Cocal, is Tica friendly, and we can get some peace and quiet when we need it.

I plan on heading back in early May

I had Don himself at O.L.D. pick me up and take me to the Cocal in Jaco for 4 nights. He was great and had a cooler of beer and pop. I never experienced Sid (the old owner) so I can't comment there. Don knew the people at Cocal well, and I had a great room (reserved by him) and then Don himself picked me up and took me to the Sportsmen's for 3 nights. Again, he arranged the room (it was great), and picked me up and took me to the airport at the end.
He only charges for the rides and he gets a percentage from the hotels he books you in. He doesn't charge anything for reserving rooms and he can get rooms when we ourselves can't.. He has had trouble hiring competent help if he himself can't fit you in his schedule. Remember, the Ticos down there are on 'Tico time'. So Don has to do his own legwork and it's tough to be two places at the same time. I suggested that he hire a Tica or two as drivers. The Tica's have more of a work ethic than the Ticos in my opinion. But if you are a Chicago Cub fan, he may drop you off real close to see the Crocodiles on the road to Jaco. Real close..... as he is a die-hard St Louis Cardinal fan.

Thanks again IXinerVI and everyone else for the advice. My friend and I have already booked our hotels already unfortunately. I wonder if OLD would just do transportation for us though...

My buddy and I intend to do a bit of sight seeing during the day since it is a bit slower than the evenings, so I at least would love to meet up and share a few drinks with all the great guys that contribute here. The odds of us meeting stateside is pretty slim. The first round is on me. PM me when when and where you guys intend to show up. We are staying @ Morgan's Cove since it is both close to Cocal, is Tica friendly, and we can get some peace and quiet when we need it. Originally Posted by Dragon77

Ask Don. I am sure he will transport you!!!

Thanks again guys. I guess all that I have to do is contact Don through Lucky Dog then.

I should have my international T-Mobile phone by the first week of May. I'll post the phone number here for anyone who wants to me up for a drink in CR later.

I'll only use it for CR trips, and probably let it discontinue until my next trip. So no worries on spam messages.

any of you guys still going in early may?